17-1 Elite

Roster

Season Recap and Highlights

AAU’s Recap (from the Coach)

The SMV 17-1’s team traveled to Orlando, FL for the AAU championships this June and wouldn’t you know it, we had a great time.  The ladies were geared up for the tournament, the Florida sun, and the great vacation home that the club set them up with.  With our first day, the ladies spent some time relaxing in the sun and lazy river at the water park Wet-n-Wild, and would round out their free day walking and shopping at Downtown Disney.

 Our second day, the first true day of the tournament, our ladies were able to sleep in and go to the Orange County Convention Center to play in the afternoon.  Our first match started well, with SMV taking the first game 25-20 but losing the next two hard fought games to a tougher and more prepared North Carolina team.  The second match was a struggle, with the first game being a nail biting loss at 32-34 to a tough and consistent team from Louisiana.  After such a tough match, the ladies were unable to put on a rally hat, and lost the match in two games.  Our third match, against a team from Ohio was a turn around for the ladies as they swept them in two quick games.  After our first day we had a 1-2 match record and a 3-4 game record, but do to the format of the tourney a 3rd place finish in our pool wasn’t enough to fight for a run at the gold bracket.

Our next day of the tourney was a short day, only having a pool of three, but having to start bright and early, the ladies stepped up their game to defeat a team from Pennsylvania in all three games of the match, 30-28; 25-14; and 29-17.  In the second match of the day the ladies fought hard against another team from Ohio, and split the first two games, only to stomp the team in the third 25-11.  The second day found is with a 2-0 match record, and a 5-1 game record.

 The third day of the tournament, and the final day of pool play found us yet again waking up bright and early to rush the ladies to their officiating assignment.  I am sure the ladies will not forget the air we caught from the speed bump and the amazing cornering ability of the minivan!  Our first match up was against a tall South Carolina team, with their libero being taller than half our team.  The ladies rose to the challenge and knocked the tree’s down in two quick games.  In our second match, against a tough team from Michigan, the ladies found themselves down 10-0 in the first game, but did not give up and came back to win the game 25-23.  What an amazing comeback and great focus from the ladies.  In the second game the ladies put up a 7-1 lead, and held strong to a two game finish for the match win.  In the third match, the ladies were able to meet their first team from Puerto Rico, and were able to come out with another two game match win.  This gave us a commanding 3-0 match record with a 6-0 game record for the day.

On the final day, the tournament bracket day, we were in the running for 33rd overall, having started 39th out of 63.  Our first match was against a dominating team from Michigan, but our ladies were wide awake in the first game, and won 25-14 only to get a little quiet in the second game and drop a heartbreaking loss 25-9.  This was enough to put some fire under the ladies, and they would take the third game 15-12.  In the semi-final match of our bracket, we were matched up against a tall and great blocking Texas team, and again found ourselves winning the first game, only to drop the second and come back in a heart stopping third game victory 16-14.  In the finals against and intense Michigan team, the ladies came out on fire and won the first game, only to once again drop the second game.  Then in the third game, with a bad call, a coach finally getting his yellow card, and a horrible officiating crew, the ladies were unable to climb out of a 5-0 deficit and would end taking second in the bracket and 34th overall.

All in all, for the weekend the ladies were 8-3 in match play and 19-9 in game play.  What a great record even if we did not end up higher than our finishing position.  On top of this great volleyball, the ladies had a blast playing in the sun, going to the beach, enjoying the sites, and helping the coaches start a tradition of pranks to be pulled between the ever battling 17’s and 18’s team.   Thanks for the great week ladies, and congratulations on a solid performance and on winning the prank wars.
Coach Mischka

AAU Memorable Experience’s from the Players

Mary “Sasquatch” Sanderfoot – She remembers being “at Wet’N Wild and going on Bubba’s tub with Darci (Heikes), Ellie (Mikesh), and Allie (Hauschild) and Ellie literally flying out of the tube!  Also getting air off of the speed bumps in the van at the convention center in the mini-van and peeling out around the corner” to get everyone to their officiating duties on time.  Also “Since I couldn’t play in Orlando because of my appendicitis, I got to cheer on the team but Rick and Chris let me serve and the first time I got put into the game the parents and everyone that knew about my surgery started cheering for me.  It made me feel all happy inside!”  And Mary got an ace on that first serve!

