KingCo Playoff Thriller

Liberty's upset of Juanita on Thursday night helped the Kangs as we matched up against Liberty on Saturday to determine the final seedings for the District Championships to be held next week. We beat Liberty in both matches this year, yet every game was hard fought and they match up more closely than their records would indicate. True to form, we came out and took game 1, but fell in game 2. A nice bounce back in game 3 as Liberty's serves began to go awry, yet there they were in game 4 taking our non-dominant offensive attack and turning it into points of their own. And all of a sudden, a game 5! Did not want to be in a game 5 and I think the girls felt the pressure going down 12-8 as all the air was leaking out of the balloon. But alas, some awesome serves from our Senior Libero took us on a 7 point run and the match was ours. A really really big show of heart and determination. I have questioned that at times this year, but was proved wrong today and the whole team should be proud. So we move into Districts as a 3 seed and a first round match against Chief Sealth, the Metro 6 seed. They actually had an 11-2 record in Metro this year but must have struggled in the playoffs this year to drop to a 6 seed. If anyone has a scouting report, pass it along!


SET:

KILL:

2011 Lake Washington Kangs:

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!

2011 Kangs: Playoff Bound

I guess the route you take is unimportant as long as you make it to where you want to go. The seedings for the 3A tournament were decided Monday (as pointed out by the guest comment from the last post) so we played our final regular season match against a Juanita team that did not have their all-state setter (although I bet she would have played with a playoff spot on the line). Juanita was a team that really struggled this year. They have a great setter and a great OH but no depth whatsoever and we easily swept them last night to lock up the 4th seed, albeit with a losing record overall. The Kangs improved their win total to 6 games this year, one better than last year, and we head to the playoffs on Thursday for a game against Bellevue, who really made strides this year. It's a game we should win, but Bellevue has confidence after beating us a week ago. A win in that first match would extend the season by a week as we would actually make the district playoffs, which would indeed mean it was a successful 2011 campaign. Lose, and we go home. Here's to the Kangs having a successful Thursday and beyond, and good luck to all the girls playing in the post season!

The Week That Was Redux

The week that was....frustrating. The gals suffered a crushing defeat at home against Bellevue on Monday that completely muddied the 3A playoff picture. After completely dominating the first game, it's as if they though to themselves "hmm...Bellevue...no need to keep the pressure on" and they began shanking serve receives, pushing balls over the net, dealing with out of rotation penalties and untimely coaching mistakes, and generally forgetting that you have to put away inferior teams. I told Maddie after the game that while the loss was brutal, what was important was how they came out and played AFTER the loss, and they came out and dismantled a very overmatched Sammamish team on WED. Maddie had about 30 successful serves and 15 in a row at one point; it was a match they should have dominated, and they did. One more game against Juanita on Monday and then we wait and see if we're invited to the playoffs. Sad to know the season is winding down.

The Week That Was

The week that was....well....mixed. Monday started off nice with a visit to Snoqualamie Brewing with a Kang dad and some family friends. There is no excuse whatsoever to not visit SB while at an away game at Mt. Si! The Kangs took advantage of a lethargic start by Mt. Si to win game 1 and thoughts of an upset actually crept into my head but game 2 was business as usual. We were down by 12 in game 3 and staged a valiant comeback to make it close, but ended up losing that and game 4 for a final of 3-1 Mt. Si. Their height and our poor D did us in. Wednesday night saw us out in East Renton as we faced a frustrated Liberty team. One of Maddie's club teammates is on the team and her dad explained that they went into the season with high hopes but have never gotten it together. We beat them at home 3-0 but the games were all close and indeed we lost the first game but went on to play well enough to win the next 3 and solidify our place i the playoff hunt. Great news for the Kangs as we got our best OH back who has been sidelined the whole season with a sprained ankle. Rusty vs. Mt. Si but much more consistent and confident in game 2. Good to have you back, DH! Maddie is playing well and we move into the home stretch with 3 straight home games to wrap up the regular season. Enjoy your weekend!

