Out & About: TCA Third Degree/Northern Lights

#3 posting 7.6.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

This game took place yesterday
Junior Olympic Championships
18 Open, Pool Play
TCA-THIRD DEGREE 3, NORTHERN LIGHTS 2
25-20, 25-23, 13-25, 26-28, 15-13

The defending champs Northern Lights, a team made up Minnesota players, including three future Gophers, lost a thriller to TCA Third Degree, a team from Southern California.

In game one NL had a tough two serve receive rotation stretch where TCA out scored the home town 7-1. In high level play, side outs rule. NL was only able to score on three of their serves, TCA only five. But that two serve rotation was enough to give TCA a lead that NL couldn't overcome.

In game two NL led 9-6 after one full cycle through each service order. TCA added three points to their total on Geena Urango's serve and the game was knotted at 10. On Juliane Piggott' serve TCA added two points to get a slight advantage 22-20. Kresson Vreeman was able to tie it at 22 on her serve for NL, but on the side out TCA went back in front. Both teams traded side outs for two serves. Piggott ended game two with a back row kill 25-23.

In the do or die third game NL got the job done. They established themselves early and never surrendered the lead. Vreeman served four points to put the game within striking distance at 20-13. Brook Dieter finished with four service points.

Northern Lights needed their rally caps in game four. NL failed to side out three straight times and TCA took advantage of that for a 10-5 run to go up 17-13. Hailey Cowles was able to serve up four points including an ace to tie the score at 20 before a side out gave the ball back to TCA. NL had an advantage at 22-21 after a Piggott hitting error but neither team was able to shake the other. NL got a side out on a Lauren Gibbemeyer kill to make it 27-26 and for point 28 Allie Oelke had a block to finish the game. It was all tied up at two apiece.

NL opened game five with the serve. NL took the first lead at 2-1 on an Oelke block. However, after the sideout, Urango served up three points, all of which were either passing or hitting errors on NL's part. TCA led 5-3 after Urnago's serve. Piggott broke NL's back with four more points. It was 11-6 when NL got the ball back. After Cowles serve TCA's lead was cut to 12-8. TCA was on the cusp at 14-9 but Dieter staved off the final point with a side out kill. Vreeman served up three points before Urango finished the contest with a kill.

The coaches and teams around the tournament said this was the best contest of the tournament by far. It certainly had drama and pull. The crowds were packed around the venue.

Photos: #1 Lauren Gibbemeyer, NL swings on a slide; #2 Geena Urango, TCA goes up high, but Brook Dieter blocks for NL; #3 Julianne Piggott, TCA attacks with her team in coverage; #4 Lilla Frederick goes up on a jump serve and makes contact; #5 Urango, TCA is blocked by Allie Oelke with Naomi Johnson also setting up a block. click on the photos to get a bigger picture.

NORTHERN LIGHTS
They used basically three serving orders. In games 1, 4, and 5 they used the line up I provide down below. In games 2, and 3 Oelke led off the rotations.
1. Kresson Vreeman S 2-0-0----2
2. Brook Dieter, OH 0-2.5-15----17.5
3. Naomi Johnson, MH 0-5.5-6----11.5
4. Allie Oelke, RH 1-3-5----9
5. Hailey Cowles, OH 1-1-7---9
6. Tawny Dahmes, DS 0-0-0----0
6fr Lauren Gibbemeyer, MH 0-3-20----23
L Susan Halverson
totals: 4-15-43----62

TCA THIRD DEGREE
In games 1 and 2 started off with Urango; In games 3 and 5 started off with Kendall Bateman; In game four started with Christine Douglas. I am showing game 1 order
1. Geena Urango OH 0-2.5-23---25.5
2. Lauren Bledsoe, MH 0-0.5-1----1.5
2br Kelly Holford, DS 1-0-1----2
2fr Janea Rossell, MH 0-1-0----1
3. Julianne Piggott, RH 1-1-21----23
4. Lilla Frederick, OH 2-0-6----8
5. Christine Douglas, MH 0-2-5----7
6. Kendall Bateman, S 0-0.5-1---1.5
unknown 0-2-2----4 (I missed some action trying to write everything down and take pictures at the same time)
Stevi Robinson, L
totals: 4-9-60----73

Urango is going to USC; Piggott to UCLA. The three future Gophers are Gibbemeyer, Cowles, and Dieter.

Both teams lost in the 18 open semifinals today. They will both finish third. SPVB out of Chicago and Long Beach will play for the championship tonight.

Next up tomorrow