Their defense HAS to improve if that is going to happen. Our setter is running around all over the place, often making bump sets behind her back. She was visibly exhausted in the 4th set on Sunday. It all starts with defense. We are missing a lot of blocks. That makes the bump more erratic, and the setter has to run to play that, and not get an ideal set. Without a good set, we cannot attack forcefully and accurately. That is no formula for a successful offensive attack. A lot of it comes down to youth and inexperience, which can improve throughout the season, as you allude to. But, we also talent deficient compared to years past as well.