Volleyball Tournament

[flywheel]

Sorry but I just have to do a little bragging, Saturday my daughter Holly's volleyball team won their own tournament. They were very excited about the win, they lost the first game of the finals and were behind for about 10 points in the second but just plugging away and took the 2nd and 3rd games to win it.

This is the 3rd consecutive tournament they've won and the lowest finish has been 3rd so I'm feeling mighty proud!

[Jackie Ramo]

Congrats to Holly and her team!! Good work. Makes it worth it to Dad for all that driving around :frisbee:

[marla]

Job well done, nothing like persaverance to get the job done. Congratulations to her and her teamates.

[flywheel]

Just got home from another tournament, we are are 13 year old team but half of our team is still eligible to play as 12 year olds so we tried our hand in a 14 tournament and were pleased with how we did. We won the consolation bracket and the 2 teams who played for the chanpionship were the only ones we lost to all day, so a great effort by the girls and now 2 weekends off and then the last 2 tournaments of the year, another 14 and then regionals.

[Jackie Ramo]

Its good that they are stretching themselves. Between 12 and 14 is a large difference. So I guess the wife has a list of chores lined up for your weekends off the tournament track :HAHA:

[Koidaddy]

Kudos to the proud father & daughter!!

Nothing like sports to screw a child's head on properly. :yup:

KD

[Terri]

Well done :hi5:

Congrats to the girls :)

[flywheel]

Too much snow left to be doing any chores yet, but it's leaving fast.

It's always amazing to see what an extra year can do for a kids ability at any sport. We try to keep the sports in balance with everything else, some parents are so competitive that they can screw a kid up that way too. I want them to play their hardest all the time but it better be with a smile on their face - win or lose. My main role coaching is that of a glorified cheerleader, most of these girls have been playing for 3-4 years already and they know what to do, I'm just tickled that Holly still enjoys me coaching.....for now.

[Jackie Ramo]

For now is the key, but remember when those days come and they will, the base is set and she knows her way. Trust in the character you are building now.

[flywheel]

3 of my coworkers are high school football at our school and they like to give a rough time (all in fun) about being a girls volleyball coach, on Sunday Holly showed me her arms from diving for the ball, her elbows and forearms are covered in bruises, so I showed pictures to my buddies at work and asked them how many of their football players would dive on the hardwood like a 12 year old girl. :phfft:

They didn't think too many would.

[Terri]

I played volleyball in high school,... I remember the aches and bruises. Much more fun and easier on the body to play on sand :grin:

[flywheel]

I played volleyball in high school,... I remember the aches and bruises. Much more fun and easier on the body to play on sand :grin:
Our whole family loves sand volleyball! I built a court in our backyard 3 years ago, 20 foot high poles with lights, yellow nylon rope stetched for all the boundaries. This is serious business! :grin:

[Terri]

We played a few games with our kids last summer on our sand court - not as fancy as yours ;) - doubles for badminton as well ... 'tis fun until one of the dogs steals the ball or birdie LOL

[carcha koi]

I have coached Hockey for several years, there is something very special when the kids do well. Congrats Ron. Keeping your kids active and having a role in their lives sure helps them in life. Keep up the good work.

[Jackie Ramo]

Organized sports are so important for children. Wish I could find something for the Grandson. Maybe when his mom finds a place closer. None of us even skate so its hard to put him in hockey.

[flywheel]

I have coached Hockey for several years, there is something very special when the kids do well. Congrats Ron. Keeping your kids active and having a role in their lives sure helps them in life. Keep up the good work.

It's a very rewarding experience. Is it currently hockey season for you now?

[carcha koi]

Just ending, maybe one more tournament in April. Season goes from September-end of March . Three nights a week. It takes a lot of my time but well worth it.

[flywheel]

Chris, how old are your kid(s)?

[carcha koi]

I have a 18 yr old daughter in college and a 14 yr old son and no plans for any more :lol: .

[marla]

Congrats again to the team. All of my 4 kids played a sport, some more individualized. I never coached but did make all the games/meets. I agree if they have a good coach sports can build great charector in a child.

[flywheel]

Just got home from another tournament, we are are 13 year old team but half of our team is still eligible to play as 12 year olds so we tried our hand in a 14 tournament and were pleased with how we did. We won the consolation bracket and the 2 teams who played for the chanpionship were the only ones we lost to all day, so a great effort by the girls and now 2 weekends off and then the last 2 tournaments of the year, another 14 and then regionals.

Played in our second 14 year old tournament yesterday and ended up with 2nd place, took the first game and lost the next 2 in the championship, the girls were a little disappointed but the other team really was the better team.

