March 31, 2025 • 19 mins
Tiffany and Khat recap week 12 of the inaugural League One Volleyball season, including some of the incredible individual performances and milestones LOVB athletes reached. Khat also shares her thoughts on staying energized through a late five-setter and the loud LOVB Austin crowd. Finally, the two make their picks for match of the week in week 13.
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Host: Tiffany Oshinsky
Senior Producer: Anya Alvarez
Executive Producers: Carrie Stett, Tamara Deike, and Lindsay Hoffman
Theme Music: Pancakes by Eric W. Mast, Jr.
Sound Designer: Daniel Gonzalez
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, Serving Pancakes listeners, Tiffany here with a quick shout
out from our friends at Adidas. We're in the final
weeks of our Love Pro season, which means it's your
final chance to grab the limited edition inaugural season player jerseys.
Show your support for your favorite players now at Adidas
dot Com slash US Slash Love. That's Adidas dot Com
(00:23):
Slash US Slash l O VB. Hurry, these things are
going fast and once they're gone, they're gone. Don't miss
out on your chance to be part of history. Hi,
I'm Tiffany Oshinsky and I'm Katbo and this is serving
pancakes with League one Volleyball. The Inaugural Love Finals are
(00:44):
almost here. So to get you ready for the final showdown,
Kat and I will be going over the matches from
the week to keep you up to date on everything
League one Volleyball. There's only two more weeks left in
the regular season. How you feel about that, cat.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Girl, It's gone by so quick.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
I feel like, you know, it almost felt like we
were kind of slow start a little bit and then
now was just like we're up and running. So we're
down to the last two weeks and I'm excited, you know,
to see how the fine's going to go.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
I bet you are. I'm excited to see how it goes.
Can you believe that this season's already almost over?
Speaker 2 (01:14):
I know, it's almost like kind of sad, you know.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
I've been really enjoying going into my friends like almost weekend.
Like I have friends on almost every team, you know,
and like we'll get together, get to hang out and
play some volleyball. So it's kind of sad, but at
the same time, you know, it's part of it. And
in finishing the season and trying to get to the
win and get that championship title.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Isn't it gonna be a little bit different for you
this year too, because like instead of coming home from overseas,
like you're already home.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
It's the best feeling ever.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Actually, So last time I was in Louisville, i won
national championship.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
So I'm trying to ride on those good.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Waves of going back there, you know. So, yeah, it
feels great to be able to just be at home.
It's my friends and my family, and yeah, just to
be here. I'm very very happy about it.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
I love it all right. Well, as we are drawing
near the end of this inaugural season, we are seeing
so many milestones being set. Gon go through them as
we talk about each match. Then at the end, I
kind of want to see which one you think is,
you know, most impressive, because there's been so many that,
you know, for an inaugural season, it's it's really exciting
to see in here. So we will talk about that
(02:15):
at the end after we go over the matches. So
let's start with Thursday nights match between the top two
teams in the league, Love Atlanta versus Love Houston, with
Atlanta finally breaking through against their rival finally while also
securing the number one spot in the Love Finals. They
defeated Houston in four sets thirteen, twenty five, twenty five,
(02:36):
twenty one, twenty five, twenty one, twenty five, twenty There
were also a lot of milestones in this game, including
let Me Get Ready outside Kelsey Robinson Cook becoming the
first athlete to surpass two hundred digs, seder Micah Hancock
became the first athlete to reach twenty aces, and after
becoming the first athlete to reach two hundred points last week,
(02:58):
Jordan Thompson now becomes the first to two hundred kills.
So That's a lot that happened in that match. But
let's go back to just the match overall. What adjustments
did Atlanta do and make after that tough first set
to turn things around?
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Honestly, I think just being consistent and playing defense, no
being Kelsey is an amazing defender. Even look at the
stat sheets, you can tell from all the teams, among
all the outside hitters and the baros across the league,
those two outsides, Kelsey Cook and Madison Michelle are both
you know, top two, number one and two for digging ball.
So playing defense, be consistent. Danielle Continue got hot there
in a second set, so they they're finding their game.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
They were, They're ready for this one, I believe.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Yes they were.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Now.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Atlanta outside Mackenzie Adams was outstanding again, earning Player of
the Match honors while leading all players with eighteen points,
including fifteen kills and two aces. She really took over
in the final three sets. So what made her so
effective in this match?
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Hey, again, just being consistent. You know, we're getting outside here,
your jobs. The football's away, you know, so make it.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Over that ball. She was very very very very strong
about her opinion. But the ball to the floor.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
So you know, if you can get a chance and
carry a team to three your few points in a set,
you should do And she did a great job doing.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
That m hm.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
And we saw Atlanta's defense step up in a big way.
As we said, Kelsey Robinson Cook was the first player
to reach two hundred digs. She led all players with
sixteen digs, and the team's overall reception in general improved
as the match went on. So how did that defensive
effort help fuel their offense?
