Our 2020 season was to be without regular competitions, so we created our own. In consultation with the seniors and captains, we came up with our weekly routine: 3 days of skills and drills, 1 day of yoga, and 1 competition day with weekends off. The first couple of competition days were comprised of 2v2 matches, but we quickly moved to 3v3 so everyone was playing all the time--with injuries we basically had 12 or 13 people healthy this year. Both games are great for seeing the court, working on all skills, and reading! We changed the teams every week so everyone pretty much played with everyone else. We also utilized our iPads for skill evaluation more this year with the delay app so players could perform a skill and then rotate out to see themselves, and then rotate back in and move along. I've been meaning to incorporate this for some time, and this just seemed like the perfect year to start.
I also kept track of both Wins and Points, as some people were amassing points, but not wins, so there was a big list of data to look at. In the end, however, there was ONE overall winner: Katie Kraczkowsky with 20 wins and 369 points! Nice job by the rookie! Her overall game, hitting power, deceptive hitting and tough serving proved to be a consistent theme throughout the season.
The #2 spot went to junior Corley Doyle (17 wins/341 points), who discovered that she could use her main skill set (blocking) very well if they strategized properly in a game of 3v3 where everyone is always front row. Her serving and defense improved, as did her setting, and she capitalized on her blocking skills in effectively shutting down opponents at the net, or directing them to her team's defense.
The 3rd place overall went to senior RH Jaime Donnelly (12 wins/332 points), whose overall game, like Katie's proved to be an asset no matter whose team she was on. I also think that Jaime's enthusiasm and tenacity helped boost her team's point totals!
The rest of the tally looked like this:
Shea--11 wins, but 334 points (Shea was particularly good at strategizing and was one of very few players who utilized the over on two strategy to catch the other team off guard and gets bonus points from me for that mentality of thinking outside the box!)
Britt--12/324
When we were allowed to play 6v6, we would play one set of 6v6 first, and then break into our 3v3 groups on Friday. For the final tally, I didn't actually add in the wins/points for those 6v6 matches, but it was fun to have more data. Emma Walsh was hurt most of the season, so she didn't do every competition day, but usually would play for the 6v6 so we could have two setters, which was great. Also, we had people miss practice for class since the academic day was stretched to reduce traffic, so I think Maggie also missed a few Fridays, unfortunately.
It was a year of making due with what we had, which is actually a great
lesson for all of us. The DS's got good experience at setting, both
from bump setting and hand setting, and got some great reps at digging
with NO block! The middles also got some work at setting, especially in
the 3v3 as the blocker/setter, as well as much more serve and receive
than they've ever done, most likely. Additionally, we were able to lift
as a team (or whomever could make it), once a week, which was a nice
bonding time. The other workouts had to be done on their own signing up
for slots in the fitness center according to the new Covid rules.
All in all, we had fun, which was great. And, competition is such a big part of what we prepare for that it was both fun and productive to have an on-going competition throughout the season. We need to keep honing and sharpening our competitive spirit, and I think we did that. Great job, Team!!
