Week Four - Uh Oh, There Goes that Team Again…
10/2/22
The problem with dynasties is that they are incredibly hard to topple. Often it takes years on years before the cracks in the armor become visible. What’s worse, is when they do fall, they often rise back to prominence quickly as plenty of the culture and know-how lie in the halls even after defeat.
The Skippers broke through years ago and created a level of excellence that fed into championships and often set the tone for the top division in RI girls’ volleyball. Last year, their reign came to an end as South Kingstown bested them in the Semi-Finals. Even the beginning of this year came with a loss to La Salle Academy, and a fall in the ResV rankings, leaving some to think that perhaps this year’s Skipper side may be more middle of the pack then pole position.
Since the loss to the Rams, however, NK hasn’t lost since. They’ve only dropped two sets total in six matches and have knocked off South Kingstown, Portsmouth, Coventry, and Classical, in convincing fashion. With junior setter Ella Maack running the show and top pin hitter Annie Draper, also a junior, scoring points, the Skippers are hard to beat. Maack and Draper are also very good blockers causing issues for left side opponents, and anything that does get through, sophomore libero Syd Henson picks up to turn into quality swings in transition.
The league is left to once again figure out a way to best North Kingstown. Certainly, there is still half of the season left to concoct an anecdote to the Skippers play. NK will not have an easy road schedule wise, either. Things can also happen that are also outside of team’s control. However, at the halfway point, it feels like the road to RIC goes through NK once again.
North Kingstown (7 - 1) - The Skippers had themselves a solid week. Dispatching both Coventry and Classical in 3 sets is the type of week that gets articles written about you…see above. Mount Saint Charles and Cranston East await the Skippers in week 5 with a road adventure at the Mounties den and then hosting the Bolts the next day. Back-to-back dates are challenging, so it’ll be another test for the team holding the top position.
(↑ 2 ) La Salle Academy (7 - 1) - The Rams entered week 4 with a challenging slate. They saw a surging Classical team first, and then battled a Coventry squad that was off to hot start in the beginning of the season. Solid play by Somadina Amaechina and Eve Sweeney at the net with setting prowess from Abby Crowley ensured La Salle would not drop a set this week. The Rams have the Cranstons next as they eye another match-up with the Skippers in the not-too-distant future.
(↓ 1) South Kingstown (4 - 2) - The Rebels had a single match to deal within week 4 after a tumultuous time the week prior. Dropping their first match to the Skippers but picking up a win against Prout in week 3, SK was looking to steady the ship. The Avengers were the Friday assignment on the road. Ava Brock had herself a night with 26 kills, 5 aces, and 4 blocks but in the end, it was the East Greenwich side that prevailed in 5 sets, shocking the Rebels. Going 1 -2 over the last couple of weeks is certainly a warning sign for the defending champs with Cranston West and Mount Saint Charles up next.
(↑ 1) Chariho (7 - 0) - The Chargers move to a top four position on the board as they once again have a clean sheet on the week. Chariho took care of Mt. Hope and Lincoln in straight sets with the trio of offense coming from Katja Nelson and Jules White while Lexi Cole set the table. Week 5 immediately features the prime-time showdown with East Providence on the road which should be the toughest test yet for this Charger side.
(↓ 2) Coventry (5 - 3) - The Oakers drop two spots after a disastrous week. Not only did Coventry go winless, but they were also swept clean in both matches. Granted, they saw North Kingstown and La Salle and were coming off a 5-set loss to EG before that, so it was certainly not an easy part of their schedule. Still, Coventry is now on a three match losing streak after starting the season winning five straight. The Oakers need to pass a little better to get the ball to Abigail Spadoni and Liv Rollinson consistently as Portsmouth and Prout are up next.
(↑ 1) Cumberland (7 - 1) - The Clippers had a more adventurous week then planned. Cumberland was able to finish clean, but there was some work in that time frame. Ponaganset was able to steal a set in their defeat, and Middletown did more than that. The Islanders pushed Cumberland to the brink with a 5-set effort, yet still fell in the end. The Clippers need to remain focused as they wait for a potentially season shaping Week 6 to arrive. With Exeter-West Greenwich and North Smithfield on the docket in the now, Cumberland will look to keep things ship shape.