Speaker 3 (04:22):
I mean, just being in transition, keeping ball off the
floor is really important. You know, you get the ball
to the floor and get the ball to your center
and you get a chance an opportunity to get a kill.
So you know, I think defense always wins matches. As
one day toach just in college that you can defend
a ball and get a good transition into yours into system.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
It's gonna work every single time.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
There is that one play speaking of just trying to
keep the ball off the floor? Was it Kelsey I
think or was it Mackenzie Adams who had the little
kick that uh.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
That was actually that was Madison Kingdon for Schellston team. Yeah, yeah, yeah,
she was like I could hear voice in my head,
you know.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
So it was great.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
That was an amazing play to watch.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
And it counts count. It's a good it counts.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
Keep that ball off the floor.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Yeah, the name of the game literally.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Well, speaking of Houston, they still control their own destiny
from the number two seed, but they now have to
bounce back against Madison in their final match, Madison, who
by the way, are on a hot streak and looking
to overtake Houston for that second by in the finals.
How do they regroup after this loss to make sure
(05:26):
that they enter the playoffs strong?
Speaker 3 (05:27):
I mean, just continuing who they are. You know, they
have Mike, they ad JT that Madison and they have
probably the rookie of the year for sure. Just continue
being their dynamic thing that they are. They're so solid,
they have such a great chemistry on the court, on
and off which cares in such a long way. So
there's no pressure, you know, they're already in there. They
can secure that spot again if they really want to.
And just playing their game.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
And moving to Friday night, your team Love Austin held
its final weekend with Love and unfortunately lost to Love
Omaha in a five set battle A huge battle twenty five,
twenty three, seventeen, twenty five, twenty five, sixteen, twenty three,
twenty five, fifteen twelve. Omaha finally snapped its seven match
regular season losing streak in this game. And since you
(06:08):
were there, what stood out about their performance that made
the difference this time?
Speaker 2 (06:13):
You know, they really wanted it, for sure.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
I think we definitely could have done a better job
in closing out in that four set, but you know,
they were foaming at the mouth, hungry to get a
win and it was well received. You know, they just
were out there just trying to kick the ball of
the floor, like I said, and trying to just stay
together and try to get a win, and they created one,
so it was a good job for them.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
Seeder Laura Daikoma was on fire, breaking the league record
with sixty two assists. As someone who watched her work
up close, what impressed you most about how she was
running that offense.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
I love her energy. Even after running the offense.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
You know, she's always in their teammate's face and she
kind of runs around the little airplane around the court
and stuff and just bring her offense.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
I think she did a really good jobs for the
offense around.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
She has a great connection with the middle and I
think both middle blockers actually, and that's a very strong.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Connection to have Fish and Channel win a match.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Although you didn't win, Austin hit three thirty five as
a team one of the best offensive performances all season,
but still came up short. What do you think made
this match so tough to close out despite how well
the team was playing.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I think I always said winning games is defense, staggering transition.
I think we out hit, out blocked, outserved, outpassed, Omaha.
The only thing that we did not do was outdig them,
and that was probably That was probably the part of it,
is just trying to get those all off the floor
and be able to create a transitionally mm hmm.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
That match has so many back and forth moments. What
was the energy like in the huddle and what were
some of the key things being said about, you know,
trying to get over the finish line because you guys
were in a new gym, new energy, so what was
kind of going on.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
I mean that gym was rocking.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
We are We're playing in Sint Marcos at the Texas
State Gym this weekend, and we had so many fans
come down from Austin to San Antonio.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Was almost like just a right in the middle melting pot.
I think we had about.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
Three thousand fans come in and it was loud, it
was rowdy, it was fun, it was live, and it
also can help you kind of help you'd want that
to kind of you carry you into a match. But
again during the huddle, we're kind of talking about just
trying to me consistant and just swing out of systems,
you know, being honest our outside, just having to do
a better job and controlling that ball and keeping it,
keep it in the court when you do not have
a great swing, and just trying to be more aggressive,
(08:12):
and it really clutched time moments.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
We'll be back with more from our week twelve recaps.
Let's move to Saturday's doubleheader. We start with Love Salt
(08:35):
Lake beating Love Omaha in a five So.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
I was like saying, like salt Lake really salt looking
like salt Luke, sult Luke.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
Well, we start with Salt Luke beating Love Ohmah in
a five set reverse sweep with two marathon opening sets
that went in overtime twenty four to twenty six thirty
one thirty three, twenty five, nineteen, twenty five, fifteen, fifteen eleven.
In fact, that was the longest game to date in
League one's short history. But when it came to the action,
(09:05):
what did Saltake do to be able to turn things around?
