OJVA 16 - White Tournament #2

Another home tournament; another exhibition of deceptive excellence.

The wins and losses column would display that this day wasn't a happy one; I believe that couldn't be further from the truth. With other teams scouting and strategising, minimising our teams options with tactical serving given through codes and cryptic messages. Our girls were lead to play the game naturally and develop through trial and error in game sense situations, and gave many teams a startling scare.

We learnt what pressure felt like in close games; learnt how to react and question what we were doing on court; learnt what style of coaching isn't appreciated and what is; learnt that everyone on the team needs to do their individual job to benefit the team as a whole.

Top plays from Jodie and Olivia through the middle on defence structured good backcourt play from Daria and Rebecca thus keeping our chins above water and competing with bigger higher ranked teams.

Also commendations to tidy outside play putting away the team we should have on Saturday picking up seeding positions that are well deserved.

The team from here moving forward needs to look at how to generate points on offence after good solid defensive play making. Also, looking to ride waves of momentum.

All is looking well so far...

Until next time

Kiwi out


Stephen Stone
OJVA 16 - Baby Blue

16 White 1/11/14 Club Tourney Highlight

For a group of girls that had been compiled only a few days prior to their first tournament, areas of the game that needed the greatest attention to, communication skills for example, were far better than expected. A big positive for the beginning of the year looking forward.

The girls battled their way through pool stages picking up sets off of good teams to get themselves into the silver divisional playoff bracket (a great place to be).

Nate developed her dumping skills to generate points at opportune situations; hussle plays in the back court by Daria and Rebecca helped our team immensely; Megan, Emma, and Chloe stepped up, tidying play well. Considering, when we heard the morning of, one of our usual starting players was no longer in the team.

Everyone should take away positives from these games, and also learning experiences that last the year.

Being my first year coaching girls, and having gameplay differing from adolescent males, I look forward to developing as much throughout the year as these girls.

Till next time

Kiwi Out


Stephen Stone
OJVA 16 - White