Pool Play Results: 

1. Smith Lake 14 - 1: 26-24, 15-25, 8-15
2. Capital City 15 Blue: 19-25, 25-21. 13-15
3. Prolink 15-2: 25-12, 25-5

Playoffs: 

1. Rocket City 15-3: 25-15, 25-15
2. North Alabama Christian Association 15 - 1: 13-25, 20-25

Finished Tied for 5th

Ladies, I am proud of how we ran the middle this weekend.  Everyone was involved in making this happen ~ it all starts with a pass! 

Volleyball is a game of technical skill and tactics, but also of momentum, heart, and the ability to adjust to the many different situations you come up against.  No two rallies will ever be the same.

Past coaches I have had said that volleyball is 85% mental and 15% skill.  Back then I wasn't sure if I believed them, but now I completely agree.  Why did I play so good at times and then make so many mistakes at others?  My skill set didn't decrease nor did my understanding of my position, I just didn't execute like I normally did. This was very frustrating to me as a player.  I would get mad, and then determine not to make any more mistakes.  You ARE NOT going to ace me again, you ARE NOT going to block me again, etc. and almost magically the cloud would lift and I was playing my normal game again.  It became a very personal, prideful attitude for me.  You are not going to do this to me.  It was all in my head. 

Each girl needs to understand the mental side of the game.  Thought processes need to be taught ~ how should I think on the volleyball court? 

Players have fractions of seconds to read the ball in flight and get to the right spot to set themselves to play the ball.  All of this happens so fast that is seems like you are just reacting and no actually thought process happens.  Players have to learn to read the ball and make many adjustments on the court. They are also saying things to themselves ~ positive and negative things about their play.  With all of this swimming inside the head of a 15 and under team, it is amazing that they can function, let alone play this complicated game.

Here are some important questions that need to be answered. 

1. What is expected of me?  If you are a outside hitter, you need to pass consistently and get kills for your team, middle hitter ~ block and get kills, setters feed the hitters, right sides ~ block the outside hitter and get kills, defense ~ nothing hits our floor.
2. How can I get better at what is expected of me?
3. How can I support and motivate my teammates?
4. When I make a mistake, how can I correct it?
5. If I get in a rut, how do I get myself out of it?
6. When I am on a roll, how do I stay there?
7. Why am I playing competitive volleyball?
8. What level of play do I want to reach?
9. What is motivates me to play hard all the time?  What does my coach need to know to help me with this?
10. What do I think about between the whistles on the court?

Players, please answer the above 10 questions truthfully, completely and be very specific.  Notice that these questions are all about you.  You have to know what makes you tick so you can become the best you can be.  You may have never thought about these questions before, so please take your time and think before you write.  They are due on Sunday 2/21.  Practice is at McClesky from 5 - 7 PM. 

If you have any questions, please let me know.

~ Coach Jenn

 Results from the North Atlanta Tournament

Prolink 15-1 -  23-35, 25-27

Tempo One 15-2 -  25-18 , 23-25

Atlanta Boom 15-1 - 15-25, 14-25

Tsunami South 14-2-   25-11, 18-25

Silver Brackett

Georgia Juniors 15-1 -   23-25, 25-17, 11-15

We worked hard and made a lot of improvements from our first tournament! Remember your individual and team goals for our next tournament!  Keep up the hard work ladies and let's go into our Gulf Shores Tournament ready to play hard and win!!

Go Cougars!!

Coach Crystal

While watching you play at the North Atlanta Tournament and our last practice on 2/3, I have seen many breakthroughs.  These breakthroughs are going to show up dramatically in the win column!

1. Naomi, you have been working hard to keep your left shoulder up while serving and hitting.  I can definitely tell the difference!
2. Claire and Stacey, you both had some big powerful hits at practice.  I can't wait to see you both use those hits against our opponents!
3. JoAnna and Ashley, AKA "The WALL," both of you have been putting up big blocks!  Not only is that amazing in matches, but it makes our hitters even better! 
4. Megan and Nicola, our "Dynamic Duo!" You both make it hard for hitters to get kills, which by the way, makes our hitters better and keeps the other team from scoring points!
5. Emily, our strong leader.  You have been working hard to improve your sets and run the middle.  Even in the midst of constant feedback, you stay positive and make the corrections!
6. Madison, your determination and resilience is amazing.  No matter what the situation is, you are always striving to improve. 

 I also want to say that I appreciate your flexibility and willingness to play whatever position I need you to play for the team.  I know everyone has "their position" they would rather play, but in your eyes, the team comes first and you are willing to contribute in any way the team needs you to contribute.  Thank you!

Coach Jenn