Speaker 3 (09:08):
I think depending heavy on their outsides. Their outsides hit
lot good shots, They blocked really well toward Dixon, was
a force to record throughout the match, and just holding
themselves together into their accountable scholar fields.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Had a few good plays running down during the stretch.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
So just yeah, staying together, being consistent, and just having
that energy consistently throughout the match.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Outside Ronnie Jones. Perry was named Player of the Match
thanks to a massive game with twenty two killed, fourteen
digs and four aces, tying a league record for aces
in a match. What impressed you most about her performance
and her ability to take over in big moments.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
I think Ronnie has been great all season long.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
I think as the season continued to go on, we
got to see more of her and exactly what she
does being those big moments, being able to come in
or if she's starting or not and make a difference.
I think that's such a great thing to be able
to come in with the team make a great impact.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
Omahash showed a ton of resilience this weekend, but fatigue
seemed to set in after those grueling for sure, first
two sets. You've played back to backs before. How tough
is it to maintain high energy levels in a match
like this, especially with the fifth set on the line.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
Yeah, I mean it's tough, and like you want to
be able to put your starting sicks out there and
then to do the best they can possibly do, but
also will be able to kind of switch players in
and out from the bench and go on to get
it for some fresh legs. So you know, it's definitely
hard to kind of go back to back, especially the doubleheaders,
and that's definitely especially playing five sets every match this
past few weeks.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
So aplauding to them for sure, what is definitely very difficult.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
One cool moment from this match was Amber Stivern's making
her professional debut for Omaha and getting her first career kill.
You've been in this league from the start. How exciting
is it to see young players getting their first real shot.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
That's so cool. I love us differ insisters. Amber is
so great.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
I was very happy for her to get out there
and find do her thing, and it's great. I think
it gives the younger girls to get in, to get
get in, to get a chance to play against a
high level a vetus and to get some experience. So
it was great, great to off for her.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
All right.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Well, after that marathon of a match, you ladies had
to play again much later, probably than planned. Late late,
late late, So in that nightcap Love Madison did edge
out your team Austin and yet another five setter twenty two,
twenty five, twenty five, twenty three, twenty five, twelve, twenty three,
twenty five, fifteen eleven. Your squad started strong, took a
(11:27):
tough third set, then nearly pulled it out in the fifth.
What was the biggest difference down the stretch that allowed
Madison to come away with one?
Speaker 3 (11:34):
They were just maintained that energy, you know, and obviously
Annie is just her She's a phenomenal athlete. And to
be able to carry your team on her shoulders at
the end of a set in the fifth and to
be that dynamic spiker and be just so resilient, you know,
it was amazing for them. And I think Annie Drews
is just such a great opposite, and they're such a
great opponent, such a great teammate, such a great score
to have for the massive team.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
Well, speaking of Annie, she had a record setting night
with twenty eight kills. Now, as an opposite yourself of
what makes her such a difficult player to stop? And
when someone is in a rhythm like that, what is
the best way to try and slow them down?
Speaker 3 (12:08):
I mean, but it's it difficult to slow somebody doll
like that is Obviously she's a vet, she's very experienced.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
She's playing some of the best teams in the world.
Speaker 3 (12:14):
And she's a lefty, so she has so much rain
and so much core, and she's so so strong. She
has a whip of an arm. It makes it hard.
You know, he has a blocker. You want to pick
really good spots, but she has a great vision and
it's almost hard to slow it down. It's almost like, okay,
you know, with give up one spot, we're going to
block her line cross court definders have to defend it,
and it's like, okay, Well, she can and go off
so much during cross court. You want to be able
to give her some more range back towards the libero.
(12:35):
But like if she's crushing the libero, you don't know
what to do, you know. And we were trying to
slow her down, and we got some good touches, some
good stops at one point, but you know, it just
wasn't enough, you know. And you know, she's who she
is for a reason, and she did a great job
for her team last night.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Mm hmm. Now, Madison's setter, Lauren Carlini also made history
becoming the first player to have six hundred assists in
love as a hitter. How valuable is it to have
a setter like that leading the offense.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
It is so valuable to have great hands, someone who's
just be able to dish out the rock the volleyball,
dish out the rock, who's so content and containing within herself,
who's very you know, calm in a sense. In any
type of hype environment, whether it's too slow or too high,
it's important to have a strong set of who could
have who's mentally and physically tough.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
And I think Warren carly Need is amazing. Let's watching
the USA jem.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
You've been in these battles all season long, playing tight matches,
grinding through five setters. How do you think that experience
is going to help your team as you prepare for
the finals.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
You know, I think we're going to surprise a lot
of people in the end of this.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
I'm very faithful and I'm very committed to that thought,
and I'm just also just very optimistic, you know, and
having this experienced be able to play all throose different
teams and consistently throughout the week and have the even
more opportunities to play with them in fifth set matches
definitely should help us in the long run.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
You know, you can only watch videos so many times.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
You watch a scoutteringport, look at scoutingport so many times,
you kind of go out experience. So now that we
know living, you learn and you have to grow. So
it's given us an opportunity to grow as a team
and hopefully be a competitor in the finals.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
And speaking of five set matches that come late on
Saturday nights, what was going through your mind on the
you know, on the court, on the sidelines when it
came to you know, a ruckus crowd that you were
in front of plus just late night.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
Would I tell you I felt like I was like
y'all were in the club we outside tonight, like we
were getting the fans like hyped up.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
We were dancing around Soatolia one time.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
At one point me and Julianne fall Set were torking
like we were just getting hype. And you know, no,
I set out the first three sets and then they're
telling me as I'm drinking water and just talking, have
a good time and just trying to stay involved us
well and stay warm.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
But Nicole and fall Sales comes up. She goes, hey,
you're going in. I'm like, oh, okay, we're party all,
you know.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
So I was so great and it was great to
go out there and be such a a smark of
energy for my team, and like I had a great
run on a string of points and during the during
the fourth and fifth set, so you know, being able
to win that four set with the team and compete
very well in the fifth set was great. So it
was the gym was amazing. If you know, next year,
if they wanted to move move our home matches to
the Texas State Arena, I'm driving. It's an hour from me,
(15:04):
but I would take that drive because it's worth of
the environment.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
The atmosphere was great. It was so great.