Jordyn “George the Gerbil” Rahlf – “The whole AAU experience in general, especially how Kate pretty much threatened to beat up Megan (Schroeder) if she didn’t sit down and let Kate ‘make her into a girl;’ Ellie (Mikesh) and Bob (Allie Hauschild) dancing in the pool; and who could forget trashing the 18’s house and sitting in their driveway waiting for them to come home” so they could take pictures of the 18’s response to the 17’s and coaches getting vengeance in the prank war.  Jordyn also remembers “finally hitting a ‘bird’ in the court but the line judge calling it out because she wasn’t paying attention leading to Rick’s 1st, surprisingly, yellow card and then eating mini-donuts so I didn’t fall asleep.”

Laura “Dori” Musselman – She remembers “playing equally matched teams and playing intensely throughout the matches; going to three games and smoking them out of the water.  The last day of the tournament play was great.  We would play and I would be really nervous that we would lose, but we came back with such great intensity and determination.  Some of these games I will never forget.  Living in this huge house and trashing/pranking the 18-1’s house was great, instead of staying in a hotel where it would be very cramped!”

Laura “Jaws the Tuna” Carlson – “My experience I will always remember is when Rick blew mini doughnut powder right in my face when I was officiating…I will get him back.”  “My volleyball experience was when I hit an overpass and Rick told me ‘way to stay out of the net,’ and I turned around and told him that I was in the net!  Haha, I guess that is why they call me tuna!!!”

Kiley Schmidt – She remembers “dominating the 18’s house.  It was intense and kind of scary but so much fun.”  She also remembers “the game against Puerto Rico because I have had to play a Puerto Rican team about 10 now and we finally beat them.”

Darci “Travelocity, the Roaming Gnome” Heikes – “My favorite experience was when we were down 10-0 and we came back and won 25-23.”  And she mentioned “who could forget all the car rides with Rick and Chris.  They were hilarious, and the conversations were fun and interesting.”

Allie Hauschild – Allie remembers “sharing items with other teams (gift swap-like whistles and CD’s, etc.); playing a 3rd game for a win was fun and intense; and screaming and cheering till it physically hurt to make a noise.”  She also liked “plotting and taking revenge on the 18’s team and all the team bonding including eating out, watching movies and oh, did I mention EATING LOTS!”

Ellie “Tank” Mikesh – “AAU’s National Championships has been the most memorable moment.  I love going to tournaments and playing against teams that share the same love for volleyball as I do and playing against teams that are from across the country, it is so inspiring.  My most memorable moment was when the block was so tall all I could do is pound the ball into the block.  I hit the ball so hard it went in between the block and I got a kill.  Also the most memorable moment was when we trashed the 18’s house.  It was so funny!  We love them though!  And it was harmless pranks but we so GOT THEM!”

Megan “Horse” Schroeder – “My most memorable experience about volleyball is when Rick told everyone on our team to jump serve even if they didn’t know how to during a game.  It was so funny cause Jordyn got a horrified look on her face when he told her to try it.  The best memory of the Florida trip was when we pranked the 18’s house.  It was fun because the day it happened, Rick and Chris came into our house and told us we had to blow up balloons.  When we were done trashing the house we sat in front of the house (on the garden furniture that we put in the driveway) waiting for the 18’s to see their faces.”

Kate Speedling – Kate remembers “getting my jump serve mastered, and playing good defense and offense.”  Also she remembers “the wars between the 17’s and 18’s when the 17’s totally won by trashing there house when they had no idea it was us!!!!”

Megan Lewis – “My favorite memory was pranking the 18’s house and then telling them our coaches made us sit in front of their house.  It was funny.  Rick and Chris started it, and the 18’s thought it was us, so pranked us.  So, of course, we had to get them back, and won.”  “My favorite volleyball memory is when Mary went in to serve and everyone went crazy.  The people from the other team thought we were nuts, but it was that Mary got to play.  I also loved all the close and intense battles we had especially the ones that went to the 30’s woo!  What a fun and crazy week.”

SMV 17-1’s Season Review

I would like to take this opportunity to review the season, and to congratulate and thank various people for making this season fun and enjoyable.

Our season was filled with ups and a few downs, but in the end it was a season of fun and success.  We finished the AAU tournament with an 8-3 match record, and finished 34 of 63 to end the week.  We took 3rd place at our SMV Spring Tourney, and won our flight in the Northern Lights Qualifier.  We also took 9th overall in the 18’s Power League at Northern Lights, while taking a 5th place finish at the metro President’s Day tournament.  In the end, our final season record was a solid 35 wins and 22 losses (35-22) in match play while finishing with a 92-56 game record.  Good job ladies.

I would like to thank all the players.  It was great coaching each and every one of you, and you all have improved so much.  It will be great to see how you do in your high school seasons and in your future as a whole.  I know that there were probably times you questioned my coaching, but as a whole I feel each player received the best and most coaching and this can be seen in your improvement and development throughout the season.

