The first Pro Volleyball Championship will start on Wednesday, May 15, when both semifinal matches are played.
In the first matchup, the No. 4 seed Grand Rapids Rise (12-12) will face the No. 1 seed Atlanta Vibe (19-5). On the surface this may seem like a mismatch, but it’s far from that. Grand Rapids defeated the Vibe twice in the regular season. The set record between these teams was 9-8, in favor of the Vibe.
Only Columbus defeated Atlanta more than once this regular season. The matchup between the Rise and Vibe can’t make Atlanta head coach Todd Dagenais feel comfortable. The Rise defeated the Vibe in Atlanta in four sets in January. On Wednesday, the semi-final will be played in Omaha in front of what should be a vocal, raucous volleyball-loving crowd.
Here are three reasons the Rise can defeat the Vibe and win their semi-final match in the PVF Championship tournament.
Setter Ashley Evans
Though she failed to be named to either the 1st or 2nd All-PVF teams, it could be argued that Evans is the most important and valuable player at her position in the league. Evans not only excels at setting up her teammates, she is clever in her sneak attacks and a capable blocker if needed. Like many at the setter position, Evans is a natural leader, but she stands out for her poise and energy on the court. Her play on Wednesday night, fueled by several years of pro experience, could be the deciding factor for the Rise. Evans will square off against a talented setter in her own right, Atlanta’s Marlie Monserez, who was named to the All-PVF second team.
High-Flying, High-Powered Attacks from Air Clair
Clair Chaussee lived up to her nickname “Air Claire” by displaying an elevated array of spikes and attacks, from the front as an outside hitter, and from the back row. Her 395 kills easily led the PVF, and she averaged 4.11 per set. Chaussee is a threat from anywhere she gets the ball, and if she can get her swings to stay in, the Rise have a chance to win on Wednesday in Omaha.
Vibe Doubt and Rustiness
The Vibe last played a PVF match almost two weeks ago. They have had to wait out the postseason while the other teams decided who would be No. 2, 3, and 4 in the seeds. You could say the matchup they ended up with is the least palatable for Arlanta, who lost their first two matches to Grand Rapids, first at home, and then on the road. If the Vibe are rusty, Grand Rapids is capable of winning this match, especially with their firepower at the net.
