Well, as I listen to the NET LIVE and find myself reading Amy Reichel's new blog at http://spotlightathlete-amyreichel.blogspot.com/ , I find myself inspired to update my blog. The weather's getting nice, the nets are going up all over the place, which means it's SAND SEASON!
This will be a big season for me. Every year I've made big strides forward, and I hope to make a bigger jump this season than ever before. I went from learning how to play doubles, to playing A, moving up to Pro just one year later. Although I had a 9th-place finish and won at least one match every tournament, I hope to place top-10 every tournament this year.
I've partnered up with Patrick Tagny this summer. A former setter for the Cameroon National Team, he's not too experienced with sand, but you wouldn't know it stepping onto the court with him! This is the first spring I've been back in Chicago since I started playing sand, and I've taken full advantage of it, practicing with him outdoors when the weather allows and renting the courts at North Beach on Friday nights when it didn't.
Although I won't name names as nothing's been etched in stone, quite a few potential sponsors have been met with, and if all goes accordingly to plan we'll be traveling the EVP tour outside of Chicago this season. First tournament's May 15th in Panama City, with a 2nd one in Naples on the 29th.
Part of the excitement of those tournaments is that for the first Chicago tournament, we should have accumulated enough points to not run into the top-seed in the 2nd round like I experienced all too many times last season. Who knows, with a strong first two tournaments in FL we may be able to get a top seed! Time will tell.
The big mechanics project for me this summer is the sand hands. Although I've used them VERY sparingly (probably 2-3 times a tournament last year), I've worked very hard to get them consistent enough to work into my game, and so far it's paid off. When we practice indoor I can hand-set about 80% of the passes, and depending on the wind outdoors its about 50/50. Watching the top teams last year, I felt the big thing that separated them from the rest was their ability to put up consistent sets almost every play, so that's been what I've been looking to improve.
Anyways, taking a quick cat-nap before my 1-8am shift (living the dream), but I'll try to update in the next few days.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Perspectives on Playoffs and NECVA Predictions.
I was hoping to get a few more, but given the responses I was able to get, I certainly can't complain. Volleyball in America has its flaws, but I will say this: it is second to no sport in the aspect of top-level players being approachable to the casual player. A big thanks to the Olympians that were willing to participate.
Playoffs are approaching for the men's collegiate season, and with the Division III NECVA tournament going on tomorrow, I'm sure a lot of players are anxious to get on the court! At the Division I level, the MPSF division has had an unbelievable amount of parity, to the point where no one would be surprised if a 7-8 seed ended up advancing to the second round.
March Madness just ended, and it's always nice to see what it brings out: Players rising to the occasion, others self-imploding. "Sure-things" like Kansas exiting in the 2nd round, while 5-seed Butler is a shot away from winning the National Championship. Teams can have a bulletproof regular season or barely squeak in, but once playoffs come around, anything's possible.
That being said, I was lucky enough to get in touch with a few players who have competed at the Olympic level for the Men's volleyball team. I was very pleased with their answers - although they all made it to the same level, they all had very different answers. Hope you enjoy!
(NOTE: I talked with Billings/Priddy last year when Newbury went from 16-1 to losing 10 of their next 11 and were heading to the playoffs in a bit of a slump - Hoff/Lee were spoken to this season specifically for this post).
Brook Billings
"Playoffs is a whole different story and now its time to play. This is where a player shows why they are the best. The regular season is to make it to the playoffs...but playoffs is time to play and step up."
Reid Priddy
"Well.... I am in that sort of situation right now... The important thing is to be in the moment,
all focus and concentration on the task at hand, the play right now. 16-1 is no small feat.
So in the big losing streak, which every team goes through at some point...
What can be learned. What did everyone take away from that?
Use it, learn from it and move forward. There is no real mysticism in sports. Momentum is a string of good plays often made by more than one player... So its not one GREAT play, but a series of good plays where many players contributed.... Thats it, that is momentum. No magic, just this play, and then move on to the next play, and so on. That is my two cents."
Tom Hoff
"I have the mindset where I try to do and prepare for a match in the exact same manner. I think that trying to become more mentally or physically focused during playoff time only shows that you could have "given" more. I am not saying I am perfect, but they way I mentally prepare to play a Olympic qualifying match or Olympic match or any other match, I try to replicate my same warm-up, my same thought process whether it is a match or practice.
I try to put as much pressure on myself to have quality contacts with almost every contact I make with the volleyball during a practice as in a match. Obviously not all contacts or executions of certain skills are always good but I have the mindset to be very critical of what I am doing and how it affects my team's outcome."
