What We Learned: Week of 9/26
We are back with another edition of What We Learned this week in the world of volleyball in Kansas and Missouri. We are a day late so Thursday night is not included. Rivalries are a big deal I know club…
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Continue ReadingWe are back with another edition of What We Learned this week in the world of volleyball in Kansas and Missouri. We are a day late so Thursday night is not included.
Rivalries are a big deal
I know club volleyball gets much glamour but I learned there aren’t many things as good as an old-school high school rivalry. When two schools who like each other but don’t like each other face off in a sport, the intensity and play seem to increase. If it’s Liberty vs. Liberty North, St. Thomas Aquinas vs. St. James, or Maize vs. Maize South, the players and student sections get up for these games. In a time where people consider bypassing the high school season, I want all the upcoming players to remember playing for their schools, playing for bragging rights still is a big thing.
Schedules make a statement
One thing you notice across both states is the teams who want to compete for state titles do not run away from playing the other top cities in the state or city. We learned that if you want to compete in late October and November, play tough competition in September and early October. I love looking at scores and seeing teams not afraid of the smoke. For rebuilding programs, we know the benefit of gaining confidence by playing in lighter competition. However, teams who want to test themselves have no problem taking some losses for the greater goal. Great job coaches and athletic directors.
We see you coaches
Being an official I get to see a lot of teams across Kansas City. There are some games where I see teams getting absolutely beat down. Here is what we learned and what I love though, the coaches of those teams still coaching the girls and coaching them hard. If you didn’t look at the score you would think it was a 24-24 match. I appreciate the coaches who are always looking for opportunities to help players get better and instill confidence for the next match. You may know some of these teams, so when you see these coaches continue to encourage them to keep up the good fight.
We are better now
I learned we are so much better now as Prep Dig Kansas and Prep Dig Missouri. For the last few years I held down most of Missouri and Ryan came on last year and provided some support then knocked it out of the park starting this summer. I was asked to take over Kansas over a year ago. Outside of Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita, I wasn’t as knowledgeable but made an effort to learn more about the state. This summer Marshall joined the Prep Dig Kansas team and is killing it! We still have work to do but know these two have been a welcomed addition and the volleyball community is who benefits.