Sweden

Ugly.  But good.

Well we just finished playing Sweden.  We ended up winning in four, but really didn't play all that well.  We  started Jaki, Krista, Marie Sophie, Shanice, Jaimie and Alicia, with Noe at libero.  We came out a little flat and were down 8-4 at the first technical time out.  But then we had a good run of serving and won going away 25-17.  

Now you would like to believe that everything would be fine after that, but our wheels fell off.  In the last 3 sets we committed 40 unforced errors.  Which means serving, hitting or being aced by Sweden.  Almost enough for 2  full sets of points in the match.  Basically in the second set Sweden had to serve the ball and then get out of the way. 

Luckily we learned that we don't need to be perfect to score.  We need to learn to play well when things are weird. If we get a bad pass still try to find a way to score instead of being upset we got a bad pass.  Do something that betters the ball rather than getting frustrated.  I knew if we could keep the third set close when we hit 20 we would be fine.  Which worked out well for us winning 25-21.  Considering we were down 20-19 that is a good comeback.  

The fourth set started out rough again with Sweden up the whole way through.  Our English translator brought me a phone call from Joely at 21-19 for Sweden.  Joely went to watch the Italy Norway match so we would have imformation on the winner for tomorrow.  Heidi the translator couldn't understand what she wanted so she thrust the phone into my ear.  It is funny now, but at that time it was pretty intense in the gym.

We really played focussed the last points and won 25-22.  We were excited because we advanced, we are also excited because it brings us to even in win loss categories, but we are disappointed in the focus the team showed.  Effort is never a question with this group of girls, but  being able to change their focus and play with confidence after errors is the hardest thing for us right now.  Winning after winning is tough.  It takes special athletes to maintain the focus after a successful outing.  Ask the last four Stanley Cup champions.

But we advanced, and tomorrow is Italy.  They are a traditional volleyball power.  I expect us to have no problems getting up for the match.  

We are due to play flawless.

Look out Italia

A little highlight video of a set against Sweden.