Nail Bitter at Home

Last weekend Team Finestrat faced off against Valeriano Alles Menorca Volei, the number 3 team in the league. We were defeated 2-3 (25-20; 11-25; 25-20; 17-25; 14-16). But know that we did not go out without a fight. It was a nail bitter until the very end. One of the closest matches I have been in this season. Both teams have been suffering from illness and injury coming into this match. I have been sick since we played Traysesa the week before; with some sort of viral infection in my throat. I had been good for a couple of days and then a little sick the next two. Just not getting over it.

Like I mentioned before, everytime we play Menorca its always an emotional match. Some of their players played in Finestrat last season, and also Lindsay from our squad played in Menorca last season. So it seems like blood is always shed and feelings are hurt. But its always good afterwards. Well for some of us. We all know how much I like to hold a grudge. Anyways, I was somewhat not positive about this match for some reason. Oh wait I do know: We go crushed the first time and I also couldnt serve a ball into play. The way we have been training lately, it didnt seem like we were preparing to battle this team. So I will admit I didnt see it going as well as it did.

We took the first game in a pretty good fashion. I never really could get going at any point this night, but I needed to do enough so that my team could stay in the match. When the middle cannot connect with their setter, its a true travesty. Really! The second match we started off slow. Which is usually the case with us, especially when we win the first set. We come out with no sense of urgency, like we dont want to win a match in three sets and we would rather stretch it out as much as possible. After taking the third set and being up 2-1, I was like ok lets take this one and end this match now! Nope ofcourse not! Behind players like Janine Sandell, Milagros Moy and middle Daniela Patino, Menorca was able to push a decisive game 5.

Both teams battled tooth and nail for this game. At times it wasnt pretty and sometimes it paid to be in the right spot at the right time. Ofcourse we setting a ball out of bounds on the change over point was not helpful for us. In the end their outside hitter took over and won the game. Final score 14-16. There were a lot of dirty looks, stare downs, inappropriate yells to the face, accusations and people getting hit in their face with balls. In the end we shook hands and chatted after the match. Good competition. My team and club was very please that we were able to steal a point from the #3 team, but I was disappointed. We clearly had an opportunity to take the match in 4 and get 3 points. I was always a fan of the quote, "Never settle for less then your best."

Leading all players was Janine Sandell with 21 points +15 on 18 kills. Dani DaSilva led Finestrat with 18 points +2 on 16 kills. On another note... thanks statistician for once again stiffing our team on blocks.

"Excellence is not a skill. Its an attitude." - Ralph Marston

Next game is away versus the #2 Universidad de Burgos. Vamos Finestrat!

Carnival 2010

Team Finestrat travelled to the island of Tenerife to play a match last week. We won that match. Yay! We also were able to participate in Carnival, a huge party in the street with thousands of people. That is how I would describe it. When I think of Carnival I always imagine Brazil or Trinidad. I think of elaborate costumes, half-dressed woman with tons of makeup, and non-stop partying. In the summer of 2007 I had the opportunity to travel to Toronto and go to Caribana; their version of Carnival. But what is Carnival exactly. I decided to do some research.


Carnival is a festival or festive season that happens all over world in the month of Febuary right before Lent. During the celebration, there is a parade in which people dress up in costume mascarade style. Although Brazil might be the most famous, Carnival is also held all over the world. These places include Italy in which its called Carnevale of Venice and Carnevale of Viareggio; the Rhineland Carnivals take place in Dusseldorf, Cologne and Mainz, Gernamy. In South America you can find the Carnaval and the Llamadas in Montevideo, Uruguay; as well as Barranquilla, Colombia. In the United States our equilvalent to Carnival would be Mardi Gras, that takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana.

My team was fortunate enough to participate in the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It is said to be the second most popular carnival behind Brazil.
The Mask & Dracula

It is not clear when the first Carnival of Santa Cruz was held, people assume that it can be dated all the way back to the islands first settlers. In Tenerife, it is divided up into two parts. One is the Official Carnival with includes hundreds of different groups participation with music and stuff. The other is Carnival in the Street in which people basically dress up and party all night long. Carnival is kicked off by a parade and numerous other official events. One in which includes the crowning of a Queen at the Gala of the Queen. Each year in Santa Cruz there is a theme of the Carnival. This year's was "Tenerife, the story of carnival", but I think I would have loved last years, "The Anti- Christ Carnival" I bet there were some awesome costumes for that. To an outsider, one might think it is just a big party where people get drunk in the street. But to the locals it is a very important tradition as it does coincide with Lent.


It was quite the experience and I am really happy I got a chance to participate. My team had some pretty cool costumes as well. But the best was probably Maria's. She dressed up as Danny Zuko from Grease. Along with her was Colo, who dressed up as his Sandy Olsson. Even our coaches joined the fun. I cannot describe their costumes. All I know is that their makeup was great. Its weird going "out" with you coaches, btu it was all in fun. We are all adults. It was also brought to my attention that men like to dress as woman a lot at these type of events. I dont know why, but I think its kind of funny. A man just wants to know what it feels like to be a woman I guess, and here is his excuse to do so.

