Practice Competitions Help Define Season

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.

Choosing teams for the competitions weekly was like a game for me, sort of like how I approach the rooming list on our road trips.  I try to make sure that everyone rooms with everyone else at least once during the season.  This time I came up with different themes to help the process.  We had position day (the DS's didn't think that was such a great idea.)  We had region day (I believe it came down to Team NY vs Team CA, but I can't actually remember the details without looking back at my practice plans with the game scores.)  We did class day, but since the juniors only had 2 people, we had to steal the oldest sophomore to play with them. We had birth day groups, which were the hardest to guess since some teams had three different months represented, while others were all the same month...those were the days I asked them to see if they could figure out the theme...it was fun (for me anyway!)

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

Laney--12/319

Emma C.--12/312

Kelly--11/326

Manya--11/326

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!! 

Senior Day!

Ahh, Senior Day!  Well, not quite what we were hoping for, but we were actually able to surprise them a little bit.  The juniors made sure that the gym was decorated as it always is to celebrate Senior Day, which was awesome.  We even managed to have the seniors' parents join the celebration via zoom, which I think they enjoyed.  I'm sure that seeing a webcast of an actual match would have been better, and most would probably have made it here in person, but nonetheless, we tried to recreate as much of our traditions as possible for our seniors!  The following are the posters the team made for each senior along with the write-ups for each.

Another tradition has been for the team to give each senior a pillow of team pictures from their four years, which is such a cute idea!  I think that started a few years ago and has continued and is now a treasured tradition. 

 Shea Golden is the daughter of Dina and Jay Golden, from Chapel Hill, NC.  She’s a Neuroscience major with minors in Global Health and Education Studies.  Shea is a 2020 captain, and currently is in 8^th place for Career Service Aces per set.  Additionally, she will be named to the Academic All-NESCAC Team this Fall!  Shea has lead this team extraordinarily through this difficult season by being the most vocal and enthusiastic player in the gym, no matter what drill we’re doing.  What a great legacy to leave.

Jaime Donnelly is the daughter of Lisa and John Donnelly, from Rye, NY.  She’s a Psychology major with a Spanish Minor.  Jaime has finished her career in a very strong way by becoming a starter last year in her true position at Right Side after fulfilling a needed role playing MH. She’s been a role model and positive influence on the team in every practice with her enthusiasm and team spirit!

Emma Walsh is the daughter of Andree and Joe Walsh from Wichita, KS.  She is a Psychology Major with a minor in Education Studies. Emma is currently 4 assists shy of making the top 10 Career Assists Leaderboard in the Middlebury Record books and would have climbed at least a couple of spots if allowed to compete this year.  Emma has had a wonderful career from being a 5-1 starting setter, to a 6-2 starting setter and leader for four years.  We value her contributions immensely and hope her body recovers from all of the collegiate athletic experiences of competitive Volleyball and Track and Field when this year is finished so that she can pursue “old lady volleyball” wherever she ends up—everyone always loves a good setter, no matter how old we get!

El Tyler is the daughter of Shanna and Chris Tyler, from Stevensville, MI.  El is an Economics Major, and 2020 Team Captain.  El has been on the Academic All-Nescac Team every semester.  Over the last four years, El has demonstrated a new level of dedication to this program by being involved in all aspects of this program except for potentially the most rewarding part…playing!  Thank you most sincerely for raising the bar on this level of dedication to the TEAM and demonstrating the true selfless nature of our motto, “It’s ALL about the TEAM!”

Jack English is the son of Patricia and David English, from Montgomery Village, MD.  He is a Computer Science and Japanese Studies Double Major, and Jack would have qualified for Academic All-Nescac every semester, if allowed (only players are currently eligible).  Jack has been an invaluable asset for the coaching staff and players over his four years with great advice and tips for the players and insights and observations for the coaches.  We will also miss his willingness to jump in and play any position we need him to in practice, as well as be the biggest block we would EVER face!