Week Eight - Neutral Court Vs. Home Court…
10/29/23
With Week Eight now Completed…
Welcome to the Playoffs!
With that in mind, let’s talk about some changes… Leagues are allowed to try new ideas. It’s healthy to tinker with things from time to time and see if there is a better way. Look at the evolution of professional sports and rules of said organizations. Most, if not all, are different animals from what they were in the 50s, 60s, or 70s. Creating a better environment for fans is usually the main drive behind altering a league, but sometimes there are competitive reasons, safety reasons for the athletes or spectators, or even the dreaded “We’re losing money…so…” reasons.
Thus, this year (and I’m not sure which reason applies), we are going to see neutral high school courts for the semifinals and then the finals at Rhode Island College. Does this matter? Kinda. I don’t think it’s been entirely unusual for a semifinal to be at a college court for Rhode Island high school volleyball, however most of the volleyball world…and the sports world in general does not do this…unless you’re a bowl game, college football tournament game, or March Madness…instead teams will play the quarters and semis on the home court of the highest seed. Other states, with vast distances will choose a neutral court for semis and finals based on what would be the travel times but really only at the high school level. However, if you’re not those things…why do it at all?
The real detrimental factor for neutral courts in the semis, is it slightly negates the value of winning in the regular season. All the planning, grit, toughness, to get that top seed gives you a home match for the quarters…and that’s it. That’s it? In every college playoff I’ve been a part of, those seedings mattered more than most knew. Hosting the quarters, semis, and finals was everything and could easily be the difference between success and failure. Winning on the road is hard, winning of the road in the playoffs…well, that’s super hard. Lots of mental toughness to pull off that feet. Since when do we punish the teams that have been the most successful due to the bemoaning of lower seeds in the tournament? The real world is tough and it builds character to win a game on the road either in the regular season or in the playoffs when it matters.
Look, I know how it feels. I really do. My teams at Johnson & Wales University, for a long time, earned low seeds in the tournament. There were times when I felt I’d never get out of 5th or 6th, and even if I got 4th, it meant I was still going to Rivier College (now University) to play in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference men’s volleyball’s version of Chariho’s The Cave, to get swept in three and visit a D’Angelos on the ride home. No fun.
I will add this, we did fight for a little change back then, but it was not about hosting versus neutral sites. It was about allowing a quarter, semi, and final to exist. Back when I started, there was no quarters, and the semis and finals were played on one day at the top seed! Imagine finishing second or third, having to play at the toughest gym, win perhaps, and then play the top team in their barn after a match that was grueling already. Change occurred and the quarters, semis, and finals were all on separate days, and looking back on it now, though I was not leading this discussion, it was the right call in the end.
Again, in my opinion, it’s healthy to try new things from time to time. Certainly, we want to see if there are better ways to accommodate teams, organizations, fans, etc. Are there reasons for why things are done the way they are at the RIIL, sure. However, once these ideas start effecting outcomes of the season or just don’t make a lick of sense…Scrap it and go back to the basics. In this instance, that would be eight teams make the show and top seed hosts throughout the playoffs. Simple, effective, fair, and as inexpensive as possible.
Regardless…Love me some playoffs!
