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| Clockwise From top Left: Kevin S, Lenny K, Dennis P. Jr, Erik S, Andy Mc, & Felix V |
This was a GREAT day in Empire Volleyball Club and team Prime history!!!
First off, two of our long standing members - long standing meaning they were two of the original 10 to say I want to play - Kevin S and Dennis P Jr, made their first on court, playing debuts, in the BLACK of EMPIRE-PRIME!!!
Both of these young men were geared up for their first tournament and it showed in the results!
Kevin is a setter/outside hitter just recently graduated from the University of Delaware. The former Blue Hen set for his college club team at NERVA Nationals the past few years and now brings his skill to EVC-Prime.
Dennis, a New York native, has been part of the volleyball scene since his high school days at St. Francis Prep, in Queens, NY. A graduate of Syracuse University, Dennis looks to take his ORANGE pride to PRIME time!!!
As for the tournament, all of the information was relayed to this reporter by Lenny K, setter/captain of the EVC team. Here is how reported it.
The tournament had some great teams and they each had played against EVC at some point this season. Each team came from different parts of our region; Hudson/Rockland County of New York, Central and Southern Jersey and a few from Long Island.
Kaboom, Big Willy's, and Metropolis were just a few teams registered to play in this event. EVC had its smallest turn out for this GEVA contest. Only the aforementioned, six (6) out of the 10 member program were able to participate. Each having to do something out of their comfort zone; Dennis played middle all day, and Kevin hit outside for the whole tournament. All in all it was a grand effort for this group, and wow was it ever rewarded.
The tournament started off well for Prime, they were able to get the first two wins at the beginning of the day. Then they spit in the following match. By the first report, Lenny had stated the team was 3-1, with solid play from all members. However, the great play was not to last. EVC dropped their next two games in the following match, which made the last match of the day very important.
With a sweet of the team in the last match, Empire-Prime, would be locked into a three way tie for the second spot in pool play. This would force a one match playoff with the other two teams to go into the semifinals of this GEVA tournament. Both of which, PRIME won in high style "In playoff. Had to play TWO play in games. We crushed both teams!" stated Lenny in a text.
In the semifinal match EVC-Prime was match against Metropolis, a team known for solid play and heavy hitting. The task at hand seemed daunting but the men of Prime, were PRIMED for the challenge. The scores were tight in the first two sets. EVC took the first, 25-23, the lost the second 21-25. With their backs up against the wall the player of Prime hunkered down for a tough fight. However, the fight wasn't too tough. "On to the finals!" exclaimed Lenny in the follow up text. He continued to say, "beat Metropolis in semis...Last set was 15-3."
WHAT?!?! 15-3?!?!?
Yes! That is correct. The fledgling club, just defeated one of the NYC's perennial volleyball clubs, Metropolis, in a third set semifinal, 15-3. Is it possible they could win the whole thing?
Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. In the finals EVC faced off against Big Willy's, another perennial powerhouse in the GEVA region. The scores, however, tell a tail of hard work and fatigue. Big Willy's won the GEVA Power Zone Division 2 tournament title over EVC-Prime, 23-25 & 21-25. Lenny commented on how "we ran out of gas," at the end.
All in the six team members finished SECOND, a club milestone!!!
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| L to R: Erik, Kevin, Lenny, Andy and Dennis (not picture) Felix |
Thank for following our club and wish us luck for the next tournament at HUNTER COLLEGE, February 5, 2012