Hitting Bottom

Up 2-0 vs. Interlake last night and ended up losing in 5 after going to 14-14 in the final game before one of our Senior captains served it into the net. I felt actually sick to my stomach last night, but I'm glad I didn't try and update the blog at that time. The bitterness was exposed. Maybe I take it more seriously than the girls and coaching staff does; if so, I need to let go a bit. I'm just sick of being in a losing program and no one seems to want to do anything to change it. I don't think it's wrong to put your best players out there full time. I better wrap this up now because it's all coming back. As ashamed as our coaches and girls should be for that effort, the girls and staff at Interlake should be proud because their girls never gave up and never gave in and learned what it's like to feel pride in an accomplishment. Sigh....

Hanging Tough in Mercer Island

The team came out flat tonight vs. MI, and before Maddie even cycled in, the Kangs were already down 15-3, but Maddie reeled off 7 straight to get the kindling lit. (Please note the first ever CAMPFIRE metaphor while discussing HS volleyball in this blog). Game 2 was closer, but our severely lacking defense seemed unable to return any serves, and when they did, the setters were out of position or the hitters were pushing it over, and against a fundamentally solid team like MI, the resulting kills went mainly unchallenged. Much like our previous match at Juanita, the girls rallied and took a game, but poor defense again dashed any hope of winning the match. Still, it was not a debacle against the 6th ranked 3A team.

A special shout out to Carly W. from MI who is not only a fine setter, but a classy young lady as well. You have the respect of me and Maddie and we're pulling for you to go deep in the playoffs (unless it's against the Kangs)! I might even support a 6-2 offense if you and Maddie were on the same team! :)

Important home match against Interlake this week...we really need a win against someone other than Bellevue, Liberty or Sammamish to get a better seed in the playoffs.

The Fine Line between Good and Mediocre

Had a solid if uninspired 3-0 vs. Samammish to put us nicely in contention to take sole possession of 4th place in KingCo with a win against a struggling Juanita team. They are a team that has lost their coach and although they have a superstar setter and a solid OH, they are not surrounded by much. Sadly, we came out and made the same mistakes that have plagued us for years (and plague many a team, I'm sure). Bad serve receive. Most serves were greeted with a shank or a poor pass to the setter. Our hitters were OK if not a bit inconsistent, but poor passing often resulted in sets that had our gals simply pushing balls over the net, and once JF set to DM it was all over. We came back to win Game 2 in an absolutely awesome OT game where the Kangs finally looked HUNGRY...but it all fell apart in the next 2 games with those unforced errors and weak offense. We really should have won this match and it's probably the most disappointed I've been with the team this season. We beat the Bellevue's and Liberty's and are beat in turn by the MI's and Mt. Si's, which is probably right...and that leaves Interlake and Juanita where we need to win. And we just don't. This team has never won a match we shouldn't have won and that is really frustrating. Oh, Club Volleyball Dad has lots of ideas, but is not one to get involved with coaching suggestions. It seems our philosophy is to play everyone. Juanita runs a 5-1. Just sayin. Doesn't get any easier next week with MI and Interlake...sigh...we just really needed that match last night. I gave up a trip to see a bunch of friends in Denver because of the KingCo playoffs...now I'm not so sure I should have. But as much as I rant in this blog, I don't put it in Maddie's face; I made a conscious effort to not even mention the match to her this morning on the way to school and I could tell from her mood that she would have exploded had I brought it up...so tip to Club Volleyball Parents: sliiiide into game critique conversations. :) Have a nice weekend, everyone.

Bellevue Blowout

I guess tonight I experienced what it's like to be a parent at Mercer Island....blowing out the other team is not really THAT satisfying. This match was so lopsided, it was over before any of the girls even broke a sweat...still, it wraps up a good week for the Kangs and a tough and impressive week for Maddie, who played sick both nights. Dad is proud the way she sucked it up. Had a nice time visiting with a few more Club dads who have DD's on the Bellevue team. I feel for them. Anyway, off to Sammamish on Monday where a win puts us at 3-3 in league...but then away games at Mercer Island and Juanita may bring us back to reality. Good job Kangs; it is important to beat the teams you SHOULD beat and set yourself up to steal one you shouldn't.

