Marissa will represent St. Mary's in the annual CYO Achievement Game, which recognizes an 8th grader from each volleyball team.
Marissa was chosen by her coaches and will play tomorrow night at St. Emydius starting at 5:30 p.m.
Olivia Chan was selected in 2008 and Sally Li was the representative in 2009.
Please be there to see Marissa in her final game in a St. Mary's volleyball uniform.
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Sunday, November 7, 2010
BREAKING NEWS: Cross Country postponed
Due to current weather conditions, Cross Country for today has been canceled. It will be rescheduled at a later date. Take the extra time to catch up on the blog. Please let others know in case they haven't heard the news.
Also, a full basketball schedule will be released later tonight on the blog.
Also, a full basketball schedule will be released later tonight on the blog.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Volleyball Wrap: 8th grade girls go out with a bang, Michelle's big day
**HIGHLIGHTS BELOW**
The 8th grade girls made their final volleyball game at St. Mary's a memorable, upsetting a second place, playoff-bound team, in a three set thriller.
After losing the first set 25-20, the girls came back and pulled out a nail biter 25-23 in set two, and then won the third and deciding set 15-10.
Marissa set the tone for the entire game as she served the 8th graders out to a 5-0 lead in the first set. They even held an 18-13 advantage before the other team started to kick their game into gear.
They played a team that was (6-1) coming into this final game of the year, and were no slouch. Their opponents were good at the bump, set and spike. A few players served overhand and some of their girls served balls right on a line, which made it very difficult for the 8th graders to return. But they were up to the challenge.
Facing an early deficit in set two, Catharine served the girls right back into the game and the score was tied 15-15. Each point was so precious in a game like this, no pun intended, that one point could swing the momentum the other way. Luckily, when the game was tied at 20-20, St. Mary's took control and Marissa finished it off with a nice tip at the net to force a third set.
Getting to the third set with the second place team was already a pretty good accomplishment, but in their final game as 8th graders, they wanted great. The final set went back and forth, and at one point, the girls trailed 10-8. The girls gained a point on serve receive, and from that point on, they never looked back as they rallied for 7 straight points to close out the match.
Kristine was once again in her familiar spot, serving for the match and she did not disappoint. Although she serves underhand, the trajectory of her ball is very difficult to return and it showed. She anchored six straight points and the 8th grade girls jumped for joy in their final game as Saints.
Every year, there are great stories to tell with the teams at St. Mary's and this team will be added to that growing list. Coming into the season, there was a distinct possibility that there wouldn't even be a team. With only six girls in the class, they needed all of them to join. Sadly, only half of them did.
The four girls from DeMarillac, Gavrielle, Precious, Alexa and Kristine, all decided to take on something they had never tried before. This team of seven won their first and last games of the season, a pretty remarkable accomplishment considering all the girls, sans Marissa, were pretty much foreign to competitive volleyball.
And it's been said so man times, but what if this team had played together for one full year, or for that matter, since 3rd grade? How good could this team be right now?
But in the end, the entire team, coaching staff and parents should savor these last two games, and cherish them, as the girls go out as winners.
Michelle serves nine straight: In her first year of volleyball, Michelle served nine straight balls over in the second set in 5th/6th grade's final game of the year. She put the girls in control of the set, giving them an 9-0 advantage to start off the set. However, the girls couldn't hold the lead and fell 25-16. They lost their first set 25-9 and finish the season with a (2-6) record.
The 8th grade girls made their final volleyball game at St. Mary's a memorable, upsetting a second place, playoff-bound team, in a three set thriller.
After losing the first set 25-20, the girls came back and pulled out a nail biter 25-23 in set two, and then won the third and deciding set 15-10.
Marissa set the tone for the entire game as she served the 8th graders out to a 5-0 lead in the first set. They even held an 18-13 advantage before the other team started to kick their game into gear.
They played a team that was (6-1) coming into this final game of the year, and were no slouch. Their opponents were good at the bump, set and spike. A few players served overhand and some of their girls served balls right on a line, which made it very difficult for the 8th graders to return. But they were up to the challenge.
Facing an early deficit in set two, Catharine served the girls right back into the game and the score was tied 15-15. Each point was so precious in a game like this, no pun intended, that one point could swing the momentum the other way. Luckily, when the game was tied at 20-20, St. Mary's took control and Marissa finished it off with a nice tip at the net to force a third set.
Getting to the third set with the second place team was already a pretty good accomplishment, but in their final game as 8th graders, they wanted great. The final set went back and forth, and at one point, the girls trailed 10-8. The girls gained a point on serve receive, and from that point on, they never looked back as they rallied for 7 straight points to close out the match.
Kristine was once again in her familiar spot, serving for the match and she did not disappoint. Although she serves underhand, the trajectory of her ball is very difficult to return and it showed. She anchored six straight points and the 8th grade girls jumped for joy in their final game as Saints.
