We started Saturday against one of the Nike teams and played our best volleyball to date. Even though we lost the match, the effort and results validated our being in the silver division. Next we played the number one team in the region. With a front line that never got below 6'1", we found ourselves greatly outsized. PVC Black is a very good team, and we learned from the experience. But, learning has a toll, and the girls were just not able to recover their early morning form, and we lost to Mt Hood, which is a team we can beat. So off to the bracket play we went, seeded where we started.

When we arrived in the morning, we found ourselves seeded against PVC Black again. We were hoping for a different flavor, but the way the seeding bracket works, we got to play them again. The girls went out and played a high spirited game, knowing that it was only to seed in gold or silver, and a win or loss would matter for the double elimination playoff. PVC did not shrink overnight, and they still were good. The team played well, kept their spirits up and we moved on into the Silver division bracket play.

Our first opponent was PVC Purple, PVC Black's little sister. Little only describes their age, not their size. They must have something in the water in West Linn, as they seem to all be tall. We played a very good match, but were unable to pull out the victory.

Now we had to win to keep playing. We came up against Cascade Excel, who had beaten us early in the season. The girls stepped up and beat the very well-coached (I've known Tina for a long time) Excel in an exciting three game match. Tina was very complimentary after the match, saying she was impressed how well the girls played and how much they had improved since the beginning of the season.

West Valley was next. There were obvious signs of exhaustion on the floor, and not just our side. Although the number of matches were not high, the level of play is much more tiring when you play very good teams in every match. The girls played very well, but were unable to pull out the win.

The season was over, but the girls had all won. They had matured as a team and performed extremely well. I am proud of each one of them individually and as a whole. Thank you for a great season. Thank you parents for your support throughout, we could not have done this well without you being on the sidelines.

Mike

The day started out with a win over a good Webfoot team, and I feel the score does not show the girls' initial effort, as it very well could have been 10 point victories in each of the games. A few unforced errors cost us some points, but the team closed out very well. Next came a very active team from Pacific. Not very tall, but they covered well. After splitting the first two games, the team stepped onto the floor and took care of business, not allowing Pacific to get close. The front line pounded the ball and the defensive effort was phenomenal. The team closed out by defeating Wilsonville Black in three games. The third game was necessary only due to the only "slow" game the ladies played all day. But after suffering a loss, they came out and crushed the other team, to the point of having the other team's coach come up to me and state our team may be the most improved team she's seen all year (they beat us early in the season) and couldn't say enough about the overall play the girls put on the court.

That said, we now entered uncharted waters in Power League competition. We now were in the championship round. We came out and beat a very good Locos team, despite being down in each game early on. We seem to be good at digging holes for ourselves, but now have learned not to panic and can recover in style. We entered into the Championship Match against Columbia VC from the Tri County area of Eastern Washington. This was definitely the tallest team we had faced all year, as I don't think they had anyone on the front line under 5'11. Even the setter was big. This seemed to intimidate the girls a bit, and the jitters got to them early in the first game. They were down by 10 at one point, but then regained the confidence which they had displayed all day. They fought back and regained the momentum, but were unable to pull off the comeback in the first game. But, now I say But, they got in the huddle and "UNO DOS" was the word, as they were not ready to roll over. The team came out and basically stomped on the Columbia team, smothering their hitters at the net, and digging whatever got through. A remarkable turnaround. The third game was an exciting one, with the ladies down 8-4 at the changeover. After a timeout, the girls focused and came back one point at a time, "scratching and clawing" for each point, capping a great day by winning 15-13. It was truly satisfying as I knew they could play at the level they did Sunday. Congratulations to you all!!!

The team went through the gamut of levels of play, from very good to not so very good. There were players throwing themselves onto the floor and players watching balls hit the floor beside them. We played at our potential and also at the level of lesser talented teams. All said though, by the end of the day, they put it all together and won in fine fashion, taking home their second tourney win this year.

We practice Wednesday night and then compete in our final Power League of the season this coming weekend. If the girls decide to play their game, they will move up into the Silver Division, a place which I believe they belong. The season is very close to over, and the girls deserve to end it on a high note. So, ladies, get your mind right, hydrate and nourish your bodies, and get some good rest for Sunday, as you owe yourselves, your teammates and your parents the best performance of the year.

All the parents were on the edge of their seats throughout the tourney, either cheering wildly for a great play, or about to fall over during the occasional meltdown. But above all else, they showed what fans are about -- providing support for the team. Thanks to all of you who sat there for the two days - you DO make a difference.

The team showed what they are capable of during the championship game, as they seemingly saved their best effort for the end. We played the best team we had seen all weekend, and anything less than an all-out effort would not have been enough. The Team played a match of near flawless volleyball. I was extremely proud of the effort and enthusiasm shown during the entire match. And the support from the bench and the fans (once again) was phenomenal. When the last ball was hammered cross-court for the final point, the girls went insane with excitement. I was just as happy for them, as I know the feeling of winning championships - there is nothing like it in the world of sport. Congratulations to Cowlitz 18 Blue!!

Now, in all clouds there is a silver lining. I had noticed there was a much better chemistry on the court during the 6/2 offense...much more energy. So, I decided to continue this as Sarah Bliss had really amazed everyone with her abilities (Sarah had never set before.) We continued with the 6/2 on Saturday, and there is only one word to describe the play we all saw - PHENOMENAL!!!. The ladies played three matches of GREAT volleyball. They, for the first time this year, were able to stay up during each game and put three outstanding matches together. We now have a solid rotation, with every player having the opportunity to contribute. It was, without a doubt, the best volleyball of the season for these girls and the most fun I have ever had coaching as I saw a transformation from girls who were unsure of their game to a group of women who were ready to play anyone who showed up on the other side of the court.

Day three (play all weekend for a single elimination bracket?) proved to be our toughest match. Montana Extreme was a well-coached, solid team. It was a match which went back and forth - unfortunately, we ended up on the short end, but again, we played great and learned from the loss. The girls are excited about playing, and I look forward to the rest of the season, as we are now truly a "team" and can play with anyone out there.

Notable performances: as previously mentioned, Sarah Bliss and Kynsi Stout (and I must mention Whitney Luchau) for setting; defensively, Whitney Devlin, Kaisa Brace and Alicia Haseman were extremely active and passed well all weekend. Whitney and Kaisa really stepped up on Saturday with Alicia missing. The middles were big, blocking a huge number of hits and patrolling the net like a shark around a crowded beach - Laura Grambo and Allison Lee played great. Allison also played a great back-row defensively on Saturday. Outside hitting was a big asset, with Brittney Chapman and Whitney Luchau stepping up and delivering key kills. The biggest change to the lineup (from 5/1 to 6/2) is the ability to put blockers on the right side. Cassandra Woods, Brittany Hood and Lauren Wiswall all got into the act as the fun of blocking caught on. I have mentioned in the past I don't like to talk about individual performances, but this weekend demands I change that philosophy.

I told the girls there and I will say it again, I am very proud of the way they played and the team they have become. I look forward to the rest of the season, as only good things can happen now ... Mike

The girls are finally getting through the awkward "getting to know you stage" and the evaluation period is over. I feel we have the potential to be a very good team and will be a "sleeper" that not many teams will want to play. We will continue to work hard and solidify our line-up. The girls have done remarkably well in adapting to the continuous changes thrown at them in the court rotations, and will only get stronger as the rotation becomes set. I look forward to working with all of them for the rest of the year....