(↓ 1) East Greenwich (5 - 4) - Goodness gracious sakes alive, Avengers… Call them what you will, the Yo Yo team, the 50/50 horse, the Enigma…No matter the title, the East Greenwich Avengers are likely to beat you as likely as they are to lose. The talent is there to knock off practically any team in the state. They have premier wins over Coventry, South Kingstown, and Portsmouth. They have really tough loses in matchups with Mount Saint Charles, and Classical. So, truth be told, no one knows what they’re going to do next. The hope must be for Melis Kocak and Ella Johnson to do work at the net on a consistent basis. One thing we do know, is that going into the playoffs, EG will not fear long 5-set matches.
(↑ 1) East Providence (9 - 1) - The Townies once again sport the largest number of wins in the state this week. The thought was they took care of business until tested, and the first time didn’t go so well as they fell to Cumberland. However, the second test versus Westerly was a different story. EP swept the Bulldogs leaving little doubt that they’re playing for keeps in the D-2 world. With Chariho now directly in front of them on their own ice, the Townies will look to Brookelyn Feola and Emma Nordquist to have big matches to knock the Chargers down a peg.
(New) Portsmouth (4 - 5) - Portsmouth got off to a slow start due to some off the court issues and play that was not becoming of their talent level. Recently, however, they’ve righted the ship and have put together a resume that gets them on the top 15 opening 9th. That’s a huge jump, however with wins against the erratic Avengers and Cranston East, the feeling was they’ve turned the corner. Now, Catilin Mediate and crew face Classical and Coventry this upcoming week and the expectation would be at least a split…or perhaps the 9th spot opening could be just a mirage.
Classical (2 - 4) - The Purple’s rise was cut short as they saw La Salle and North Kingstown in week 4. Like the Oakers, who faced the same opponents, Classical was swept in both contests. They hold their spot based on their head-to-head victory over Mount Saint Charles and huge victory of East Greenwich…though some “Ws” will need to start finding their home soon. With Portsmouth and Prout in line for week 5, Harmony Forrest and Deana Baez will need limit errors and produce to get two.
Mount Saint Charles (4 - 3) - The Mounties had single match on the week and could have climbed the list a little if not for the 5-set defeat to Classical earlier. MSC handled Prout in 3-sets and that was all the action Amanda Pierce and company would see in week 4. Week 5, however, features the Kingstowns and it’ll be interesting to see how the Mounties deal with the current #1 team in the state and the defending champs.
Cranston East (2 - 4) - Cranston East also maintains their spot on the board despite a split week. The Bolts were able to pry a vic off their cross-town rivals Cranston West in 3 sets. Portsmouth, however, then handed them a 4-set loss that left Cranston East with more questions than answers. One gets the feeling that CE is just missing something. Sarina Marines has the arm to win matches and Taylor Simoneau is a solid libero that passes and defends well. With La Salle and NK coming down next, it’s going to take clean volleyball to advance.
Central Falls (5 - 0) - Central Falls had one match to focus on this week and that was to last year’s D-3 champ Scituate, who consequently they lost to in that D-3 final. CF was on the road, and it did go five sets, but in the end Central Falls did avenge their championship loss in this regular season match. Joana Rodrigues was her normal solid self in the game and played a pivotal role in the victory. Tolman and Woonsocket are next.
(↓ 5) Westerly (5 - 3) - Similarly to Coventry, the Bulldogs had a disastrous week. Losing to Lincoln and East Providence without making a dent was surprising and ultimately dropped them five spots in the rankings. The East Providence match was billed to be a big test for both teams and EP ran away with it. The Lincoln match was supposed to be another solid outing for Westerly and that did not occur. All Westerly can do is let this week go and focus on the future. Pilgrim and Ponaganset are next, and the Bulldogs will look to get things back on track.
(↓ 1) Bay View (5 - 0) - Bay View had a bye week and didn’t play anyone. Week 5 does bring three contests to the table with matches against Juanita Sanchez, Block Island, and Narragansett.
Receiving Votes — Scituate, Middletown, Mt. Hope, Providence Country Day
To send season updates, stories, and players to consider…or inquire about coffee beans that Coach roasts himself, to Coach Reslow - Scott.Reslow@protonmail.com