Apr 10, 2022 17:00 PM PST

Freedom Brings the Big Guns to Beat Stunners 3-1
Led by starting Outside Hitter Ian
Capp (26 PTS | 25 Kills and 1 Ace), the New Jersey Team Freedom defeated last
season's NVA Champions, the OC Stunners 3-1 | 25-22, 25-22, 18-25, 25-23.
Opposite Hitter Joseph Norman added 16 PTS (12 kills, 3 blocks, and 2 Aces) for
Freedom in the victory, helping to hold back Stunner's Outside, Matt Hilling,
who tallied a team-high 16 PTS | 14 kills, 2 Blocks, and 1 Ace for the Stunners
in the losing effort.
Team Freedom's Ian Capp was a tough
player to stop, hitting at 62% on 40 attempts, with the Stunners unable to form
a closed triple block against his out-of-system plays. Opposite Joe Norman also
was in top condition, making easy work of Stunner's outside Josh Nehls at the
net with massive blocks and high flying swings over the mismatch. Middle
Blocker Thomas Burrell was as fast and crafty as ever on offense, making it
nearly impossible to get a dig. In addition, newcomer Outside Timothy Ferritier
has earned a solid chance to be the starting outside over last year's starter
Josue Castillo.
For the Stunners, Outside Hitter Matt
Hilling was able to step back into his usual position after playing setter
against the Seattle Sasquatch and immediately stepped in as the team's number
one outlet. Middle Blocker Nick West led both teams with the most blocks at 7,
also leading his team with the highest W-L point differential at +10. In the
third set, Jair Santiago made a considerable impact subbing in the court,
racking up 11 points in only two locations.
The OC Stunners struggled to play
consistent defense, seeming to lack a system to play behind the block with
balls falling between players with no one there to cover. Additionally, with
only 50% positive passing, the Stunners rarely had their hitters in tempo,
leading them to fall behind Freedom in attack points by 20, 43 kills to
Freedom's 63.
In concluding Event 1, Team Freedom
has come out the gate in 1st in the National Coastal division at 2-0, while the
Stunners continue as 2nd at 1-1. The Stunners will look to face the Texas
Tyrants, who currently lead the National Central division after wins over the
Colorado Kraken and the Chicago Untouchables. Team Freedom looks to have an
easier match against the Chicago Untouchables, who went 0-2 in their first
event but have proven difficult to beat, going to 5 sets each game.
- NVA Staff Writer