Bizzare Doings at Juanita HS

Juanita volleyball coach abruptly fired

Posted by Sandy Ringer

Teena Bambolo was fired as Juanita's head volleyball coach Monday, hours before the Rebels played a KingCo 3A/2A match against Mount Si.
"It was sort of an administrative decision," athletic director Steve Juzeler said Tuesday. "We're not going to give any more information than that. We wish Teena well."
Emily Price, the varsity assistant coach, is serving as interim head coach, according to Juzeler.
Bambolo, who was in her 10th season as head coach, said she was surprised by the abrupt meeting Monday with Juzeler and two other Juanita administrators. She was told her contract was terminated, given a final check (for the entire season) and asked to turn over her facility keys.
"It took all of five minutes," she said. "Ten years, and it took five minutes. They said their decision was final and I didn't get to explain myself. . . . I don't believe I've done anything in my 10 years at Juanita that would warrent termination. What I care about is my name and reputation which right now has been tarnished."
Bambolo is proud of the progress she made with the program, pointing out the team went 0-16 her second year as head coach and last season finished 11-3 in conference play to place second behind unbeaten Mount Si.
Juanita was 2-2 in league play under Bambolo, then Monday lost 3-0 to Mount Si to fall to 2-3. She said she sent a text to players that afternoon wishing them luck in the match and for the rest of the season.
Bambolo didn't want to go into details about the possible reasons for her termination, but did speculate "disgruntled parents" played a role. Plus, a starting player had quit the team last Thursday for what Bambolo described as a "difference in coaching philosophy."
That player returned Monday after Bambolo's termination and played in the final two sets against Mount Si after sitting out the opening set.

Hmmm....

Ups and Downs

Where did the week go? After Wednesday's day of recovery for Maddie and a loss to Mt. Si, the girls played a team from Alaska in a 'friendly' on Thursday. Of course, CVD was waiting for game time over at the Black Raven when the ex calls and says "Oh, the game started at 5:30." So I had another Wisdom Seeker and sulked...but not for long because Saturday was the Jamboree over at Juanita with 16 or so teams from all over competing to see who would be standing at the end of the longest tournament ever! It was like being in Spokane with an hour off then play, then ref, then play, then off for two hours....sadly, Devo was playing at Redhook and I was called away to what turned out to be a great night of 80's new wave in a complete downpour. But in a way, it was more special.

On to last night where we all reconvened at LWHS to welcome Liberty in to the house and catch up with IT teammate Jessica and her cool parents. I sat on the Liberty side, much to the chagrin of the Liberty parents and with Jess' dad watched a very close match that saw each game decided by just a couple of points. Jessica played a nice middle and Liberty won the first game, but in the second and third games, Maddie ran off 10 and 5 serves in a row to help the Kangs win their first league match of the season, 3-1. Maddie had 17 assists in a 6-2, again making me wish for the old 5-1 and a power OH, but it was nice to see a win. Great hustle by the girls after coming out a bit flat. On to Bellevue tomorrow and a hope that we go to 2-3 in league.

Another scare from Maddie yesterday as she woke up with a very sore throat. Some zinc and a pep talk from dad got her through last night, but she digressed over night. Of course, we were worried about strep because she had it last year, but it's just a little inflammation and the doc said she would be good to go tomorrow!

With pal Jessica from Island Thunder and Liberty HS post game:

Getting ready to serve at the 2011 Jamboree:

Be Careful What You Wish For....

Well, they will be running a 5-1 tonight....but only because Maddie has a lateral ligament sprain (knee). Probably not serious but had to miss practice yesterday and therefore the game tonight. The concern is will she be ready for a game on Thursday (non league) and the tournament on Saturday. She tweaked it in PE. PE? Why does someone who practices or plays 5 nights a week on the volleyball team get dumped into PE by the randomness of high school class scheduling? And how does a girl who plays every single point of the entire club season without as much as a headache sprain her knee in gym? So the star OH (ankle) and the star setter have yet to play a point together this year but will get to spend some quality time sitting on the bench catching up. The VB Gods have not been kind in the early part of the season.

