It's been some time since my last update. VVK was up 2-1 over Tierp in the quarterfinals of the Elite Series Playoffs. The weeks have flown by, and even the months, as I now sit in my little hotel room dreaming of the long decent into the LA smog.
VVK was indeed successful in topping Tierp in the first round of playoffs. Our opponents all but laid down in the 4th match and we easily swept them in 3 sets. My parents, Melinda, Neal, and the new addition Kacie were all there to witness VVK's first-round playoff win in over 5 years. Pretty exciting.
The second round pitted the heroic VVK warriors against the evil Falkenberg Falcons. The first match proved that the series would be hard fought. Again, the family was in attendance along with some 50+ VVK fans to make noise in the Falk gym. VVK put up a hell of a fight, taking the first set, but lost the match in 5. I was very happy with my play, recording 22 points in the 4 sets. My only real foul-ups came in the final 3 points of the match when I hit a ball into the antenna, and 2 points later when I was THUNDERCLAMPED for the match. Under the wisdom of John Wooden I was able to walk away with my head-up, as I played with just about everthing I had to offer.
Match 2 of the best of 5 series was all-too-similar to match 1, except that VVK's cinderella magic lasted for not 1 but 2 straight sets. With a 2-set lead and the home court crowd at our backs heading into the third, we were confident we could come away with a victory. They romped us in game 3. We bounced back and even managed to have a 23-21 lead in the 4th. 4 straight errors (including one ball in the antenna from me) and we lost the set. The crowd went silent with nerves, as did the rest of our team and we failed to capture the match, losing set 5. I lead the team again with 22 points, again happy with my play.
Match 3 started and ended in a whirlwind. I could see death in my teammates' eyes at the first technical time-out when we were down 8-4. It was all downhill from there. No energy, no team play, and frankly, pathetic play from everyone. Linus managed to make me proud, stepping up in the second half of the 3rd set to put away some big kills. In the end though, we were obviously over-matched and severly lacked desire. I again lead the team with 18 points on 18 kills. I was shocked. Apparently I was hitting .930 after 2 sets having been dug once on a tip that barely came up (I thought it was a 'lift'). I finished hitting something around .750 according to Dave and Jonas.
Needless to say, we were swept in three matches and VVK ended the year in what could be considered a successful season by some. As far as I'm concerned, you play to win. However, I'm proud of the way I played the last 3 matches. I look at them and contemplate whether they are the last competitive volleyball matches I might EVER play. It's not a bad match to go out on. I kept telling myself to enjoy the match as it went on and I truly had a lot of fun. I only wish it would have lasted a little bit longer.
Still, it's all over. My time here in Vingaker could not have been better spent. I'm undecided in my future, but am looking forward to getting back stateside and figuring out where I go from here. I don't know what else to say; I could write volumes on the experiences, friendships, lessons, and developments I've made here. I hope to conclude my stay here with some sort of writing to recapture it all.
In any case, I'll miss this place, but I'm coming home! and I'm confused...
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Yayaah!
VVK 2 - Tierp 1!
We jumped on Tierp with good serving and disciplined blocking (10-2 lead in the first) and never gave them the chance to fight back. Though we didn't play our finest volleyball, we followed a great game plan and came out victorious, sweeping Tierp 3-0 at home.
My mom and dad arrived here in Sweden on Friday - I was there 5 minutes after they made it through customs to pick them up in Stockholm. We've seen just about all of the great city of Vingaker in the days they've been here, but even more exciting was getting the big win at home for them. They were in the stands clapping and chanting along with all the Swedes. They fit right in!
I'm exhausted after the match (and waking up early to seize the day the past 2 days - no sleeping in while the 'rents are here) so I'm going to cut this one off early again.
Melinda and Neal should arrive with Kacie any minute and they will be out this way from Goteborg (Gothenberg) to see the match in Tierp on Tuesday. Go VVK!
We jumped on Tierp with good serving and disciplined blocking (10-2 lead in the first) and never gave them the chance to fight back. Though we didn't play our finest volleyball, we followed a great game plan and came out victorious, sweeping Tierp 3-0 at home.
My mom and dad arrived here in Sweden on Friday - I was there 5 minutes after they made it through customs to pick them up in Stockholm. We've seen just about all of the great city of Vingaker in the days they've been here, but even more exciting was getting the big win at home for them. They were in the stands clapping and chanting along with all the Swedes. They fit right in!
I'm exhausted after the match (and waking up early to seize the day the past 2 days - no sleeping in while the 'rents are here) so I'm going to cut this one off early again.
Melinda and Neal should arrive with Kacie any minute and they will be out this way from Goteborg (Gothenberg) to see the match in Tierp on Tuesday. Go VVK!
Friday, March 14, 2008
1 and 1
Well, it was a tough match in Tierp and the playoff series is now all tied up 1 to 1.
VVK had a tough time sheding the nerves in front of a packed house (maybe 400?) in Tierp. The whole match we played stiff and anxious, desperately looking for a glimmer of hope that we might be able to pull off a road win. Fact is, our two teams are very evenly matched as for the second match in a row it came down to a fifth set. Tierp won the first and third sets, we the second and fourth, before they took over the lead at 9-8 in the fifth and never looked back.
I finally stepped up and played worthy of a professional salary. I lead the team with 18 points on 17 kills and 1 block. The highlight of my match was the single block that came after 3 consecutive kills. It was a thunderclamp right back into Tierp's top hitter's face. It came at the start of the 4th set and we had jumped out to a 5-1 lead and just coasted. It was awesome.
