1 step forward, and two steps back

So here we are fans: one great big step forward, only to step back a couple of times. The weekend had the Victory Lady Lions riding high, coming out of the inaugural VCA volleyball invite as the champions. I chose to
go on a camping trip instead of attending the tournament, but i do insist that my reports are accurate. Keep in mind that the opposition featured a squad as weak as they have been in ages. EC central looked five hundred steps slow, and Hammond Clark looked like they belong on the middle school level. Granger made it out alive of the first round by the grace of God. Good for them - they lost anyway. I don't take anything away from the Lady Lions - I'm just clarifying that none of these other programs even come close, as much they try. In all my days I haven't seen as pathetic an excuse for a program as Granger. But then again, it's hard to meet my standards since I follow the Lady Lions. Not everybody can run a program with as much hard work and integrity. Others try to emulate it, and others do not even try. Some just go for wins however they can get them, like a beggar on the side of the road. Matt Painter sort of reminds of that sort of type...

Anyway, I have got an order of business to get straightened out. Last post i sadly gave Tiffany Fisher my esteemed praise - BIG MISTAKE. I laid it all on the line for her - my reputation and all, just put out there with my guard down. Was I trying to benefit myself in doing this? I think not! But was the one who was receiving all the praise thankful? Was she grateful? Not in the least. I'll go ahead and let everyone know that i totally recant every last bit of what i said about her. All she is is a filler player for a Purdue program looking to get whatever they can take.

The Lady Lions came back to action tonight against a Sawyer, MI team. At this point, they were still on glory road from the tournament victory. What i saw was gut-wrenching, and hard to watch. Key players were either ineligible, or not at 100%. Trinitie Oetman gave a valient effort, as clearly her foot was bothering her. But sometimes valient efforts don't bring home the win. I mean, after all, it's all about keeping the win home. And how else to keep the win home than to do it with family? It always comes back to family. Don't forget it.  Granted tonight's lady lions featured a short handed squad that was completely absent of setter anna staub, they gave a strong effort. I'm not even sure how this Sawyer team even stood a chance to begin with. Had they been firing on all cylinders, the match would have ended as abruptly as life in Hiroshima in 1945. Not all seasons have storybook endings though.

I also want to highlight my MVP candidate for this season. It's not exactly who you think it might be. But after careful consideration, it is no doubt in my mind that it is Coach Sassman. It was not two weeks ago that her squad was flirting with mediocrity, and possibly having her name on the hot seat. No one was quite sure what was going to happen. I had an insider familiar with the situation inform me that a tight leash was being imposed at the time, and the tolerance level for the continued lack of wins was increasing with each game. But that was then folks. Look where they stand now. Give her some credit. The Lady Lions are just about to hit real stardom. But I do want to urge a word of caution to them: I wouldn't be celebrating too hard just yet. Let's hope come SSCC tournament time in late November we see the real deal come out. It's where champions and frauds are separated. It's where the heart of a lion is put on display, or the fear of a coward.

On a concluding note, let's hope tonight's loss was only a hiccup in the Lady Lions' growth process towards a SSCC title. Don't get too ahead of yourself though - I don't see any banners hanging in the V-rena yet.

Until Next Time.

The one and only VCA volleyball beat writer,
Danny Mosco.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Volleyball season is in full swing! The universe is in perfect harmony with each and every serve. There's nothing like being a part of the action, whether as a fan or player. The thrill is incomparable. I would challenge you to find something else that measured up..Anyway...i get carried away so easily. Today I wanted highlight a particular hero of mine. Her name is Tiffany Fisher! I have no idea how she is not already a household name, i mean, she is just too freakin' sweet. Watching her serve is like watching a swan go swimming: so graceful. The only difference is she is twenty times more graceful, it's not even close. I've been watching  her play since she was a freshman, and now she's a junior. I don't typically gravitate towards a purdue player, but makes me think twice! the fire in her eyes when she goes for the kill, or how she rallies her teammates when they need her the most. And she also does a GREAT job of playing cheerleader from the bench. Such an underappreciated skill in today's volleyball world. I was never so insipired until one day, i was at home looking at volleyball scores, and decided it would be a good idea to turn on some big ten network. Lo and behold, she was  
absolutely tearing it up. i love the intensity and mindset of this purdue team. they have so much intensity, they don't even need a coach. All they need is family, because that is what it's really about anyway. No intensity = No mindset = No family = NO WINS. And no wins = Failure of a program. Unless you are a cheater, and use underhanded tactics to win, like a matt painter or something..errr....not that i think he does or anything like that.

In other news, the vca lady lions head into this Saturday's, September 25th, tournament looking favorable against the competition. Mind you, their last three previous home contests have ended in heartbreaking fashion. Last Tuesday's match against LaLamuire had the boo birds calling...but is the fat lady singing just yet? It"s hard to say just yet, but the hot seat sure is feeling warmer these days around the V-rena. Coach Sassman
utilizes a coaching strategy this visibly animates her players. Her squad is not a quiet one, to say the least. They are not the kind of bunch that is going to stand by and accept abuse from any other team. It just stirs me up to think about their fiery passion and intensity. The heart of a lion is best seen in a volleyball player, because they know what it's like to go to hell and back again. Long summer days spent training...very admirable.

Until the next update!
The one and only vca volleyball beat writer,
Danny Mosco.