Chinese-Taipei

We just finished playing Chinese Taipei.  

This was a very interesting game.  They were a prototypical Asian team.  Smaller than other team with super defence and lots of motion and speed.  The ran an inside out offense.  They showed an x play off of most serve receptions and every free ball.  They would almost 'i' up ( using the football term).  

The leftside would come into the court almost in the 31 zone and then either run the 53 or they would run outside and hit a angle shot.  The left handed rightside would run a step infront of the setter or would come in and then hit an inside out approach.  This looked very difficult for a lefty, but she was very successful with it against France and us.

We started Alex at setting, Marie Sophie at leftside with Shanice, Krista at Rightside, Tricia and Jaimie in the mids with Noe at libs.  There is a new rule starting this summer internationally that a team can dress two libs.  They have to follow the same rules as normal libs has to be play inbetween a lib on the floor.  But it makes it an interesting use of a defensive player.

The team did a good job moving with the attackers and get positive touches on the blocks.  Positive touch for us is a slow down.  By slowing the ball down we were able to transition into our speedy offense.  The first set we were down 23-19 and battled back for our first set win 27-25.  Great serving run to put incredible amount of pressure on their leftside and then some exceptional defending.  Beth came in at 25-25 to serve she made two great digs in position 6 for us to transition to Marie for the win.

The next set the Taipae stepped back further and bombed away with jump floats back about 4 meters from the end line.  We struggled to pass this type of serve.  It came fast and hard and really moved in the gym.  Our confindence in our passing dropped and we lost this set 25-16.

We regrouped well the second set.  The passers really focussed on moving behind the ball. Alain used the term dancing with it.  Allow your self to move with it rather than just reaching for the ball.  Once we settled down with this we battles hard.  We were close at 20 but just couldn't seem to catch up losing the set 25-22. But had some long rallies and the crowd was very vocal about our effort and play.  That made it a really fun environment to play in.

The fourth set we were in control most of the way.  We were playing with confidence and really enjoying the calibre of the match.  It is fun to play a team that is very unpredictable and run different patterns than we see in Canada.  We were ahead 21-20 and Two Taipae players collided and the ball came out with a tremendous amount of spin, but the official let it go.  First time all match that ball handling wasn't called.  A long rally continued and we ended up hitting the ball just long.  Then we just couldn't find away to put the ball away and got stuck in the rotation.  We ended up losing 25-22.  But we definitely battled and make them earn their points.  

This is video of Taipai vs France.  I only have the scout video but it will give you an idea of the type of offense the ran all the time.

The team can feel proud about their match.  Even though we are now eliminated from the A side of the tourney it is a great experience and one that will pay off ten fold for these athletes in life and volleyball careers.

Tomorrow France for 3rd in our pool!!!