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FISHERS — The arena was electric as the Indy Ignite came into their home opener undefeated, 3-0, with the opposing Omaha Supernovas coach Luke Slabe calling them the biggest threat in Major League Volleyball.
The Ignite proved him right in the first set, narrowly ousting Omaha 25-23, not just running with speed, but also showcasing their superstar setter Mia Tuaniga, who made quick plays for her attackers and forced opposing middle blockers to "work extra hard on the long-term situations where the middle's going to be most likely late," Slabe said.
But the electricity started to fade for the Ignite who lost Saturday night's match 3-1 in front of what would have been a nearly sold-out crowd, if not for the impending snowstorm which had the stands about 75% full.
The Ignite went into their first home match — after three away where they beat Dallas, Columbus, Orlando —and, after winning the first set, lost the second 25-22, the third 25-16 and the fourth 25-23.
"I would say I don't really care that we lost. We're 3 -1 (current record). We lost to the Supernovas. That's really not my issue," Ignite coach Lauren Bertolacci said. "The issue would be the manner in which that happened today."
Bertolacci didn't mince words when it came to what the problem was for her team, which is made up of some of the best players in the league. As Slabe put it "every one of them is a threat."
"It was pretty bad. I don't think we ever had any momentum actually. Omaha has a great team, so all credit to their performance. I don't think we showed up today," said Bertolacci, who is in her first year with the Ignite but in eight seasons coaching has a 210-37 record. "I think we had a lack of competitiveness, a lack of grit, not so much personality in the game, and we struggle when we play like that."
Opposite hitter Azhani Tealer called the way her team played, "not really acceptable, especially on opening night in front of a crowd like that that came out with weather like that. We have to look at ourselves in the mirror and we're not invincible. People are going to come out and bring their best, and we have to do the same every single night."
Outside hitter Anna DeBeer, 11 kills (.214) and 14 digs, saw moments of greatness from her team, including Tuaniga who led a fast-tempo offense with 46 assists, three kills (.333), three digs, two blocks and an assist.
The best success came from middle blocker Alexandra Botezat, who had an errorless hitting night with four kills (.400). Position-mate Lydia Martyn had nine kills (.278) on 18 swings. Outside hitter Leketor Member-Meneh had 13 kills (.250) and 10 digs while libero Elana Scott had 15 digs.
"But I do agree. We kind of lacked that competitiveness and we felt it, and I think tonight we were a little hesitant in things and weren't going after it all the time, which obviously that impacts the whole outcome of the game," DeBeer said. "So I really think it just came down to the competitive fire that we didn't have."
When she was told that Slabe called the Ignite the best team in the MLV, "the deepest team, the most physical, the most athletic team," Bertolacci paused for a moment.
"Yeah, I mean, I thought I built the best team in the league, so I'm going to stick by that until the end of the day. We're a very offensive team. We score well when we get our mindset right, so it's a nice compliment," she said, "but we've got to hold the trophy at the end for that to be true."
The Ignite came into Saturday's match facing former teammate and setter Sydney Hilley, which was a bit odd for both sides.
"Obviously, she's a great player," DeBeer said, "but it is weird seeing her across the net." That's the exact word Hilley used.
"It was weird," Hilley said. "I just have such good memories, and it's like seeing the girls that I love playing with on the other side of the net was just, it was really strange."
Hilley called the Ignite a talented team with a great venue, great fan base and great franchise. "I have nothing bad to say about it. I was really happy to see those guys, and they're having a great year."
But once the ball goes up, it's all competition. Hilley finished the night with 38 assists, three kills (.750), five digs and three blocks.
She said the Ignite gave Omaha trouble in that first-set loss, causing them to be out of system most of that game.
"We were killing the ball at such a high level out of system with a non-setter setting, so I think that was very clean today," Hilley said. "But yeah, it was a battle every single set. It was a really fun match tonight."
As a former Ignite player, Hilley was asked if her knowledge of the team gave Omaha an advantage scouting wise, maybe a little inside info.
"I think maybe a little bit, just because, like Luke said, it's a really deep team," Hilley said. "So, we didn't scout every single person. So, when they subbed in people that I had played with previously, I was able to say, like, 'Hey, Blake Mohler, she likes to serve short. Or she runs a really quick slide, just things that I know about them."
Slabe called his team's victory, "the cleanest game of the season for us. I have to congratulate my team. The block defense was superb. We really slowed down their biggest threats. And also our offense did a marvelous job as well." Omaha hit .362 and had just four errors, which Slabe called "unrealistically low."
"Our three pins hit, I don't know, some crazy numbers. And when your three pins are hitting these crazy numbers, it's really hard to lose the game," he said. "It was just ... continue pressuring and sustaining the pressure and just playing a high level ball. We succeeded at that. That's why we, again, today we beat what's the best team in this league right now."
Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on X: @DanaBenbow. Reach her via email: [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy Ignite volleyball score vs Omaha Supernovas, Sydney Hilley returns
Continue reading...
The Ignite proved him right in the first set, narrowly ousting Omaha 25-23, not just running with speed, but also showcasing their superstar setter Mia Tuaniga, who made quick plays for her attackers and forced opposing middle blockers to "work extra hard on the long-term situations where the middle's going to be most likely late," Slabe said.
But the electricity started to fade for the Ignite who lost Saturday night's match 3-1 in front of what would have been a nearly sold-out crowd, if not for the impending snowstorm which had the stands about 75% full.
The Ignite went into their first home match — after three away where they beat Dallas, Columbus, Orlando —and, after winning the first set, lost the second 25-22, the third 25-16 and the fourth 25-23.
"I would say I don't really care that we lost. We're 3 -1 (current record). We lost to the Supernovas. That's really not my issue," Ignite coach Lauren Bertolacci said. "The issue would be the manner in which that happened today."
Bertolacci didn't mince words when it came to what the problem was for her team, which is made up of some of the best players in the league. As Slabe put it "every one of them is a threat."
"It was pretty bad. I don't think we ever had any momentum actually. Omaha has a great team, so all credit to their performance. I don't think we showed up today," said Bertolacci, who is in her first year with the Ignite but in eight seasons coaching has a 210-37 record. "I think we had a lack of competitiveness, a lack of grit, not so much personality in the game, and we struggle when we play like that."
Opposite hitter Azhani Tealer called the way her team played, "not really acceptable, especially on opening night in front of a crowd like that that came out with weather like that. We have to look at ourselves in the mirror and we're not invincible. People are going to come out and bring their best, and we have to do the same every single night."
Outside hitter Anna DeBeer, 11 kills (.214) and 14 digs, saw moments of greatness from her team, including Tuaniga who led a fast-tempo offense with 46 assists, three kills (.333), three digs, two blocks and an assist.
The best success came from middle blocker Alexandra Botezat, who had an errorless hitting night with four kills (.400). Position-mate Lydia Martyn had nine kills (.278) on 18 swings. Outside hitter Leketor Member-Meneh had 13 kills (.250) and 10 digs while libero Elana Scott had 15 digs.
"But I do agree. We kind of lacked that competitiveness and we felt it, and I think tonight we were a little hesitant in things and weren't going after it all the time, which obviously that impacts the whole outcome of the game," DeBeer said. "So I really think it just came down to the competitive fire that we didn't have."
When she was told that Slabe called the Ignite the best team in the MLV, "the deepest team, the most physical, the most athletic team," Bertolacci paused for a moment.
"Yeah, I mean, I thought I built the best team in the league, so I'm going to stick by that until the end of the day. We're a very offensive team. We score well when we get our mindset right, so it's a nice compliment," she said, "but we've got to hold the trophy at the end for that to be true."
A familiar face on the other side of the net
The Ignite came into Saturday's match facing former teammate and setter Sydney Hilley, which was a bit odd for both sides.
"Obviously, she's a great player," DeBeer said, "but it is weird seeing her across the net." That's the exact word Hilley used.
"It was weird," Hilley said. "I just have such good memories, and it's like seeing the girls that I love playing with on the other side of the net was just, it was really strange."
Hilley called the Ignite a talented team with a great venue, great fan base and great franchise. "I have nothing bad to say about it. I was really happy to see those guys, and they're having a great year."
But once the ball goes up, it's all competition. Hilley finished the night with 38 assists, three kills (.750), five digs and three blocks.
She said the Ignite gave Omaha trouble in that first-set loss, causing them to be out of system most of that game.
"We were killing the ball at such a high level out of system with a non-setter setting, so I think that was very clean today," Hilley said. "But yeah, it was a battle every single set. It was a really fun match tonight."
As a former Ignite player, Hilley was asked if her knowledge of the team gave Omaha an advantage scouting wise, maybe a little inside info.
"I think maybe a little bit, just because, like Luke said, it's a really deep team," Hilley said. "So, we didn't scout every single person. So, when they subbed in people that I had played with previously, I was able to say, like, 'Hey, Blake Mohler, she likes to serve short. Or she runs a really quick slide, just things that I know about them."
Slabe called his team's victory, "the cleanest game of the season for us. I have to congratulate my team. The block defense was superb. We really slowed down their biggest threats. And also our offense did a marvelous job as well." Omaha hit .362 and had just four errors, which Slabe called "unrealistically low."
"Our three pins hit, I don't know, some crazy numbers. And when your three pins are hitting these crazy numbers, it's really hard to lose the game," he said. "It was just ... continue pressuring and sustaining the pressure and just playing a high level ball. We succeeded at that. That's why we, again, today we beat what's the best team in this league right now."
Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on X: @DanaBenbow. Reach her via email: [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy Ignite volleyball score vs Omaha Supernovas, Sydney Hilley returns
Continue reading...