Every year, there are great stories to tell with the teams at St. Mary's and this team will be added to that growing list. Coming into the season, there was a distinct possibility that there wouldn't even be a team. With only six girls in the class, they needed all of them to join. Sadly, only half of them did.
The four girls from DeMarillac, Gavrielle, Precious, Alexa and Kristine, all decided to take on something they had never tried before. This team of seven won their first and last games of the season, a pretty remarkable accomplishment considering all the girls, sans Marissa, were pretty much foreign to competitive volleyball.
And it's been said so man times, but what if this team had played together for one full year, or for that matter, since 3rd grade? How good could this team be right now?
But in the end, the entire team, coaching staff and parents should savor these last two games, and cherish them, as the girls go out as winners.
Michelle serves nine straight: In her first year of volleyball, Michelle served nine straight balls over in the second set in 5th/6th grade's final game of the year. She put the girls in control of the set, giving them an 9-0 advantage to start off the set. However, the girls couldn't hold the lead and fell 25-16. They lost their first set 25-9 and finish the season with a (2-6) record.
8th grade scores on penalty kick, 5th/6th graders blanked again
Miguel scored on a penalty kick for the 8th grade, but with only nine players on the field, they were handed their second straight loss.
They started with 10 players, but Calson, who is battling a headache could only make it to halftime.
Miguel was awarded a penalty kick when he was fouled inside the box. Mark had a great pass, and placed it perfectly for Miguel to make a run towards the goal.
The 8th graders finish their season next week.
5th/6th grade shutout: The 5th/6th grade team put forth a valiant effort and played two games in three hours, but both ended in the same result. They were held scoreless in both games. They also conclude their season next Saturday.
They started with 10 players, but Calson, who is battling a headache could only make it to halftime.
Miguel was awarded a penalty kick when he was fouled inside the box. Mark had a great pass, and placed it perfectly for Miguel to make a run towards the goal.
The 8th graders finish their season next week.
5th/6th grade shutout: The 5th/6th grade team put forth a valiant effort and played two games in three hours, but both ended in the same result. They were held scoreless in both games. They also conclude their season next Saturday.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Long awaited win comes for the 8th grade
**HIGHLIGHTS BELOW**
The 8th grade girls snapped a five game losing streak and won for the first time since their season opener in a straight set laugher. They were neck and neck in the first set and pulled away to win set one 25-20 and then followed that by slaughtering the other team 25-5.
The second set win is by far the biggest margin of victory for any St. Mary's volleyball team in the modern era. It might've been even more lopsided if it weren't for the ten serves in a row rule which Kristine hit for the second straight game.
Catharine might've hit the ten serve limit as she closed out the match, serving eight straight balls over en route to the win.
It was a complete all-around effort by the team. Each girl was strong on the serve, and they had very few faults. They were able to serve receive and set up several bump, set and spike plays. They also played their best by the net and scored several points on tips, most notably coming from Serina and Catharine.
Their confidence is a lot higher than it was after their thud two weeks ago, and they'll look to take that into the season finale tomorrow afternoon.
The 8th grade girls snapped a five game losing streak and won for the first time since their season opener in a straight set laugher. They were neck and neck in the first set and pulled away to win set one 25-20 and then followed that by slaughtering the other team 25-5.
The second set win is by far the biggest margin of victory for any St. Mary's volleyball team in the modern era. It might've been even more lopsided if it weren't for the ten serves in a row rule which Kristine hit for the second straight game.
Catharine might've hit the ten serve limit as she closed out the match, serving eight straight balls over en route to the win.
It was a complete all-around effort by the team. Each girl was strong on the serve, and they had very few faults. They were able to serve receive and set up several bump, set and spike plays. They also played their best by the net and scored several points on tips, most notably coming from Serina and Catharine.
Their confidence is a lot higher than it was after their thud two weeks ago, and they'll look to take that into the season finale tomorrow afternoon.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Busy, busy, busy
The best week ever for San Francisco Giants baseball fans and if you haven't checked it out yet below, you get to see how I looked when I was 5 years old as well as an abbreviated memoir of my love for baseball and the World Series champion San Francisco Giants.
Lots of stuff going on this weekend starting tomorrow afternoon, so here's a little more on all the events.
BASKETBALL SHOOTAROUND
Tomorrow at Cameron House, we will get everybody back into the swing of basketball with this 90 minute shootaround from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Touch a basketball for the first time in a while, do some drills, nothing major. Also get a chance to meet your coach, if he or she will be there.
TRUE SOCCER DOUBLE-HEADER
The 5th/6th graders play two games in three hours. This is where boys become men. 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. kickoffs while the 8th graders play at 10 a.m. as well.