Calendario Cochino 2010

Back in December Team Finestrat traveled to Monforte de Lemos, Spain to play in our last match of the first half. It is a city found in a region called Ribeira Sacra, which means "sacred shore." I remember three things about this trip. First, it was freezing. I felt like I was back home in Indiana. Two, we got smashed by a team I felt should not have beaten us and it so not by as much as they did. Three, there were these pigs in the middle of the city that were decorated and painted. I still do not know the meaning or this towns particular obession with this messy animal, but it was very interesting. While we walked around this town, Flavia decided we should all have a photoshoot with these pigs. It was very well done and I wanted to share it with you guys. Not all of the team is included but we did try and picture with our favorite pigs in the town. Indiviually we are matched with the month of our birth. Enjoy! Thanks Flavia!


Maria Revilla, January 28th

Rebe Fernandez, Feburary ?

Lauren Ford, April 5th

Daniella DaSilva, May 10th

Natali Flaviani, October 8th

Ana "Colo" Martinez, November 25th

Back In Playoff Contention

This past Saturday, Team Finestrat traveled once again to the Spanish island to battle it out in the Spanish Supaliga. This time we found ourselves on the beautiful island of Tenerife facing off against Traysesa Santa Cruz. I am thrilled to say we came away victorious over Traysesa 3-1 (25-11, 21-25, 25-23, 25-17). With this win we bounced back up to fifth place in the standings, and in good playoff position. This match was also the first for our new player Naomi Washington, and she sure made a mark with 15 +14 on 11 kills and 3 blocks. Leading all Team Finestrat was Dani DaSilva once again with 22 +16 on 17 kills and 3 blocks.

This teams roster had changed a bit since last time. For one, my friend Laurel Abrahamson, a middle from Minnesota, is back home rehabing a torn acl. (I wish her the best of luck). Team Traysesa also added outside hitter Luren Baylon from Peru. She is a good outside hitter, who is able to use hands really well. Lets not forget, she is a pretty big block out there. She stuffed me twice. OUCH! For the record this was not a good attacking game for me at all, but we all have our days. I just hope to keep them at a minimum. Baylon led all scorers with 25+17 on 21 kills. We cannot forget their big gun, Magaly Carvajal. Remember, she almost signed here in Finestrat, but opted against it because of the gym floor. Magaly scored 25 +16 on 22 kills. One thing I realized about Magaly is that she sees the court really well. Its not all about power with her. People say she is slow and big, but she can score and block. Pretty well-rounded player if you ask me.

Also congrats to Dani DaSilva on making the Ideal Seven team this week. Keep it up!

This next week we are back home in Benidorm vs. Menorca. A team that basically crushed us the first time. Remember the match where our Brasileras were shut out and I couldnt serve a ball in play to save me life. Focus will be the key this week because as of right now I am battling a nasty infection in my throat that has moved to my sinus cavity. Goody! All that does not matter because when it is game time, its time to go. A sore throat has no connection with my legs and my arm.

"You don't drown by falling into water. You drown by staying there." - Zig Ziglar

Run Comes to an End

After a miraculous start to the second half of the season, Finestrat's game winning streak was halted by Figaro Peluqueros Air Europa Tenerife 0-3 (23-25, 23-25, 22-25). Really not much to say about this match, except we could never get on top. Even though Tenerife is the second to last team in the league, they did present with quite the arsenal. I was matched up against former Florida Gator Sherri Williams in the middle, who is a pretty athletic middle and a very good blocker. She lead with 4 blocks this game. I was one short of matching that with 3. Bad blocking night for me. Leading all attackers Chie Yoshizawa with 16 +9. Katia Rodriguez was our leading scorer with 13 + 7.

This loss dropped Team Finestrat back down to 9 place, but with plenty of room to improve and make a move. We are still very much in the playoff race. On a more sad note, Natali "Flavia" Flaviani went down with an injury this game and we are unaware of her status for next game. But she is rehabbing and we hope to have her join our team on the court again soon.

Next game we travel back to the Canary Islands to take on Traysesa Santa Cruz. Its also the weekend of Carnival in Spain; so I will make sure to take photos.

Daniella Da Silva, MVP de la jornada

This week Dani Da Silva was named MVP of the Spanish Supaliga. Last match Dani had an incredible match vs. GC Cantur. She was huge in the win and made key points at very crucial times of the match. On the night, Dani put down 31 kills on 64 attacks with just 3 errors. That was good enough for a kill percentage of 48%. To go along with her kills, she also served up 5 aces. She was also ranked 4th in reception at 77%; which meant she was pretty difficult to ace. Being a middle it is great to have good reception, or passing of the ball to target after a serve. It also makes it hard for the other team to defend because good reception opens up many offensive options... So thanks Dani and congrats. Do it again this Saturday.

El Siete Ideal de la Jornada

This past week we also got a new addition to our team. Meet Naomi Washington. She is a 6'4 middle/opposite from New Orleans, Louisiana. After very distinguished career at Long Beach State, she earned All-American honors. She will be a very strong addition to our team. Welcome Nay Nay!

By the way she is a New Orleans Saints fan. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Go Colts!