Kevin J Anderson - Sports Resource

This is the first of the VB Week That Was 2010 #12----First Timers

STATE TOURNEY WRAP

Three teams won their first state tournament titles on snowy Saturday, and it was going to be guaranteed that after Friday’s semis. Lakeville North spoiled a potential headline knocking off Wayzata as  Wabasha-Kellogg, Wadena-Deer Creek both won-----WWW Take Titles. As it was sentimental favorites Lakeville North and Wadena-Deer Creek prevailed. LN with coach Milan Mader getting the first title in six championship experiences and WDC for overcoming the tornado devastation in June.

There may have been some state title games that were not at the Xcel Energy Center however…..Lakeville North beat Bloomington Jefferson in the 3AAA finals in a five setter and Wabasha-Kellogg topped perennial state entrant Bethlehem Academy in four in the 1A final.

CRYSTAL BALL
What does the future hold?
AAA: With the young guns Taylr McNeil and Alyssa Goehner returning for LN on the outside we could be looking at a four year domination. Of course the Panthers will need to replace Miss Volleyball Kellie McNeil as setter. Wayzata, runners up for two straight years, will look to prevent that from happening with the return of Julia Doyle and Toni Okuyemi. The rivalry will resume next year.

AA: Stewartville has tradition to return. Hutch has to replace their big middles. Visitation is young, Sauk Centre returns most of their crew. WDC needs to replace AA Player of the Year Courtney Volkmann. But my guess is Marshall will look to continue their odd year championship cycle ----2007, 2009.

A: Wabasha-Kellogg needs to fill the middle. But the next champ may not have been at the tournament. Two teams look to be contenders…Bethlehem Academy is always dangerous and they have a habit of winning in odd years 2003-2005-2007-2009. Nevis is rumored to be getting some players---anywhere from one to three---- with state tournament experience. If that happens they become a strong contender.

THE HUNT FOR THE TOP 40
No change here. DGF (#48) was the only team in the top 50 I did not see this fall.

Here is how many of the top 40 (according to MaxPreps) I have seen this fall.
1-10----100%
1-25----100%
1-40----100%

NUMBERS THAT MATTER

UNDER ATTACK
Is there a class difference in where the attack comes from? At least for the teams in the state tournament? Yes it does. The AAA schools rely on the left side, while the AA and As go to the middle. The further down you go the middles become more important.

Class: Left, Middle, Right, Amount relying on preferred zone; contrarian
AAA: .522; .268; .210; 7/10; Wayzata MH
AA: .347; .437; .216; 6/10; Marshall OH
A: .300; .505; .196; 8/10; Cherry OH
I don't know if this means that A teams, with fewer numbers put their better athletes in the middle or not. My guess is they do. AAA teams, with bigger numbers, have more options available and may put their top athletes on the outside.

Also as you go down in class hitting errors ended a teams serve more often
AAA: .152
AA: .160
A: .183
What does this mean? It means the higher the class, the hitting improves and teams don't inflict damage to their own chances of winning.