Team Finestrat Models!?!

March 19, 2010- Team Finestrat took part in a semi photo shoot. I want to tell you it was elaborate with hair & makeup, wardrobe, lighting and all the fixings. No it wasn't. But I can dream right? Actually it was a a photoshoot for one of our sponsors, Albir Playa Hotel & Spa. Yes the circle on the right buttcheck of our spandex.

The Albir Hotel and Spa is a 4 four (de cuatro estrellas) hotel located in between Altea and Benidorm in a town called Costa Blanca. It is just about 20 minutes from where I live in Finestrat. In between shots we got a tour of the facilities and let me just say it was pretty awesome. It has a very nice pool in the back and a dining hall that hosts different entertainment. I also hear the buffet is to die for. The hotel also provides a spa service called Sensae Spa Experience. It is a very sensual, deep-breathing and relaxed atmosphere with waterfalls in a feng shui type environment.

I sure wish my club would treat us to a day spa. But again, one can only dream. Check out the

Albir Playa Hotel & Spa here -> http://www.albirplayahotel.com/

The Beginning of the End

March 13, 2010- Team Finestrat traveled back to the island of Tenerife to take on the #1 team in the Spanish Superliga, Jamper Aguere. Last time we played them, it ended in four, in a somewhat lop-sided victory for Aguere. At this point we are in 8th place, just holding on to a play-off spot. After not picking up any points last week, it was very important that we play hard this game and really force games. I figured this game could go two very different ways: First, we could go out and bust ours and take the #1 team to 5 games and pick up a point; or Two, we could go out and play flat and accept our position in this league. Unfortunately, it ended up being the latter. We were defeated 0-3 (22-25; 18-25; 16-25).


Aguere gave us jars of Miel or Honey before the game

Coming into this game we were already a bit injured and beaten-up. We had to play without Katia Rodrigues, one of our outside hitters and a very important piece of the team. Not to mention Flavia will have to return on a weakened ankle and in a new spot, opposite. Our coach moved Lindsay to the O2 position, inserting Flavia at Opposite because her ankle was not stable enough for lateral movement. But even with these disadvantages, we are still have players that can put the ball down. Also Aguere was without one of their big hitters; the opposite Yasmina Hernández. So those two things were big game changers.


As game 1 started we were this no non-sense, play hard, in your face team. We started off suprisingly well. I almost didnt recognize us, but it didnt matter. We just needed to keep up the lead and hard work. At one point at looked at the score and it was 16-9. Yeap, versus the #1 team in the league. But as our story usually goes we couldnt handle the pressure. With a few unforced errors and ball control issues and defense, Aguere was able to climb back into the game and defeat us. With much help from their big middle Roberta Pereira. Defeated and deflated, we marched slowly to the other side. There was pretty much nothing from there on out. Nothing new for our team. Games 2 & 3 went on the same and we were sent home with an L. We simply folded and that was the match. Passing was gone and then went the offense. We got pretty good touches on the block but no one behind it could come up with the play.

We ofcourse had some people playing out of position, and to give us credit we did the best we could with what we had. It just sucks to be up on a team and know you can beat this team if everyone was on the same page and had as much fight as others. But that is simply how it goes sometimes. Not to mention we had not really prepared for this line- up that much in the week. We all know preparation is the key. Plan the work and work the plan. It didnt seem like we had much of a plan this match.

In the end my team celebrated because we found out that Team C.P Cantur had lost and officially we could not be kicked out the league. Yes, that is a good thing. BUt wouldnt you rather earn that then depend on someone else losing to get it. It just seems a little backwards. Dont get me wrong, I love that this team gets to stay in the league, but I feel like it was by default. We got lucky. This team was very capable of being much higher in the rankings and we should not even have to think about being dropped to the second league. So I am a bit conflicted there.

Next week will be the defining week. This season will all come down to one match. Heres the situation. Team Finestrat is in 8th place with 27 points. We play the 9th place team Xacobeo Ribiera, who has 25 points. If we beat Xacobeo we will solidify our position in the playoff race. Actually all we have to do is lose in 5 games, which would put us up 28 to their 27. Its gonna be a thriller. Who wants it more?

"When you take challenges upon yourself, you're in a much better position than you'd be had those challenges forced themselves upon you." -Ralph Marston

*This blog comes about 2 weeks late and for that I apologize. I have had many things on my mind and could not get a clear mind with a somewhat positive point of view.

