Took a very dissapointing 2nd place finish in Atlanta losing to Hyden and Scott. Atlanta seems to be our biggest trouble spot on tour. In 4 years I think we have finished 5th, 3rd, 3rd, and 2nd.
We started off slowly vs. ALB and Jewell after receiving a bye in the first round of the 24 team tourney. In the first game I was pretty bad and ALB was serving and digging well. We lost 21-18. In the second game I cleaned it up and we waxed them 21-9. In the third game we were pretty much a point ahead most of the way. With us up 10-9, ALB dug me and hit a deep angle shot from the right side. I did a stop sign dig about head level right to Phil and put it away to go to 11-9 us. They were pretty deflated at that point and we went on to win 15-11.
In the next round we played Prosser and Pedro. We won in two games but both games were neck and neck the whole way. They had a lead and then we would take the lead. Prosser and Pedro have been having mostly solid finishes ranging in the 7th to 9th area. If they continue to play together I expect they will take a 5th or two and maybe even break into the top 4 too. I think the scores were 18 and 18.
We played Brad and Nick in the Saturday night match. In the first game we pretty much handled them easily. In the second game we were up by 4 or 5 points but let them back into the game. They had game point at 20-19 but we sided out and won 23-21. In the semis we played Wong and Olson. Really fun game to play with tons of defense. Both Matt and I were scooping everything. Great rallies throughout the match and both of us were covered in sand. We both definetely upped our dig average in that match. We won 21-18 and 21-19.
In the finals we played Sean and John. In the first I was terrible. Just didn't have it for whatever reason. We lost 21-14. In the second game I came out flat again and we were down 3 points or so. Somehow we caught them at 17 all and won the game 21-19 I believe. Probably should not have won the game as we were pretty bad. I was struggling to sideout and our serving was terrible. I would guess that Phil missed 50% of his serves in the first two games and I missed an uncharacteristic 5 serves. In the third we were up by several points throughout the game. We were up 14-11 and they sided out. I hit a shot down the line out by a 1/2 inch to make it 14-13. Then Sean soft blocked me and John dug it to Sean. I dug Sean back and shot it deep angle. John made a crazy dig and Sean barely got it up to keep it alive. They sent a free ball to Phil on the right side. Good pass and set and he hammered it straight down the line about 1/2 inch out to tie it up at 14 all. It was back and forth from there and they ended up winning 19-17 I think. We should have lost in two but once it got to three we should have won. Essentially choked it up is the way I see it. Still bitter about that loss and will be for awhile. Congrats to Sean and John though. Great 3rd birthday for John's little girl and Sean is one of the most deserving guys on tour and I can't begrudge them the win.
10 comments:
I followed the score on AVP.com as the match was progressing. I figured that you guys were going to win. It's the first time I can recall you and Phil ever letting one get away like this. Maybe this is "the volleyball Gods" returning the favor for Santa Barbara last year for John.
It doesn't do Brad much good however.
If you're going to lose, I guess these are the guys you'd want to win.
You'll get them next time.
Steve
All great teams have hiccups like this one for you. So don't let it get to you. You have a lot of volleyball left this season.
Plus if I were your competition, I would be frightened by the thought, that Team BMG (Beijing Men's Gold) has 2 1/2 weeks to refocus thier determination to get back in the winner circle at Ocean City.
Oh yeah I am still amazed on the crazy road trip Phil and yourself are about to embark on, starting with Ocean City (11 tournaments, 11weeks, travel between USA and Europe).
Happy Reading,
Arsenal 12
todd, i would have to agree with you totally concerning the finals match; I was sitting courtside on tv camera end and you guys struggled from that side, and you were killing deep angle from the opposite side; I had planned to catch up with you after the finals, and i understand your quick exit; actually spoke to you while you were coming up the wood steps for your first match saturday. you guys will figure this one out, and it's a long season, and you guys have set the bar really high for yourselves, and everyone is trying new things to try to beat you. may well see you in chicago; alan beverly/birmingham, al
My first time to Atlanta AVP, couldn't have been more wrong about the weather as sat and sun were cloudless high 80's. The atlantic station venue is in midtown, plenty of parking and open enough that a nice breeze would kick up.
Saturday watched Dipiero/Roberts lose a tough match to Acosta/Baxter: went three games and momentum change on a questionable antenna call third game.
Next was morrison/zimet vs wachtfogal/strick another 3 gamer with extra points in the third. Both teams pretty evenly matched and seems Mike blocked two or three balls in the third to come from behind and close it out.
Meyer/Nygard vs Medel/stolfus was a great match with M/N playing great block/dig defense. John makes moving in the sand seem effortless and definately reads shots well anticipating cutties and deep lines consistently.
Next medel/stolfus vs moran/mathews
Anthony had quite a fan club from the vacation volleyballers which pumped him up in an easy win. Anthony has some serious hops and played very well.
Tale end of Phil/Todd vs Prosser/Pedro on center court was interesting, in that Prosser received most of the serves presumably b/c his passing skills. Prosser put up a good block and pedro was digging some great balls. Closer match than I would have expected, with todd digging a bomb and putting it away to win the match.
Evening session Phil/Todd handled Nick/Brad (who by the way had a good tourney).
Hyden/scott Meyer/Ny deceptively good match again with meyer making moving in the sand look all to easy.
Sunday am meyer/nygard mattO/wong also great match with matt picking up meyers left handded cutty one time too often. Mat played some great defense, Kevin deceptively smart at the net.
Semi's hyden/scott looked strong against their exes brad/nick with seans block giving brad some trouble in the second. Tale end Phil/todd matt/kevin was agreat match with todd and olson laying out for several cutties.
Kicking myself for missing the finals but had to head home.
Overall this tourney had a feeling of the AVP of old, plenty of good play, well attended sponsor booths, great crowds, great weather. Still prefer the outside courts where I can dig my feet in the sand and at least pretend I'm at the beach.
Jeff
Hey Todd,
2nd place is nothing to be too worried about. You played a great team. The AVP is the strongest tour in the world, and the Atlanta competition further helps you and Phil get ready for the FIVB worlds.
Will you soon be competing on the FIVB tour?
Steve-O
Just caught the final on Versus...tough to watch the end, even knowing the outcome:-) Looking forward to making the trip to OC and cheering you guys on your way back to the winner's circle. Enjoy the weeks off in the meantime.
Steve H.
Steve- I think it is the first one we let get away. John's payback for SB.
Arsenal- Time will tell how we react.
Alan- Glad you could make it. We had to jet out of there as we had a flight at 6:45.
Jeff- That was not typical Atlanta although it is early enough in the summer that the weather can still be nice like that. Sunday started to heat up but Friday and Saturday were perfect days. Thanks for the recap of the matches.
Steve-O- Thanks.
Margo- Refresh my memory, what school were you going to? Bummer you can't make the tourneys but good luck in those games and the season. Will check out the book selection for the kids. thanks.
Steve H. - See you in OC in a bit.
Todd
Not much of a bounce back in OC. LOL looks like there may be some competition finally. Teams are starting to learn how to beat the best. Now it will only be time before everyone can see what wins vs. Phil and Todd. Soon everyone will be beating them.
Todd now you let a second one get away.
So what payback is OC for?
Can't we just admit there may be a new "Hot" Team on the rise? Why the excuses Todd?
Flat?
Bored?
Tired?
How about BEAT!
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