Anyone who has watched a Utah women’s volleyball game this season has noticed the almost constant flow of players going in and out of the game.
With all the substitutions, it might look as thought head coach Beth Launiere can’t decide who she wants to play, but there is a method behind all the madness.
Since late September, the Utes have been running a 6-2 offense, which is the cause of all the substitutions.
“There were two or three rotations that we had a really small block and we needed to be able to put up a bigger block, especially late in the game and a 6-2 allowed us to do that,” Launiere said.
In the 6-2 offense, the setter never plays on the front row, instead, a right-side hitter is inserted when the position rotates to the front row.
The offense allows for six different hitters to get time on the front row, while two separate setters run the team from the back row, hence the 6-2 name.
Although Launiere said she prefers the 5-1 offense, where the setter position plays all the way around, the 6-2 seems to be working well for the Utes, who have gone 13-1 with their only loss against No. 7 Oregon, since switching.
“With the 5-1 you just have one setter for your hitters to connect with and get comfortable playing with,” Launiere said. “The 6-2 has been working for us though because we have really stepped up our passing, we’ve been able to get the ball to the middles and blocking tons more balls.”
The biggest change in the 5-1 for Utah is the block. Without the shorter setters on the front row, the Utes are able to put up a stronger block in the middle and on the right side.
“The 6-2 makes us huge,” said Emillie Toone. “Our block is so much stronger with it.”
Not only does the rotation benefit the block, but also gives more hitters the chance to contribute and makes the offense that much more powerful.
“I really like the 6-2, the block is really big and it gives us a lot more options on offense,” said right hitter Chelsey Sandberg.
With the 6-2 offense, Utah can also keep three hitters on the front row at all time, which makes it difficult for the opponent to block.
“You always have three hitters coming at you and if we execute it right, it is difficult for opponents to stop,” Launiere said.
Besides benefiting both the offense and defense, running a 6-2 also allows more players to see court time.
“You only have depth if you build it by playing people,” Launiere said. “The more experience these girls get, the better.”
Utah will be looking to continue putting the 6-2 offense to good use as it faces BYU on Friday and rounds out its Mountain West Conference schedule with games against Wyoming and Colorado State next week.
Thien SokLori Baird has had success in the 6-2 offence the Utes have been playing since September.