Inside the Numbers - GER - LIPPMANN

Louisa Lippmann, opposite for Germany, put on a dominant offensive performance against Belgium in the CEV Tokyo Volleyball Olympic Qualifiers. She scored 27 kills on 53% hitting with only three errors and won the MVP for the match. Let’s take a look at some of the hits that make up an offensive performance like this.

Like most wings, Lippmann’s bread & butter is the cross court attack. However, most wings don’t have Lippmann’s combination of size at 191cm and impressive vertical that allow her access to a much larger area of the court to attack.

In the first attack in the clip, we see her attacking from the back row in the 5-6 seam, as middle blocker Camilla Weitzel sets up for a step in position 2. This is more of a skill shot than a power shot, as she goes over the defender’s shoulder and finds the corner.

The second attack shows another skillful shot from Lippmann, as she attacks from position 2 and finds a defender too high up, unprepared to take a line shot with their hands. This kind of shot is only possible if you are able to hit over the block.

And in a trademark Lippmann attack, she goes cross from position 2 and splits the two defenders. The blockers will almost always give her this shot, as they have two players to dig behind them. With Lippmann’s powerful swing however, that becomes a much more difficult task.

Germany plays almost exclusively through Lippmann and outside hitter Hannah Orthmann, but so far this top-heavy offense has produced fantastic results in the CCEV Tokyo Olympic Qualifier.      

Data provided by Hawk-eye Innovations