Weekly Review #5: Blocked

#6 posting 9.21.2008
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Weekly Review #5: BLOCKED
The week ended with Shakopee knocking off #1 Chaska in the Apple Valley tournament. Unfortunately I wasn't able to be there due to obligations with my squad at the SPA tournament. The awards/honors listed below are based on what I saw over the week. I was able to get out Monday, Tuesday and Friday for action. All the contests, but one were over and out in sweeps. I also was able to see the last three teams that are listed in the top 10 in AAA. (for those keeping track I am now just missing one team overall in AAA poll/receiving votes category---Blaine).

The big impact this week was found at the net. Woodbury and Owatonna both had walls with 9 and 8 total blocks. Both teams have nice length across the front line. It makes life difficult with those extra few inches across the board making teams adjust to a different reality. The rest of the six teams combined had 10 blocks for points.

To be eligible for these awards I had to see the team in action the past seven days.

TEAM OF THE WEEK
Woodbury was big at the net and they don't make many mistakes. The Royals gave up on average 6 points per game, the lowest of all the teams seen this week. They also earned more of their points than any team with 17.3. On top of that they were second in FBSO in the week with a .548 %. The Royals use balance and defense to their advantage.

photo by kja

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Even though her team lost when I watched the honor goes to Amy Braun of Lakeville North. She provided over half of LN's earned points in the three set loss to #1 Chaska in the Apple Valley tournament. Braun had 16.5 points, 15 on kills. She is a 5-10 outside hitter that provided big shots when LN needed them in the front or back row.

each week has a theme and this week the theme was outside hitters. The OHs provided much of the points the past seven days.
Amy Braun, Lakeville North OH
Bethany Thompson, Owatonna, OH
Michelle Graham, Woodbury, S
Amanda Unze, Chaska RH
Maddy Kelzenberg, Woodbury MH
Kaileigh Lake, Owatonna, MH
Mackenzie Niesche, Chaska L

photo by Teas

Next up: tomorrow morning