1-1

The past two weeks have gone by fast and slow. Last week, we travelled to Lindesberg...proceeded to get our asses handed to us towards the end of each set, except for set 3. I don't think I will never get over how mad the coach for Lindesberg gets when his team isn't winning EVERY SINGLE point. The man has a very short fuse. I mean, come on! give them a bit of a break! Mistakes and good points happen, the game is not going to perfect every time. You will not win 25-0 in this league, sorry, not going to happen. I know you aren't supposed to pay attention to the other teams antics, especially the other their coach, they aren't even on the court. Hard not to notice though, when his booming screams stun the audience into silence. Now, I mean no disrespect, he is a very good coach. I wouldn't mind him coaching me. I would find it hard however, to keep a straight face when his eyes bulge out of his tomato colored face, if god forbid, the other team "miraculously" gets through the block. Perfection is a very high goal to reach in volleyball as a team, but hey, good luck! Been trying to reach that same goal since I was 10 and still have yet to have the absolute perfect all around match.  

We traveled to RIG Falkoping Sunday at an unfortunately early time of 6:30 am, thanks to the mens team, wanting to get to the gym two hours before their match (understandable). I appreciated getting to watch the guys beat the absolute shittake mushrooms out of those teenage boys (RIG is a volleyball high school where the promising young volley stars go to ensure they are looked at first for the national team in the future...and also to get better of course). The first set was tough for our guys, those teenage boys aren't terrible in the least, they brought the heat indefinitely, just on an inconsistent note. Plus, our guys were better. Mr. Sean Anthony was having a phenomenal match. He made 17 points total and easily took player of the match. Big Tuna (my phrase for Sollentuna) prevailed in 3 sets. Then it was our turn to take that dubya!

RIG's girls team, were good in some areas and not so good in others. They had a hammer for a middle who was smart (very awesome combo). Tipping right over our finger tips in the block when the open angle wasn't there, see, smart. She saw the court well and took advantage, driving our libero's crazy. My old teammate Tilda, their right side, has improved a lot and was hitting harder and passing nails. I was impressed to see her getting better. Their small setter was just that, she was small. Good hands and consistent sets, but it was sure fun to hit over her since about half her hand cleared the net. The one other player I remember was their 6 foot something outside hitter. With time, this girl is going to be hitting the 10 foot line over the block. I see a lot of potential in that gal. OK, now for how we played! It was a bit up and down but not huge ups and downs. The first set was tight with us finally getting off our asses and starting to really play in the end of the set. The second set was a fairly easy win as we settled into our flow. The lows were higher and we were awake. The last set was tight as well. We got lucky with a net call on the last point (I had hit the ball out) and were able to take them a few points later at 28-26. I too collected 17 total points and the player of the match. I am very happy and proud of the team for finishing this team off in three sets, earning 3 points for the charts.

Today is yet another game day. We are up against Svedala at home. The guys play Linkoping (champs in the past and basically beasts, next to the mens team in Faulkenberg). Svedala has three Americano's, a setter, oppo and outside. Watching video last night it was obvious that their lefty oppo is a beast. She looks like a solid player. Their setter has a quick touch and is good on defense. Their outside is also tall but we didn't see too much from her in the video so I hope that we will be on our toes looking for options and cracks in this team to exploit tonight for the win.

HEJA BIG TUNA!

Some Swedish for you:

Tjena = Howdy
Vi ses = See you
Puss och Kram = kiss and hug