16 Gold Team Tournament Recaps
Irish Rumble - March 9 & 10, 2024 - Spooky Nook Sports Complex, Manheim, PA
Overall Results: The team went 0-2 in pool play and had a tough loss in the first round of playoffs for the Silver Bracket.
Team Highlights:
It was the third tournament of the season; and after not having many practices since the last tournament, we were interested to see how the weekend would turn out. The first day of the tournament, which was pool play, did not turn out the way we had hoped. Unfortunately, we went 0-2 in pool play. We were in a 3 team pool, so we played two games, with 3 sets to 25. We didn’t take away any sets, but ended up in the Silver Bracket for playoffs on Sunday.
We were so excited to have the opportunity to take home a medal. We started off strong in the playoffs with a win in the first set of the game, where we kept the opposing team under 15 points. Unfortunately, the opposing team gained some momentum; and we fell just a bit short and lost in three sets.
It was a tough weekend for everyone as the early mornings and back to back games seemed to show a lack of energy on the court. Every game is a learning experience, and we know we have some work to do as a team before the next tournament. As always, we are proud of the girls for going out and playing the game that we all love, and we are striving for a medal in Atlantic City!!
Player Recognition:
- Maddy Rice willingly agreed to transition from an outside hitter to a defensive specialist and absolutely shined in her new role. She was quick on her feet and always talking, which are key aspects to being a great defensive player.
- Madyson Lay also stepped up at the Irish Rumble and Prez Day tournaments, as she transitioned from a setter to a right side hitter. She made some really smart plays at the net this weekend and was still willing to assist with setting as needed.
Tournament Team MVP:
Emma Dyson is named "Tournament Team MVP" for the Irish Rumble tournament. Emma, one of our outside hitters, and the youngest player on the team, had an amazing attitude the entire weekend. Even when the entire team looked down on themselves, you could always count on Emma to have a smile on her face. She worked hard as a player and constantly tried to keep the energy up on the court. Congrats to Emma, well deserved!
Submitted by: Head Coach, Lexi Anderson
Prez Day Showdown - February 17 & 18, 2024 - York Expo Center, York, PA
Overall Results: The team went 0-3 in pool play and had a tough loss in the championship game of the bronze bracket. Team Highlights: It was the second tournament of the season and we felt very prepared going into the weekend. The first tournament helped us to see what we needed to work on, and we spent each practice focusing on perfecting those skills for the Prez Day Tournament. The first day of the tournament, which was pool play, did not look anything like we expected. Unfortunately, we went 0-3 in pool play. We told the team to get some rest, learn from the losses, and to come back ready for playoffs on Sunday. As coaches, we re-evaluated some positioning and line ups, and decided to take a different approach on Sunday. We started off strong in the playoffs with a bye game and won our first playoff game in three sets. We took that momentum from our win right into the championships but fell just a bit short and lost in three sets. Although we didn’t get the ending to the weekend that we wanted, the girls did an amazing job stepping into new positions and working as a team to help each other become acclimated with their new roles. As always, it was a great weekend for volleyball, and we, as coaches, know what next steps we need to take to progress our team. We are so proud of the girls for their hard work and enjoy the passion each and every girl has for this sport. Player Recognition:
Tournament Team MVP: Riley Cramer was the Prez Day Showdown "Tournament Team MVP." Riley shined this weekend with both skill and confidence in her position as a middle hitter. She worked hard to get a swing at each opportunity she was presented with. Riley ended the weekend with 42 kills and 4 blocks, the most for our team in each skill. Congrats to Riley, well deserved! Submitted by: Head Coach, Lexi Anderson |
MLK Kickoff Challenge - January 13-15, 2024 - York Expo Center, York, PA
Overall Results: The team went 3-3 in pool play and had a tough loss in the first round of playoffs.
Team Highlights: As a team, we were so excited for the first tournament of the season! We knew this weekend would be the first real test of the skills we have been working on in practice. We ended up going 3-3 in pool play with a 1-2 record the first day, and a 2-1 record the second day. Each game the girls had to push themselves and their abilities. As coaches we were able to finally see the team come together and hone in on their skills. Unfortunately, the weekend did not turn out the way we wanted, and we lost in the first round of playoffs. It is never ideal to lose, but it allows us as coaches, and a team, to see what skills we need to focus on in the coming weeks to better ourselves for the next tournament. Overall, the girls exceeded our expectations for the first tournament and we are so proud of how they came together as a team and pushed themselves. We can’t wait to see the progress these girls will make throughout the season. Player Recognition:
Tournament Team MVP: Allison Bert - Allison really stepped up this weekend both as a player and as a captain. She ran the offense using both her setting skills, as well as being a strong communicator on and off the court. She was one of our strongest servers of the weekend going on multiple serving runs and kept a great attitude even when things were not going our way. Congrats to Allison, well deserved! Submitted by: Head Coach, Lexi Anderson Overall Results: The team went 3-3 in pool play and had a tough loss in the first round of playoffs.
Team Highlights: As a team, we were so excited for the first tournament of the season! We knew this weekend would be the first real test of the skills we have been working on in practice. We ended up going 3-3 in pool play with a 1-2 record the first day, and a 2-1 record the second day. Each game the girls had to push themselves and their abilities. As coaches we were able to finally see the team come together and hone in on their skills. Unfortunately, the weekend did not turn out the way we wanted, and we lost in the first round of playoffs. It is never ideal to lose, but it allows us as coaches, and a team, to see what skills we need to focus on in the coming weeks to better ourselves for the next tournament. Overall, the girls exceeded our expectations for the first tournament and we are so proud of how they came together as a team and pushed themselves. We can’t wait to see the progress these girls will make throughout the season. Player Recognition:
Tournament Team MVP: Allison Bert - Allison really stepped up this weekend both as a player and as a captain. She ran the offense using both her setting skills, as well as being a strong communicator on and off the court. She was one of our strongest servers of the weekend going on multiple serving runs and kept a great attitude even when things were not going our way. Congrats to Allison, well deserved! Submitted by: Head Coach, Lexi Anderson |