Big Pink Captain Joe Kamman was back in action with his squad at Tubman on Thursday nights. We've missed BP during Winter Midcore Session and were glad to see they haven't missed a step, especially with Joe at the helm. He was a tremendous asset at net with several key kills during the second and third sets vs. League Night. Joe knows his volleyball and brings out the best in his teammates by calling out encouragement and position placement at just the right times. Looks like Joe's been working on his service and it's paid off with fantastic placement and velocity. Welcome back Joe and Big Pink - looking forward to great matches ahead this season!
Good things come in small, powerful packages and that aptly describes Hanna Lee's performance on Thursday night in the Tubman Midcore League. Hannah may be small in stature, but her 1-2 knockout punch with her service is certainly a BIG asset. With a very solid Indy Team #15 behind her, Hannah mowed through point after point vs. All About That Ace in rapid succession. She made EVERY SINGLE SERVE without hitting the net with a 1.000 percentage. But wait, there's more....impossible saves in Sets 1 and 2 and creative assisting throughout the match also contributed to this award for Hannah and thus she is our overwhelming choice for POTW this week!
Who needs a full squad when Amy Johnson is on the court??? Not High on Spikes, as realized on Thursday night Midcore league at Tubman. Competing with only four players, High on Spikes covered every inch of the court in commanding fashion with Amy leading the charge. Time after time, her powerful kills and service pushed the squad to points won. Incredibly and with only four players, HOS fought to 25-23 in two games for losses vs. League Night and was victorious in the second set, 25-20. Amy's determination, athleticism and leadership were an inspiration to her teammates who came together with precision in each game. Hats off to you Amazing Amy!
Mike Bartko of Sets on the Beach receives not only the USL Player of the Week award but should also be named Iron Man for his show of tenacity in the face of injury. Midway through set 2 vs Indy Team #15, Mike went up for the block and came down hard on his ankle, rolling it in spectacular fashion. A gasp went out from his teammates and Yours Truly, as the ankle roll appeared pretty serious. After a timeout and a jump or two to test the ankle, Mike gritted his teeth and resumed his spot at net and continued on with adrenaline force, blocking shots, mixing it up with fantastic assists and swings and body sacrificing saves that belied the bum ankle. So for your sheer will to see the match through to the bitter end and selflessly being there for your teammates, USL proudly appoints Mike Bartko POTW. We see you bring it week in and week out, but this week was particularly a standout, Mike!
There's something sneaky about Anna Kurnizki of League Night.....it's the way she sizes up how the defense is set before she serves. She takes careful survey of the opposition then delivers the underhand service to exactly the spot she wants with soft-as-a-feather landings near the net on the other side. It's definitely the calm before the storm - she attacks her kills with fury after the quiet with which she delivers her service. Anna led her squad to two victories in the match vs. Indy Team #15 with her successful game plan. Can't wait to see what Anna's bag of tricks holds next week - congrats on being this week's Thursday Tubman POTW!!
Big Pink's George Von Slomski always arrives early to get his game face on....stretching, serving, volleying in careful preparation for the match. His pre-game ritual really set the tone on Thursday night because George had a monster of a game vs. Indy Team #15. With flawless service (with an ace or two thrown in) nor very little escaping his reach, George made some unbelievable saves that made us want to see the replay if we had the option. His especially powerful net play made for a dominant performance and ultimate three set win for Big Pink. George's good-natured attitude and smile are deceiving attributes once you become the opponent, as he plays with a force and determination that belies his affable personality!
Sports shouldn't always be about the MVP, but rather the MIP - Most Improved Player. As the Thursday Tubman Spring Midcore season spikes to a close, it becomes apparent which players have brought their skills to a consistently higher level and the player that exemplifies that achievement best is Mike Ingraham of All About That Ace. You can best see it in his eyes - the killer instinct, the desire to have the ball and control of the floor. The body sacrificing, the consistent service that wasn't always there before, the drive that takes an athlete to realize their goals. You can see the improvement in Mike's game week after week. He was awarded POTG a couple weeks ago and now has garnered POTW as proved in a quarterfinal playoff match vs. League Night. Although AATA came sooooo close to winning the match by losing two games by two points, they were buoyed by witnessing Mike's transformation as a player and teammate. Congratulations to AATA for a great season and to Mike Ingraham for showing your leadership skills and tenacity to bring your best every week and making that best better throughout the season. Most Improved Player!!!
Sets on the Beach have played together for many a season. Their camaraderie and teamwork paid off this spring season at Tubman with a spot in the semifinal matchup vs. League Night. And leading the squad in a huge way was Cody Newton, USL's POTW for Championship Thursday. Cody had a fantastic first semifinal match making some unbelievable plays to power the Sets to a complete sweep in three games. His service was steady and net play was astounding, setting and tipping his way to victory. There was still plenty of power left in his tank in the championship match vs. Big Pink. Cody continued his assault at the net and while Sets ultimately came up short in the first two games (losing a close one 26-24), he led his squad to a nice victory in the third game. Congrats to Cody on a fantastic night of sportsmanship and athleticism and for achieving the end of the season POTW!
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