We welcome the 3rd graders into the world of CYO, as they are playing in a 4th grade division. Let's not forget that. Our four brave 3rd graders are Jason Ng, Ryan Kwong, Garrick Sin and Edwena Wong.
It's tough playing against bigger kids, and these 4 make up 25% of this team and all play a vital part, the defense. They are the last players teams get through in order to score, so it's a lot of pressure.
I'd have to say even though they are in 3rd and 4th grade, this team leaves some stuff to be desired. The team itself is a fairly athletic bunch, able to run and kick. However, their BIGGEST problem is working together. They are at times quick to blame each other and have trouble focusing and paying attention. But that goes with all young kids.
They have made improvements, even dominating possession in one of their games. Other teams sometimes are just too much for them to handle. The last two games, there were kids twice the size of our biggest player, and it's difficult to out-power them.
Every player has shown spurts of being a good player, most notably Steve Ung, Brandon Tom, Brandon Khuu and Garrick Sin. But to do it every game is pretty difficult.
Daniel Lin has been the goalie since day one and has done a great job. He's stopped a lot of shots and sometimes doesn't get too much help from the defense.
But it all comes down to one thing, and it sounds cliche, and it's used over and over again. Really--this team needs team work more than anything else. There's too much talent for this team not to be good.
.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
EXCLUSIVE BREAKING NEWS: 6th/7th Grade Girls Volleyball Game Changed for Saturday
The 6th/7th Grade Volleyball game has been moved to 12 p.m. on Saturday @ CYO Serramonte.
It had been previously scheduled for earlier that morning.
Please read the 8th grade girls volleyball review if you haven't and stay tuned for the soccer team reviews later tonight.
It had been previously scheduled for earlier that morning.
Please read the 8th grade girls volleyball review if you haven't and stay tuned for the soccer team reviews later tonight.
St. Mary's Soccer/Volleyball Mid-Season Review: 8th Grade Girls
First, I wanted to thank all the kids and parents who have come out and supported our two newest sports, volleyball and soccer. It was a goal from the beginning to implement new and exciting activities and I think collectively we have all done a wonderful job in making this dream of sorts come true.
Below are some thoughts about the individual teams, the good and bad, half-way through the season. For the next few days, we will focus on one team each day.
8th Grade Girls Volleyball
I think far and away this is the most athletic girls class in the last several years at St. Mary's. This is no knock on any other classes, but clearly, we have athletes in this class, capable of doing some great things in the athletic field.
I remember reffing a CYO girls basketball game with this team at Holy Name, before I became Athletic Director and I said to myself that this will be a class that will compete for years to come. The coach at the time did something I will never forget. I overheard him say in the huddle to give the ball to his daughter, and pretty much everyone get out of the way. He even mentioned specific names of girls on the team to NOT touch the ball. And this was probably in the 4th or 5th grade?
But back to the current girls. The other day they won a set in volleyball. I don't know if anybody realizes what an accomplishment this is. I don't think I am blowing it out of proportion. Here you have a team that has probably played since 3rd grade, and for sure a few years at least. Then you have us, who started playing about 5 weeks ago. If you ask their coach and even girls on the team, they probably would tell you they should've and could've won that game.
From the beginning, Iris just seemed like she had a knack for volleyball. She transferred into the school last year and I didn't expect her to want to play. Good thing she did, because she was simply amazing on Saturday. She can serve, return, and it would not shock me if she played volleyball in high school. Iris does a great job of taking command and having confidence in herself, something that may be lacking with some of the players on the team. Have faith in yourself...see ball...hit ball. It's all mental.
One other person I want to point out is Katlyn. The first game I saw her play, I felt she had trouble picking it up. She was unable to serve it over and had trouble getting to the ball. 3 games later, she served with ease and even served it too hard on set point. Her turnaround from game 1 to 4 was pretty astounding.
The only knock I have on this team is how serious they take playing. On one hand, there's no reason to get bent out of shape and have a stupid game make you emo. But sometimes I don't know if there is enough care. Last year, after a basketball game they should've won, they all seemed to brush it off. If that was my team, I would've gone nuts (See me tossing scarf at St. Monica's a few years ago). With a little more focus, I think they could be even better than they are right now.
I'd love to touch on everyone, but we just don't have enough time. Just know that
I'm very proud of all you girls and keep fighting, because you're almost there.
