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| Left (cl): Felix, Patrick, Erik -- Center: Lenny -- Right (cl): Tim, Andy, Mike |
When a person sets out to start a sports program, one of the expectations for the team is simple, start slow and just be competitive at the beginning. In the case of the founders of Empire Volleyball Club, starting slow is a given.
There is a high number of established adult volleyball club programs in the New York Metropolitan Area, EVC was faced with the formidable task of being competitive early. Who would have thought competitive meant making the semi-finals of the club's first ever Garden Empire Volleyball Association (GEVA), BB Men's Tournament. GEVA is one of the many USA Volleyball regions across the country. GEVA is also one of the highest populated USA Volleyball regions in the country.
When EmpireVC founders Patrick Dietz and Lenny Kushnir, registered for the tournament in late November, the idea of making playoffs was only an after thought, then they started playing the games.
Upon entering the court on December 3rd, the 7 man team of the two founders plus Andy Mc, Mike C, Tim M, Felix V and Erik S didn't know what to expect. Yes, a few of them had played a couple of times together, however, not in a situation such as this, a GEVA BB Regional Tournament. Competition at these events is generally fierce and very difficult. However, these seven men, weren't worried.
Pool Play:
Pool play in GEVA isn't very hard to understand. There are usually five (5) teams in a pool. All sets played go towards a team's overall win/loss total. Each team plays four (4) matches and the top two (2) teams come out of those pools. In the pool along with EVC-Prime was, Rage (NJ), Kapow (HV-NY), Northshore (LI-NY), and CNJVB (NJ).
KAPOW Match
The tournament started off with a weird little bit of fortune. Most new teams generally get the fifth position in a tournament pool, well EVC-Prime was placed third in its pool. The 3rd position is the best position in pool play. Outside of refereeing the first match of the day, your schedule is pretty much simple to understand; ref, play, sit, play, sit, play, sit, play ref. A team, in this position, never has worry about being cold and unprepared at a tournament. This is the "PRIME" seeding position and worked out to EVC's benefits.
After working the match of the day, at 8:45am, the gents of EVC-Prime, began play with a roaring start. They opened their first set with a 5-0 lead over Kapow, one of the long standing regional clubs, from the Hudson Valley, NY Area. However, the lack of teammate to teammate relations, on the court was evident. Balls started to drop between teammates and the lead dwindled. By the end of that Kapow had taken a solid 3 point lead and the victory. Nonetheless, EmpireVC regrouped in the second set and rolled to victory on the setting of Lenny K and the shoulders of Andy Mc and Felix V's timely hitting.
CNJVB Match
In their next match, versus CNJVB, setting duties were given to Patrick D, Lenny moved to outside hitter and Felix to Libero (Patrick was the libero in the first match). The team started this match similarly to the first, with a five point lead, however, this time they did not relinquish what they had. Mike C and Erik S dominated in the middle with their blocking and hitting. Tim M, who admitted he was a bit nervous, came into form against this team and hit a fantastic match. Prime, swept CNJVB in two and was now second in pool behind Rage (NJ), their opponents for the next match.
"If we split with Rage we're definitely in for playoffs," was the statement made by Lenny during one of the team's breaks. All of the men agreed with the sentiment. Now it was time to play to the game.
The Rage Match
The first set of the match started off well for Prime. They captured the lead fast, 8-5 was the score at one point, then the wheels started to come off the wagon. Slowly, the passing of EVC-Prime broke down and the points for Rage built. The team battled back to make it close, but Rage won the first set 25-18.
The second set didn't start off very well either. Rage built a 5-2 lead, when a time out was taken by on court captain, Lenny. The guys put their heads together and realized one thing, they had nothing to lose. How many new club teams play an established regional champ and win? Not many, so why should they worry about winning, "let's just relax and play," stated Mike and that they did. From that point on it was PRIME-time. The passing improved, along with the blocking. Add to that, the hitting was stellar.
At one point Erik and Andy were exchanging "bouncing ball" kills from the middle and right side. A timely one handed scoop dig, of the Rage setter, to block for point, by Mike, gave EVC the lead. It was back and forth the rest of the way. The teams exchanged the lead four times and in the end...RAGE won 29-27. All of the men from both teams, who all happen to be good friends, came together and said how FUN the match was from start to finish.
