2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsVolleyball offense rolls up impressive numbers
Jeff Faust
Issue date: 10/30/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Defense wins championships, but a good offense will sure help get a team there. This season, Missouri State volleyball is running one of the most prolific offenses in the Missouri Valley Conference.
With senior Katelyn Panzau, one of the best setters in the conference and in school history quarterbacking the team, this offense has the ability to unleash on any opponent.
So far this season, MSU (23-3, 12-1 MVC) is third in the Valley in hitting percentage and second in kills, behind Northern Iowa by just 0.34 kills per game.
Last weekend, it was apparent the abilities the Bears offense has on opponents. In the two matches, the Lady Bears showed off both of their attacking styles.
Against Evansville (11-11, 4-7) on Friday night, MSU used a spread offense attack and let everyone hit. The team didn't hit below .200 percent in either game, while five of the Lady Bear's hitters had at least eight kills.
Sophomore Sara Staubach led the team with 12 kills, while senior Sara Thomas only had eight kills but on an efficient .500 hitting percentage.
Against Southern Illinois (12-12, 4-8) on Saturday, the Lady Bears went straight to their big guns on the outside where senior Jamie Adams had 20 kills and Staubach had 18 kills on just 40 swings for each of them.
They were joined by freshman Shayla Patrick who had 10 kills and Thomas who added nine more.
The conference leaderboards are filled with Lady Bears. Thomas (6th) and Panzau (9th) are in the top 10 in hitting percentage, while Adams (4th), Staubach (8th) and Thomas (10th) are in the top 10 in kills.
Hitting isn't just for show. There are actual proven results to the offensive system, which is evident in the outside hitting of Staubach. MSU is now 12-0 when Staubach has at least 12 kills.
With the hitters putting the ball away off the textbook sets from Panzau, she is able to put up big numbers. Panzau, who added 86 more assists last weekend, is now fifth all-time in assists with 2,512. She is only seven assists away from becoming fourth on the all-time list.
MSU will have a light weekend coming up with just one match to travel to in Kansas. However, the match will be against Wichita State, who is currently sitting atop the conference standings. The Friday night match-up at 7 p.m. will most likely be for the regular season conference title.
With senior Katelyn Panzau, one of the best setters in the conference and in school history quarterbacking the team, this offense has the ability to unleash on any opponent.
So far this season, MSU (23-3, 12-1 MVC) is third in the Valley in hitting percentage and second in kills, behind Northern Iowa by just 0.34 kills per game.
Last weekend, it was apparent the abilities the Bears offense has on opponents. In the two matches, the Lady Bears showed off both of their attacking styles.
Against Evansville (11-11, 4-7) on Friday night, MSU used a spread offense attack and let everyone hit. The team didn't hit below .200 percent in either game, while five of the Lady Bear's hitters had at least eight kills.
Sophomore Sara Staubach led the team with 12 kills, while senior Sara Thomas only had eight kills but on an efficient .500 hitting percentage.
Against Southern Illinois (12-12, 4-8) on Saturday, the Lady Bears went straight to their big guns on the outside where senior Jamie Adams had 20 kills and Staubach had 18 kills on just 40 swings for each of them.
They were joined by freshman Shayla Patrick who had 10 kills and Thomas who added nine more.
The conference leaderboards are filled with Lady Bears. Thomas (6th) and Panzau (9th) are in the top 10 in hitting percentage, while Adams (4th), Staubach (8th) and Thomas (10th) are in the top 10 in kills.
Hitting isn't just for show. There are actual proven results to the offensive system, which is evident in the outside hitting of Staubach. MSU is now 12-0 when Staubach has at least 12 kills.
With the hitters putting the ball away off the textbook sets from Panzau, she is able to put up big numbers. Panzau, who added 86 more assists last weekend, is now fifth all-time in assists with 2,512. She is only seven assists away from becoming fourth on the all-time list.
MSU will have a light weekend coming up with just one match to travel to in Kansas. However, the match will be against Wichita State, who is currently sitting atop the conference standings. The Friday night match-up at 7 p.m. will most likely be for the regular season conference title.
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