Saturday October 27th proves to be a great day for volleyball. There are some intriguing match ups and unfortunately a few blunders where teams should be facing in later rounds instead of so early. I guess at the end of the day you have to beat everyone to be the champ anyway.
Class AAAAA
Bracket A is a toss up. McEachern vs. North Cobb is an interesting first round matchup. North Cobb has had a huge turn around from last season and I look for them to move on the second round to face Chattahoochee. The Cougars played some inspired volleyball at the Area tournament and if they can continue that level of play they have a good chance of avenging an earlier loss to North Cobb. Union Grove was a surprise last year so I look for them to face Kell in the second round. Kell has had some big wins this year and if there ball control allows them to get the ball to the middle then they will move on to face Chattahoochee in the round of eight.
Player Watch List: MB-Ashley Neff (North Cobb), MB Amanda Jones (Kell), OH Virginia Hogan (Chattahoochee), Do everything player in Katherine Schilling (McEachern), OH Makeda Moore (McEachern), OH Lindsay Craft (Chattahoochee)
Bracket B is wide open. If Lassiter can get passed an early test with Parkview and a tough match with Etowah in the second round they could very well find themselves back in the final four. Lassiter's setting has improved and they play scrappy defense with a solid serve receive. I look for Milton to come out of the top half of the bracket to face Lassiter or Etowah in the round of eight. Lassiter/Etowah match should be a dandy. Youth vs. Veterans. Who wants it the most?
Player Watch List: OH-Hannah Reinke (Lassiter), MB Taylor Montgomery (Lassiter), OH Cate Howard (Milton), OH Erin Michael (Milton)
Bracket C could very well be a no brainer. Kennesaw Mountain will come out of that bracket to reach the final four. South Forsyth could give the Mustangs a match, but ultimately should get the Mustangs nice and woken up to play the winner of Norcross/Walton. This match should be a good one to watch. Can Hannah Nelson of Norcross rally the troops to victory over a scrappy defense of Walton.
Player Watch List: MB Lauren Hutchinson (Ken. Mtn.), OH Hannah Nelson (Norcross), S Grace Hoyt(S.Forsyth), MB Kensey Williams (S.Forsyth), OH Sarah Schneider (Walton), S Beyza Kilic (Walton), Nickki Hannon (Grayson)
Bracket D is the bracket of disaster. Northview and Pope should face one another at some point in the final four but will have to settle for a huge match in the round of 8. Both of these teams have a cake walk to the round of 8 and that match should be one of the states best this season. Both teams have strong arms on the outside, but rely heavily on the play of their middle hitters. The x-factor of this match very well could be the play of Superstar Freshman Mary Hoey. The match however could ride on the balance of tough serving vs. ball control. Northview will jump serve and serve tough. If they can limit serving errors and force Pope to play out of system they should come out on top. If Pope can control their serve reception then the match may very well come down to that x-factor.
Player Watch List: MB Courtney Fletcher (Northview), S Allie Schliesman (Northview), Lib Kari Bardis (Northview), OH Gaby Smiley (Northview), S Maggie Hoey (Pope), X-Factor (Mary Hoey), MB Elise Cashman(Pope), OH Stephanie Post (Harrison), OH Olivia Day (Mill Creek)
Class AAAA
Bracket A could see St. Pius reaching the final four if they can get past an athletic Jonesboro team and an up and coming Greenbrier program.
Bracket B will lead Star's Mill back to the final four and most likely playing Dacula in the round of 8.
Bracket C Should be a cake walk for McIntosh who has been playing stellar volleyball down the stretch.
Bracket D will undoubtedly prove to have Woodward meet Marist in the round of 8. You know the depth of volleyball is growing or either GHSA wants to make sure other schools get to experience the final four and finals. The Woodward/Marist match up should be full of fireworks as they normally are. No love lost here and the story continues. Only time will tell the story of this next battle. Can Marist's scrappy defense control the powerful arms of Woodward?
