On Sunday our 13s team played a single match against a Navajo Starlings team from San Diego.  This was another pair of close games and another close loss for our 13s team.  This loss ended our 13s team National Championship.
The Ridgecrest Starlings 13s ended the weekend in 4th place in the Silver Division and a 10th place overall in the 14 and under division of the tournament.

On Saturday evening while most of our Starlings players were relaxing and getting ready for their matches on Sunday six of our players and all of our coaches were attending a high performance tryout at the Alliant Center.  We were allowed to send only two girls per team to this tryout.  Chris the 16s coach decided to send Sammi and Mandy,  I sent Ashley and Alyssa from the 14s team and Megan sent Brooke and Rebecca from the 13s team.

All our girls worked really hard.  The coaches had to work two as we were recruited to run most of the drills the girls were performing.

An unexpected treat was that they tryouts were evaluated by the USA Volleyball youth A1 team.  This is a team of the top 16 and 17 year old players in the country.  This gave our players the opportunity to see how some of the top players in the country practice and play.

Day Three was a day of looking forward for our teams.  The 13s were looking for a high silver division finish.  The 14s were looking to stay in the hunt for a gold medal finish.  The 16s were looking to continue their good play from day 2 and end their season on a high note - playing together and having fun as a team.

All three teams got what they were looking for.

The 13s started the day officiating a match between Apple Valley and the same South Bay team that our 14s had defeated the day before.  After South Bay won the match easily our very young 13s team took the court against a significantly older, larger and stronger team.  I didn’t get to see this match as I was coaching the 14s at the time.  But everyone tells me that it was the best two games of volleyball our 13s played all season.  Unfortunately they were not able to pull off a win, but they gave that South Bay team a scare.  Our 13s lost that match 23-25, 23-25.  They don’t get any closer than that.  They lost, but the 13s weekend is not over.  They play a team from Navajo/San Diego on Sunday morning for third place in the Silver Division and a 9th place overall finish in the tournament.

The 14s team also had to ref the opening match of the day against the Tehachapi team that had sent our 13s team into the Silver Division on Friday and a team from Phoenix AZ.  This game had a lot of history for our team.  Tehachapi had beaten our 13s, and last year a team from Phoenix had ended our 14s team run in the Nationals Tournament.  Phoenix won that first game.  My 14s were a little stiff from sitting and standing around scorekeeping and started a little slow.  But once they got woke up they started really playing the games just flew by.  We didn’t play our best volleyball this day, but it was good enough for a 25-18, 25-17 sweep and a place in the semi finals on Sunday where we will play a team from Omaha that, like us, has not lost a match in this tournament.

Our 16s had a long day they were playing at Balboa Park in the flight 2 bracket.  But they made the best of their opportunities beating two different teams from the San Gabriel Starlings and finally sweeping a team from the Scrips Ranch Starlings to finish 1st in their bracket and a 25th overall place in the tournament.  But more importantly, they played well, they played like a team, and they had fun doing it.

This is our 16s team shortly after their Friday comeback.

Sorry this will have to be quick - breakfast starts in 10 minutes and after two days of volleyball from early morning to late night I havn’t had much time to do anything else.

Day 1

Our 13s team really shocked some teams today.  They started out a second seed in their pool.  After blowing out a couple teams in the first two matches they ran into a bakerfield team in the third match.  After splitting the first two games they played a barn burner of a deciding game.  Exchanging points back and forth this third game to 15 was eventually tied up at 17-17.  That is when Maddy Perez, who just two weeks ago was struggling just to get her overhand serves to the net calmly walked back to the service line and fired an ace to give her team a 1 up advantage.  Then she fired another overhand serve that Bakersfield managed to return, which is when Maddy made a key dig to keep the ball alive, so Allie Sliva could put the game/match winning spike away.  The 13s went 3-0 for first place in their pool.

The 14s only had one hiccup in their day when their coach decided to try some experimenting late in the day.  After winning their first two matches easily and taking the first game of their third match their coach (thats me by the way) decided to give in their demands and let several players play different positions on the court than the ones I think they should be playing.  A late rally made the score not quite as scary as it had been most of the game but they still lost.  So we went back to what has been working for us to easily win the third game and end day one with a 3-0 first place finish in our opening pool.