One Step Forward.. Two Huge Steps Back

Saturday- Team Finestrat had a great opportunity to distance ourselves in this race for a spot in the playoffs. Unfortunately we did not take advantage. We were defeated by C.V. Playa de las Canteras 0-3 (21-25; 26-28; 18-25). A match that seemed pretty evenly matched on paper, ended with Team Finestrat being terribly defeated and outplayed on our "home" court. I say "home" because we do not have a home court. We dont play where we practice. And I can sit here and spit out all these excuses about why we are not prepared. Some of which I really believe matter and others are just frustratation. But the point is when we lose, its simply because we did not play. We didnt show up. There were some games this season that I truly believe we should have won. And then there are games where we flat out got beat fair and square. The opposing team came in, outplayed, and out-strategized. And that is what it is. Nothing more, nothing less.


First, lets get the excuses out: Three out of the six starters are still plagued with this viral throat infection; three players are have intensely strained I T bands and hamstrings (mine is to the point where it hurts to walk or bend my leg); we dont actually practice volleyball stuff that pertains to an actual game; we dont scout or watch video of the opposing team until five minutes before we warm up; our head coach was out sick the whole week (thanks to me I guess). So on and so forth. We could recite these things every week like clock work, but at the end of the day, they shouldnt matter. When that whistle blows its pedal to the medal volleyball. The adrenaline kicks in, and you feel nothing but the game, the kill you just got or the block that reached the floor before you hit the floor. None of this happened yesterday.

I am a not a practice player. Im a gamer. Yes, I know that is bad because there is the saying that you practice how you play. But not me. Usually in a game I am ready to go no matter what hurts. But this match, the lingering pain in my leg stayed with me the whole game. It was like I was having surgery with no anesthesia. I could feel every jump and land, every dive and every swing. Im not gonna lie, I was not ready for this competition. It sucked. But had to do the best I could. We came out really flat. Every weak aspect of our game was exploited. Our passing broke down, their hitters were getting balls through, and we were getting blocked off the court. They outblocked us 13-4. Mentally we were not making good decisions on the court as well. For example forcing the outsides to hit through a double block, because the other team's middles were releasing. We got lazy and started to do things the easy way instead of the right way. I might add that Katia did a terrific job in the first set of finding the court. So kudos to her.

Game two started off differently with us unprecedently on top for once. With the work of Naomi and Lindsay, we got off to a 5-0 start and quickly opened up a pretty nice lead. But Canteras never left and hung on to the very end. We could not defend their middles behind or their opposite at all. I honestly do not believe we dug one ball from zone 2 in that set. With many unforced errors on our part, they stole the second set 28-26. It was a heart-stabbing blow to our egos and confidence. The third set went pretty much the same as the first. Canteras took the lead and never really relinquished it. Blown opportunities and undiscipline play resulted in Team Finestrat being defeated 3-0. Might I add that I feel we just didnt match up well with this team. Offensively their setter spreads the offense around. She will go back to a hot player, but she will not forget her other hitters. That is because it obviously takes more than one person to win a game. Especially a game like volleyball, where one outcomes depends upon another. Honestly its hard to defend a team when you have to look out for everyone instead of just one person.

With that said.. You win as a team and you die as a team. I wish other people would realize that. Not one person can win a game nor can one person lose a game. This was a collective team effort for Team Finestrat. Even though I wish I could have contributed more, opportunities were not there and at the end of the day the only name on the jersey that matters is the one on the front. Team Finestrat will have to regroup, put this behind us and focus on next weeks match. Can't cry over spilled milk.

Leading all scorers was Vera Willis from Canteras with 18+ 12 on 17 kills and Dani DaSilva from Finestrat with 15+ 5 on 13 kills. By the way Vera is an old friend from Costa Rica. It was good seeing her here in Spain. :)

We will travel next Saturday to face off against Jamper Aguere, the #1. We are still very much in the playoff hunt and a win or points here would be critical to us maintaining our position. Vamos Finestrat.

"Turn "I can't" into "I can" and pretty soon it'll be "I did" - The Daily Love

Team Finestrat Stacks the Stats

The stats from last weeks match saw members of Team Finestrat represented in the top stats of the week. Daniela Da Silva and Katia Rodrigues both made the Ideal 7 of the week. This list is basically the top seven players in the league who really shined in their prospective positions for that weeks matches. Both Dani and Katia have been represented here before. So congrats. The Brasilenas were also atop the stats in reception this week. Katia was first having 90% of 29 receptions. While Dani was third with 83% of 29 receptions. To finish it off, I was ranked third this past week in blocking with 4. Really nice job Team Finestrat. Lets keep it up!