Some really, REALLY bad calls screwed us over in the 5th set. I monstered a ball sharp cross-court that they called out which was clearly in. No line judges makes things difficult. We would have gone up 2 points. We were up 8-7 at the switch (sides) and then we missed a float serve out of bounds (I won't mention any names ~CdOaUvGeH~) which really took the wind out of ours sails.
Anyway, I'm off to the airport in 20 minutes to pick up my parents. I've anxiously been awaiting their arrival. At least now they'll for sure see 2 matches! Always gotta look on the bright side of things...
VVK had a tough time sheding the nerves in front of a packed house (maybe 400?) in Tierp. The whole match we played stiff and anxious, desperately looking for a glimmer of hope that we might be able to pull off a road win. Fact is, our two teams are very evenly matched as for the second match in a row it came down to a fifth set. Tierp won the first and third sets, we the second and fourth, before they took over the lead at 9-8 in the fifth and never looked back.
I finally stepped up and played worthy of a professional salary. I lead the team with 18 points on 17 kills and 1 block. The highlight of my match was the single block that came after 3 consecutive kills. It was a thunderclamp right back into Tierp's top hitter's face. It came at the start of the 4th set and we had jumped out to a 5-1 lead and just coasted. It was awesome.
Some really, REALLY bad calls screwed us over in the 5th set. I monstered a ball sharp cross-court that they called out which was clearly in. No line judges makes things difficult. We would have gone up 2 points. We were up 8-7 at the switch (sides) and then we missed a float serve out of bounds (I won't mention any names ~CdOaUvGeH~) which really took the wind out of ours sails.
Anyway, I'm off to the airport in 20 minutes to pick up my parents. I've anxiously been awaiting their arrival. At least now they'll for sure see 2 matches! Always gotta look on the bright side of things...
Sunday, March 9, 2008
VVK Victorious!
Just had to add a quick notice that VVK is a 2-match win streak. Last week we upset #1 Falkenberg in a 4-set thriller. It was a great match that showed we are a very capable team.
Tonight, however, was even bigger as VVK won its first playoff match in over 2 years. We faced-off against Tierp who we lost to just 2 weeks ago. The match was a 5-set nailbiter that had both teams up and down on that old metaphorical rollercoaster. In the end, VVK triumphed on stellar play by our 3 swedish outsides. Dave played very well as well. I struggled a bit, but in the end the TEAM is what matters. It's more fun to win than to lose and everyone is very happy.
We play the next playoff game in Tierp on Thursday. It's a best of 5 series that lasts 2 weeks. VVK 1 - Tierp 0. Here we go!!
On a side note, Kris Kraushaar's team (my buddy from UCLA) is the 7th seed in the tournament and upset #2 Hylte tonight in 4. KK blasted 19 points. #6 Sollentuna also upset #3 Team Valla in 3. It's going to be an interesting playoff series!!
Tonight, however, was even bigger as VVK won its first playoff match in over 2 years. We faced-off against Tierp who we lost to just 2 weeks ago. The match was a 5-set nailbiter that had both teams up and down on that old metaphorical rollercoaster. In the end, VVK triumphed on stellar play by our 3 swedish outsides. Dave played very well as well. I struggled a bit, but in the end the TEAM is what matters. It's more fun to win than to lose and everyone is very happy.
We play the next playoff game in Tierp on Thursday. It's a best of 5 series that lasts 2 weeks. VVK 1 - Tierp 0. Here we go!!
On a side note, Kris Kraushaar's team (my buddy from UCLA) is the 7th seed in the tournament and upset #2 Hylte tonight in 4. KK blasted 19 points. #6 Sollentuna also upset #3 Team Valla in 3. It's going to be an interesting playoff series!!
Saturday, March 1, 2008
VB Match Broadcast on Internet
Hey everybody,
I just wanted to give everyone a head's up that our match tomorrow (Sunday) will be BROADCAST LIVE ON THE INTERNET and around the world for anyone who might want to tune in. It will obviously be in Swedish, but if you feel like watching check it out!
Go to www.volleykanalen.se and you'll probably have to click a link to open the broadcast if it doesn't come up automatically. we are the "Premi�r matchen" and you shouldn't have too much trouble finding it. Look for anything that says Vingaker (or VVK) and Falkenberg. It should be right at the top.
Coverage is set to begin at 16:45 (4:45pm) our time which I guess is 7:45am in LA. Again that's SUNDAY morning, 7:45am.
If for some reason you're having trouble finding the link go to www.volleyboll.se and click on the link there. The link is a square in the column labeled "F�rbundspartners" - right smack in the middle of the page and will say something like "volleykvall - direktsandning."
Hope all those that want to can check it out. Wish us luck, it should be a good one!
Enjoy!
I just wanted to give everyone a head's up that our match tomorrow (Sunday) will be BROADCAST LIVE ON THE INTERNET and around the world for anyone who might want to tune in. It will obviously be in Swedish, but if you feel like watching check it out!
Go to www.volleykanalen.se and you'll probably have to click a link to open the broadcast if it doesn't come up automatically. we are the "Premi�r matchen" and you shouldn't have too much trouble finding it. Look for anything that says Vingaker (or VVK) and Falkenberg. It should be right at the top.
Coverage is set to begin at 16:45 (4:45pm) our time which I guess is 7:45am in LA. Again that's SUNDAY morning, 7:45am.
If for some reason you're having trouble finding the link go to www.volleyboll.se and click on the link there. The link is a square in the column labeled "F�rbundspartners" - right smack in the middle of the page and will say something like "volleykvall - direktsandning."
Hope all those that want to can check it out. Wish us luck, it should be a good one!
Enjoy!
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