The 16s make a tactical error on day one.  They had a late start (3 PM) so they filled in their morning by going to the beach.  There is a lot of hard feelings over this day and the way they played and I’m not going to go into things here because my opinion is not very popular amoung the parents, coaches and players right now.  But they showed up for their tournament, tired, sunburned and did not play well.  It was a late night but ended with a lot of crying players, frustrated parents and coaches.  They finished 4th in their pool.

Day 2

The 13s team was again the number two seed in their pool and they handled their first two matches with their usual fire and determination.  But near the end of match two Brooke, one of their two setters banged a knee very hard into the floor.  She tried playing in the third match but struggled.  So without her on the court her team played a tough Tehachapi team to a close loss.  This put them into a three way tie in their pool at 2-1 which they lost the points tiebreaker to Tehachapi.  So our 13s move onto today as the number two seed in the Silver divison of the tournament.

The 14s were all business all day.  After easily beating a team from San Diego and some old friends from the High Desert Team from Victorville.  We moved onto match three against South Bay.  South Bay has been ranked just above out team all season in the SCVA rankings and we knew this was going to be a tough match.  The first game went back and forth exchanging points all the way to 20-20, then we squeaked out a two point advantage and rode it all the way to a win.  In the second game, we gave South Bay an early 5 point lead and then started exchanging points again.  Somewhere around 16-12 however our team finally decided that I had not been lying to them all day when I incessantly nagged that they were the better team.  At the same time South Bay got just a little panicky and starting hitting balls out of bounds.  My excited, and hard playing girls steamrolled the rest of that game to a 25-19 victory, their second first place finish of the week and the number one seeding the the gold medal bracket for today.

The 16s really redeamed themselves on day two.  They showed up for their pool rested, relaxed and having fun.  They squeeked out a close first match win in three over a team from New York.  Then they won an easy match against a young Tehachapi team and ended the day with a 3 game win over a team from NW Kern.  They finished first in their pool.  While the championships of the tournament are not available to them, they really rebounded well from Thursday and everyone was glad to see them playing well and having fun again.

We have had another change in schedule for June 9. We have swapped the 13s and 14s practice times for that night. The 13s will now practice from 6 to 8 PM at CastleX then the 14s will practice from 7:30 - 9:30 on the 9th.

Practice on June 11 - The 14s and 16s scrimmage will move to 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM this night at CastleX. The 13s will practice from 6PM - 7:30PM at CastleX.

Tuesday May 5
13s 5:15 - 7:15 PM Saint Ann Parish Hall
14s 6:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X
16s 7:30 - 9:00 PM Kerr McGee Center

Thursday May 7
13s 6:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X
14s 6:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X
16s 7:30 - 9:30 PM Castle-X

Sunday May 10
13s 3:00 - 5:00 PM Castle-X
14s 5:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X
16s 12:00 - 3:00 PM Castle-X

Tuesday May 12
13s 5:15 - 7:15 PM Saint Ann Parish Hall
14s 6:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X
16s 6:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X

Thursday May 14
13s 4:15 - 6:15 PM Saint Ann Parish Hall
14s 7:30 - 9:30 PM Castle-X
16s 6:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X

Sunday May 17
13s 3:00 - 5:00 PM Castle-X
14s 5:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X
16s 12:00 - 3:00 PM Castle-X

Monday May 18
14s 5:00 - 7:00 PM Kerr McGee Center

Tuesday May 19
13s 5:15 - 7:15 PM Saint Ann Parish Hall
16s 6:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X

Thursday May 21
13s 4:15 - 6:15 PM Saint Ann Parish Hall
14s 6:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X
16s 7:30 - 9:30 PM Castle-X

Sunday May 24
13s 3:00 - 5:00 PM Castle-X
14s 5:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X
16s 12:00 - 3:00 PM Castle-X

Tuesday May 26
13s 5:15 - 7:15 PM Saint Ann Parish Hall
16s 6:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X

Wednesday May 27
14s 5:00 - 7:00 PM Kerr McGee Center

Thursday May 28
13s 4:15 - 6:15 PM Saint Ann Parish Hall
14s 7:30 - 9:30 PM Castle-X
16s 6:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X