During the match players were bantering back and forth in a playful manner. Screaming things such as, "STOP DIGGING EVERYTHING!" or "WHO PUT THAT BLOCK THERE?!" Tons of excitement came from that one match, but for EVC it wasn't the only bit of excitement left in the day.
Northshore Match
Looking at Northshore, all you could see were athletes! Each one possessing the ability to light up the ball with thunderous fury. When the match started EVC-Prime wasn't yet fully recovered from the match against Rage. Additionally they new they had to had referee the following match, so their minds weren't game ready, neither were their bodies.
Northshore took an early lead before the machine that is PRIME "rolled out" of the gates. Each player put their best effort into coming back and helped t build momentum for the next set. Prime lost 25-19.
The next set, however, was all PRIME-time, yet again. it started off with Patrick D. digging four straight hitting attempts of Northshore's big banger. Those digs turned into quick points when Mike and Tim converted them from all over the front row. Toss in the pin-point hitting of Andy from backrow and now you have a well oiled, attacking machine. Once that force was implemented, now it was defense's turn. The HUGE block of Andy and Erik; then Mike, Tim and Andy front row was not to be messed with. These gentlemen were not gentle to the hitters. Four stuff blocks later and a few touch blocks and the match was over! Prime won a critical game, that put them on the brink of making playoffs.
Brink because now it was up to the only winless team in the pool, CNJVB, to beat Northshore, once, so that Empire Volleyball Club, could say they made playoffs in their first tournament. To cut to the chase, CNJVB, lost the first set against Northshore. It wasn't close. HOWEVER, they battled and battled and in the end, CNJVB had one win all day and it was when it counted for EmpireVC. The team that was swept earlier in the day by Prime, helped EVC make playoffs. Thank you CNJVB!!!
Playoffs versus BAP (NY)
BAP is one of the longest standing New York City Club programs around. BAP stands for BIG APPLE POWER (I believe). I hate to say it, but the match was fairly lack luster on EVC-Prime's part. The passing, which had been rough during the day, was now worse. Defense, which was the saving grace for the team through out the day, was missing its usual spark. Factor in, fatigue and now you have the ingredients for a loss. Unfortunately, a loss is what occurred.
Final Thoughts
As the men left the tournament site, each felt happy about the day. Yes, they were disappointed with not making it to finals, but they knew they had started something fun and worth while. Each were anticipating the next tournament. Patrick and Lenny, were very pleased with a first time effort. How many founders can say their team entered the a season, with a playoff match? They reckoned not many, so this team is already special just for doing that. "We'll do better next time," was the consensus by each player.
Well that is it form this past weekend. Hope you all enjoyed our little recap, and see you nest time.
Keep following us on this blog and our Facebook page.
Thanks all and.....
GO PRIME!!!
Pool Play:
Pool play in GEVA isn't very hard to understand. There are usually five (5) teams in a pool. All sets played go towards a team's overall win/loss total. Each team plays four (4) matches and the top two (2) teams come out of those pools. In the pool along with EVC-Prime was, Rage (NJ), Kapow (HV-NY), Northshore (LI-NY), and CNJVB (NJ).
KAPOW Match
The tournament started off with a weird little bit of fortune. Most new teams generally get the fifth position in a tournament pool, well EVC-Prime was placed third in its pool. The 3rd position is the best position in pool play. Outside of refereeing the first match of the day, your schedule is pretty much simple to understand; ref, play, sit, play, sit, play, sit, play ref. A team, in this position, never has worry about being cold and unprepared at a tournament. This is the "PRIME" seeding position and worked out to EVC's benefits.
After working the match of the day, at 8:45am, the gents of EVC-Prime, began play with a roaring start. They opened their first set with a 5-0 lead over Kapow, one of the long standing regional clubs, from the Hudson Valley, NY Area. However, the lack of teammate to teammate relations, on the court was evident. Balls started to drop between teammates and the lead dwindled. By the end of that Kapow had taken a solid 3 point lead and the victory. Nonetheless, EmpireVC regrouped in the second set and rolled to victory on the setting of Lenny K and the shoulders of Andy Mc and Felix V's timely hitting.
