Post by doctorwho on Oct 27, 2007 21:15:26 GMT -6
Tonight I attended the regional games at WVHS - and although the Warriors season is now over, I want to say the volleyball program is finally back. Thank you to Coach Kristin Stuart and her staff for returning a quality program to WVHS...after what I would refer to as, the dark times...after the 99 season. Thank you to the players who played their hearts out tonight- only to fall slighly short in match 2.
Back 10 years ago ( and you see the run of regionals championships in the late 90's up on the banners) - as it was truly a quality program. I know, I was there for much of that - and was fortunate to have someone play in most of it-but then be there also for the downturn.
What I saw tonight was a team, focused as a team, hustling and playing hard with encouragement from their coach !
After a fairly close game in game 1 with Providence Catholic - where WV always lead - they sailed through game 2.
Now comes the rub. The IHSA in their infinite wisdom has changed the format of the playoffs to shorten them - I am guessing because that way ALL the focus can go to boys football - instead of just most.
10 years ago you played every other day or so in the playoffs - today after WV just beat Providence- they had to immediately play again - this time against very highly ranked Naperville North - who got to sit and rest for an hour.
In game 1 it really showed as the fresher legs absolutely belonged to NN. So after a full season of preparation to get to this stage - you get to win and lose with 2 hours. Thank you IHSA !
Well game 2 went very differently and the Warriors got out to a quick 6 - 1 lead - a lead they held up until the very end. The game was tied at 25 , tied again at 27 -- It was a very exciting match - that might still be going on now if the line judge had a set of eyes, or the stones to say he actually didn;t see the ball that landed 6 inches from his feet- and a good foot and 1/2 inbounds on a kill from WV OH J Drew. The Warriors we celebrating tying the game once more when he signaled the ball out - much to everyones surprise - including the NN fans that were there. A game like that should never end on a play that he should have seen, or at the very least said he didnt see and replayed the point.
But in quality fashion the WV coach summoned her crew to the floor - circled them and made them feel good about themselves. What a relief to see this there again.
10 years ago I was there with parents dressed in full Warrior gear - the sounds of war drums from the upper seating area - and a gym full of fans. I heard echoes of that this afternoon and it made me feel so very good !
The ironic twist was renewing old acquaintances with some of the quality parents from that time - one of which is a dad whose daughter is now the NN north head coach. The ironic part is that his daughter (s) played for WV in the glory days. My oldest was fortunate enough to play with them for a period. The ass't coach of NN - was club teammate of my daughter
Time marches on it showed me - and waits for no one -- but I can say how very proud I was to be back in that gym - cheering and feeling school pride as it should be !
btw - lots of people in attendance from , alums from previous years - to local VB club personnel ( a lot of them) - even including a SB member cheering the 204 team on.
My youngest is ready to be a Warrior -something she's been looking forward to since my oldest left in WVHS, and the program appears to be ready to once again welcome in those who will wear the green and gold proudly. !
Back 10 years ago ( and you see the run of regionals championships in the late 90's up on the banners) - as it was truly a quality program. I know, I was there for much of that - and was fortunate to have someone play in most of it-but then be there also for the downturn.
What I saw tonight was a team, focused as a team, hustling and playing hard with encouragement from their coach !
After a fairly close game in game 1 with Providence Catholic - where WV always lead - they sailed through game 2.
Now comes the rub. The IHSA in their infinite wisdom has changed the format of the playoffs to shorten them - I am guessing because that way ALL the focus can go to boys football - instead of just most.
10 years ago you played every other day or so in the playoffs - today after WV just beat Providence- they had to immediately play again - this time against very highly ranked Naperville North - who got to sit and rest for an hour.
In game 1 it really showed as the fresher legs absolutely belonged to NN. So after a full season of preparation to get to this stage - you get to win and lose with 2 hours. Thank you IHSA !
Well game 2 went very differently and the Warriors got out to a quick 6 - 1 lead - a lead they held up until the very end. The game was tied at 25 , tied again at 27 -- It was a very exciting match - that might still be going on now if the line judge had a set of eyes, or the stones to say he actually didn;t see the ball that landed 6 inches from his feet- and a good foot and 1/2 inbounds on a kill from WV OH J Drew. The Warriors we celebrating tying the game once more when he signaled the ball out - much to everyones surprise - including the NN fans that were there. A game like that should never end on a play that he should have seen, or at the very least said he didnt see and replayed the point.
But in quality fashion the WV coach summoned her crew to the floor - circled them and made them feel good about themselves. What a relief to see this there again.
10 years ago I was there with parents dressed in full Warrior gear - the sounds of war drums from the upper seating area - and a gym full of fans. I heard echoes of that this afternoon and it made me feel so very good !
The ironic twist was renewing old acquaintances with some of the quality parents from that time - one of which is a dad whose daughter is now the NN north head coach. The ironic part is that his daughter (s) played for WV in the glory days. My oldest was fortunate enough to play with them for a period. The ass't coach of NN - was club teammate of my daughter
Time marches on it showed me - and waits for no one -- but I can say how very proud I was to be back in that gym - cheering and feeling school pride as it should be !
btw - lots of people in attendance from , alums from previous years - to local VB club personnel ( a lot of them) - even including a SB member cheering the 204 team on.
My youngest is ready to be a Warrior -something she's been looking forward to since my oldest left in WVHS, and the program appears to be ready to once again welcome in those who will wear the green and gold proudly. !