Originally, the 5th/6th graders were scheduled to play at 1 p.m. but that would've been at another field. Might as well finish the two games early in the morning.
VOLLEYBALL FINALES
The 8th grade finishes their volleyball season with a back-to-back Friday night and Saturday, while the 5th/6th graders close out their season Saturday.
CROSS COUNTRY
Just come out and run, plain and simple. It's a free event and let's hope for a nice day. Simply come to the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park and give it your best shot. Remember in high school, they grade you on runs. This will be a good practice. A full schedule was passed out earlier today.
That's all for now folks. I'm sure there will be some more Giants reaction coming up in the next few weeks.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Life of a Giants fan
I still remember seeing the field at Candlestick Park for the very first time. There’s absolutely nothing like seeing a baseball field. The clean cut green grass, the nice infield, the warning track, fences, the music beaming from the stadium speakers. I could go on and on about its beauty.
The Giants played the Cincinnati Reds that afternoon. The Reds were a good team, a great team. In fact, they were so great they won the World Series in 1990 over the A’s. But for that one day, the Giants were better.
Scott Garrelts was the starting pitcher and he was as good as, if not better than Tim Lincecum was last night. Through 8 innings, he had a no-hitter. My first baseball game ever, and I was three outs away from seeing a no-hitter. In the 9th inning, he got the first two outs, and then stepped to the plate Paul O’Neill. I will never forget Paul O’Neill.
O’Neill took a swing and lined a solid single up the middle into centerfield for a base hit. Just like that, the no-hitter was no more.
Garrelts got the next batter and the Giants went on to win that game 4-0. But from that point on, I was hooked into Giants baseball.
Giants baseball was always on the brink of something special. But in the end, you’d always suspect something would go wrong.
Take the first game I ever went to as an example. Garrelts would’ve thrown the first no-hitter in Giants history since 1976 and came up one out short. In 1993, they won 103 games and still came up one win short of the playoffs. In 1997, they won their division only to get swept out of the playoffs in three games. 1998, they had a lead in their final game of the year and gave up a home run in the bottom of the ninth to lose that game, setting up a one game playoff the next day in Chicago, which they lost.
In 2000, their first day in the new ballpark, then called Pacific Bell Park, was ruined when the Dodgers beat them behind three home runs from a guy named Kevin Elster. Who is Kevin Elster?
They made the playoffs in 2000, led 1-0 against the Mets and J.T. Snow hit one of the most memorable home runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the game, only to see the bullpen blow it the next inning. The Giants lost the next three games to end their season.
2001, Barry Bonds broke the single season home run record on the same night they were eliminated from the playoffs, and eliminated by the Dodgers.
2002, up 5-0 in Game 6 of the World Series, only to see a collapse of epic proportion. They lose Game 6 by a score of 6-5 to the Angels and lost Game 7.
2003, they have the best record in the Major Leagues, and yet again, lose to the Florida Marlins in four games.
See a pattern here?
It’s heartbreak after heartbreak and a heart can only take so much break. Seven years after their last playoff appearance in 2003, they clinched the National League West title on the final day of the year against the Padres. They beat the Braves in round one, took care of the Phillies in Round 2 when nobody thought they could, and then they find themselves up 3-1 in the World Series going into last night’s Game 5.
When Edgar Renteria’s ball just went over the left-center field wall in Arlington, I was ecstatic. But as a Giants fan, you feared the worse.
Tim Lincecum gave up a home run to Nelson Cruz the next inning and I couldn’t help but panic. Would this game be added to the list of catastrophes?
Timmy settled down and breezed through the rest of the seventh, easily took care of the eighth and handed the ball over to Brian Wilson. The Giants were three outs away from something that I almost didn’t think I’d ever see.
And when Nelson Cruz swung through Wilson’s fastball to end the game, all the heart ache, all the suffering, all the torture was gone. For that one moment, nothing mattered. It’s an indescribable feeling that I have never felt before. The phrase, “San Francisco Giants, World Series Champions,” was no longer something that was attainable through only my dreams or a video game. It actually happened. My Giants are World Champions.
Words still cannot describe the joy I am still feeling 24 hours after one of the best moments of my life. Every time I think about it, I get goose bumps. In my lifetime, this moment will be hard to top.
Yesterday morning, a radio host, read this excerpt from a book that I will definitely read, called “Fever Pitch.” The book is about a fan of European soccer, who followed the team Arsenal like how I, like many others, followed the Giants. So I found this so fitting.
“There is then, literally, nothing to describe it. I have exhausted all the available options. I can recall nothing else that I coveted for two decades (what else is there that can be reasonably coveted for that long?), nor can I recall anything else that I have desired as both man and boy. So please, be tolerant of those who describe a sporting moment as their best ever. We do not lack imagination, nor have we had sad and barren lives; it is just that real life is paler, duller, and contains less potential for unexpected delirium.”
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