So going into Endicott, we finally do a line-up somewhat similar to our original one, although I feel the changes were somewhat understandable. We proceeded to play one of our best matches of the season, beating them in 4, with 2 of the wins being by about 10 points. This is the same team that won our conference and swept Vassar tonight, so that was no small feat. This was the type of game we needed to get our confidence back, and I felt like we were heading in the right direction.
Senior night rolls around, and we play Wentworth. We end up using a slightly different lineup, and although we win in 4 the chemistry was definitely lacking. Regardless, it was a good night. I don't believe it's quite sunk in yet that this is all going to be over in a matter of 3 weeks. Although I still am optimistic going for the national championship, I did have a goal of getting 1000 kills and 1000 digs, and although I cleared the kill mark, I will probably end up 30-50 digs short. I felt like this would be an achievement that showed dedication to both sides of the game, and although the numbers were nothing to scoff at, no one likes falling short of their goals, regardless of how high they put them.
Enough individual rambling. A rough practice on Friday, then we had the NECC tournament today. First round was against Lesley, a nice group of guys, but one of the weaker D-III teams out there. Our reserves got a lot of quality time, and gave them quite a thrashing. I was very impressed with everyone's energy/results. I believe the scores were 30-7 30-6 30-12.
This brought us to a finals match-up against Elms. We had split with them during the season, and I had been sick with the flu the time we lost, so I looked forward to getting some redemption for that.
That wasn't in the cards.
The energy we had in the semis did not carry over to the afternoon. The first game I thought we did a very good job of playing one point at a time. They came out on fire, but we continued to side out, wait for them to make mistakes, then capitalize on them. We ended up winning it 30-27. Set 2 starts out with both teams trading points, then their setter goes back and sparks a run, giving them a 4-5 point lead. For the remainder of this set as well as the 3rd, we are a shell of the team we were Tuesday against Endicott. As a matter of fact, looking back on it, I would say most of the issues we were having were the same ones that led to our 1-10 skid midway through the season.
So we get shellacked those two sets. They were unstoppable on offense (we hit a bit over .300 for the match: Elms hit over .400. Yikes). Set 4 we decide to push back a bit, and while we started down a couple points, we fought to get even with them into the 20's, although we fall short 30-27.
I was selected to the All-Tournament Team (A nice addition to the All-Conference First Team Selection I found out about earlier in the day), but I would trade both awards for the championship. Losing to that team stung. They were loud the entire match. They wanted the win more than us whether we want to admit it or not.
A pivotal moment came at the end of set 4. Trailing 27-25, we engage in a scrappy rally that lasts about a minute. At one point, one of our players takes the second ball and it was UGLY. The refs no-call it, and we win the point. Elms erupts, and whatever they said, it caused the up-ref to bring out a yellow card with no hesitation. 27-27, our ball, our court, our momentum.
I feel that moments like this define a team in one way or another. An example of this was our match versus Rivier. We were trailing 28-27, and a phantom touch was called on us. The team erupts in frustration, and carries it over to the next play, where we get aced. 30-27 Rivier. The call sucked, but so did the way we conducted ourselves after, and we paid for it dearly with our lack of focus the next play.
So Elms could have been up 28-25, but are instead tied at 27 with us. In previous years, I would have said this set and most likely match was ours, as they would self-combust at the call and never regain composure. However, they came back, ran a quick, and proceeded to destroy a ball cross-court to spark a 3-0 run to end the match. They briefly lost their cool, but bounced back and played with poise the next 3 points, earning every bit of that NECC Championship. We may have given them the 2nd and 3rd sets, but they took that 4th set, refusing to be denied.
We do have that ability inside of us, and it comes out from time to time, but it's literally a daily process to see which team is going to show up. For weeks, we've been saying we're going to turn it around. Not only are we out of time, but I can't help but wonder if people are starting to question our ability to do so from different things I've heard said. While I can understand it as a 1-10 stint can do some damage to the ego, I respectfully disagree.
The beautiful thing about NECVAS is it's not about who's the best team all season, it's about who's the best team those 3 days. It's about putting all the excuses to the side and wanting it more than the other team. The other team push you with a 3 point run? Get the sideout and come back with four. The ref screw you on a call? Guess we gotta get 31 points. The teams that refuse to dwell on the things they can't control and take action with the things that they can are the ones that will make a run for it.
We have one week to do it. I'm optimistic. Cannot wait til NECVAS. I've gotten 2 All-tournament awards the previous two years, this year I'd like to be holding the tournament championship trophy instead. The bar may have been set lower by those around us after a weak regular season, but we are the ones that decide how high we want to jump.
Ira Thor is being politically correct and refuses to give me NECVA seedings early... shame on him for having integrity. That being said, I plan on doing a NECVA seeding predictions post tomorrow, and we'll see how well I know the committee Monday morning!
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