Speaker 1 (15:09):
We'll put that on the docket for next year's UH
owner meetings.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
I also want to shout out to the fan. They
put him on the dumbotron. He had a sign that
said cat Bill is a National treasure, and I was like,
that is.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
So you are a national treasure.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Cat I'm like not me being like the rainforest? Is
that a national treasure? Other things? Wasn't sure what is
it national park?
Speaker 3 (15:31):
What is that?
Speaker 1 (15:32):
Well, you know I have a rainforest, but we do
have national parks.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
Yeah, you know that's that's that's a that's a national thing,
your treasure, right, would you consider that?
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Yeah, you're a national treasure. People should be going to
Austin to see you because you are a national treasure.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
They have to. Yeah, Like it's literally you need to.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
All right, Well, let's talk about some of these incredible
performances and record breaking moments in Week twelve. You know,
for example, like we mentioned before, and Drew Schumacher set
a new league record with twenty eight kills in a
single match. Ronnie Jones Perry tied the record for aces
in the match. You know. Plus we had some major
career milestones like Lauren Carlini becoming the first player to
(16:11):
hit six hundred assists. So out of all the standout moments,
which recorder milestone impressed you the most?
Speaker 3 (16:18):
And why I'm also going to add in Madison Skinner.
She hit two hundred points last night, I believe too.
So everyone is amazing. So obviously, like all those Vets
should be at those career highs.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
They're really impressive.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
But I also want to shout out to Madison Skinner
just because, like you know, this training for her has
been a long one I think, and she's done so
well for our team coming in and just being who
she was and being such a back on our team.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
So I'm very impressive with her game.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
I'm proud of her, and you know, I just wanted
to continue on believing our self, trusting herself, and continue
hit others milestones as well to be, you know, keeping
up with the Vets.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
So I think it's a great, great thing for her too.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
Yeah. Actually I'm looking at the list of all of
the records broken tied milestones from this week and she
is the youngest one.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
I thank god, I mean she is.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
Yeah, let's go.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
It's impressive.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
That's really impressive, super impressive, all right, now, kat, as
we head into the final week of the regular season.
Which matchup are you most excited for? I'll read the lineup,
this is what we havet On Thursday, April third, Omaha
closes out it's home slate against Atlanta, a team still
searching for its first road win of the season. Friday,
April fourth, Madison versus Salt Lake, with Madison looking to
(17:28):
keep its six match winning streak alive. Then Saturday we
got the double header. First will be Madison versus Houston,
a potential battle for the number two seed with a
quarterfinal bye at the Love Finals possibly on the line.
And finally, you ladies will be playing a Salt Lake
for the last regular season match of the inaugural Love season.
(17:49):
So which of these matches are you circling on your calendar?
Speaker 3 (17:51):
I'm circling in the Madison versus Houston match. You know
all my majority of my friends are playing on the
Houston team and like the crunch that second place spot
will be great. So I know Mason, Michelle, I know Mike.
Do they think come out and JT. They're bringing out
the gun.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
So I'm excited to watch that match. What about you?
Speaker 1 (18:08):
I am one hundred percent on board with that. I'm
very excited to see what happens because this one has
like true implications when it comes to the finals, so
we will see what happens.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
I'm excited. Let's see me.
Speaker 1 (18:20):
Yes, all right? Well, Kat, that's it for this week's
episode of Serving Pancakes. Check back next week when Cat
and I go over the final week of the regular
season and look ahead to the Love Finals. And good
luck to you this week in Cat right.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Thanks.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
Serving Pancakes is an iheartwomen's sports production in partnership with
Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on
the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Production by League one Volleyball, I'm your host Tiffany Oshinski.
