Auburn rocks Riverheads in Volleyball State Title - Wow - Dang....

[uvacavs1]

Auburn Volleyball absolutely just obliterated Riverheads 3-0. Auburn earned their 3rd State Volleyball Title in row. Congrats to the Eagles.

I knew that Auburn was the heavy favorite over RHS (either one) before the season began.

However, I was pulling for Riverheads as they had just defeated Rappahannock 3-2 in a thriller in the State Semis. Great job to Riverheads on another fantastic season. Y'all just ran into a buzz saw....nothing you could do about that.

The scores were Auburn over Riverheads - 25-8, 25-10, & 25-9.

Riverheads was rattled from the beginning and made more mental and self errors in the 1st set than than did in 5 v the Raiders.

 

[uvacavs1]

I must say that Auburn's superstar #8 Allyson Martin is total amazing beast of a player.

Wow - she must be playing D-1 ball next year. So glad she is senior. Gives the rest of the teams a chance next season ha.

Congrats to Auburn Head Coach Sherry Millirons. And that is how it is done in a state playoff game going for a championship!

Thank you coach for the lesson. I can assure you that I took notes. I certainly hope that other folks did too. Studying that game should be required as a learning tool for anyone who hopes to have a shot at it next year.

 

[uvacavs1]

My takeaways on the coaching methods utilized by both teams playing today...

1) You play a 5-1 the entire time with your best setter always in the game.

2) You start your best (experienced and athletic club) players and never take your proven best 4-5 athletes out of the entire game (unless it is almost over and the game is well in hand).

3) You make extremely limited substitutions during a state contest no matter what the score is (unless someone has gone cold).

Both Auburn and Riverheads made only one small substitution in each set for one person as a needed adjustment. You battle win or lose - with the horses who got you there.

4) You set only your very best hitters and attackers non-stop (top two maybe three players) over 95% of the time. This should be done with out thinking and with practiced precision.

5) Cheer and encourage your players with positive and enthusiastic emotions and use constructive criticism and constant feedback as needed.

 

[longtimerhsfan]

Auburn was indeed impressive today, but I hope the Riverheads girls will realize that they made it to the state finals four years in a row, and who knows it may not be the last time. That is quite an accomplishment and they should put the positive spin on that instead of dwelling on the negative of the losses. The Auburn player mentioned above truly dominated the game and it will be interesting to see if they are able to continue their run without her next year.