Below are some thoughts about the individual teams, the good and bad, half-way through the season. For the next few days, we will focus on one team each day.
8th Grade Girls Volleyball
I think far and away this is the most athletic girls class in the last several years at St. Mary's. This is no knock on any other classes, but clearly, we have athletes in this class, capable of doing some great things in the athletic field.
I remember reffing a CYO girls basketball game with this team at Holy Name, before I became Athletic Director and I said to myself that this will be a class that will compete for years to come. The coach at the time did something I will never forget. I overheard him say in the huddle to give the ball to his daughter, and pretty much everyone get out of the way. He even mentioned specific names of girls on the team to NOT touch the ball. And this was probably in the 4th or 5th grade?
But back to the current girls. The other day they won a set in volleyball. I don't know if anybody realizes what an accomplishment this is. I don't think I am blowing it out of proportion. Here you have a team that has probably played since 3rd grade, and for sure a few years at least. Then you have us, who started playing about 5 weeks ago. If you ask their coach and even girls on the team, they probably would tell you they should've and could've won that game.
From the beginning, Iris just seemed like she had a knack for volleyball. She transferred into the school last year and I didn't expect her to want to play. Good thing she did, because she was simply amazing on Saturday. She can serve, return, and it would not shock me if she played volleyball in high school. Iris does a great job of taking command and having confidence in herself, something that may be lacking with some of the players on the team. Have faith in yourself...see ball...hit ball. It's all mental.
One other person I want to point out is Katlyn. The first game I saw her play, I felt she had trouble picking it up. She was unable to serve it over and had trouble getting to the ball. 3 games later, she served with ease and even served it too hard on set point. Her turnaround from game 1 to 4 was pretty astounding.
The only knock I have on this team is how serious they take playing. On one hand, there's no reason to get bent out of shape and have a stupid game make you emo. But sometimes I don't know if there is enough care. Last year, after a basketball game they should've won, they all seemed to brush it off. If that was my team, I would've gone nuts (See me tossing scarf at St. Monica's a few years ago). With a little more focus, I think they could be even better than they are right now.
I'd love to touch on everyone, but we just don't have enough time. Just know that
I'm very proud of all you girls and keep fighting, because you're almost there.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Soccer Practice Moved to Tuesday for 3rd/4th Grade
Soccer practice for the 3rd/4th grade will be moved to Tuesday this week. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
8th grade Girls Win Set!!! History in the making...
It was unbelievable, historic, incredible...etc. Not enough adjectives to describe what the 8th grade girls did today. Should've been there folks...
They actually won a set, and were this close from winning the game.
11-25, (W) 25-19, and 15-9.
A few serves that would've went over could've made the different. Just an amazing performance by the 9 girls in 8th grade.
More on this game later tonight or tomorrow afternoon.
SOCCER RESULTS
3rd/4th Grade- L 3-0
6th/7th Grade- L 7-0
The 6th/7th Grade played their best game, even though the score doesn't show it. They had several shots on goal and kept the opposition, another soccer powerhouse, scoreless in the first quarter.
They actually won a set, and were this close from winning the game.
11-25, (W) 25-19, and 15-9.
A few serves that would've went over could've made the different. Just an amazing performance by the 9 girls in 8th grade.
More on this game later tonight or tomorrow afternoon.
SOCCER RESULTS
3rd/4th Grade- L 3-0
6th/7th Grade- L 7-0
The 6th/7th Grade played their best game, even though the score doesn't show it. They had several shots on goal and kept the opposition, another soccer powerhouse, scoreless in the first quarter.
Friday, October 3, 2008
6th/7th Grade Results
Quick score from the volleyball game that ended about half-an-hour ago.
25-17, 25-6.
Great first set, the best played this year by the team.
More insight and analysis to follow later this weekend.
SOCCER AND VOLLEYBALL TOMORROW
3rd/4th Grade- West Sunset @ 1 p.m.
6th/7th Grade- Polo Fields @ 2 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL
2:30 @ Mission Dolores
25-17, 25-6.
Great first set, the best played this year by the team.
More insight and analysis to follow later this weekend.
SOCCER AND VOLLEYBALL TOMORROW
3rd/4th Grade- West Sunset @ 1 p.m.
6th/7th Grade- Polo Fields @ 2 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL
2:30 @ Mission Dolores
Trivia Question for this week
Who was the last Raiders head coach to have a winning record?
This one is a bit tougher...
This one is a bit tougher...
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