My co host is Kat Bell. Anya Alvarez is our
(18:58):
senior producer. Our executive producers are Carrie Stett, Tamaradike, and
Lindsay Hoffman. Our marketing lead is Juwara Parker. Sound editing
and mixing by Daniel Gonzalez. Our theme music is Pancakes
by Eric W. Mass Junior. Stay tuned for next week's episode,
where we'll talk about the last week of the inaugural
(19:19):
Love regular season. That will be week thirteen. And we'll
look ahead to the Love Finals. Thanks for listening.
Hey, Serving Pancakes listeners, Tiffany here with a quick shout
out from our friends at Adidas. We're in the final
weeks of our Love Pro season, which means it's your
final chance to grab the limited edition inaugural season player jerseys.
Show your support for your favorite players now at Adidas
dot Com slash US Slash Love. That's Adidas dot Com
(00:23):
Slash US Slash l O VB. Hurry, these things are
going fast and once they're gone, they're gone. Don't miss
out on your chance to be part of history. Hi,
I'm Tiffany Oshinsky and I'm Katbo and this is serving
pancakes with League one Volleyball. The Inaugural Love Finals are
(00:44):
almost here. So to get you ready for the final showdown,
Kat and I will be going over the matches from
the week to keep you up to date on everything
League one Volleyball. There's only two more weeks left in
the regular season. How you feel about that, cat.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Girl, It's gone by so quick.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
I feel like, you know, it almost felt like we
were kind of slow start a little bit and then
now was just like we're up and running. So we're
down to the last two weeks and I'm excited, you know,
to see how the fine's going to go.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
I bet you are. I'm excited to see how it goes.
Can you believe that this season's already almost over?
Speaker 2 (01:14):
I know, it's almost like kind of sad, you know.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
I've been really enjoying going into my friends like almost weekend.
Like I have friends on almost every team, you know,
and like we'll get together, get to hang out and
play some volleyball. So it's kind of sad, but at
the same time, you know, it's part of it. And
in finishing the season and trying to get to the
win and get that championship title.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Isn't it gonna be a little bit different for you
this year too, because like instead of coming home from overseas,
like you're already home.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
It's the best feeling ever.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Actually, So last time I was in Louisville, i won
national championship.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
So I'm trying to ride on those good.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Waves of going back there, you know. So, yeah, it
feels great to be able to just be at home.
It's my friends and my family, and yeah, just to
be here. I'm very very happy about it.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
I love it all right. Well, as we are drawing
near the end of this inaugural season, we are seeing
so many milestones being set. Gon go through them as
we talk about each match. Then at the end, I
kind of want to see which one you think is,
you know, most impressive, because there's been so many that,
you know, for an inaugural season, it's it's really exciting
to see in here. So we will talk about that
(02:15):
at the end after we go over the matches. So
let's start with Thursday nights match between the top two
teams in the league, Love Atlanta versus Love Houston, with
Atlanta finally breaking through against their rival finally while also
securing the number one spot in the Love Finals. They
defeated Houston in four sets thirteen, twenty five, twenty five,
(02:36):
twenty one, twenty five, twenty one, twenty five, twenty There
were also a lot of milestones in this game, including
let Me Get Ready outside Kelsey Robinson Cook becoming the
first athlete to surpass two hundred digs, seder Micah Hancock
became the first athlete to reach twenty aces, and after
becoming the first athlete to reach two hundred points last week,
(02:58):
Jordan Thompson now becomes the first to two hundred kills.
So That's a lot that happened in that match. But
let's go back to just the match overall. What adjustments
did Atlanta do and make after that tough first set
to turn things around?
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Honestly, I think just being consistent and playing defense, no
being Kelsey is an amazing defender. Even look at the
stat sheets, you can tell from all the teams, among
all the outside hitters and the baros across the league,
those two outsides, Kelsey Cook and Madison Michelle are both
you know, top two, number one and two for digging ball.
So playing defense, be consistent. Danielle Continue got hot there
in a second set, so they they're finding their game.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
They were, They're ready for this one, I believe.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Yes they were.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Now.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Atlanta outside Mackenzie Adams was outstanding again, earning Player of
the Match honors while leading all players with eighteen points,
including fifteen kills and two aces. She really took over
in the final three sets. So what made her so
effective in this match?
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Hey, again, just being consistent. You know, we're getting outside here,
your jobs. The football's away, you know, so make it.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Over that ball. She was very very very very strong
about her opinion. But the ball to the floor.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
So you know, if you can get a chance and
carry a team to three your few points in a set,
you should do And she did a great job doing.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
That m hm.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
And we saw Atlanta's defense step up in a big way.
As we said, Kelsey Robinson Cook was the first player
to reach two hundred digs. She led all players with
sixteen digs, and the team's overall reception in general improved
as the match went on. So how did that defensive
effort help fuel their offense?
Speaker 3 (04:22):
I mean, just being in transition, keeping ball off the
floor is really important. You know, you get the ball
to the floor and get the ball to your center
and you get a chance an opportunity to get a kill.
