Edmond, Lazareva Go Off as Vibe Thrill in Vegas

You just witnessed one of the most dominant road performances of the season from your Atlanta Vibe last night. Led by the rookie Magdalena Jehlářová in her first start, the Vibe absolutely crushed the Vegas Thrill in three straight sets to stay tied for first place. It was total domination right from the start, holding Vegas to just 16 points in the opening set – the fewest against Atlanta all season. Jehlářová and Leah Edmond were unstoppable, combining for 30 attacks without a single error in the first two sets. But the whole squad stepped up, finishing with a season-best .309 hitting percentage and just 6 attack errors all match. This was the Vibe’s third sweep of the year, the most in the league, showing once again why they are one of the top contenders this season. Now they return home looking to keep the momentum going against the Thrill on Saturday night. You won’t want to miss it!

Edmond and Lazareva Lead Offensive Onslaught as Vibe Sweep Thrill

If you tuned in to watch the Vibe take on the Thrill tonight, you were likely dazzled by the offensive display put on by Leah Edmond and Anna Lazareva. These two powerhouses combined for 26 kills and just a single error, resulting in a jaw-dropping .475 attack percentage.

Edmond was a force all night, hammering kills from all over the court and keeping Vegas’ blockers guessing. She finished with a match-high 15 kills and added 9 digs for good measure. Meanwhile, Lazareva was her usual consistent self, notching 11 kills of her own without a single error.

The Vibe’s New Secret Weapon Rookie middle Magdalena Jehlářová got her first start of the season tonight and showed why she deserves more playing time. She was a perfect 7/7 on kill attempts in the first two sets alone and ended the match with 10 kills and a .700 hitting percentage. Jehlářová also chipped in 4 blocks and an ace. If she keeps performing like this, she’ll cement her spot in the starting lineup in no time.

A Defensive Clinic

While Edmond, Lazareva and Jehlářová were pounding kills, Atlanta’s defense was putting on a clinic. The Vibe held Vegas to a measly .075 hitting percentage for the match by digging, blocking and frustrating their hitters all night long. Atlanta is now tied for first in the league in opponent hitting percentage, a testament to their defensive prowess.

With an offense firing on all cylinders and a defense that digs everything in sight, this Vibe team looks poised to make a deep run this season. Vegas found that out the hard way tonight, but they won’t be the last. The rest of the league, you’ve been warned.

Vibe Defense Stifles Thrill Attack in Dominant Sweep

The Vibe came out swinging on defense, holding Vegas to a minuscule .038 attack percentage in the first set. With blockers like Anna Lazareva and Magdalena Jehlářová at the net, the Thrill struggled to find open shots and make clean kills. Vegas had no answer for the Vibe’s relentless defense.

Stellar Serving

The Vibe also brought the heat with their serves. They aced Vegas 7 times in the match, disrupting their offensive rhythm. Rookie Tori Stringer showed off her float serve, notching 3 aces. When a team is struggling to simply get the ball over the net, it’s hard to mount any kind of attack.

Jehlářová Makes her Mark

After being inserted into the starting lineup, Magdalena Jehlářová made the most of her opportunity. She was a force at the net, pounding 10 kills at a .700 clip and adding 4 blocks for good measure. Her stellar play gave the Vibe a huge boost and allowed Leah Edmond and Anna Lazareva to also have big nights. With Jehlářová in the mix, this Vibe attack becomes even more dangerous.

The Vibe’s defense was the story of this match. When you hold a team to a .038 hitting percentage, your chances of winning are pretty good. Vegas never adjusted to the Vibe’s blocks and digs, and the Thrill were ultimately out of answers. If Atlanta can keep playing defense at this high level, more sweeps and wins are sure to follow. The Vibe have found their winning formula.

Vibe Look to Stay Hot Against Thrill at Home on Saturday

After sweeping the Vegas Thrill on the road, you’ll be looking to continue that momentum when they visit Gas South Arena this weekend. Coming off your most complete performance of the season according to the stats, the team seems poised to pick up another win and hold onto first place.

Offense Firing on All Cylinders

With three players racking up double-digit kills and the squad finishing with a season-high .309 hitting percentage against Vegas, your offense was clicking on all cylinders. Rookie Magdalena Jehlářová had a breakout game in her first start, notching 10 kills and making an impact at the net with four blocks. If she and Leah Edmond and Anna Lazareva continue their hot streaks, Vegas will have their hands full trying to slow down your multifaceted attack.

Home Court Advantage

After a long road trip, there’s no place like home. Heading into the matchup with an unblemished record at Gas South Arena so far this season, you’ll look to protect home court once again. With the crowd behind them, your squad seems to find an extra gear. Vegas managed only 16 points in the opening set of Monday’s match—the fewest scored by a Vibe opponent in the first set so far this season, and the second-fewest scored in any set against Atlanta.—so they’ll need to make major adjustments to avoid another slow start in Atlanta.

Vegas will be eager to avenge their Monday night loss, so you can’t afford a letdown. Sticking to the game plan, blocking out distractions, and controlling the controllables will be key to keeping your win streak alive. If Atlanta continue playing with confidence and togetherness, Vegas might be in for another long night in Atlanta.

Conclusion

You really have to hand it to Atlanta. This team is firing on all cylinders right now. They dominated Vegas in every aspect of the game tonight to pick up their third sweep of the season, tying Omaha for the league lead. The lineup changes worked to perfection, with rookie Jehlářová stepping up in her first start. She and Edmond were unstoppable in the first two sets. The team chemistry is really coming together at the perfect time as the Vibe make a push to solidify their spot atop the league standings. They passed a tough test on the road and now return home looking to keep the momentum going. If they can maintain this level of play, a championship banner might just be in their future. Saturday’s rematch with the Thrill will be another big test, but right now this Vibe squad seems ready to pass any challenge that comes their way.