Sunday May 31
13s 3:00 - 5:00 PM Castle-X
14s 5:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X
16s 12:00 - 3:00 PM Castle-X

Tuesday June 2
13s TBD
14s 6:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X
16s 7:30 - 9:30 PM Castle-X

Thursday June 4
13s TBD
14s 6:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X
16s 7:30 - 9:30 PM Castle-X

Saturday June 6 - Sunday June 7 13s/14s Regionals

Sunday June 7
16s 12:00 - 3:00 PM Castle-X

Monday June 8
16s 5:00 - 7:00 PM Kerr McGee Center

Tuesday June 9
13s TBD
14s 6:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X
16s 5:00 - 7:00 PM Kerr McGee Center

Wednesday June 10
16s 5:00 - 7:00 PM Kerr McGee Center

Thursday June 11
13s TBD
14s 6:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X
16s 6:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X

Saturday June 13 - Sunday June 14 16s Regionals

Sunday June 14
13s 3:00 - 5:00 PM Castle-X
14s 5:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X

Tuesday June 16
13s TBD
14s 6:00 - 8:00 PM Castle-X
16s No Practice

Wednesday June 17 - Sunday June 21 NATIONALS

We met at the old Von’s parking lot at the usual time. As the team was hit by the injury bug, we wanted to make sure that we had six players. There was no room for injuries or absences, and the team was very thankful to have the services of Samantha Harrison. Cerritos College was a little better than the last venue in that at least we had a private court.

Match 1

True to form the team played like they had just arrived from a 2.5 hour drive. They woke up when they were behind 17-6 to Antelope Valley, but the team lost the game 14-25. There were 5 service errors and 4 aces against.

The second game started out much better. Brooke served 11 serves with no misses and 5 aces and Samantha contributed with 5 serves, no misses and 3 aces. The Starlings won 25-13.

The third game was, thankfully, not much of a contest. Allie lead servers with 7 serves, 3 aces. The newly awoken Starlings won 15-4.

Match 2

This match was against the “Green Volleyball Club”, who had just arrived from bracket 14. Green had an excellent Setter who was wreaking havoc all day. Coach Stokes directed the front row players to keep an eye on “Number 11”.

The Starlings caught the Green Volleyball Club off guard in the first game. Solid play all around by the Starlings, featuring a key kill by Michaela and kills by Brooke and Allie lead to a comfortable 25-14

The second game was back and forth all the way. Green Volleyball came out with particular intensity, and caught the Starlings cruising. The 7 total service errors and 4 aces against made the game too close for comfort and the lining of Coach Stenger-Smith’s stomach, but key kills by Jazmine (who was also jump serving for the first time) and Allie, along with a Serving by Brook and Samantha gave the Starlings a 25-23 victory.

The 2 Match victories guaranteed that the starlings would at worst remain in Division 13. Coach Stokes, however, wanted the girls to have another shot at Division 12. Although the Starlings lost all 3 Matches in Division 12, all but one game was lost by fewer than 3 points.

A complicating factor was that Antelope Valley had recovered from the loss to the Starlings and Green VBC and Temecula in a 2 and 3 games respectively, meaning that the Starlings pretty much had to win against Temecula to win the bracket.

Game 1 was very exciting and featured 3 aces and 2 kills by Brooke solid serving by Samantha, and some solid Defensive play by Michaela. Also very exciting was a diving save by Jazmine, allowing the Starlings to return the ball and eventually win the point. The 5 service errors gave Temecula too many chances, but the Starlings won 26-24.

Game 2 showed what wonderful chemistry these Starlings girls have. With the score 12 to 9 Starlings, Temecula was threatening with a hot server. After a key time out by Coach Stokes, Temecula committed a rare service error to give the serve back to the Starlings. A few plays later, Jazmine “Tough as Nails” Stenger-Smith, was fighting back tears from a very painful ankle injury. Coach Stokes called for a time out to give Jazmine a rest and to stress the importance of staying on the court (if Jazmine had left the Starlings would forfeit the Match). Some minor adjustments were made to cover for Jazmine’s limited mobility. It was then that Grace rose to the challenge and served 11 serves in a row for points, giving the Starlings a comfortable 21 to 12 lead. Temecula again threatened with a hot server, but the Starlings battled and won 25 to 18.

