Over the season, in its region, the 16-Smack competed and won enough events to earn points to join the top 28 teams across the nation in the 16’s age division of the USAV Junior Nationals (formerly Junior Olympics).
After a spectacular showing this past weekend in its final regional tournament, the team earned an “At-Large” Bid for the Open division of Junior Nationals. According to Greg Novak, “The team really stepped up their play and adapted to the various line up changes throughout the day. After beating Saddleback, Laguna Beach and TCA in pool play, we faced SMBC in the quarter finals which we managed to take down in three games. Our victory streak ended by a loss to Wave 15-Spalding in the semi-final playoff match.”
The Santa Barbara Volleyball Club 16-Smack team.
The team finished third overall for day and put the team in a position to earn a bid to Junior Nationals!
The team was informed today by the USAV that they will receive the At-Large bid inviting them to compete in the Junior National tournament at the end of June.
The 14-Smack team fell short over the weekend of earning enough points to put them in a position to earn a region bid to Junior Nationals. The team needed to place in the top 8 for the day, but after winning their first match of the day handily against Sunshine 14-Platinum, the team struggled and lost the next two matches to SG Elite 13-1 and Club West 14-1. They also lost the first playoff match against Coast 14-Luis, which put them 13th overall for the day and moves the team down to Division II for the next regional tournament.
The 14-White and 14-red teams both had an equally rough day.
Coach Matt Schroeder succinctly recapped the 14-White team’s day:
“Sunday’s mandatory for the 14-white was more like an episode of Survivor: LaVerne than a day of volleyball. Pool play was fraught with despair, chaos, and despondency complete with an 0-3 record losing to Laguna Beach, Culver City, and Golden West. This was a day that would cast a schizophrenic as a model of consistency. The troops managed to flirt with brilliance and lethargy at the blow of a whistle. For the third time this year, the White found themselves yet again in the death match against the iconic Sport Shack Club. In a match that will not be seen on ESPN Classic anytime soon, the SB club managed to pull off a huge win. Cydney “the Wizard” Pierce, playing with a mangled back managed to summon enough courage to lead the team to victory. The beginning of the semifinal witnessed an episode of ‘So you think you can Dance’ put on by a few of the moms of the 14 white which I think was the catalyst for another big win in the semis. If it were not for the macarena and two-step, I don’t think we win that game against Beach Cities.”
In the last tour of the day, the team faced Laguna Beach for the losers bracket final. However, the momentum from the previous two matches could not be parlayed into another victory and the sorrows were only later conquered by the first-class food at In-n-Out Burger.”
The 14-Red team went 0 and 3 losing to Mizuno Long Beach 14-wave, Channel Island-14 premier, and Sports Shack 13-1. According to coach Deia Kidd, “We were plagued by serving errors in the beginning of the day…then passing errors at the end of the day. The team played steady defense and got some exciting kills but we never could counter the errors of our serving and passing. Amy Cregan filled in as middle blocker, and she lead the team in kills. It was very exciting and then disappointing when we lost. Our moments of greatness just were not enough to get us wins.”
The 13-Smack team finished a 2-1 in pool play and lost the first round to very strong Mavericks 14-1 team. “Lexi Rottman and Dane Miller shared in excellent setting and defense performances,” said Coach Ed Gover.
The 13-White team took 3rd in pool play, losing the first match to California Heat 14-Blue in three games, beating Epic 14-Roxanne in three games, and losing to Smack 13-Black in two games. Coach Malinda Reese mentioned, “Sumner Mathews and Hannah Craig lead the team with their great serve receive and consistency on offense.”