Bad Feeling

It's not a good thing to be this bummed out so early in the season, is it? We're 3 matches in and I have seen nothing that leads me to believe we are going to contend in 3A this year at all. We continue to run a 6-2 offense which means Maddie and the other setter are each only setting from the back row. In effect, the best setter is only on the court half the time. You don't see a 6-2 in Club very often because the club wants to put the best product on the court and win games. A 6-2 does not allow the setters to make any lasting in-game connections with the hitters, and it does not allow for a setter to be subbed out if they are struggling. I read the papers and see setters from various schools with 22 assists, 19 assists, 17 assists....these are teams that play the best setter in each game and let her develop that relationship with her hitters. You will never see one of our setters names in the paper. 

Thanks. I feel better. We lost handily to Interlake last night in a match I think we really needed if we were going to compete this year. I'm in a bad mood because it's plain we're NOT ready at all.  Maddie did not have her best game. There are some team chemistry issues developing. I know how I would resolve them. More action tomorrow vs. Mt. Si, then a "friendly" against a team from Alaska, then the 3A Jamboree at Juanita this weekend.

I will either be more hopeful by Saturday night, or my hair will be gone.

Home Opener vs. Mercer Island

A big crowd at LW tonight to see the home opener vs. 9th ranked Mercer Island. I think this group had 7 or 8 girls that played Club this year; we have 4...but don't get me started on how to grow a strong high school program. Played a spirited first game but lost 17-25 but game 2 was a whole different story. Some MI errors and steady play from the Kangs and it was 21-21 late in the game. One rally in particular went on forever with super defensive play and some great setting by Maddie to her OH who went up time and time again only to have it returned....but then, one last perfect set, a well placed spike and it was POINT Kangs who used that momentum to close things out to win Game 2. Of course, games 3 and 4 saw MI back in form and saw us struggle with defense and serving to ultimately lose the match 1-3 and go 0-1 in league play. The outcome was not unexpected; we just don't have elite talent like some of these schools seem to have, but they played well (with again, 2 starters out). I'm a little frustrated with the 6-2 offense which means the best setter is only playing half the time, but I guess our program is more about the experience than trying to win at all costs....which, OK, I get it. Club this is not. We HAVE started a new 'tradition' where our girls give little gifts to the opposing players during the introductions and frankly, it has the parents in a bit of an uproar. I guess it just doesn't strike fear into the hearts of the enemy when you give them a little bag of chocolate kisses. On the other hand, perhaps it's a brilliant strategy to get the girls out of whack and sugared up during the match. 

Big week next week: Away at Interlake and home against Mt. Si...that Interlake game is the one we need to take. Mt. Si is tough and we do not want to start the season 0-3. Maddie and I are pumped about seeing 'Contagion' this weekend and of course it's NFL Kickoff Sunday. Hooray!


Maddie directs traffic vs. Mercer Island

Talking strategy with coach between rotations:

Keep 'em guessing with a back set!:

2011 High School Begins!

Before the season even began, the Kangs suffered a big loss when our number 1 hitter ( and one of Maddie's best friends) crumpled to the floor in practice yesterday; prognosis: sprained ankle-out for a month...half the season. A very bad break. That, coupled with our starting senior Libero out with mono (who catches MONO any more?) had the team emotionally challenged even before the trip to 4A powerhouse Skyline for an opening night non-league match up. As expected, the Kangs were never a threat, but I thought they held their own and lost by about 6-8 points every match. High School seems so 'luck of the draw' sometimes; how does a school like Skyline have 4 girls at 6 feet plus and LW has no one over 5'10"? Height is what killed us tonight...that and mediocre serve receive and serving. But like I said, they hung in there and with the 2 starters out, had an OK match to get the jitters out. Of course, things don't get any easier with the home opener tomorrow night against (3A 9th ranked in the state) Mercer Island, but no one said it would be easy! Some good competition to begin the season and it's not over until the game gets played. Just not a lot of height on this team, but they had moments tonight that were encouraging. Good to reconnect with some of the parents and see Maddie playing in a real game...her first since Club ended in May. Great to be back! Update and pictures post game tomorrow.

