Breaking Down Exceptional - Gia Vlajkovic

New assistant Coach Gia Vlajkovic was a pleasure to watch at the intersection of:

• Skill
• Strategy (VB IQ)
• Physicality (Athleticism)
• Psychology (Mental toughness)

What do you want? How do you get that? What investment are you prepared to make? Is that a price you can pay?

Let's examine some highlights from the State Semifinals loss to King Philip. Gia had 18 kills and was immense in defeat. It was one of the best performances from an MVB player in a loss since Hannah Brickley in a playoff loss to Central Catholic. 

Outside Attack 

Gia transitions from defense at the net into a "long runway" as she is at least six feet behind the net. She's probably a little "late" but her athleticism allows her to adjust and attack down the line. The "pin hitter" needs a quiver with multiple arrows - down the line, cross court, cut shots, tips, roll shots, and more. 

If you watch the match on YouTube, you can adjust the speed for more detail. 

Pass, Set, Hit

"Win more 'positive' points." Gia attacks the double block and "tools the block" off the outside defender's outside hand. These attacks can be smashes or pushes off the hand, the latter more likely close to the net. 

"Great Is the Enemy of Good"

Sadie Jaggers said that Gia taught her to focus on 'good' not 'great' passes. Gia played all-around and is in position one where she makes a "good" pass leading to a successful attack. 

Attacking Off the Net

Gia didn't need "perfect sets" to attack because of her skill, aggressiveness, and mental toughness. Here she attacks from about the ten foot line with both power and precision. 

Hand-Eye Coordination

In this "choppy" clip, Gia makes an extraordinary save to "keep the ball up." While falling backwards, she makes a one-armed "chicken wing" dig, initially to rescue the point...later won by KP.

 

Attack from the Back 

Here Gia serves and then plays from the back. Her attack creates advantage and ultimately a future star, Sadie Jaggers, finishes the point.

 

Enduring lessons: 

• Skill, there is no substitute. 
• Versatility pays big dividends. 
• Exceptional performance requires excellence in athleticism. Gia wasn't overly tall but she was a great athlete.