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.
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