The Santa Barbara Volleyball Club 13-Smack and 14-Smack teams both took second at the Volleyball Festival in Phoenix last week.
The 18-Smack and 16-Smack teams both qualified for the Open division of the Junior Nationals, which is the highest division possible and they competed among the top 32 teams across the nation. This year the event took place at the Convention Center of Reno. The 18-Smack team finished 17th while the 16-Smack team finished tied for 19th.
The 18-Smack team, coached by Lee Nelson and assisted by Todd Garrett, opened up the four-day tournament with a two-day pool of tough competition. The first day the team met with an unfortunate loss in two sets to TX Tornados 18 Mizuno, but bounced back to handily win the next two matches of the day against UPVBC 18s and TampaBay 18-Black.
Coming back the following morning, the team opened with a 3-set loss to Triangle 18 Black.
“We came out slow in our morning matches vs Texas and Triangle and those losses left us with very little room for error in our attempt to advance out of a very strong pool,” said Nelson.
The team won the next two pool matches against Titan Juniors 18s and SCVC 18-Roxy. In the final match in pool play, the squad suffered a heartbreaker loss to WAVE 18 Jeanne Spalding (19-25, 25-21, 16-14) which put a medal out of reach.
“With their backs against the wall the players responded and defeated SCVC who was playing very well…and unfortunately fell just short in a very well played match to a very strong Wave team,” Nelson commented.
The team then entered into playoffs, losing to Central Cal 18 GOLD and beating Asics Willowbrook 18-Red and KC Extreme 18-Red to finish the tournament winning the Flight 2 Bracket and finishing 19th overall.
Nelson continued, “”After the disappointing loss to Wave, it would have been very easy for the girls to mentally just pick up their marbles and go home. Instead, the team kept fighting and ended the week on a high note with a win over the tournament’s original #1 seed, KC Extreme.”
The 16-Smack team, coached by Greg Novak and assisted by Courtney Preston, also started the prestigious tournament with pool play action.
“In our last couple of practices together, you could tell the team was charged and ready to compete against the best teams in the country. Having played a couple of the qualified teams earlier in the season, we knew each match would be a battle which seemed to fire up the whole team,” said Novak.
The 16-Smack started the pool with a win over 1st Alliance 16-Silver, but then dropped the next two matches of the day to Boomers 16 Elite Black and Nike Six Pack 16. The team opened up day two with a win over KC Power 16-1, then was defeated by both TAV 16 VB Rags Black and, the ultimate winner of the tournament, Nebraska Juniors 16-1.
The team began day 3 with a win against WVBA 16-Shannon, but unfortunately, the 16-Smack team finished pool play with a 3-4 record and was just edged out of contention for the medal rounds. The team then lost in the playoffs of the Flight 2 Bracket to City Beach 16 Black and FRVBC 16 Blue to finish tied for 19th overall in the tournament.
“Overall, at times we struggled with serve receive passing but we would eventually steady to frustrate our opponents with phenomenal defense and ball control. Though sometimes outsized in height, our team scored points with their tough serving, finesse and ability to capitalize on our opponents’ weaknesses. We finished the tournament as we started, in as the 20th seed, out as tied for 19th,” said Novak. “It was a great week of volleyball and we’re proud of the way the team played.”
The Volleyball Festival is a 20 year old “all-comers” 5-day tournament attended by teams across the nation, including Hawaii and Alaska, as well as international teams from Canada, Puerto Rico, and Brazil.
The competition took place at the Phoenix Convention Center and the finals took place at the US Airways Center. Additionally, the tournament kicked off with an Opening Ceremony and fireworks for all the teams at Chase Field.
The 13-Smack team, coached by Ed Gover, dazzled fans with a strong showing at the Volleyball Festival, sweeping through two days of pool play by beating Coast 13-Kurt, Channel Islands 13-Premier, T-Street 13 Lasuen, Coast 13-Peter, and Temecula 13-Merilee — all in two sets.
