HBU is now 5-2, having won their last 4 matches in just 13 sets-- 3 sweeps (vs. Lamar, LaTech, PVA&M x 2). The also swept San Diego State, but lost twice to SHS.

Hopefully, we can break the pattern of our first four matches, in which we struggled out of the gate in each of our first sets, making error after error before finally getting into rhythm. And, again, I'm looking for our other outside hitter (Ellie, Maruska, Courtley) to step up and take at least some of the defensive pressure off of Nicole.

Rice takes the 1st set, 25-19. Honestly don't think HBU should be getting more than 15 in any set. Rice was up 20-11 at one point.
Genny has decided to go with Courtley so far instead of Maruska.
Kills: Bichelmyer 5, Adekunle 4, Lennon 3.

Rice was down 7-10 in the 2nd. Genny sat Lennon and Adekunle for Maruska and Kostelecky. Rice leads 19-15. Rawling and Foord also getting some time in.

Rice takes the 2nd, 25-16. Majority of the set was played by our freshmen and sophomores, and LaBue at libero.

Strong and well-balanced first set. Genny's playing the second set like an exhibition, emptying the bench. Nicole only limited action early; Anota sat entire set.

Still won 25-16, despite 3 consecutive HBU aces which put them up 8-11 at one point, before we turned it around-- with our subs.

Ellie really having a dominant match-- until she was pulled by Genny half way through the 2nd set. Already with 9 kills and only 1 attack error in 14 attempts.

Ugh, Genny starts the 3rd with both Nicole and Anota on the bench still.

3-4 Lot's of errors on both sides.

I applaud Genny for giving everyone some playing time, but this is NOT how to get the starters in sync and into a good rhythm.

4-6

10-10 Looks like Genny is going to stick with the bench, save for Carley, the rest of the way.

This set we have as many attack errors as we have kills.

21-13

HBU's offense is pathetic. Hitting .051 and .061 the past two sets-- largely with our subs in.

24-17

HBU now on a 6-0 run to close to 21-24.

25-21 for the sweep....but we really only played one solid set (the first). I trust Genny knows what she's doing, but benching most of our starters for 2 of the 3 sets is not helping get us in the rhythm we're going to need against a much, much tougher LSU team on Friday or a solid SHS squad on Sunday.

I was there for parts of all 3 sets. I was impressed with the team - even the 2nd stringers were tall and physical. Courtley and Kostelecky were dominant on defense at times. HBU had a couple of good hitters - nice to see Chris and Lacey Feris' girl play the whole way at libero as well.

How bad must San Diego State be? Hard to believe for a California D1 VB team.