Me: Do you think that can be developed, or is it a mentality that some people are just born with?
"It can 100 percent be a learned trait. I try to instill it in all the guys in the gym every time we practice. Certain guys are more "wired" to be very critical of how they play the game and certain guys can just cruise through a match... I have seen great players do both, but for the most part, I strongly believe, demanding yourself to be great at all times, which includes 900am training or an Olympic match, is a terrific asset as a volleyball player trying to reach their highest potential."
David Lee
"It's the only time worth playing.. The season gets you into position to have the easiest road possible to win the championship. In my mind, it doesn't really matter where you finish as long as you're in. Once you've made it, it's anyone's game. There is a sports psych book out there called "Play Like your Life Depends on it"... I like that quote because the next few weeks during the Russian playoffs, each match I play will decide how my life on and off the court will play out in the future. If I do well? possibly re-sign and live the good life. If not, I could be searching for a job within a market where middles are not sought after and the pay would decrease a lot from my current situation. So I like to play as if each match could possibly be my last..."
Me: Since you've reached this level, do you feel as if your approach to getting ready for each match has changed, or do you feel that part of your success comes from following the same habits that brought you to this point?
"I have been searching for a long time for the right way to approach matches: Sometimes I'm overly aggressive, and sometimes I'll play with a calm confidence. I can tell you that I'm not certain which has brought me the best results, but lately I've just tried to enjoy the game and not get too caught up in the professional side of my current team. This year I've enjoyed my fan support and entertaining the crowd. There have been times here where coaches and other players can get into your head and I've learned that I'm at my best when I stay focused on what I have learned from the National Team and play my own game. I have a great feel for the flow of the game and an ability to read the opposing setter - Being able to read the game is really what has gotten me to this point in my career."
All have very different perspectives, but they all move towards the same goal. Personally, I was intrigued most by what Hoff said - playing with the same precision and intensity every moment you have on the court, so that when you get to the playoffs you're just doing the same thing you've always done. However, that's easier said that done, and as a young player like David Lee says, a lot is riding on one's performance, so I can see how it can be difficult to not put additional pressure on one's self when entering the playoffs.
Unfortunately, I've been away from the east coast, so other than heresay from others, I can't give calculated predictions on the NECVA tournament this weekend. That being said, I'll pick the winners as I see them anyways!
1st round:
Rivier > NJCU
Baruch > Naz
Vassar > D'Youville
PBU > Hunter
Endicott > Emmanuel
MIT * Newbury (Cmon Nighthawks!)
Ramapo > Stevens
New Paltz > Medaille
2nd round:
Rivier > NP
Baruch > Ramapo
Vassar > *
PBU > Endicott
Semis:
Rivier > PBU
Vassar > Baruch
Finals:
Rivier > Vassar
Thoughts from a distance: The top 4 teams are in a tier above the rest. Stevens/Newbury/Emmanuel are the strongest 10-11-12 seeds the tournament's ever had, and all three have the physical ability to make a run if they catch fire - putting it together for 3 days will be the key. PBU's teamwork is probably the best of all the teams but lack the depth of other teams. Vassar's coaches continue to have them overachieving after a huge senior class graduating last year - in my opinion they should be happier with their season than any other team. Baruch has the most talent, but I question their poise - when they hit a slump/adversity, will they push through or let tempers flare? Rivier has the most experience as well as depth, and I think Coach Kolek will make sure they don't make the same mistakes they made last year.
Good luck to all!
Playoffs are approaching for the men's collegiate season, and with the Division III NECVA tournament going on tomorrow, I'm sure a lot of players are anxious to get on the court! At the Division I level, the MPSF division has had an unbelievable amount of parity, to the point where no one would be surprised if a 7-8 seed ended up advancing to the second round.
March Madness just ended, and it's always nice to see what it brings out: Players rising to the occasion, others self-imploding. "Sure-things" like Kansas exiting in the 2nd round, while 5-seed Butler is a shot away from winning the National Championship. Teams can have a bulletproof regular season or barely squeak in, but once playoffs come around, anything's possible.
That being said, I was lucky enough to get in touch with a few players who have competed at the Olympic level for the Men's volleyball team. I was very pleased with their answers - although they all made it to the same level, they all had very different answers. Hope you enjoy!
(NOTE: I talked with Billings/Priddy last year when Newbury went from 16-1 to losing 10 of their next 11 and were heading to the playoffs in a bit of a slump - Hoff/Lee were spoken to this season specifically for this post).
Brook Billings
"Playoffs is a whole different story and now its time to play. This is where a player shows why they are the best. The regular season is to make it to the playoffs...but playoffs is time to play and step up."