#2 Goes Down

Last Saturday night Team Finestrat travelled 8 hours north to face off against the #2 Universidad de Burgos. (Longest trip ever BTW). It was another barn burning, nail bitter as well. A five set thriller, and it ended with my team on top. We jumped around in a circle hugging each other with smiles on our faces. Our coaches high-fived. The few fans that we had in the crowd stood in jubilation, giving us a standing ovation, as well as the away crowd. Everyone was exhausted. Well at least I was. I was tired in the third set. Probably due to me still being sick. But it didnt matter cuz we had just come from behind and beat the #2 team in the league. What a feeling!

Off the bat, let me say that three of their key players were not playing. MIght that have made a difference? Yes and no, but we'll never know for sure because they were not playing. My opinion is that if they truly wanted to make sure they received 3 points from this match, those players would have played regardless. I mean I have played with torn tendons, and strained thumbs. Even this match both of our middles were sick with viral infections in our throats. So excuses are excuses. I also might add that they had nothing to lose by not playing because with an win or loss in this situation, they still would have been in 2nd place.

We started off the first set, horribly. Our passing was mediocre, and we had many unforced errors. I would say they were forced by ourselves. We definitely were not putting ourselves in great position to score. When the score was 16-9, our coach decided it was time for a setting change. Opting for a new look he went to the 6'1 Maria Revilla. I love Maria, because she brings so much excitement and energy to the court. Even in practice in a simple drill, she will get just as excited as she would in a real match. It is really uplifting. And playing in front of her father and two brothers must have been really nice and I was happy for her. After the change, we immediately started to come up. Actually we almost stole the first set but ended up losing 21-25. The next game we continued on the same momentum as we finished. Our defense came alive in blocking as well as on the floor and we were able to take game 2.

Game three started like all the others. We were behind ofcourse. Coach made the setter switch again for more defense. In the middle of the set, on of their key players, Regina Miloserdova, went out the match with a knee injury. This should have been an advantage for us and me since, I was matched up against the replacement middle. I felt there was just really poor decision making on our part in the offense, along with unforced errors again. We lost the third set 19-25. A set that we clearly had an advantage in. The fourth set was not much different. We started off frustrated, slow and sluggish. Our coach was yelling at us because he was mad; which is what he is supposed to do and we deserved it. But constantly telling me that we are losing to weaker players does not help me do what I need to do. I dont care who is on the other side of the net. It doesn't matter whether its the Spainish national team or a juvenile team in the 7th grade. If they are beating us, they are beating us. Period. "Play the Ball, not the man."

At one point we had all but given up. Or at least it felt like it. But I wasnt having that, and neither was my team. Sometimes all it takes is a spark. Upon entering the game late in the 4th set. I decided to forget about attacking and forget about the sets I was given. I cannot control that. But I can control my blocking and thats what we needed. After a long rally with a huge block at the end, we were finally back and gained a bit of confidence. This was followed but a couple more big blocks and huge kills from Lindsay and Dani and we were back tied up. Putting the pressure back on them to finish the match caused them some frustration and forced errors. We stole game 4, 25-22.

Yes! "So at least we will get 1 point," is probably what many of us were thinking. But not me. If we are going to battle in game five after all this trouble, and being sick the whole week and the drama; I wanted 2 points, not 1. "No quiere un punto, yo quiero 2 puntos, YA!" is what I told my team. I am sick of settling. We had come this far, why not win the whole thing. Plus we played in a 5 set match last weekend and I wasn't having it again. In game five we came out on top. Momentum was definitely on our side and the pressure was all on them to win this game. After the change over point we were on top but it was still too close to call. We had some unforced errors and missed serves but could not get unfocused at this point, especially when they tied it back up. But in the end we were too determined and went on a run. GAMEOVER 15-12. What a super emotionally charged, exhausting match. I was so tired and just collasped on the floor after shaking hands. The crowd who by the way, was talking so much smack, applauded all our efforts. It felt good. DOS Puntos! More importantly we remain in 7th place and in playoff contention. Leading all scorers was Sara Gonzalez with 21 +16 on 18 kills followed by Fraga Dos Santos Sor with 21+8 on 19 kills. Leading Finestrat once again was Dani DaSilva with 19+ 7 on 13 kills.

My body definitely will feel this all next week. But that is what athletes do. We train, play hard, and sometimes we lose. Sometimes we win! And we have to get up the next week and do it all over again. This life is great. If you are a competitive athlete at heart, you might complain but at the end of the day you do it because its inside of you. You love it!

"Fear failure? No! We fear being our best. For if we give our best and it is not good enough, then whats left for us?.... The satisfaction of knowing that you gave something your very best."
- author unknown

Next match is home in Nucia vs. C.V. Playa de las Canteras. Another TV match! Vamos Finestrat!

In other news... Happy Birthday Rebe! Feliz Cumpleanos!