This is the first of a two-part series that has a prematch “scouting report”—tendencies, strengths, weaknesses—and a postmatch “scouting report review” to see if the teams held up their end of the bargain in their victory. This particular SR focuses on Ohio State’s match at Michigan during Rivalry Week.
GAME DETAILS:
- Friday, September 29th
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- 8:00 PM Eastern Time
- Television: Big Ten Network
- Full TV and Live Streaming Schedule
MICHIGAN SUCCESS FACTORS
- Balance
In scouting reports, you traditionally focus on a player or two in each category, both offensive and defensive, to see where a team might take advantage of a weakness. It’s rather hard to key on any particular player for the Wolverines, as four different players have led Michigan in kills in their 14 matches thus far this season. Five players for UM currently average over 2.2 kills per set, and all five of those players attack over .228 this season. Defensively, libero Jenna Lerg leads the team with almost 4 digs per set, but BOTH outsides for the Maize and Blue (Carly Skjodt and Adeja Lambert) average well over 2 digs per set. Why is this significant? Every other team in the Big Ten has at least one of their outsides replaced in the back row. Such is not the case for Michigan.
- Tough scheduling prepares them for conference play
You might see their record (10-4) and say, “Yeah, yeah, whatever. They’re barely receiving votes because of their record. True, but their losses are all to ranked teams (USC, Colorado State, Minnesota and Wisconsin). You can’t fault them for losing to ranked teams. The doubters should start questioning if UM starts losing to teams they shouldn’t lose to. This match might be the best resume builder, since Ohio State just knocked off Purdue.
OHIO STATE SUCCESS FACTORS
- Defense
Currently, the Buckeyes are fourth in the Big Ten Conference in digs per set at a shade over 16. The only teams ahead of them in that category are all ranked; Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan State (who just knocked off the two former teams at their respective houses). They are three digs per set clear of Penn State, something I never thought I would see myself type.
- Balanced offense
Just like their northern rivals, Ohio State relies on multiple players to carry them offensively. They also have FIVE attackers averaging over 2.2 kills per set. Just like Michigan, the Buckeyes have had four different attackers lead them in kills during their 13 match schedule thus far. And again, just like the Wolverines, they rely on solid attack percentages (team hitting .270) from their front row players.
SO HOW DO YOU BEAT THEM?
Michigan: Serve tough
There is no sure-fire way to slow down or even stop Michigan from doing what they do. The Wolverines pride themselves on spreading the wealth and waiting for teams to shoot themselves in the kneepad (sorry, little volleyball dad joke there). But watching some of their matches had me wondering how they fared in their losses. On the season, they average 1.4 aces per set—and get aced 1.2 times per set. When you’re practically breaking even in the serve and serve receive departments, you’re hoping that the team you play does NOT serve as tough as you do.
Ohio State: Allow the Buckeyes to be inconsistent
Ohio State is 9-4. Michigan is 10-4. At first glance, their records are similar. However, Michigan’s losses (noted above) are to ranked teams. The Buckeyes? BYU, Missouri State, Notre Dame and Western Kentucky. Missouri State and Western Kentucky were losses at home; not quite a great start to an NCAA tournament qualifying resume. Yet they did walk onto Belin Court in West Lafayette, Indiana to knock off Purdue this past weekend.
So which team shows up? Does the consistency of Michigan prevail? Or do the giant killers in Ohio State take it to their northern rivals?
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