They played hard and played Tennessee virtually even in every phase of the match EXCEPT service errors. We had 15, they had 4. And we only had 4 aces to their 2. People can say all they want about needing to serve hard to get the opponent off balance, but we had more kills then them. To me we lost because of the 11 point difference in service errors. They battled their hearts out, but service errors have been our main weakness and downfall all season, especially after the loss of Hutson & Stuckey.
In the fifth set with the match on the line, don’t we want to first call for a serve that is in, even if it’s a little easier to handle? Do the analytics suggest otherwise? I guess I’m suggesting it’s situational. At the end of a tight match maybe we can’t afford to be as risky when serving.
I'm not saying that. I'm saying: KM has more service errors than anybody else on the team. In a critical situation, where the team can't afford a SE, put in somebody else to serve. And the same goes for McKissic and Canaan. It's not personal; it's who this season's stats show have the highest number of SEs.
There are several ways to “pop” the service flat footed for a top spin(hardly ever seen anymore but still a nice change of pace deep or shallow) or floats. Imo, the jump serve helps the taller servers but it’s a couple extra movements which make hitting the jump float right..tough. The risk reward , imo, isn’t compelling. Also, during the last five points of each set is a match within a match where service is key. Imo, I don’t believe in charity to my opponent.
But at least they have to make some passes and a kill shot to get the point. The defense has a shot at digging or blocking or the shot could be out. With a serve in the net or long, it's a gimmee. They do nothing and get a free point.
I guess it depends on how you define when a season is lost. Last year's season was lost when prima donnas ruled and even abandoned the team mid-season for a professional pay day overseas or an NIL deal here at home. That's a season that's lost. This year's team seems nothing like that. Yeah, injuries have crippled the team and no one is thinking natty anymore. But this group seems to have a comradery and love for each other. They fight like hell, never giving up. That makes them fun to watch. I like a scrappy team.
All true and correct. IMO, the jump serve is supposed to be a back row attack (with the added benefit that trying to block it is illegal). It generally favors a taller player therefore. But, if a shorter player can execute it that way, I'm OK with it. For UF, the only player who serves that way is Fitzpatrick. Everybody else is hitting a jump floater, which - by my definition - is a stupid concept. And, it's more prone to error than just keeping your feet on the ground and focusing solely on ball contact. For the season, UF has 241 service errors in 80 sets. Again: I don't understand why UF coaches and players continue in this manner.