14 Gold PL Qualifier #2 Highlight

14-1 Gold team stays in Gold Division after 14 Qualifier completion

Well, we made it, but we didn't quite make the statement that we wanted to. The overall quality of our play increased from the week before, and for that we were proud of our team. Our team transitions were much smoother and our tough serving helped us a lot at times. The team did a good job of transitioning into a 5-1 offense with Taylor out sick, and Cara really did a good job setting and giving our hitters good options. We felt that Brigitte took some major steps forward this weekend also. We look forward to having all 11 players at our next two Power League tournaments!

We did a good job of taking care of our pool play, beating all three teams in 2 sets.  We had TrailsEnd 14-1, Roseburg 14-1 and Salem 14-1 Black. Unfortunately we weren't really challenged that much in pool play, so when we then faced Athena 14-1 in the first crossover and we did not compete well. We bounced back and beat Rose City 14-2 Gold in the last match of the day. So we dropped from our initial seed of #3 to #6, but stayed in the Gold division for the first Power League. That was that coaches goal for the team and we accomplished that. We still have a lot of work to do, but we are on our way! Being in Gold now means that every match will be against tough teams and at a faster speed, so we need to be prepared to compete on every point. Thankfully we have time to crank up the intensity in practice for the next 3 weeks. 

Thanks to our Team Parents who are keeping us so well fed!

Marty Mozzochi

12 Red PL Qualifier Hightlight

OJVA 12U-Red team started out as the third seed in a pool that included Athena-Gold (#2), Or NW Jr's (#14)  and the Blues (#30) and after great matches with Athena and going to a third set with Or NW JR's, we lost our serve and just plan got beat by the Blues… Coach Amber and I were proud of how the girls handled the loss with a wonderful show of sportsmanship.  That put us 4^th in our pool and in danger of losing some real ground in the seeding.  We  realized that we had some real work ahead in the afternoon rounds and with great team spirit, the girls rallied to win both matches in the afternoon cross over (despite some coaching errors).  I think the thing the girls appreciated and enjoyed the most was the Victory Tunnel and the cheers of the Gold team after our first afternoon win.  And, the Red team reciprocated after the Gold's last match… going undefeated for the day… what fun and what OJVA spirit.  This is a great team of 11 girls who truly support and encourage each other and it is wonderful to watch.  A special thanks to the parents for their support and encouragement too… Great Job RED!   coach Pat

14 White PL Qualifier #2 Hightlight

Sunday was a very successful day in Monmouth. Fourteen’s White won our pool after defeating our 14’s blue in 3 sets. We started out the day strong by knocking off the #21 overall seed, NCVBC in 2 sets. For the most part we have settles into a lineup that has been working very well for us. It was a very consistent weekend with strong contributions from all. Good serve receive and more consistent serves really clinched it for us.

This makes two tournaments in a row with an undefeated record. We hope to work on some stronger offense and transition work before our next tournament to continue to move up through the rankings. All in all the girls are having a blast learning to work together, dig in and fight for a win. GO WHITE!!

12 Gold PL Qualifier Hightlight

12 Gold is on FIRE! We had a great day at our qualifier at The hoop in Salem. Powered through our pool play beating WVVC in two, then Athena's beta team in two and Webfoots silver team in two. Everyone came in to contribute to the wins and everyone did something great. Our communication is improving and we are starting to get some great sets from our setters. We had a crossover match against Oregon NW jrs that we handled easily. Then we ended the day beating the MAC club in two. We have great parents who keep us well fed and the coach well caffeinated! Keep up the cheers parents, we love the support! Looking forward to getting back to practice to work on passing, setting and digging some hits! GO GOLD!

12 Red PL Qualifier Hightlight

It was our first tournament as a team and overall, I feel it went well. I see some areas we need more 'practice' and others we get very well. It wasn't any easy task, with lineup and position changes every game.

The team responded well together, staying positive, supporting and encouraging each other throughout the day, which impressed me. EVERYONE contributed throughout the day, which I expect to be a theme throughout the season. Great job and way to finish strong OJVA RED!

12 Black

The Black Attack was back in action Saturday.  After a hard fought morning, the black team wound up in 3rd place going into the afternoon.  After a quick rest during a bye the team came back with some great play.  Using great teamwork and giving an extraordinary effort, the team narrowly lost after one of the best efforts they have given of yet.  The Black team is going to get back to work next week feeling great after another successful weekend.

12 White Club Tourney #1 Highlight

12 -White

Attitudes were A+++!!!! None of them complained about ANYTHING all day -- even when I told them I was going try something new -- I showed them OJ's base defense for front row and back row and they did a great job learning their defensive base position and transitioning off the net.

They LOVED it and got it and were helping each other out there (Nina was pulling jerseys by end of day to get people up at the net when we were serving, etc.) It was great to see! A few parents even commented on how great it was to see them improve on just moving to the ball and on and off the net! :)

They had GREAT attitudes about doing the score keeping (Kailey, Elli and Allison all worked together and learned from each other and did a great job), everyone else took turns doing the lines and scoreboard and down refs were Vanessa and Nicole. Great attitudes all around.

We won a set against WVVC in pool play and lost second set 26-24!!!

-Summary from Coach Melissa Penn

Thanks for taking care of the team!  I am looking forward to this Saturday to see what the girls can do!!!

-Coach Caryn

14 Black PL Qualifier #1 Highlight

14 Black had an awesome day on Sunday! They didn't lose a match all day!! The fought back numerous times to secure the #1 seed in their pool and then went on to win their afternoon match to move up three spots to #71! Very proud of the teamwork and determination the girls showed! 

14 Gold PL Qualifier #1 Highlight

WHew!

Our first round of the 14 Power League Qualifier is over, thankfully.  We did not bring our best play during the day, except for moments in our third match. But we did prevail and hold our #3 seed overall to carry into next weekends play. Hopefully we will start the day much better.

We traveled up to Cascade Middle School in Vancouver and there was so much fog, that no one could see the sign for which school was which!  But the gyms were nice and spacious for pursuing balls. Just a little cold!  Cold is how we started our morning play with not much movement or intensity on the court. We struggled through our first match and won in 3, lost our second match in 3, but then after a break and some yummy food, we came out and played our match against NW Reign looking more like the team we had hoped to see. We played with confidence and intent and beat them in two sets. That created the first crossover against Rose City Gold, and we beat them in 2 sets also.  That allowed us to go home early!

Thanks to the parents who kept us well fed and encouraged the girls when they most needed it!  We look forward to a much higher level of play on both sides of the net as we enter the second day of Qualifier with the top 16 teams at Eastmoreland Courts.  Go OJ's!!

Marty Mozzochi

14 Yellow PL Qualifier #1 Highlight

We had a great day all around celebrating our first win of the season against Juniper in three sets.  We then lost in two to Silver foxes and finished our pool with a win in two against Aces teal. Our pool results ended with us in a three way tie for first, but due to points, we placed third. We were matched up with Aces Orange and won in two sets and immediately played Salem who we took a disappointing loss to in three sets. 25-20, 31-29, and 20-18. While fatigue was a factor here, I chalk this loss up to poor reffing!  Parents from the other team were agreeing with me! So, a bitter loss to end the day.

As for our refereeing, I am proud to say we did it and did it well! First game without a problem, but our second game, a few things came up once with me and another with the scorekeeping, and in all cases, we were right!! Woohoo! Super proud of us!

Every single player stood out throughout the tournament.  But if there's one player that stood out, it was Hazuki with her reliable serving, and amazing digs! We got some cheering down on the court and the bench which made every game so much fun!  All in all, I'm so happy with how we started the season and look forward to the season!
Corring Fallau