So you know, I think defense always wins matches. As
one day toach just in college that you can defend
a ball and get a good transition into yours into system.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
It's gonna work every single time.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
There is that one play speaking of just trying to
keep the ball off the floor? Was it Kelsey I
think or was it Mackenzie Adams who had the little
kick that uh.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
That was actually that was Madison Kingdon for Schellston team. Yeah, yeah, yeah,
she was like I could hear voice in my head,
you know.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
So it was great.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
That was an amazing play to watch.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
And it counts count. It's a good it counts.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
Keep that ball off the floor.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Yeah, the name of the game literally.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Well, speaking of Houston, they still control their own destiny
from the number two seed, but they now have to
bounce back against Madison in their final match, Madison, who
by the way, are on a hot streak and looking
to overtake Houston for that second by in the finals.
How do they regroup after this loss to make sure
(05:26):
that they enter the playoffs strong?
Speaker 3 (05:27):
I mean, just continuing who they are. You know, they
have Mike, they ad JT that Madison and they have
probably the rookie of the year for sure. Just continue
being their dynamic thing that they are. They're so solid,
they have such a great chemistry on the court, on
and off which cares in such a long way. So
there's no pressure, you know, they're already in there. They
can secure that spot again if they really want to.
And just playing their game.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
And moving to Friday night, your team Love Austin held
its final weekend with Love and unfortunately lost to Love
Omaha in a five set battle A huge battle twenty five,
twenty three, seventeen, twenty five, twenty five, sixteen, twenty three,
twenty five, fifteen twelve. Omaha finally snapped its seven match
regular season losing streak in this game. And since you
(06:08):
were there, what stood out about their performance that made
the difference this time?
Speaker 2 (06:13):
You know, they really wanted it, for sure.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
I think we definitely could have done a better job
in closing out in that four set, but you know,
they were foaming at the mouth, hungry to get a
win and it was well received. You know, they just
were out there just trying to kick the ball of
the floor, like I said, and trying to just stay
together and try to get a win, and they created one,
so it was a good job for them.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
Seeder Laura Daikoma was on fire, breaking the league record
with sixty two assists. As someone who watched her work
up close, what impressed you most about how she was
running that offense.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
I love her energy. Even after running the offense.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
You know, she's always in their teammate's face and she
kind of runs around the little airplane around the court
and stuff and just bring her offense.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
I think she did a really good jobs for the
offense around.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
She has a great connection with the middle and I
think both middle blockers actually, and that's a very strong.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Connection to have Fish and Channel win a match.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Although you didn't win, Austin hit three thirty five as
a team one of the best offensive performances all season,
but still came up short. What do you think made
this match so tough to close out despite how well
the team was playing.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I think I always said winning games is defense, staggering transition.
I think we out hit, out blocked, outserved, outpassed, Omaha.
The only thing that we did not do was outdig them,
and that was probably That was probably the part of it,
is just trying to get those all off the floor
and be able to create a transitionally mm hmm.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
That match has so many back and forth moments. What
was the energy like in the huddle and what were
some of the key things being said about, you know,
trying to get over the finish line because you guys
were in a new gym, new energy, so what was
kind of going on.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
I mean that gym was rocking.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
We are We're playing in Sint Marcos at the Texas
State Gym this weekend, and we had so many fans
come down from Austin to San Antonio.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Was almost like just a right in the middle melting pot.
I think we had about.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
Three thousand fans come in and it was loud, it
was rowdy, it was fun, it was live, and it
also can help you kind of help you'd want that
to kind of you carry you into a match. But
again during the huddle, we're kind of talking about just
trying to me consistant and just swing out of systems,
you know, being honest our outside, just having to do
a better job and controlling that ball and keeping it,
keep it in the court when you do not have
a great swing, and just trying to be more aggressive,
(08:12):
and it really clutched time moments.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
We'll be back with more from our week twelve recaps.
Let's move to Saturday's doubleheader. We start with Love Salt
(08:35):
Lake beating Love Omaha in a five So.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
I was like saying, like salt Lake really salt looking
like salt Luke, sult Luke.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
Well, we start with Salt Luke beating Love Ohmah in
a five set reverse sweep with two marathon opening sets
that went in overtime twenty four to twenty six thirty
one thirty three, twenty five, nineteen, twenty five, fifteen, fifteen eleven.
In fact, that was the longest game to date in
League one's short history. But when it came to the action,
(09:05):
what did Saltake do to be able to turn things around?
Speaker 3 (09:08):
I think depending heavy on their outsides. Their outsides hit
lot good shots, They blocked really well toward Dixon, was
a force to record throughout the match, and just holding
themselves together into their accountable scholar fields.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Had a few good plays running down during the stretch.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
So just yeah, staying together, being consistent, and just having
that energy consistently throughout the match.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
Outside Ronnie Jones. Perry was named Player of the Match
thanks to a massive game with twenty two killed, fourteen
digs and four aces, tying a league record for aces
in a match. What impressed you most about her performance
and her ability to take over in big moments.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
I think Ronnie has been great all season long.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
I think as the season continued to go on, we
got to see more of her and exactly what she
does being those big moments, being able to come in
or if she's starting or not and make a difference.
