CLYDE – With two keys players returning to the lineup after a week away, Ross volleyball coach Kari Shull was worried the Lady Giants might be out of sync as they got reacquainted with one another.
That wasn’t the case. The Lady Giants’ offense was a much-improved, more cohesive unit than it was without Hayley Lawrence and Brooklyn Baptista, but their returns still weren’t enough to get Ross over the hump in a four-set loss to Clyde, 25-23, 22-25, 18-25, 16-25.
“We had our lineup back together tonight and I was impressed by how well they meshed together on the court and played together,” Shull said. “I thought our passing was a lot better tonight. I think we’re taking big swings when we’re supposed to.”
With her full roster intact, Shull shortened her bench, foregoing a libero on the court, and saw the benefits of an improved night of passing, which has been the Lady Giants’ biggest issue this season.
“We basically ran with seven kids tonight,” Shull said. “I think (continuing to limit the bench) that’s going to depend on how people do with the pass. Passing is going to get you on the court. And doing it consistently is going to keep you on the court.”
While pleased with what she saw from her team, and its improved offensive performance, the loss still disappointed.
“It was a loud gym, it was a packed gym so it was a fun, small-gym, whole-town environment,” Shull said. “So, it’s definitely a tough loss to take.
“But for having everybody back together, I was afraid any momentum we had built for a week and a half would come to a screeching halt and we’d have to start back over. But I didn’t feel like we have to go back to the starting pole, we picked up where we were and we’re going to keep moving.”
The Lady Giants (2-6 overall) return to action Thursday at Whitmer.