Debut by star-studded League One Volleyball seemed extra like an exhibition than a contest.

I get it that the gamers have been oh-so overjoyed to be part of a landmark occasion and that a number of the ladies are pals (or no less than pleasant) as a result of they prepare within the USA nationwide group’s gymnasium.

However all the sweetness and lightweight and glad, smiling faces made the match between visiting LOVB Salt Lake and LOVB Atlanta come off as extra of a scrimmage — and even an open gymnasium — than a critical tussle that counted within the standings. Even the postmatch celebration by the Salt Lake group after its four-set victory had an understated “one other day on the workplace” vibe.

Salt Lake Coach Tama Miyashio mentioned, “It wasn’t simply one other volleyball match,” however from an depth standpoint, it positive seemed like “simply one other volleyball match” to me.

Hearth is perhaps an excessive amount of to count on in a primary match (though, was it, actually, when the league gained’t get a second likelihood to make the very important first impression?) however I didn’t even see a number of spark. The gang of three,239 at intimate Gateway Middle Area within the Atlanta suburbs may need sensed it, too, as a result of. for probably the most half, the spectators sat on their palms.

The organizers of startup LOVB did an admirable job of assembling expertise for its six groups, snagging the lion’s share of the gamers from our Olympic group that earned the silver medal and Paris, a few of whom have been golden within the 2021 Tokyo Video games. However all the gamers draw their paychecks from one supply, LOVB, and the league assigned them to their groups. Maybe that has added to the all-for-one-and-one-for-all bonhomie I noticed on the court docket throughout the supposedly historic “First Serve” match.

Because the schedule proceeds and the standings grow to be related, I hope to see the gamers exhibit a extra acceptable “recreation face.” A super time to start out could be the match on Thursday evening between host Austin and Houston, which will probably be streamed on the subscription ESPN+ platform at 7 p.m. Central.

Now for a couple of phrases on the TV presentation I watched final evening on ESPN+. It was fairly good. I noticed a number of squawking on social media concerning the telecast’s frequent use of low-angle courtside photographs and wider-angle views from the baseline, however in my estimation, they added to my viewing expertise.

Was it completely different? Sure. Nevertheless it introduced the viewer nearer to the motion and these photographs have been a breath of contemporary air from the standard reliance on the sideline “excessive exhausting digital camera” that’s seen on matches with lesser manufacturing values. Even the excessive sideline digital camera’s view was tighter than regular, a welcome change.

On Opening Evening, I might have loved seeing all the gamers launched on TV, which might have given all people tuning in additional context. However, regrettably, participant introductions are as uncommon as hen’s tooth on up to date sports activities tv. On the very least, a extra complete graphic with first and final names and photos of every participant ought to have been ready for the groups’ beginning lineups.

As could be anticipated from elite-level athletes with worldwide expertise, the standard of the volleyball was darned good, even when it lacked a lot sense of urgency. LOVB commissioned skilled announcers Anne Marie Anderson and Kevin Wong for the ESPN+ stream they usually did knowledgeable job calling the match with an emphasis on mainstream sports activities followers.

The stay stats on LOVB’s web site stayed on zeros till halfway by way of the third set, a minor inconvenience, however one which needs to be addressed.