Continuing the impressive two-set wins through the Championship bracket playoffs on the third day, the 13-Smack beat Orange County 13-Blue, T-Street 13 Trestles and Torrimar/VB Rags 13-1 until meeting its first loss against a very strong overall Vaqueras 13s team from Puerto Rico.
SBVC 13 Smack Team
This loss sent them to the semi-final round on their last day, where they defeated Jamba 13-Candice 25-23, 25-15 to become very excited finalists for the 13s Championship on Center Court of the Phoenix Convention Center.
The finals were heavily attended by family, friends and “sister teams” for both teams, and the competition was commentated with play-by-play action. The team met back up with the Vaqueras in the final championship round and lost 25-16, 25-11 to place second overall.
Said Gover:
“I was proud at how consistent and focused the team remained all week. Our solid defense kept us in the big matches, and followed up with very smart hitting. It’s a long road of competition for this young age group but these players were determined. Each match, the confidence of the players grew and they played even better in the next match. While the Vaqueras team overpowered us in the finals, being a finalist and competing on Center Court in front of our family, friends, and club mates was an amazing experience for us. We worked hard all season and we are very proud of our accomplishments and success!”
The 14-Smack team, coached by K.C. Collins and assisted by Steve Zelko, went undefeated in matches over five days, until the finals where they claimed the second place trophy. The team opened up with three days of pool play beating White Tank Mtn 14-1, East Valley 14-Gold, Beach Cities 14-White, Epic 14-1, Lau’lea 14U, Pilipaa 14s, Rancho Valley 14-Shannon, IPV-14HP, and Flintridge 14-Anne — all in two sets.
SBVC 14 Smack Team
The team entered bracket play in day four, and as Collins described, “…it was basically survival of the fittest at this point.”
The team won a tight two-set match against SVVC 14-Monty, and pulled out the win in a 3-set battle against Wave 14 Jess Spalding (12-25, 25-22, 15-9). They swept their season nemesis, Sunshine 14-Platinum, in two sets, putting them in a position to play a very solidly skilled Torrimar/VB Rags 14-1 for the finalist spot.
Collins said that the match started with their coach halting SB’s warm up because the net looked too low, when In fact, the net was half an inch high. Collins said the opponent then rolled with a series of stalling tactics, constantly questioning referee calls and wanting him replaced. Collins said that at one point player ran across the court to shake her fists at the down referee.
At the request of the court officials, the head director for the age group was forced to standby and oversee the rest of the match.
With a stunning show of good volleyball and sportsmanship, the 14-Smack did not disappoint, and won the heavily contested match 26-24, 23-25, 16-14, securing a spot in the finals the following day! That was when the excitement really set in. The team got to prepare for the big match in a locker room of the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center, and were paraded through the tunnel out onto the court like the pros.
Despite the nerves set in by looking up at stands of fans, a gigantic electronic scoreboard with their team names, and a benchwith padded chairs and personal water coolers, the team was fired up for battle.
However, they met up with the very talented Vaqueras from Puerto Rico and lost 25-12, 25-15, 25-14. The 14-Smack celebrated second place with the enthusiasm and pride it deserved for their spectacular run during the week.
“It was an amazing week with every player stepping up at crucial times throughout the week, both in play and in character. We could not have been more proud of their effort and mental fortitude, and we have no doubt they will continue to shine in years to come,” remarked Collins.
Coach Matt Schroeder’s 14-White team capped off a glorious season by going 11-3 at the tournament winning the Silver Division! The team rolled through pool play beating AZ Sky 14R2, SMBC 14-Jeff, SVVC 14-Hillary, Molten 14-Navy, Mavericks 14-Bonnee, and losing to Wave 14 Jess Spalding.
Entering into playoffs, the 14-White beat Beach Cities 14-Platinum, but suffered a loss to the Vaqueras 14s putting them in a single elimination position to maintain the Gold Division. The team then lost a hard fought battle to Magic Volleyball 14s from Hawaii which knocked the team into the Silver Bracket.
