Karsta Lowe, a former UCLA All American and a member of the 2016 U.S. Olympic bronze medal team, shares three tips here on how opposites can improve their hitting percentage.
- Wait, then get on the ball fast. If you’re disciplined enough to delay your hitting approach, you’ll have a better view of the block/defense and a good opportunity to explode into the ball for more power and range.
- Be urgent with your call when you’re ready to take a great swing. Karsta and her coach, Karch Kiraly, often joke about how she screeches when she really wants the ball. “Reddddddddddddddd!”
- Use the block. For instance, if the ball is too tight and you’re in a fiddle, it’s better to tap it high off the hands and play the rebound than try to attack as if the set were perfect. “If the kill isn’t there,” Karsta says, “take advantage of the block.”