Volleyball Redemption and Validation

I can't seem to face up to the facts
I'm tense and nervous and I
Can't relax
I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire
Don't touch me I'm a real live wire.

Thanks, Talking Heads!

That was me yesterday. For the Kangs of 2011, a win over Bellevue in the loser out first round of the Kingco Conference playoffs makes the season a complete success, a loss means an end to a season of up and down play and unmet expectations....and the game against Bellevue where we were the 4 seed and they were the 5 seed, started out poor with a win by Bellevue that really required digging deep by the girls to reclaim what they deserved and earned. So dig deep they did, taking the next 3 games and advancing to play Mt. Si (the number 1 seed) and earning a place in the District Championships, a place this team has not been in for many a year. (Last year, we got bounced by Liberty in this same loser out game).

My congrats to Bellevue, who made great strides from last year and played with much heart. Maddie has played Club Volleyball with 3 of the girls on that team and they are all wonderful young ladies. So Jesse, Alex, and Meghan...we got you this year but you will all be back and even stronger next year.

In the other game, our friend Jessica and the Liberty team took on Juanita and upset them in 5 games to also earn a spot in the Districts. Hooray! We will play Liberty on Saturday at 3 PM to determine the 3rd or 4th seed from Kingco as we play the Metro Division next week. Liberty lost to Mercer Island in the 2 seed vs. 6 seed match and we lost to Mt. Si...and lost pretty good. I think the girls were a little 'off' knowing that not too much was on the line, but Mt. Si has such strong talent (including the League MVP OH and 2 other First Team players, that we just cannot really compete. They get to everything, their hitters elevate and smash the ball and they can block with the best of them. So #1 Mt. Si plays #2 Mercer Island and we play #6 Liberty to determine final seedings before heading to Districts. It would be great to beat Liberty and take the 3 seed.

Anyway....very proud of the girls for getting the job done vs. Bellevue. Good job to our parents who consistently show up even to away games (have I mentioned that we have the greatest parents of all the teams?!!). And also, good job on winning the Team Sportsmanship Award for 2011. It's very cool to be winners AND good sports!