Next weekend regionals, then the season is done, about time too, we had tryouts back in October!

[Jackie Ramo]

Second place with teams older than you is a good accomplishment. Still its good that they really wanted the win.

Should be done driving her around just in time for pond season. Does she help you?

[flywheel]

Only when I make her!

[Jackie Ramo]

Typical kid :yup:

[marla]

Second place is not all bad, not what they want but good experiance to learn where to improve. Glad I don't have kids to chauffer around, the MIL is bad enough. :grin:

[flywheel]

Well the season is finally over, we had regionals over the weekend and out of 39 teams from all over the state and one from Illinois we ended up placing 3rd. The girls were disappointed because we didn't play as well as we can, for some reason on Sunday we struggled on serving and hitting, so it was unforced errors that cost us from getting into the championship. The team that beat us Sunday we had beaten on Saturday with no problem, and the other team that was in the championship on Sunday we also played on Saturday and they beat us 2 out of 3 games so we had a really good shot at it, but it just wasn't our day. I've been coaching all of these girls from 2-4 years and this is the first time I have seen them shed a tear over a loss and I gotta admit I was pretty choked up seeing them that way.

I was very proud of Holly and how she played, we had many people comment on her over the weekend, we were told by several that she was the best libero they have seen at this age so that was pretty cool.

[marla]

You did good, if the girls themselves came to the conclusion they did not play their best that shows real maturity on there level which is great and what good coaching is about. Your Pride is beaming when you talk about Holly. Get some rest now.

[Jackie Ramo]

Although no one strives for 3rd place it sure beats 35th!!! Hopefully the girls will see that and be proud of what they did accomplish. An off day any other time would not have hurt so much. Sometimes overtrying makes us miss the mark.

[GregBickal]

Thats a very comprimising picture there Ron :har:

[carcha koi]

3rd in Nationals. :hi5: :thumbsup: All I have to say is well done. Nothing to hang your heads over.

[flywheel]

Thats a very comprimising picture there Ron :har:
What a sick and twisted mind you have. :frisbee:

[Terri]

Congrats to you and the girls Ron. Third is nothing to sniff at ;)

[flywheel]

Thanks everyone, I think they are all feeling better about it already. Kids bounce back quick.

[carcha koi]

Who is taking it harder :doh: I think it is harder on us then them. We do live through our kids. Now win damn it :lol:

[flywheel]

Who is taking it harder :doh: I think it is harder on us then them. We do live through our kids. Now win damn it :lol:

:badmood: You're raining on my parade! :phfft:










I'm sure you've been down this road with hockey also?

[Jackie Ramo]

Have you ever seen the hockey parents, children's aid should take their children away from them!!!

[carcha koi]

We are not all bad Jackie, now I agree that some parents should watch their kids play on close circuit TV away from the arena. :phfft:

[Jackie Ramo]

Its hard when the hockey heros start giving the game a bad name. Both old enough to know better as well. Those two should have been banned forever. I don't care how good a goalie dad was.

[carcha koi]

Jackie you are correct. Patrick is and always be a hot head. He needs to go and he can take his kid with him.

[Jackie Ramo]

At least Ron doesn't have to worry about his kid being a fool. :HAHA: Although I don't think Patrick's kid is a kid anymore....

[carcha koi]

John Roy is 17 I think. Still a kid but I think anyone under 26 is a kid. :lol:

[Jackie Ramo]

I thought he was 19, young but no kid who doesn't know the difference from right or wrong and he had the entire length of the rink to think about it.

[flywheel]

At least Ron doesn't have to worry about his kid being a fool. :HAHA:

That's right, I'm all the fool this family needs. :grin:

Now fill me in on this Patrick/John Roy thing.

[Jackie Ramo]

The son skates down the ice and beats the crap out of the other goalie, poor loser and Dad a famous hockey goalie is also suspended and fined for encouraging it. Disgusting behaviour.

[carcha koi]

Flywheel , it will be on Youtube

[flywheel]

I watched several different clips of it on youtube, what kind of satisfaction could you get pounding on someone who's not fighting back. Pathetic.

[Jackie Ramo]

As I said, should have been banned for life from the game. Not that I am a hockey fan, can't stand the 'sport' since it isn't much of a sport these days. Now woman's hockey, there's a game.

[carcha koi]

Jackie, Hockey is the greatest sport known to mankind. I do watch womens hockey, mainly at the Olympic level. I do prefer body contact hockey as that is the way the sport is played and should be played unless you are in a non competative level.

[Jackie Ramo]

Body contact is one thing, taking ones gloves off less than 2 minutes into the game is boring boxing not hockey.

