VBelo Scouting Report: March 05, 2023
One-loss teams are working hard to have only one loss
Even though their undefeated season ended, the Golden Eagles continue to show us that they are for real. In an upset (but not all that surprising) win, Charleston defeated Ohio State at Covelli Center. It was a competitive match, but Charleston dominated on offense. They out-hit OSU .429 to .231! Charleston also had 5 players hit over .450 for the match. This was not a fluke performance, this was exactly what we have seen Charleston do all year. They have not only earned being in coaches’ top 15 poll, they are showing that they deserve to move up.
We also had some dramatic 5-set conference matches yesterday. Loyola survived a strong challenge from Purdue Fort Wayne. The Mastodons have the talent to beat any team in the MIVA and taking Loyola to five shows that. This does mean that Loyola remains atop the MIVA at 7-0. We also had a showdown between BYU and Grand Canyon over in the MPSF. Yet again, the Lopes find a way to win, this time in overtime in set 5. With this win, Grand Canyon belongs to a group of 5 teams with only 1 loss on the season: Charleston, Daemen, Grand Canyon, Penn State, & UCLA. This was Grand Canyon’s 5th time going to Cinco Sets (tied for second most nationally).
Only two matches today but they are big ones. We have Ball State continuing their California road trip against UC San Diego. Both teams are looking to bounce back from losses on Friday night. Ball State in particular is in an interesting position for the AVCA Coaches’ poll. They sit at #12, right ahead of Ohio State and 3 above Charleston. If they were to lose today, I would think Charleston should move to at least #13, if not #12. Ooh the possibilities.
The other match today is between #6 UC Irvine and #3 Penn State. This match will be valuable for either team and will feature some of the top players in the country right now. It is not that difficult to imagine both of these teams making to the national tournament, so this might an preview of coming attractions.
Match Recaps
MIVA
Loyola Chicago (68%) def. Purdue Fort Wayne (32%)
3-2 (22-25, 25-21, 25-17, 21-25, 15-12)
Parker Van Buren (LUC) had a great night with 20 kills to lead all players.
MPSF
Grand Canyon (66%) def. BYU (34%)
3-2 (22-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-17, 17-15)
Jackson Hickman (GCU) finished with 12 kills and 4 aces, including the walk-off ace to win set 5.
SIAC
Central State (91%) def. Morehouse (9%)
3-0 (25-9, 25-14, 25-21)
Fort Valley State (66%) def. Kentucky State (34%)
3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-21)
Kentucky State (59%) def. Morehouse (41%)
3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-21)
Non-conference
George Mason (79%) def. Barton (21%)
3-1 (25-19, 25-14, 24-26, 25-16)
Liam French (GMU) with a new career high (18 kills) to life George Mason.
Charleston (32%) def. Ohio State (68%)
3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-23, 28-26)
Luuk Hoge Bavel (UC) led the Golden Eagles with 18 kills while hitting .552% in the huge win.
Penn State (91%) def. Concordia-Irvine (9%)
3-0 (25-19, 40-38, 25-20)
Cole Bogner (PSU) with a strong double-double (45 assists & 10 digs) in the extended sweep.
Lewis (63%) def. Maryville (37%)
3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-23)
Missouri S&T (45%) def. Emmanuel (55%)
3-0 (25-23, 29-27, 32-30)
Harvard (51%) def. Long Island (49%)
3-1 (25-19, 25-23, 16-25, 25-22)
UC Irvine (45%) def. Stanford (55%)
3-0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-22)
Francesco Sani (UCI) led the Anteaters with 13 kills and a .545 hitting percentage.
Lees-McRae (62%) def. Randolph-Macon (38%)
3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-17)
Match Projections
Non-conference
Penn State (74%) vs UC Irvine (26%)
Ball State (73%) vs UC San Diego (27%)