Player Watch List: DS Lisa Carlson, Nicole Choi, Lindsay Regruto (Marist), OH/MB Whitney and Paige Weiland (Marist), Opp Mariah Woodson (Woodward), MB Alexis Woodson (Woodward), S Mallory Noland (Woodward), S/Opp Mary Chaudoin (Star's Mill), MB Alexis Shaffer (Star's Mill), MB Kylee Marx-Booth (St. Pius), OH Lia Scott (St. Pius), OH Michelle Barnes (St. Pius), OH Leah Moyer (McIntosh), S Kendall Wilde (McIntosh), MB Elysse Chubb (McIntosh)
Class AAA
Bracket A has Columbus with a straight shot at the final four. They will have a minor speed bump in Riverwood in the second round, but should cruise on through.
Bracket B will match the unknown of St. Vincents vs. the athleticism of Harris County. The winner of this match should meet Oconee County in the round of 8.
Bracket C should lead Westminster to yet another final four appearance. They will meet Chamblee in the round of 8, but the depth of Westminster should prove to be to much for Chamblee.
Bracket D will lead us to a huge meeting between Sandy Creek and Blessed Trinity. Coach Stephens always has his girls ready and they play very hard, but I love to watch Sandy Creek and they may just have one to many weapons for BT. If the Creek can stop the outside hitting of BT they should be able to move on to the final four which ensures us of a new champion. Again this should be a match awaiting us in the final four, but I'll take good volleyball where I can get it.
Player Watch List: OH Jessica McAlvaney (BT), Starting 6 and Lib at Sandy Creek, S Meg Buker (Westminster), MB Alexandra Durkee (Westminster), Opp Tindal Sewell (Westminster), OH Terraka Walker (Columbus), OH Taylor Buckner (Columbus), S Kristen Fleming (Columbus), OH Chandler Armbrester (Harris County), OH Angelica Crump (Chamblee)
Class AA/A
Bracket A gives Wesleyan yet another quick path to the State Final Four. They will go to Savannah to play Mount Pisgah who is only 10 minutes away from Wesleyan. How odd is that to drive 5 hours to play a team from 10 minutes away. Wesleyan will have a minor speed bump in Savannah Christian who plays scrappy defense with great ball control. Could be a good early wake up call for the Wolves.
Bracket B should find Lovett reaching the final four although they have a scrappy Savannah Country Day to play in round 2 and most likely an athletic Decatur team in the round of 8. Lions be careful against Country Day as they are the host team which is always tough.
Bracket C has Holy Innocents waltzing to the final four. However Landmark could provide the surprise if Holy Innocents doesn't have an answer for Monique Mead.
Bracket D provides and interesting first round match up between Creekview and GAC. Creekview is an up and coming new program and could push GAC in round 1. GAC should move on and dance to the beat of the final four.
Player Watch List: OH Erica Price (Holy Innocents), OH Hallye Jerkins (Buford), MB Meg Yanda (Holy Innocents), MB's Betsy Smith and Anne Marie Armstrong (Wesleyan), S Maggie Smith (Wesleyan), OH Kelsey Melito (Lovett), Lib Mary Gallagher (Lovett), OH Sarah Kelley (Walker), OH Lauren Ford (Decatur), OH Amanda Komisarow (GAC)
Well if you read this far you may be as exhausted as I am. I am looking forward to seeing some great volleyball, good players making great plays, and I always enjoy the upsets (even if that makes me wrong in these predictions/preview). Have a great tournament everybody and good luck.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Gwinnett County ummmmm!!
10-6-2007
Being a fellow Gwinnetian I am a little disturbed at the state of volleyball in our fair county. I guess I don't help matters seeing as though most of the training I do consists of Cobb County and Fulton County Kids. Anyway my time at the Gwinnett County Championships was good but a little like watching paint dry. I was able to talk to a lot of people and do what I like doing the most which is talking volleyball. Everyone already knows about Wesleyan and then there is GAC, Norcross, followed by Dacula, Parkview, and Mill Creek. My question is what happened to the talent that used to be in Gwinnett. The athletes still have to be there as the softball, soccer, and basketball teams all rank among the best in the state. How can they rebuild and climb back into the mix?
