August Musing

Whenever I write one of these articles I can never remember if the title is “musing” or “musings”. It bothers me that I can’t remember.

I’m trying to see if I can get this article done and posted before my thyroid biopsy. It’s not that I’m worried I won’t be back to publish it, mind you. I really feel like my thyroid doctor wants me to give it up (uh, the thyroid). From what I hear, it’s not the worst thing to go through, but I still would like to get through life with all of the body parts I came in with.

As I get older it definitely becomes obvious that a main topic of conversation with my friends is health and the different ailments we all have. I need younger friends.

For those interested in my travel plans, it looks like the (hot) wife and I will be going to the Pacific Coast Classic in a couple of weeks. I booked a return flight (paid) but we will non-rev out as the flights seem more open. Nice that CMS, Pomona-Pitzer and La Verne have all teamed up against my Pirates such that all three of their matches are on their home courts. I hope to catch a bunch of other matches, but the (hot) wife will have a say in things, too. (Side note – It’s times like this that I really regret not getting “obey” in the wedding vows. I assumed they were implied.)

It’s possible my high school volleyball playing niece will attend some matches with us on Saturday. She’s a sophomore so I don’t think the coaches are allowed to talk with her so I’ll be her representative. Just think how the school she attends will have favored status with the website. That is publicity that’s simply hard to put a price on.

Conference previews should be coming out this week. The ASC is usually first but I haven’t pinged them (or the other conferences) as to when they will release the results. I typically have a conference preview of my own but I’m so bad at it that I’ll probably skip it this year. Last year the winners were UT-Dallas, Puget Sound (tied with Whitworth), TLU and CMS. Unusual year with two schools sneaking in (TLU and Puget Sound). My predictions were UT-Dallas, CMS and Whitworth (for half of a point). I had Southwestern in the SCAC with TLU 6th in the conference. (I had Puget Sound 5th.) This year, I’d probably go UT-Dallas in the ASC just because they always seem to be there. Still, I like ETBU and UMHB as two teams that could take it, as well. In the NWC, I’ll default back to Whitworth. PLU keeping Halle Hetzler is a big deal so you have to like their chances and why go away from Puget Sound as it looks like they may come back stronger. Give me Colorado College in the SCAC but Trinity is my 1B selection. I think CMS is the easiest choice in all of the conferences as they should take the SCIAC again. I will say watch for La Verne as the development of Mya Ray will determine their chances. Pomona-Pitzer is always tough but I do think Cal Lutheran will fall a bit this year.

I guess the next big article will be the Preseason All-Region team. It’s a ton of work and I’m just hoping rosters are out for most teams but I know they are not.

Back to travel plans and I’m still hoping I can make it out to the East/West Challenge on the second weekend. Might just be me and it will depend on flights. Another option is the Southwestern Tournament or an easy weekend at home.

Anyone in the NWC know why Commissioner Kimberly Wenger is not listed on the NWC website’s Staff Directory? I pinged them but didn’t get a response back. She’s always been really helpful so hoping it’s just that she doesn’t want people to talk to her (except me, of course).

Nothing back from the ASC or NWC on their new RAC member, yet. Do you get the feeling that I bother the conferences too much?

I had reported awhile back that CMS was going to do a European volleyball trip this summer but it ultimately fell through. It quite possibly would have been the only flight required for their 2023 season.

AVCA voting for the Top 25 is ongoing right now. They will publish their results next week (23rd). I still hold out hope that just one coach will simply use my rankings for their input each week. Side note – the AVCA has changed up their website. Not sure I like the new poll interface as I have to use a filter instead of a specific link for the DIII results. Of course, I’m old and probably should hate new things.

I’m done. I didn’t get this out before the biopsy, by the way. Cool that the doctor didn’t believe in using lidocaine for the procedure.