Location, location, location… for whatever reason, Ella doesn’t have it. When she set flat-footed during the tournament run last year, her location was the best it was all season. Since she’s returned to jump setting, her set location has been terrible.
Besides Madi, Ella struggles to find consistent rhythm and location with any of the other hitters. And even Madi was having a hard time adjusting to her sets, let alone the new middles and opposite. If you watch closely, the hitters are unable to take full swings on their approaches because Ella’s sets have been so inconsistent.
A lot of it also has to do with the passing and backrow ball control. We just don’t have it this year. We’ve had 3 elite back row defenders for the past 2 years and now we are having to rely on Wenaas this year, who just isn’t at the level of an elite DS. Blame JE for not prioritizing a ‘little’ in the transfer portal last year but instead loading up on hitters with no ball control.
This just makes Ella more ineffective because she’s unable to set on the run and her secondary bump setting is a weak part of her game.
But yes, we do miss her front row blocking and ability to attack in the front row. But without good ball control, the latter can’t be utilized.
So now, we’re having to give up blocking for 3 rotations in the front row with Carlson but who can set the ball more consistently to ALL the hitters.