Thank You!

After updating my Friday post and before I get to the Saturday post, I wanted to say thank you to everyone that was nice enough to come say hello at the Southwestern Regional. I love talking volleyball and hearing the perspectives from other teams. Special thank you to the coaches that made a special trip in the midst of their insanity to say hello. Just wow.

As you can guess, this blog is not something I do for money but I love every minute of it. The “hellos” and the volleyball shop talk are my payment.

To the Pacific Lutheran parents, I can’t say I’m sad Trinity is out of the tournament just because they are our main rivals. But, boy did I feel sad seeing players I’ve rooted against for 4 years with red eyes getting their awards. Trinity is such an amazing program and the players have always been extremely nice to me even when I tell them I hate them after another Tiger win. (By the way, when I say “I hate you.”…it’s really my highest praise I can give.) I’m not sure if Kirby Smith’s parents ever found the blog but my heart went out to her today. Such an amazing player and the nicest young lady in the world. You did a good job there.

Back to the Logger parents. Just kidding…Lutes. Nice talking to you all. I feel I’m responsible for your victory since I reminded you that you lost when you switched sides so you stayed where you were in set 4 and won. So much fun watching your team play and meeting your coach.

To the New Rochelle players and coaches…I didn’t get my t-shirt. You name an entire school after me and I can’t get a stinking shirt? I enjoyed watching you play today. Tough draw getting Colorado College but you showed well. Scrappy team.

Always love talking to the Colorado College parents. Such a wonderful season. Word of warning…Pac Lu © is going to be a little bit better than New Rochelle.

I don’t think I talked to any CMS fans but did the Comets of UTD. If I had a vote for coach of the year (with all due respect to Rick Swan), it would go to UTD’s Marci Allison. Two critical players go down before the season starts, injuries during the season and then rocking it like you did against UMHB and then CMS. Just wow…be proud and the rest of us need to watch out next year.

To the Whitter parents and coaches, I’m so sorry for being the obnoxious cheering guy. I tried to warn you all. I can’t help it. Such a magical year for a team that wasn’t expected to be in the top half of their conference let alone the NCAA tournament. Such a ride and I’m sorry my Pirates had to be the ones that ended it.

And, finally, if any of the coaches have read down this far and see me tomorrow, please remind me to ask about that idea I had regarding the blog. I kept spacing out when I had a chance to ask. I won’t say the idea here because you’ll probably say it’s stupid and this way only one of you will know how stupid it was.

And, finally…yeah, it’s late and I couldn’t think of a new way to start this paragraph. Four amazing teams left in the regional tomorrow – Pac Lu ©, Colorado College, CMS and Southwestern…going to be fun.