Service errors still continue to haunt the Starlings, as the other 3 teams rarely committed more than 3 service errors per match. And now The Starlings Return to Division 12 for Mandatory 5.

All three teams will practice on Thursday April 16th from 6 PM to 8:30 PM at Castle - X.  Plan on round robin scrimmages, etc.

On Saturday April 4, the Ridgecrest Starlings held a Family Volleyball in the Park picnic. We met at Solar PArk at 10:00 AM and spent the next three and a half hours playing volleyball, playing Red Rover, playing Norwegian Golf (ladder golf), eating and just having fun.

We didn’t have the entire club there. Only about half the players were able to make it, but those who did had fun, inspite of some sunburns, a scraped and bruised ankle and an assortment of small scraps and bumps.

13s

Sunday March 29 - 3:00PM - 5:00PM at Castle-X
Tuesday March 31- 5:15PM - 7:15PM at Saint Ann Parish Hall
Thursday April 2 - 4:15PM - 6:15PM at Saint Ann Parish Hall

Sunday April 5 - 3:00PM - 5:00PM at Castle-X
Tuesday April 7 - 5:15PM - 7:15PM at Saint Ann Parish Hall
Thursday April 9 - 4:15PM - 6:15PM at Saint Ann Parish Hall

Sunday April 12  -Easter Sunday - No Practice
Tuesday April 14 - No Practice
Thursday April 16  - 4:15PM - 6:15PM at Saint Ann Parish Hall

Sunday April 19 - 3:00PM - 5:00PM at Castle-X
Tuesday April 21 - Coach at Camp Keep - No Practice
Thursday April 23 - Coach at Camp Keep - No Practice

Sunday April 26 - 3:00PM - 5:00PM at Castle-X
Tuesday April 28 - 5:15PM - 7:15PM at Saint Ann Parish Hall
Thursday April 30 - 4:15PM - 6:15PM at Saint Ann Parish Hall

14s

Sunday March 29 - 5:00PM - 8:00PM at Castle-X
Tuesday March 31 - 7:30PM - 9:00PM at Kerr McGee Center
Thursday April 2 - 7:30PM - 9:30PM at Castle-X

Sunday April 5 - 5:00PM - 8:00PM at Castle-X
Tuesday April 7 - 6:00PM - 8:00PM at Castle-X
Thursday April 9 - 6:00PM - 8:00PM at Castle-X

Sunday April 12 - Easter Sunday - No Practice
Tuesday April 14 - 7:30PM - 9:00PM at Kerr McGee Center
Thursday April 16 - 7:30PM - 9:30PM at Castle-X

Sunday April 19 - 5:00PM - 8:00PM at Castle-X
Tuesday April 21 - 6:00PM - 8:00PM at Castle-X
Thursday April 23 - 6:00PM - 8:00PM at Castle-X

Sunday April 26 - 5:00PM - 8:00PM at Castle-X
Tuesday April 28 - 7:30PM - 9:00PM at Kerr McGee Center
Thursday April 30 - 7:30PM - 9:30PM at Castle-X

16s

Sunday March 29 - 12:00PM - 3:00PM at Castle-X
Tuesday March 31 - 6:00PM - 8:00PM at Castle-X
Thursday April 2 - 6:00PM - 8:00PM at Castle-X

Sunday April 5 - 12:00PM - 3:00PM at Castle-X
Tuesday April 7 - 7:30PM - 9:00PM at Kerr McGee Center
Thursday April 9 - 7:30PM - 9:30PM at Castle-X

Sunday April 12 - Easter Sunday - No Practice
Tuesday April 14 - 6:00PM - 8:00PM at Castle-X
Thursday April 16 - 6:00PM - 8:00PM at Castle-X

Sunday April 19 - Mandatory 3 - No Practice
Tuesday April 21 - 7:30PM - 9:00PM at Kerr McGee Center
Thursday April 23 - 7:30PM - 9:30PM at Castle-X

Sunday April 26 - 12:00PM - 3:00PM at Castle-X
Tuesday April 28 - 6:00PM - 8:00PM at Castle-X
Thursday April 30 - 6:00PM - 8:00PM at Castle-X