Soccer is the beautiful game.

[carcha koi]

Yes, that is why they have all the riots and killings. Guess I better not say too much after what happened in Montreal last night.

[flywheel]

Friday nite Mick, a friend and co-worker who also coaches in our volleyball club asked if Holly (13) could play for his 16 year old team on Saturday as he had a couple of girls missing for a H.S. music concert. She was happy to, what a great day, Lori and I went along also since these were older girls and Holly might not fit in but they went out of their way to make her feel welcome and a part of the team. I also played assistant coach since I had coached this team earlier this season when Mick couldn't do it for one tournament.

The first match didn't go too good for us as they were used to the 2 girls who were missing and Holly wasn't used to them either and used a somewhat different offense but by the second match things were really clicking. Holly plays libero (a defensive specialist) they only play backrow and handle the serves and hits (spikes), they are to pass the ball to the setter in the front row who sets the ball for a hitter to spike it down on the other teams side of the court. The serves and spikes come at you hard and fast and it's difficult to make a controlled pass everytime but I was so happy to see Holly rise to the occassion and her enthusiasm was even kind of infectious for the rest of the team, she made some great saves flat out diving for the ball and popping it up to the setter when it was just inches from hitting the floor. Since she plays only backrow as the players rotate in the lineup she would need to come out for a couple plays as one girl would need to go back in the front row as a hitter and another hitter would move to the backrow she would go in for them, Mick would be telling her to take charge and be a leader out there. I found this strange as she was much younger and she had never played with these girls but I couldn't have been prouder!

Out of 15 teams we finished 3rd, getting beat in the semifinals by the team that won the tournament, we gave them their only 2 losses for the day, afterwards their coach came up to me and asked about our libero since they had played our team at other tournaments and never seen Holly or me there, wondered who she was and how old (she's pretty short) I told him she was my daughter and 13, he just shook his head and said wow.

Needless to say I am just as proud as can be and felt the need to brag a bit but it was one of those days you'll never forget, I had to laugh when some parents from one of the other teams were pointing at Holly with disgusted looks on their faces after one of her saves. The parents of the other girls were really happy with how things went also, one of the missing girls is one who kind of drags the rest of the team down with a bad attitude when they're losing but there was none of that going on Saturday. On the way home Mick told Lori and me that he didn't think they would have done that well without Holly and I told him it was a good thing Holly had her headphones in as my head was big enough for the 2 of us.

[tj]

GO HOLLY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Terrific for her, happy for you :)

[philly]

Congrats Ron, it's great to see father and daughter spending time together doing things they each like, I wish you and Holly the best in the years to come and judging from what you say she might become a pro some day.

[Jackie Ramo]

Wonderful and you should be proud. Seems she is an excellent player and has a great coach to boot.

[flywheel]

Her only aspirations for the future is high school, her height is a severe limiting factor, colleges want liberos much taller than poor Holly at 5 foot nothing. We just want to enjoy it as long as we can regardless of what the future holds. I try very hard to find a good balance between parent and coach, Holly gets no easy breaks from me or excuses and we are always working on improving her skills. Mostly I am just a glorified cheerleader but I don't mind.

We both are anxious for summer and sand volleyball so we can actually play together, the leg should be ready to go by then. The fun part about volleyball is we have 3 generations out there playing in the summer so it's a whole family activity, this also helps all of us enjoy the game from a non-competetive aspect.

[Peg]

Enjoy the time with Holly while you can. They grow up way to fast and before you know it they don't have the time to hang with Mom & Dad.

[flywheel]

We have been so lucky with our kids so far, the boys Kyle and Derek are 19 and 17 and still enjoy camping, hunting, fishing together and volleyball is probably everyones favorite pastime. I guess it helps we were very young when we got married and started our family and we are very active also. It has gotten a little tougher though now that Kyle has gone off to college but he is only an hour away.

[Jackie Ramo]

Well I remember when Doug Flutie left the Argo's to go to Buffalo as their quarter back... they laughed at a guy so short and small but they love him now as we did. Size seldom matters if the heart is in the right place.

[philly]

Kids these days are much smarter and don't want to leave home, ours are going on 22 and 25 years old and have no intentions of moving out, wherever we go they are ready to follow as long that we are paying for it. Many years ago the kids wanted to get their own place when they turned sixteen now you can't even kick them out of the house even when they turn thirty.
:lol:

[Jackie Ramo]

Or if you do get them to leave, they want to come back :HAHA: My answer has always been, well we are undergoing/about to under go/ planning renovations so you can move in now.

[philly]

When shall I pack my bags ? :HAHA: