Darkside Update 12/23/98

For those of you who weren't there or those of you who were and tend to forget here is the summary of the 12/19/98 Fellowship Tournament at the O.V.A.

The Darkside Trilogy - a true story.

The other men's Darkside (Darkside 2) was a team of Monday-nighters from the Boca ball we all play led by Jason. Being a fellowship, they said, what the heck and put a team in for this tournament to see how they would fare.

The last (and fairer) Darkside was a women's team put together by Nicole (Greg's B____). Comprised of mainly Monday night volleygirls, they are looking to play USAV this year and this was their first tournament together. Vicki (the wife) is playing on this team. They also chose to name Darkside (much to our approval!) for their women's squad. So, we had 3 Darkside teams in this tournament!

We started off as expected. With the competition being fairly strong at this tournament, our unfamiliarity with Ahren as a middle hitter and him not having played that position, plus not having any exposure to our offense, we stumbled though our first two matches (against Mike Zarate's ex-Florida team and Ramshackle) splitting each one. With a record of 2-2, we finally beat Will Savicas team (w/Mike Folstein) handily 2-0. Our last match was fittingly against Darkside 2. They had also gone 4-2 and were playing well. We reverted back to our sub-par selves and dropped a close first game coming back and winning the second game handily. Overall passing and hitting consistency was lacking with several players making uncharacteristic errors at the worst times. We could look good, but we could piss points away like they were going out of style at times.

Ramshackle got 1st place and a bye; Darkside 1 played Darkside 2 in the semifinals, 1 game to 15. This proved to be anti-climatic, 15-3 and not much to be said. They never got out of the starting blocks and we never slowed down until it was over. Much blocking!

The final was best of 3, 2 to 11, 3rd game rally scoring to 15. With Ramshackle playing as good as any team we've seem this pre-season, they took game 1, as our sporadic errors returned. We kept them in check for most of game 2 and won that one fairly comfortably. In game 3 we were neck and neck until 9-8, when Ramshackle scored 3 unanswered points (more errors). We clawed back into our sideout battle, but time was running out. Down 14-11 we scored 2 points on a block and a rally, but at 14-13 we served again and couldn't stop them form siding out one last time. 15-13; game, set and match. So, Darkside 1 was #2, Darkside 2 was #3.

The women had slightly less success, having some personnel problems up until the 11th hour. Although their efforts got better as the day wore on, they managed to win just one game. Being so close in many others has given them motivation to overcome their personnel issues and move on to winning in the next tournament. We'll follow them as best can.

With Wade's disability (GIMP), SB made the transition from Sloth to Stat-Boy. With laptop on thigh, Wade charted most the matches we played. As this was not one of our best played tournaments and the statistics reflected it.

Ahren Cadieux became the newest member of the Darkside (for as long as his F.I.V.B. schedule permits), filling in at middle for this tournament with one match at off-setter (looking like possibly his true position). It was a good tournament to integrate him into the offense and get him familiar with who does what, when. Seems to have a good grasp of the game and can be useful as Shane's twin brother.

The DORKSIDE. With Wade's nomination and my overall sympathy for our pathetic hitting and passing, the DORKSIDE will not go to the net-grabbling, over-passing, back-wall-hitting, free-ball-spraying plebeians, but to yours truly. With Raik passing uncharacteristically inconsistent and in the rotation where he is front right (position #2), lines up some 27 feet back (with me needing to be behind him, of course). The server looks at this and serves a very short serve directly in front on Raik. I leave as the ball is served, but somewhere around the 3-meter line, I get bonked on the shoulder with the serve. Of course, no one tries for the second ball and it drops. Another DORKSIDE is issued! Now, Raik (at my urging) steps up 3 feet and the same serve (attempted again) is now easily passed and I am at the net waiting for it. Lessons learned!

T.K.A. (Thunderous Kaboom Award) This one is split between Kurt and Ahren. Kurt destroyed several 1-balls, while Ahren had a straight down on the line crush in a rare attack from the left side.

What's Next?
Registration - I have almost everyone's registration forms signed and need $40 from each to pay for the 1999 season. If we mail them in before the end of the year the $35 team fee is waived.
Uniforms - Raik has bought sleeveless maroon shirts. I'm working on getting numbers on them and a logo put together. I will update you as to price when completed. Ahren is looking into TYR (his sponsor) shorts, if not for free, then for a reduced price. We will need to finalize the shorts thing quickly. Raik has option "B" with the Speedos in tan. Stay tuned.
Tournaments - We are in the 1/9/99 tournament at Orlando (Dave Crowder's) and are in the Disney Classic. Still deciding on the 1/16/99 Eckerd tournament, but it looks like we need to go. Keep an eye on the web page for updates. Money - I'll be posting a spreadsheet on expenses and who owes what. It will be directly below the schedule on the web page. See what you owe, cough up the dough.
The Romine Story - busy man, much coaching, etc. Are you in for this year? Does your schedule give you enough time to try and play and will the limited opportunities be enough to make it worthwhile for you? You can register with us and be on the "we-need-a-middle-this-weekend-can-you-make-it-if-not-that's-okay" list. Let me know what you want to do.
Updated email list. Everyone should be on it. Kurt doesn't get email, but aside from him we are all linked.

New Years Bash at Rick's!! Be there or be talked about and abused mercilessly!