SBVC 14 White Team
“After some serious soul searching while floating down the ‘lazy river’ at the Hilton Squaw Peak that night, the 14-White rallied to win five playoff matches in a row and take the Silver Division crown,” said an excited Schroeder.
The team beat Channel Islands 14-Premier, Epic 14-1, Cal Heat 14-Blaze, Mavericks 14-Bonnee, and AZ Sky 14N2 in the finals. Smiles stretched from ear to ear on all the players in the post-match team huddle, and some tears were shed.
The impending reality that the 14-White would never be all together again brought about a bittersweet mood at the after-party at Cheesecake Factory. And after dodging repeated questions about what the future holds for the 14-White’s coach.
“This was a group of habitual winners and tough competitors, I could not have asked for a better crew of players. Right now, I just want to enjoy this Silver Division championship and eat my sweet corn tamale cakes,” said Schroeder.
The 17-Smack played an outstanding tournament at the Volleyball Festival, finishing their season as winners of the Challenge Bracket.
“The team defeated many difficult teams and by the end they were still fired up for more,” claimed Coach Angie Erdmann, who was assisted by Kat Niksto.
In pool play, the 17-Smack beat 951 Elite 17-3, AZ EVJ 17-1, IPB 17-HP on the first day. The team was knocked out of the sweet 16 after being seeded in a highly competitive pool on day 2 losing to Surf City 17-Adam, Extreme Heat 17s and SCVC 17-Roxy.
The team then went on to beat Pookela 17-2, SVVC 17-Jed, U16 Gold, and Spiral 17 Blue in bracket play, with only one additional loss to East Valley 17s. In the Challenge Division playoffs, they beat Hawaiian Style 17-Kaepa, and SouthBay 17-1, and finished the season by defeating Temecula 25-23, 25-20 to win the Challenge Bracket trophy and place 39th overall.
That win sat well with the team, as they had lost to Temecula at the Jr. National Qualifier earlier in the season, where Temecula had taken 5th place overall.
Coach Erdmann commented:
“The 17-Smack kept fire and energy all week long, despite 5 days of non-stop action. The girls were in great shape and ready to compete. They didn’t hang their heads when errors were made…they continued to press forward and move mountains. The team shined as a whole, and everyone contributed. They had a blast on and off the court at the tournament and you could tell they really enjoyed playing together. It was an incredible season and it was sad to see it all come to an end…especially, when it seemed the team was just getting warmed up.”
Taking 8th overall, the 18-White team steamrolled through pool play competition the first couple of days at the tournament. The team, coached by Shalen Williams and assisted by Jacky Yao, beat Beach Cities 18-Gold, Club Selah 18-B, Ikaika 18 Black, Excel VBC 18-1, SLO Jrs 18, and Kern River 18-Gold. They hit a slight bump in the road on day three when they beat Legacy 18-1 and NM Jrs 18-Hinge, but lost to Channel Islands 18-Premier, causing a three-way tie and a playoff. However, the team took care of business winning a one-set match against NM Jrs 25-18 and earned a top-8 berth in the Championship Bracket.
The team opened up winning over SVVC 18-Christy (20-25, 25-14, 15-10) but lost to AZ Storm 18- in another three-set match (16-25, 25-21, 15-6). The team then finished the Bracket with a win over Cal Heat 18-Ole, and losses to KaneCounty 18-Gold and SVVC 18-Ki to take home the trophy for 8th place overall in the Championship Bracket.
“The highlight of our tournament was taking a set off the number one team in the tournament, Arizona Storm,” said Williams. “We played steady volleyball all week. It was a pleasure to watch my girls play so well together all the way to the end. It was a great season and great tournament finale.”
Nice article. A disappointing finish for 18 Smack. Santa Barbara will never again have as much talent on one team as they had in the 18 Smack team.