October 23, 2010- Team Sm'Aesch had double duty this weekend and a double dosage of victory was received.This is all thanks to the collective effort, strength and energy of the entire team. Everyone contributed. The girls from Aesch defeated Kanti Schaffhasen 3:1 and VBC Cheseaux 3:0 to pick up 2 huge points. Now Sm'Aesch now stands in 5th place in Swiss Volley National League A with 8 points, but ever climbing.
Our first challenge came on Saturday with the visiting Schaffhausen, a very talented team overall. They are led by opposite hitter and my friend and former teammate Grit Lehmann. I joined her team Vfb Suhl (Germany) halfway through the season back in 2007- 2008. Also on the team is American middle and my newest friend Ellen Orchard.Undefeated before entering our gym here in Aesch, we knew we had to come to play. We started off the game how we usually do. A little flat. A little unconcerned. No sense of urgency. Okay well maybe not that, but we were back on our heels waiting for them to make the mistake. After dropping the first set, our spirits were low walking to the other side. We knew we couldnt continue to play at this pace and level if we wanted to come out on top. The set ended up being very close at the end, and it was evident that if we had not made so many unforced errors, we could have won that set out right.
At the beginning of set two we also started slow. I guess that is our mantra. We dig ourselves a nice hole and then try and climb out of it. Hey thats cool if the end result is a victory but I'd rather just play on top from the jump. Thats just me. But when you are climbing a high mountain or hill what do you always tell yourself? "Don't look down." Good thing we didn't. After building up a 7 or 8 point defecit, Team Sm'Aesch was able to even the score late in the set. After 20, its pretty much the home stretch. As both teams inched closer to game point each side held their breathe. I know I was. but you know what? Thats exactly why I play; for those intense 25-24 moments. I want the ball. I wanna serve game point. I wanna get that monster block. I want a Micheal Jordan moment. When everyone else also feels like that at the same exact moment, its pretty special. As the ball hit the floor on their side, we knew we had just committed a crime. We stole that set 28-26.
Coming outta the locker room even at 1 game a piece, a little pressure was off our chest. I know the court on that side seemed a lot bigger now. And somehow my offense opened up more. Things were starting to click all around and yes, we still started slow again and behind. but it was different. We had a different energy. The other side was starting to deconstruct, but they still hung in there. Team Sm'Aesch claimed set 3, again with a 2 point victory or 25-23. Going into the 4th set up 2-1, there ws nothing to it but to do it. Win ofcourse. For the first time this match we jumped out to a big lead. Blocking was tight. Offense was spread amongst the whole team. Defense was secure. It felt good, and every time we seemed like we were unraveling, I yelled louder. I was not playing a 5th set. Not with the back spasms I was having that night. In the end we came through with the win 25-20. Everyone rushed out on the floor and hey our home crowd was thrilled giving both teams a standing ovation. Jana Kurikova was awarded MVP for the third time this season along with Grit Lehmann. Congrats. It was a great night
The next day, Team Sm'Aesch traveled to Cheseaux ( in the French part of Switzerland). Nothing more to say than we came out on top 3-0. It wasn't pretty, but more importantly we got the W and I think we can all be satisfied with that.
"Don't let life make u look weak: be like a duck, lookin cool, but paddling like HELL underneath!!!" - Rev Run
Next game is home vs. Düdingen. Los Gehts!
Photos can be found at www.photomaster.ch
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