1. The high school coaches have to get the kids in middle school to start playing volleyball. There needs to be a feeder program at each school. That would be step one.
2. The next step is get your kids to play club. If Suwanee is not an option then find somewhere else even if you have to drive a little to get there. The best players in the county are all playing club.
Senior OH Hannah Nelson (Norcross)
Junior OH Audrey Hipple (Parkview)
Senior OH Olivia Day (Mill Creek)
Senior MB Betsy Smith (Wesleyan)
Junior MB Anne Marie Armstrong (Wesleyan)
Junior OH Hallye Jerkins (Buford)
Sophamore Libero Courtney Weider (Dacula)
Sophamore OH Amanda Komisarow (GAC)
Senior OH August Rhea(Norcross)
Sophamore Setter Rachel Monteagudo (Norcross)
Junior Setter Megan Carnell(North Gwinnett)
Freshman Setter Maggie Smith(Wesleyan)
Sophamore OH Haley Collins (Wesleyan)
3. Get better coaches in the high schools. While there are some good coaches Gwinnett County needs to seek out better coaching. I know a lot of spots go to the football and basketball coaches, but getting qualified volleyball coaches is a must to turn the tide around.
Being a fellow Gwinnetian I am a little disturbed at the state of volleyball in our fair county. I guess I don't help matters seeing as though most of the training I do consists of Cobb County and Fulton County Kids. Anyway my time at the Gwinnett County Championships was good but a little like watching paint dry. I was able to talk to a lot of people and do what I like doing the most which is talking volleyball. Everyone already knows about Wesleyan and then there is GAC, Norcross, followed by Dacula, Parkview, and Mill Creek. My question is what happened to the talent that used to be in Gwinnett. The athletes still have to be there as the softball, soccer, and basketball teams all rank among the best in the state. How can they rebuild and climb back into the mix?
1. The high school coaches have to get the kids in middle school to start playing volleyball. There needs to be a feeder program at each school. That would be step one.
2. The next step is get your kids to play club. If Suwanee is not an option then find somewhere else even if you have to drive a little to get there. The best players in the county are all playing club.
Senior OH Hannah Nelson (Norcross)
Junior OH Audrey Hipple (Parkview)
Senior OH Olivia Day (Mill Creek)
Senior MB Betsy Smith (Wesleyan)
Junior MB Anne Marie Armstrong (Wesleyan)
Junior OH Hallye Jerkins (Buford)
Sophamore Libero Courtney Weider (Dacula)
Sophamore OH Amanda Komisarow (GAC)
Senior OH August Rhea(Norcross)
Sophamore Setter Rachel Monteagudo (Norcross)
Junior Setter Megan Carnell(North Gwinnett)
Freshman Setter Maggie Smith(Wesleyan)
Sophamore OH Haley Collins (Wesleyan)
3. Get better coaches in the high schools. While there are some good coaches Gwinnett County needs to seek out better coaching. I know a lot of spots go to the football and basketball coaches, but getting qualified volleyball coaches is a must to turn the tide around.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
A Good Few Days
10-3-2007
Saturday I spent my time at the Cobb County Tournament. I saw Walker get blown out by Lassiter. What a difference a year makes. Walker has some scrappy players and a solid Outside Hitter in Sarah Kelley, but losing some tremendous seniors and their starting setter definitely hurts. Coach Dan Clotfelter does a good job and will surely have the program back up to speed soon. I have seen his middle school play and he has some good potential in that group. Lassiter is much improved from earlier in the season. The setter has learned to set the ball higher for 6'5" Middle Blocker Taylor Montgomery. While Taylor isn't overpowering she hits at a steep angle that is tough to defend. The Trojans also receive a boost from Junior OH Hannah Reinke. Hannah is one of those girls that every team needs. She does all the little things that go unnoticed by most. She is also pretty steady and has a good head for the game.