Reid Priddy
"Well.... I am in that sort of situation right now... The important thing is to be in the moment,
all focus and concentration on the task at hand, the play right now. 16-1 is no small feat.
So in the big losing streak, which every team goes through at some point...
What can be learned. What did everyone take away from that?
Use it, learn from it and move forward. There is no real mysticism in sports. Momentum is a string of good plays often made by more than one player... So its not one GREAT play, but a series of good plays where many players contributed.... Thats it, that is momentum. No magic, just this play, and then move on to the next play, and so on. That is my two cents."
Tom Hoff
"I have the mindset where I try to do and prepare for a match in the exact same manner. I think that trying to become more mentally or physically focused during playoff time only shows that you could have "given" more. I am not saying I am perfect, but they way I mentally prepare to play a Olympic qualifying match or Olympic match or any other match, I try to replicate my same warm-up, my same thought process whether it is a match or practice.
I try to put as much pressure on myself to have quality contacts with almost every contact I make with the volleyball during a practice as in a match. Obviously not all contacts or executions of certain skills are always good but I have the mindset to be very critical of what I am doing and how it affects my team's outcome."
Me: Do you think that can be developed, or is it a mentality that some people are just born with?
"It can 100 percent be a learned trait. I try to instill it in all the guys in the gym every time we practice. Certain guys are more "wired" to be very critical of how they play the game and certain guys can just cruise through a match... I have seen great players do both, but for the most part, I strongly believe, demanding yourself to be great at all times, which includes 900am training or an Olympic match, is a terrific asset as a volleyball player trying to reach their highest potential."
David Lee
"It's the only time worth playing.. The season gets you into position to have the easiest road possible to win the championship. In my mind, it doesn't really matter where you finish as long as you're in. Once you've made it, it's anyone's game. There is a sports psych book out there called "Play Like your Life Depends on it"... I like that quote because the next few weeks during the Russian playoffs, each match I play will decide how my life on and off the court will play out in the future. If I do well? possibly re-sign and live the good life. If not, I could be searching for a job within a market where middles are not sought after and the pay would decrease a lot from my current situation. So I like to play as if each match could possibly be my last..."
Me: Since you've reached this level, do you feel as if your approach to getting ready for each match has changed, or do you feel that part of your success comes from following the same habits that brought you to this point?
"I have been searching for a long time for the right way to approach matches: Sometimes I'm overly aggressive, and sometimes I'll play with a calm confidence. I can tell you that I'm not certain which has brought me the best results, but lately I've just tried to enjoy the game and not get too caught up in the professional side of my current team. This year I've enjoyed my fan support and entertaining the crowd. There have been times here where coaches and other players can get into your head and I've learned that I'm at my best when I stay focused on what I have learned from the National Team and play my own game. I have a great feel for the flow of the game and an ability to read the opposing setter - Being able to read the game is really what has gotten me to this point in my career."
All have very different perspectives, but they all move towards the same goal. Personally, I was intrigued most by what Hoff said - playing with the same precision and intensity every moment you have on the court, so that when you get to the playoffs you're just doing the same thing you've always done. However, that's easier said that done, and as a young player like David Lee says, a lot is riding on one's performance, so I can see how it can be difficult to not put additional pressure on one's self when entering the playoffs.
Unfortunately, I've been away from the east coast, so other than heresay from others, I can't give calculated predictions on the NECVA tournament this weekend. That being said, I'll pick the winners as I see them anyways!
1st round:
Rivier > NJCU
Baruch > Naz
Vassar > D'Youville
PBU > Hunter
Endicott > Emmanuel
MIT * Newbury (Cmon Nighthawks!)
Ramapo > Stevens
New Paltz > Medaille
2nd round:
Rivier > NP
Baruch > Ramapo
Vassar > *
PBU > Endicott
Semis:
Rivier > PBU
Vassar > Baruch
Finals:
Rivier > Vassar
Thoughts from a distance: The top 4 teams are in a tier above the rest. Stevens/Newbury/Emmanuel are the strongest 10-11-12 seeds the tournament's ever had, and all three have the physical ability to make a run if they catch fire - putting it together for 3 days will be the key. PBU's teamwork is probably the best of all the teams but lack the depth of other teams. Vassar's coaches continue to have them overachieving after a huge senior class graduating last year - in my opinion they should be happier with their season than any other team. Baruch has the most talent, but I question their poise - when they hit a slump/adversity, will they push through or let tempers flare? Rivier has the most experience as well as depth, and I think Coach Kolek will make sure they don't make the same mistakes they made last year.
Good luck to all!
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