The Ecstasy and Agony of Tryouts

Maddie got a late start in club volleyball and I will never forget the dejection on her face and the fear in my heart as we prepared to leave Moxie Club tryouts less than 2 years ago. She came up to her mom and me and said "I guess I didn't make it" but as we gathered our things one of the coaches came up and asked her to follow along. We watched as Maddie's face lit up as she was told she had made her very first club team. We tried out for 4 other teams that year and she went home every other time without an offer. A sobering start, but one that worked out because she got lots of reps that year and really became a setter. Then a year ago this week she battled for 4 days at HS tryouts and mom and I were there when she found out she had made the Varsity team with only 2 other sophomores. The scream and the look of pure joy on her face was a moment I will never forget. She made it as a RS because there were a couple of junior setters ahead of her, but it was so fun for her to be a varsity player. Then last year at Club tryouts we didn't really know what to expect and were kind of blown away to get an offer from the first 4 teams she tried out for...yet for all that, there was genuine disappointment when Island Thunder let her walk out of the gym without a spot. We accepted a spot with Blaze and were happy, but the 10 pm call from IT with an offer was like a dream come true and she was so wired she couldn't sleep that night. And IT was so perfect for her. So as HS tryouts began on Monday, the vibe was different. After a season setting for IT and a summer filled with camps, my DD went in with a swagger and a confidence and a conviction that being a setter for LWHS was HER job this year. And so it is. No screams of joy this year, just a simple call to tell me that her and her friend Maddie W. (one of the now Sr. setters from last year) were the varsity setters. Almost as if there was never a doubt it would be otherwise. So as you players or you parents travel through your volleyball adventure, know that there will be crushing lows that you will suffer through. There will be teams you didn't make, and starting jobs that went to someone else...but if you work hard and stay with your dream, there will be joy and satisfaction from your victories. Making a team, securing a starting job.. succeeding...these will be moments you will never forget. I am as proud of the self confident Maddie who knew she would be named a setter as I am of the girl who was shocked to make the team a year ago. Is there anything better than being a proud parent? Good job, Maddies; go Kangs!

Honey? Time to WAKE UP!

Summer is winding down and soon the mornings will be filled with dad impersonating an alarm clock...Monday begins Kang Volleyball Tryouts! Much less stress this year as Maddie was trying to make Varsity as a sophomore. With a couple of setters ahead of her, she made it as a RS, but with a full year of Club setting at Island Thunder behind her and lots of volleyball at Western and UW camps, she'll be working for that #1 setter role for 2011 as the Kangs look to build on their 5 win season from a year ago. New reports from tryouts next week, Here we go!

UW Camp 2011 Version

Maddie just finished another UW Camp and had an equally good time as last year, especially since she got to reconnect with pal Jenna Hagglund, the wonderful UW setter who, when we last saw her, was in the NCAA Elite 8. She was Maddie's 'team' coach again and a swell time was had by all. Tomorrow begins Kang Camp, and the realization that summer is in full swing.... and we have yet to see the sun... some pics from  the weekend:

With Evan Sanders, Sr. Setter:

With Kylin Munoz, Jr. OH:

With Kelly Holford, Jr. L/DS and Anna Cesari, F Setter:

And with Jenna. LOVE her!

Summer Break is Over

Maddie celebrated her birthday and last open gym on June 21st and we just got back from 9 days in Vegas, Palm Springs and San Diego where we spent all of 15 minutes discussing volleyball. This is literally the first break of more than a day or two since Club tryouts last November, and I think it was good for her physically and mentally. Tomorrow she heads up to WWU for a week of camps; her opportunity to show the coaches up there what she's made of. Hope everyone has a great July 4th holiday weekend!

Raw ECC Video

I put some video up of various matches at ECC on my YouTube page. Maddie is #11! Now we're off to Vegas and Southern California before she spends a week up at some WWU Camps!

http://www.youtube.com/user/bstone1959