I think that's such a great thing to be able
to come in with the team make a great impact.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
Omahash showed a ton of resilience this weekend, but fatigue
seemed to set in after those grueling for sure, first
two sets. You've played back to backs before. How tough
is it to maintain high energy levels in a match
like this, especially with the fifth set on the line.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
Yeah, I mean it's tough, and like you want to
be able to put your starting sicks out there and
then to do the best they can possibly do, but
also will be able to kind of switch players in
and out from the bench and go on to get
it for some fresh legs. So you know, it's definitely
hard to kind of go back to back, especially the doubleheaders,
and that's definitely especially playing five sets every match this
past few weeks.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
So aplauding to them for sure, what is definitely very difficult.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
One cool moment from this match was Amber Stivern's making
her professional debut for Omaha and getting her first career kill.
You've been in this league from the start. How exciting
is it to see young players getting their first real shot.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
That's so cool. I love us differ insisters. Amber is
so great.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
I was very happy for her to get out there
and find do her thing, and it's great. I think
it gives the younger girls to get in, to get
get in, to get a chance to play against a
high level a vetus and to get some experience. So
it was great, great to off for her.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
All right.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Well, after that marathon of a match, you ladies had
to play again much later, probably than planned. Late late,
late late, So in that nightcap Love Madison did edge
out your team Austin and yet another five setter twenty two,
twenty five, twenty five, twenty three, twenty five, twelve, twenty three,
twenty five, fifteen eleven. Your squad started strong, took a
(11:27):
tough third set, then nearly pulled it out in the fifth.
What was the biggest difference down the stretch that allowed
Madison to come away with one?
Speaker 3 (11:34):
They were just maintained that energy, you know, and obviously
Annie is just her She's a phenomenal athlete. And to
be able to carry your team on her shoulders at
the end of a set in the fifth and to
be that dynamic spiker and be just so resilient, you know,
it was amazing for them. And I think Annie Drews
is just such a great opposite, and they're such a
great opponent, such a great teammate, such a great score
to have for the massive team.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
Well, speaking of Annie, she had a record setting night
with twenty eight kills. Now, as an opposite yourself of
what makes her such a difficult player to stop? And
when someone is in a rhythm like that, what is
the best way to try and slow them down?
Speaker 3 (12:08):
I mean, but it's it difficult to slow somebody doll
like that is Obviously she's a vet, she's very experienced.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
She's playing some of the best teams in the world.
Speaker 3 (12:14):
And she's a lefty, so she has so much rain
and so much core, and she's so so strong. She
has a whip of an arm. It makes it hard.
You know, he has a blocker. You want to pick
really good spots, but she has a great vision and
it's almost hard to slow it down. It's almost like, okay,
you know, with give up one spot, we're going to
block her line cross court definders have to defend it,
and it's like, okay, Well, she can and go off
so much during cross court. You want to be able
to give her some more range back towards the libero.
(12:35):
But like if she's crushing the libero, you don't know
what to do, you know. And we were trying to
slow her down, and we got some good touches, some
good stops at one point, but you know, it just
wasn't enough, you know. And you know, she's who she
is for a reason, and she did a great job
for her team last night.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Mm hmm. Now, Madison's setter, Lauren Carlini also made history
becoming the first player to have six hundred assists in
love as a hitter. How valuable is it to have
a setter like that leading the offense.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
It is so valuable to have great hands, someone who's
just be able to dish out the rock the volleyball,
dish out the rock, who's so content and containing within herself,
who's very you know, calm in a sense. In any
type of hype environment, whether it's too slow or too high,
it's important to have a strong set of who could
have who's mentally and physically tough.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
And I think Warren carly Need is amazing. Let's watching
the USA jem.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
You've been in these battles all season long, playing tight matches,
grinding through five setters. How do you think that experience
is going to help your team as you prepare for
the finals.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
You know, I think we're going to surprise a lot
of people in the end of this.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
I'm very faithful and I'm very committed to that thought,
and I'm just also just very optimistic, you know, and
having this experienced be able to play all throose different
teams and consistently throughout the week and have the even
more opportunities to play with them in fifth set matches
definitely should help us in the long run.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
You know, you can only watch videos so many times.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
You watch a scoutteringport, look at scoutingport so many times,
you kind of go out experience. So now that we
know living, you learn and you have to grow. So
it's given us an opportunity to grow as a team
and hopefully be a competitor in the finals.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
And speaking of five set matches that come late on
Saturday nights, what was going through your mind on the
you know, on the court, on the sidelines when it
came to you know, a ruckus crowd that you were
in front of plus just late night.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
Would I tell you I felt like I was like
y'all were in the club we outside tonight, like we
were getting the fans like hyped up.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
We were dancing around Soatolia one time.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
At one point me and Julianne fall Set were torking
like we were just getting hype. And you know, no,
I set out the first three sets and then they're
telling me as I'm drinking water and just talking, have
a good time and just trying to stay involved us
well and stay warm.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
But Nicole and fall Sales comes up. She goes, hey,
you're going in. I'm like, oh, okay, we're party all,
you know.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
So I was so great and it was great to
go out there and be such a a smark of
energy for my team, and like I had a great
run on a string of points and during the during
the fourth and fifth set, so you know, being able
to win that four set with the team and compete
very well in the fifth set was great. So it
was the gym was amazing. If you know, next year,
if they wanted to move move our home matches to
the Texas State Arena, I'm driving. It's an hour from me,
(15:04):
but I would take that drive because it's worth of
the environment.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
The atmosphere was great. It was so great.
