Penn State
Wins Back to Back National Championships
2014
National Championship…. Fifth ranked Penn State Nittany Lions against the
unranked Brigham Young Cougars. This is a match that no one saw coming. I
filled out a bracket before the tournament started and I had picked Penn State
to win it all, mostly because I have been obsessed with Micha Hancock for
almost three years now but also because after watching them win it all last
year I knew they could do it again. Now BYU on the other hand is a different
story. I had BYU losing in the second round to Arizona. Who knew that they
would make it this far?
Saturday, December
20th was the big day for both teams. Playing for a National Championship,
something that BYU probably never thought they would experience and something
that Penn State knew they could do but were going to have to upset Wisconsin
and Stanford first. Both teams, not expected to make it that far were now
playing for the ultimate title, something that all volleyball players dream of
experiencing. Or at least I do lol. In order for Penn State to win they were
going to need to stop 6’7 Jennifer Hamson from terminating every ball she got
and also make sure they weren’t hitting into her hands. Penn State did a really
good job of hitting high over Hamson’s block, allowing her to only have 2
blocks. They were also going to have to shut down Alexa Gray by setting up a
solid block and having defenders ready to dig her multiple shots. PSU did a
great job of digging Gray, allowing her only 9 kills which is low for her.
In order for
BYU to defeat the defending National Champs they had a lot of things to watch
out for. Micha Hancock’s deadly left handed top spin jump serve definitely was
one of them. Also Micha’s left handed setter attack which is very efficient and
really cool to watch. Adding to the list, freshman Ali Frantti and sophomore
Megan Courtney who are both amazing outside hitters. Courtney had 11 kills and
14 digs for her second consecutive double-double performance landing her a spot
on the All-Tournament team. She was also named Most Outstanding Player. Penn
State also has 2 very effective middles, Nia Grant and Aiyana Whitney. Whitney
contributed 11 kills while Grant had 9. PSU has an awesome back row too, libero
Dominique Gonzalez had a match high 16 digs.
6:30 ET was
game time, and it was time for someone to be named National Champs. Would it be
the underdogs, BYU? Or the defending National Champs PSU? From the beginning to
the end Penn State was in control. Winning the first set 25-21, the second set
26-24 and the third set 25-14. Not very often does a team win a Championship in
straight sets but Penn State took care of business. Seeing the aftermath of the
game, the hats, tshirts, confetti, tears, hugs, and celebration made me realize
just how bad I want that to be me someday. I want to say congrats to both teams
for great seasons and a huge S/O to my biggest idol Micha Hancock J
If you want
to read more in depth about the game to can follow these links.
Word Count: 553
No comments:
Post a Comment