The surprise of the day was Kell defeating Pope. Pope has to pick up there ball control if they are gonna go to the finals this year. Kell played inspired volleyball. They have good middle hitters who terminate plays and they play very scrappy defense.
I also saw Kennesaw Mountain play Walton. My first chance to see Walton. I was a little disturbed at the Walton pre game warm up. I wasn't sure if I was at a volleyball match, a cheerleading contest, or a who can scream MINE the loudest contest!!! Anyway Walton was scrappy in game one and forced Kennesaw to play a lot of balls until they made mistakes. Kennesaw looked sloppy in game one but turned it up in game two where they spanked Walton. Game one tells me early exit from state playoffs. Game two tells me final four. Which team shows up I guess we will see.
The remainder of the day took me to training. I love working with kids and helping them get better and achieve their goals.
Tuesday took me to Norcross to see Sandy Creek, Mill Creek, and the host Norcross. I was very impressed with the Blue Devils of Norcross. Senior Outside Hannah Nelson is very good. She played solid defense, passed well out of serve receive, and can terminate in front and back row attempts. She needs to be a little more consistent out of system and with her serve. Setter Rachel Monteagudo did a great job. She has good instincts and when she doesn't Hannah tells her what to do!!!
Mill Creek struggled most of the night. They had good play from outside hitter Olivia Day. She has a good arm and hits a good high ball.
Sandy Creek is as good as advertised although missing a couple of starters. They were able to grind out wins in both matches despite being down 2 players. The Haney kid might be the most explosive player in the state, however she struggles on out of system sets.
Well I'm still working on some of my lists. They will be out soon. If you have any recommendations please pass them my way. See you in the gym.
Saturday I spent my time at the Cobb County Tournament. I saw Walker get blown out by Lassiter. What a difference a year makes. Walker has some scrappy players and a solid Outside Hitter in Sarah Kelley, but losing some tremendous seniors and their starting setter definitely hurts. Coach Dan Clotfelter does a good job and will surely have the program back up to speed soon. I have seen his middle school play and he has some good potential in that group. Lassiter is much improved from earlier in the season. The setter has learned to set the ball higher for 6'5" Middle Blocker Taylor Montgomery. While Taylor isn't overpowering she hits at a steep angle that is tough to defend. The Trojans also receive a boost from Junior OH Hannah Reinke. Hannah is one of those girls that every team needs. She does all the little things that go unnoticed by most. She is also pretty steady and has a good head for the game.
The surprise of the day was Kell defeating Pope. Pope has to pick up there ball control if they are gonna go to the finals this year. Kell played inspired volleyball. They have good middle hitters who terminate plays and they play very scrappy defense.
I also saw Kennesaw Mountain play Walton. My first chance to see Walton. I was a little disturbed at the Walton pre game warm up. I wasn't sure if I was at a volleyball match, a cheerleading contest, or a who can scream MINE the loudest contest!!! Anyway Walton was scrappy in game one and forced Kennesaw to play a lot of balls until they made mistakes. Kennesaw looked sloppy in game one but turned it up in game two where they spanked Walton. Game one tells me early exit from state playoffs. Game two tells me final four. Which team shows up I guess we will see.
The remainder of the day took me to training. I love working with kids and helping them get better and achieve their goals.
Tuesday took me to Norcross to see Sandy Creek, Mill Creek, and the host Norcross. I was very impressed with the Blue Devils of Norcross. Senior Outside Hannah Nelson is very good. She played solid defense, passed well out of serve receive, and can terminate in front and back row attempts. She needs to be a little more consistent out of system and with her serve. Setter Rachel Monteagudo did a great job. She has good instincts and when she doesn't Hannah tells her what to do!!!
Mill Creek struggled most of the night. They had good play from outside hitter Olivia Day. She has a good arm and hits a good high ball.
Sandy Creek is as good as advertised although missing a couple of starters. They were able to grind out wins in both matches despite being down 2 players. The Haney kid might be the most explosive player in the state, however she struggles on out of system sets.
Well I'm still working on some of my lists. They will be out soon. If you have any recommendations please pass them my way. See you in the gym.
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