Results: 06.27.2010_Women Sand Series – AVP/Barefoot Wine Qualifier…one word – determination.

This past Sunday, it was the women’s turn to find out who the first team would be in the AVP/Barefoot Wine Qualifier for the Chicago trip.  We had 8 teams total to compete for this entry into the Grand Championship.  Pool play consisted of one game to 25 points with no cap.  Here are the results after pool play was completed:

1.  Sheila Gatlin / Laura Shamp

2.  Melissa Schmitz / Jola Graham

3.  Amber Ramga / Amanda ‘Ada’ Dashwood

4.  Courtney Caldwell / Bianca Julio

5.  Elaine Sha / Kristen Zschau

6.  Judy Baker / Janice Fung

7.  Terrie O’Keefe / Nikki Farrah

8.  Erin Callahan / Stephanie Wardach

The first round of playoffs put #5 – Elaine / Kristen against #8 – Erin / Stephanie and #6 – Judy / Janice against #7 – Terrie / Nikki.  This was the first tournament for Erin / Stephanie who are college students home for the summer.  Erin Callahan (right) goes to Florida Southern located in Lakeland, Florida and plays middle for her team.  Stephanie Wardach (left) goes to University of Louisiana Monroe located in Monroe, Louisiana and also plays middle for her team.  These two are long time teammates from the A5 generation looking to learn more about the outdoor game.

Their opponents, veterans to the game of sand volleyball – Elaine and Kristen.  #5 – Elaine / Kristen won this game over #8 – Erin / Stephanie…25-12.  Side note:  one of the best moments for me throughout the entire day was seeing Erin / Stephanie play and having the veterans of the tournament teach them about this game we play on the sand.  This is what I look for in creating the next generation of players…to the veterans, I thank you.  Erin / Stephanie – look forward to seeing you more out on the courts.

The other playoff match put #6 – Judy / Janice against #7 – Terrie / Nikki.  This was the first time to see Nikki come out to the Highlands and compete against these girls.  It was great to see her come out and play with the big timers.  Hopefully, it won’t be the last.  In this particular game, it was about the team work that Judy / Janice has.  They pulled through this tough match over #7 – Terrie / Nikki…25-20.

Quarter-finals were set and ready for play…#3 – Amber / Ada vs. #6 – Judy / Janice and #4 – Courtney / Bianca vs. #5 – Elaine / Kristen.  Before playoffs began, there was a 3-way tie for second place based on their record (4-1)…so it went to points for the rankings.  #3 – Amber / Ada began their journey by defeating #6 – Judy / Janice…25-16.  #4 – Courtney / Bianca had a harder time in the Quarter-finals against #5 – Elaine / Kristen…throughout the game, it seemed like Courtney / Bianca were playing catch up and lost to the veteran team of Elaine / Kristen…25-14.

In the Semi-finals, two veteran teams were matched up #1 – Sheila / Laura vs. #5 – Elaine / Kristen;  and the newly formed team of #2 – Melissa / Jola vs. the determined #3 – Amber / Ada.  Let the games begin…

On the yellow court, #1 – Sheila / Laura are known for playing smart volleyball.  Last year, Sheila dominated the tournament series with any partner she had.  She was clearly the MVP of 2009 for AirVorne Volleyball.  Laura on the other hand is known for her solid play all around…her focus on the game and the ability to sideout point for point, keeps her a dominating player throughout the season.  Elaine usually plays with her normal partner Nicole Nilson but Nicole was traveling this particular weekend so she pick up Kristen was is no stranger on the court.  They have been playing well together all day, but the question is:  do they have enough to beat #1 – Sheila / Laura?  The answer:  #1 – Sheila / Laura win over #5 – Elaine / Kristen…25-15.

On the red court, Jola / Melissa were doing quite well together for the first time.  Last weekend at the Coed Sand Series, I mentioned to the both of them that they were both available to play for this Qualifier.  Who would have thought that this combination of youth and skill would do so well.  This was going to be a very tough game for #3 – Amber / Ada.  In pool play, Amber / Ada defeated Jola / Melissa by 6 points.  Would this be true for the Semis?  Back and forth, the teams sided out point for point until the end of the game.  #3 – Amber / Ada barely pulled through over #2 – Jola / Melissa…25-23.

The finals were set as we have two teams that know each other very very well…#1 – Sheila / Laura vs. #3 – Amber / Ada.  The final was a match…2 out of 3 games – 21 points for Games #1 and #2 and if necessary Game #3 to 15 points…win by 2 with no cap.  After playing a long Semi-final, fatigue came into play for #3 – Amber / Ada.  Game #1 went to #1 – Sheila / Laura…21-15.  But here is where ‘determination’ came into play.  In Game #2, Amber / Ada turned things around.  It seems as if Ada was beginning to run out of steam alittle…but Amber was determined to help her teammate out with hits on 2 and smart shots.  The play I remember most during Game #2 which I believe affected the #1 team was Amber setting over on 2 when Laura was serving.  The second time Amber did that…I remember seeing Sheila’s reaction and she was not happy at all.  It kinda scared me as the ref.  #3 – Amber / Ada pulled through with this game…21-14.

Game #3…what to expect.  Who knows at that point in time.  But I do know that it will come down to the wire and it certainly did.  But whose side?  After that win in Game #2, it seemed as if Ada was back on that high on knowing that she can pull this off…but it wasn’t easy.  Again, back and forth the teams exchanged point after point.  One thing I didn’t expect from this game at all was the #1 team beginning to lose their chemistry.  Communication seemed to break down with the Sheila / Laura.  One reason why – Ada’s serving.  Late in the game, Ada served one hell of a floater that got Sheila / Laura wondering whose ball it was.  Result:  an ace that led to an argument.  Ada continued to serve tough towards the end of the game.

In the end, #3 – Amber / Ada defeated #1 – Sheila / Laura in the 3rd game…15-12…to win the first entry into the Women’s AVP/Qualifier in July.  Congratulations to Amber Ramga and Amanda ‘Ada’ Dashwood for a fantastic finish and a great tournament overall.

For more photos on this tournament, please visit the Photo Tab above…

The last Qualifier for the AVP/Barefoot Wine Series will be held in July.  Please visit the calendar for the date and venue for this tournament.  I know that many of you are asking about this…I am currently working on this and will have the details by the end of this week…

Side Note:  are those matching suits on Amber / Ada hot?  Wonder what they will have in store for us at the Grand Championship??

See you guys on the courts…very soon.

Dennis Jocson

AirVorne Volleyball

One Response to “Results: 06.27.2010_Women Sand Series – AVP/Barefoot Wine Qualifier…one word – determination.”

1. Nikki says:

   06/30/2010 at 4:01 pm

   great job everyone and congrats!