CNJVB Match
In their next match, versus CNJVB, setting duties were given to Patrick D, Lenny moved to outside hitter and Felix to Libero (Patrick was the libero in the first match). The team started this match similarly to the first, with a five point lead, however, this time they did not relinquish what they had. Mike C and Erik S dominated in the middle with their blocking and hitting. Tim M, who admitted he was a bit nervous, came into form against this team and hit a fantastic match. Prime, swept CNJVB in two and was now second in pool behind Rage (NJ), their opponents for the next match.
"If we split with Rage we're definitely in for playoffs," was the statement made by Lenny during one of the team's breaks. All of the men agreed with the sentiment. Now it was time to play to the game.
The Rage Match
The first set of the match started off well for Prime. They captured the lead fast, 8-5 was the score at one point, then the wheels started to come off the wagon. Slowly, the passing of EVC-Prime broke down and the points for Rage built. The team battled back to make it close, but Rage won the first set 25-18.
The second set didn't start off very well either. Rage built a 5-2 lead, when a time out was taken by on court captain, Lenny. The guys put their heads together and realized one thing, they had nothing to lose. How many new club teams play an established regional champ and win? Not many, so why should they worry about winning, "let's just relax and play," stated Mike and that they did. From that point on it was PRIME-time. The passing improved, along with the blocking. Add to that, the hitting was stellar.
At one point Erik and Andy were exchanging "bouncing ball" kills from the middle and right side. A timely one handed scoop dig, of the Rage setter, to block for point, by Mike, gave EVC the lead. It was back and forth the rest of the way. The teams exchanged the lead four times and in the end...RAGE won 29-27. All of the men from both teams, who all happen to be good friends, came together and said how FUN the match was from start to finish.
During the match players were bantering back and forth in a playful manner. Screaming things such as, "STOP DIGGING EVERYTHING!" or "WHO PUT THAT BLOCK THERE?!" Tons of excitement came from that one match, but for EVC it wasn't the only bit of excitement left in the day.
Northshore Match
Looking at Northshore, all you could see were athletes! Each one possessing the ability to light up the ball with thunderous fury. When the match started EVC-Prime wasn't yet fully recovered from the match against Rage. Additionally they new they had to had referee the following match, so their minds weren't game ready, neither were their bodies.
Northshore took an early lead before the machine that is PRIME "rolled out" of the gates. Each player put their best effort into coming back and helped t build momentum for the next set. Prime lost 25-19.
The next set, however, was all PRIME-time, yet again. it started off with Patrick D. digging four straight hitting attempts of Northshore's big banger. Those digs turned into quick points when Mike and Tim converted them from all over the front row. Toss in the pin-point hitting of Andy from backrow and now you have a well oiled, attacking machine. Once that force was implemented, now it was defense's turn. The HUGE block of Andy and Erik; then Mike, Tim and Andy front row was not to be messed with. These gentlemen were not gentle to the hitters. Four stuff blocks later and a few touch blocks and the match was over! Prime won a critical game, that put them on the brink of making playoffs.
Brink because now it was up to the only winless team in the pool, CNJVB, to beat Northshore, once, so that Empire Volleyball Club, could say they made playoffs in their first tournament. To cut to the chase, CNJVB, lost the first set against Northshore. It wasn't close. HOWEVER, they battled and battled and in the end, CNJVB had one win all day and it was when it counted for EmpireVC. The team that was swept earlier in the day by Prime, helped EVC make playoffs. Thank you CNJVB!!!
Playoffs versus BAP (NY)
BAP is one of the longest standing New York City Club programs around. BAP stands for BIG APPLE POWER (I believe). I hate to say it, but the match was fairly lack luster on EVC-Prime's part. The passing, which had been rough during the day, was now worse. Defense, which was the saving grace for the team through out the day, was missing its usual spark. Factor in, fatigue and now you have the ingredients for a loss. Unfortunately, a loss is what occurred.
Final Thoughts
As the men left the tournament site, each felt happy about the day. Yes, they were disappointed with not making it to finals, but they knew they had started something fun and worth while. Each were anticipating the next tournament. Patrick and Lenny, were very pleased with a first time effort. How many founders can say their team entered the a season, with a playoff match? They reckoned not many, so this team is already special just for doing that. "We'll do better next time," was the consensus by each player.
Well that is it form this past weekend. Hope you all enjoyed our little recap, and see you nest time.
Keep following us on this blog and our Facebook page.
Thanks all and.....
GO PRIME!!!
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