I would like to thank the parents.  Everyone was supportive and seemed to enjoy watching the ladies do well.  Thanks to all the parents who helped with chaperone duties and with various other aspects of the team, it was much appreciated.

Lastly, thanks to SMV for having me on as a first year head coach of an elite team.  I learned a lot and hopefully helped improve the club.  Let’s keep looking to the future, to make this club the best it can be.

I would like to take this time to individually thank each of the ladies that committed to the team this year, and congratulate them publicly on their nominations and awards.

Allie Hauschild – Gumby, Pokey, Piglet…they all seem to fit at any given time.  Thanks for being a positive attitude on the team and for working hard to get better.  You played great at AAU’s and I hope that you will strive to continue improving.  Congratulations on your nominations for Heart of the Team, for Defensive Player of the Year, and for Most Improved Player.

Megan Schroeder – Our Horse…Thanks for working so hard to excel at everything we threw at you.  You showed dedication and continual improvement in all positions, and in all aspects of the game.  Congratulations on your nominations for Offensive Player of the Year, for Most Improved Player, and for Most Valuable Player.

Kiley Schmidt – Thanks for being so committed and continuously asking questions on how you can improve your setting and overall game.  Continue to focus on the finer points of fundamentals and on the overall game and your commitment will pay off.  Congratulations on your nominations for Heart of the Team and for Most Improved Player.

Jordyn Rahlf – Our lovable little Gerbil.  Thanks for your willingness to step onto the team late in the season, and fill a huge roll by not only staying positive but stepping in and playing with your heart and with a huge love of the game.  Congratulations on your nominations for Heart of the Team, and for Most Improved Player.

Darci Heikes – The Roaming Gnome…aka Travelocity!  Thanks for stepping up and filling a leadership role for the team.  You brought intensity and fire to the team when they needed it most.  Congratulations on your nominations for Heart of the Team, and for Most Valuable Player.

Megan Lewis – Thanks for never giving up, especially in light of the many things that went against you this season, you came in with such a dedicated and positive attitude to improve that you made life easier on the coaches but especially on the team.  Congratulations on your nominations for Heart of the Team, and for Most Improved Player.  Congratulations on being awarded Co-Heart of the Team honors.

Ellie Mikesh – Thanks for playing with fire, intensity, and the never say die, never give up attitude.  Your constant sense of humor and love of the game was and will always be appreciated.  Congratulations on being nominated for the Heart of the Team, for Defensive Player of the Year, and for Most Valuable Player.  Congratulations on being awarded Co-Heart of the Team honors.

Laura Mussleman – Thank you for taking the opportunity to move up and help our team in the middle of the season.  Your passion and love of the game really made others strive to be better players.  Congratulations on being nominated for Heart of the Team, and for Defensive Player of the Year.  Congratulations on being awarded Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Mary Sanderfoot – Thank you for working so hard to become the best player you can be not only physically but also mentally and for always showing up to give 100%!  Congratulations on your nominations for Defensive Player of the Year, for Offensive Player of the Year, and for Most Improved Player.  Congratulations on being awarded Most Improved Player of the Year.

Laura Carlson – Thanks for being a great, quiet leader for the team, and for working so hard while maintaining such a positive attitude.  Keep Smiling and stay out of the NET-tuna.  Congratulations on being nominated for Heart of the Team, for Defensive Player of the Year, for Offensive Player of the Year, and for Most Valuable Player.  Congratulations on being awarded the Co-MVP honors.

Kate Speedling – Our Beaker, our Beast, our Chewbacca the Wookie…Thank you for coming in and showing everyone how to play with intensity, focus, and spirit; and for playing out of your mind!  Congratulations on being nominated for Heart of the Team, for Defensive Player of the Year, for Offensive Player of the Year, and for Most Valuable Player.  Congratulations on being awarded the Offensive Player of the Year honors AND for being awarded the Co-MVP honors.

Thanks again everyone, and good luck in the future.
Coach Mischka

SMV Spring Tournament

The SMV 17-1 team took 3rd at the SMV Spring Tournament, going 3-2 in match play and 7-4 in games.  It was a solid day, with our semi final action being against the dreaded SMV 18-1's.  Boy, what a match that turned out to be.  With SMV 17-1's taking the first game by a small margin, then the 18's taking the second by the same margin we were thrust into a heated and amazing game three...to which the 18's took the win by another narrow margin.  Congrats to both teams on a great match and a great tournament.  Now we are looking forward to AAU's.