Speaker 1 (15:09):
We'll put that on the docket for next year's UH
owner meetings.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
I also want to shout out to the fan. They
put him on the dumbotron. He had a sign that
said cat Bill is a National treasure, and I was like,
that is.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
So you are a national treasure.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Cat I'm like not me being like the rainforest? Is
that a national treasure? Other things? Wasn't sure what is
it national park?
Speaker 3 (15:31):
What is that?
Speaker 1 (15:32):
Well, you know I have a rainforest, but we do
have national parks.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
Yeah, you know that's that's that's a that's a national thing,
your treasure, right, would you consider that?
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Yeah, you're a national treasure. People should be going to
Austin to see you because you are a national treasure.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
They have to. Yeah, Like it's literally you need to.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
All right, Well, let's talk about some of these incredible
performances and record breaking moments in Week twelve. You know,
for example, like we mentioned before, and Drew Schumacher set
a new league record with twenty eight kills in a
single match. Ronnie Jones Perry tied the record for aces
in the match. You know. Plus we had some major
career milestones like Lauren Carlini becoming the first player to
(16:11):
hit six hundred assists. So out of all the standout moments,
which recorder milestone impressed you the most?
Speaker 3 (16:18):
And why I'm also going to add in Madison Skinner.
She hit two hundred points last night, I believe too.
So everyone is amazing. So obviously, like all those Vets
should be at those career highs.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
They're really impressive.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
But I also want to shout out to Madison Skinner
just because, like you know, this training for her has
been a long one I think, and she's done so
well for our team coming in and just being who
she was and being such a back on our team.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
So I'm very impressive with her game.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
I'm proud of her, and you know, I just wanted
to continue on believing our self, trusting herself, and continue
hit others milestones as well to be, you know, keeping
up with the Vets.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
So I think it's a great, great thing for her too.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
Yeah. Actually I'm looking at the list of all of
the records broken tied milestones from this week and she
is the youngest one.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
I thank god, I mean she is.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
Yeah, let's go.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
It's impressive.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
That's really impressive, super impressive, all right, now, kat, as
we head into the final week of the regular season.
Which matchup are you most excited for? I'll read the lineup,
this is what we havet On Thursday, April third, Omaha
closes out it's home slate against Atlanta, a team still
searching for its first road win of the season. Friday,
April fourth, Madison versus Salt Lake, with Madison looking to
(17:28):
keep its six match winning streak alive. Then Saturday we
got the double header. First will be Madison versus Houston,
a potential battle for the number two seed with a
quarterfinal bye at the Love Finals possibly on the line.
And finally, you ladies will be playing a Salt Lake
for the last regular season match of the inaugural Love season.
(17:49):
So which of these matches are you circling on your calendar?
Speaker 3 (17:51):
I'm circling in the Madison versus Houston match. You know
all my majority of my friends are playing on the
Houston team and like the crunch that second place spot
will be great. So I know Mason, Michelle, I know Mike.
Do they think come out and JT. They're bringing out
the gun.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
So I'm excited to watch that match. What about you?
Speaker 1 (18:08):
I am one hundred percent on board with that. I'm
very excited to see what happens because this one has
like true implications when it comes to the finals, so
we will see what happens.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
I'm excited. Let's see me.
Speaker 1 (18:20):
Yes, all right? Well, Kat, that's it for this week's
episode of Serving Pancakes. Check back next week when Cat
and I go over the final week of the regular
season and look ahead to the Love Finals. And good
luck to you this week in Cat right.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Thanks.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
Serving Pancakes is an iheartwomen's sports production in partnership with
Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on
the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Production by League one Volleyball, I'm your host Tiffany Oshinski.
My co host is Kat Bell. Anya Alvarez is our
(18:58):
senior producer. Our executive producers are Carrie Stett, Tamaradike, and
Lindsay Hoffman. Our marketing lead is Juwara Parker. Sound editing
and mixing by Daniel Gonzalez. Our theme music is Pancakes
by Eric W. Mass Junior. Stay tuned for next week's episode,
where we'll talk about the last week of the inaugural
(19:19):
Love regular season. That will be week thirteen. And we'll
look ahead to the Love Finals. Thanks for listening.
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