Big Stat Games of the Week…
Lyla Auth (Westerly) - 10 assist, 10 digs, 5 aces, 5 kills versus Lincoln
Sophia Denham (Barrington) - 25 assists, 6 kills, 8 aces, 10 digs versus Bay View
Maddie Brock (South Kingstown) - 8 kills, 2 aces versus La Salle
Mia Iemma (South Kingstown) - 15 digs, 5 aces versus La Salle
Erin Tierney (Exeter-West Greenwich) - 10 aces, 7 kills versus Pilgrim
Addie Crisfield (Portsmouth) - 9 kills, 2 aces and a block versus West Warwick
Sophia Champagne (Portsmouth) - 14 assists, 4 aces, 8 digs versus West Warwick
Malia Mullen (East Providence) - 6 kills, 2 blocks at North Smithfield
Daniella Escudero (East Providence) - 14 digs, 4 aces at North Smithfield
Elle Rwenzo (Bay View) - 19 kills, 2 blocks, 3 digs at Barrington
Avery Gomes (Bay View) - 10 kills, 23 digs at Barrington
Emma McCrann (Barrington) - 12 kills, 2 aces, 9 digs versus Bay View — 11 kills, 7 aces, 16 digs at Mt. Hope
Hannah Leblanc (Barrington) - 10 kills, 2 digs versus Bay View
Kasey Dillon (Barrington) - 9 kills, 4 aces, 11 digs versus Bay View — 12 kills, 4 aces, 4 digs at Mt. Hope
Morgan Martin (Barrington) - 21 digs, 12 aces at Mt. Hope
Trinity Burk (Tolman) - 15 kills, 2 aces, 3 digs versus Scituate
Selly Garcia (Tolman) - 10 kills, 5 aces, 4 digs versus Scituate
Jules White (Chariho) - 11 kills, 3 aces, 13 digs versus Coventry
Katja Nelson (Chariho) - 7 kills, 3 aces, 5 blocks versus Coventry
Emma Kocab (Chariho) - 6 aces, 15 digs versus Coventry
Lexi Cole (Chariho) - 5 kills, 3 aces, 7 digs, 28 assists versus Coventry
Harmony Forrest (Classical) - 21 kills, 8 digs at East Greenwich
Taliyah Pereira (Classical) - 12 kills, 2 aces, 2 blocks, 13 digs at East Greenwich
Deana Baez (Classical) - 27 assists, 5 digs, 2 kills at East Greenwich
Ella Maack (North Kingstown) - 29 assists, 5 digs, 3 blocks, 7 kills at Prout — 33 assists, 4 kills, 2 blocks at South Kingstown
Kayleigh Garrepy (North Kingstown) - 7 kills, 2 aces, 2 digs at Prout — 8 kills, 4 aces, 3 blocks at South Kingstown
Tessa LeFrenier (North Kingstown) - 8 kills, 6 aces, 6 digs at South Kingstown
Syd Henson (North Kingstown) - 22 digs, 2 aces,
Mary McNulty (Toll Gate) - 12 kills, 6 digs at Woonsocket
Kaitlyn Toce (East Greenwich) - 13 kills, 2 blocks versus Classical
Hannah Gaffney (East Greenwich) - 34 digs, 10 assists versus Classical
Donna Garcia (Central) - 14 kills, 10 aces, 3 blocks versus Burrillville
Janet Batista (Central) - 21 assists, 7 aces versus Burrillville.
Samantha Foster (Burrillville) - 23 digs, 3 aces, 2 kills at Central
Gwen Delaney (Middletown) - 16 kills versus Cumberland
Gianna Piker (Middletown) - 9 kills, 4 aces, 2 blocks versus Cumberland
Brennah Abilheira-Cargill (Cumberland) - 15 digs versus Middletown
ResV Player(s) of the Week (8) - Morgan Martin (Barrington), Kayleigh Garrepy (North Kingstown) - Without question, there are plenty of possibilities here in week eight. Huge numbers everywhere. However, looking over it all, Morgan Martin’s performance at Mt. Hope against a team that has pushed everyone around, except the Townies, stands out. 12 aces and 21 digs…that is a crazy stat line for a libero and a well-earned player of the week acknowledgment. Meanwhile, freshman Kayleigh Garrepy has steadily improved throughout the season in the middle, and week eight capped off a season of hard work with the 8 kills, 4 aces, 3 blocks against South Kingstown. SK has two starting middles in the top ten of middles, and Garrepy was able to put up those numbers.
Top 15 going into the playoffs…
North Kingstown (15 - 1) - Next stop, Rhode Island College…
Chariho (15 - 3) - Defend the Cave for one, and then…
Portsmouth (11 - 5) - Spooky season continues…single night only.
[↑ 1] East Providence (16 - 0) - Perfect…Three to go.
[↑ 1] Coventry (12 - 4) - Could catch fire and find themselves in the final…
[↑ 1] South Kingstown (9 - 7) - Road warriors with nothing to lose…plus avoided the NK path…
[↓ 3] La Salle (11 - 6) - Haunted Gymnasium may be where it ends…or begins!
[↑ 1] Cumberland (14 - 3) - Second seed wasn’t attainable. Now they host and then go to a sterile environment. Beats going to Mt. Hope…
[↓ 1] Mt. Hope (13 - 2) - Most likely see Cumberland in the semis, coming off a surprising loss to Barrington, with no home court advantage…Certainly doable, but not ideal…
[↑ 3] Classical (7 - 9) - Step one, survive play-in…step two scare NK…step three, since we’re here, shock NK!
[↓ 1] East Greenwich (7 - 9) - Headed to the Cave. Survive and Advance time. On any given Sunday, friends…
[New] Barrington (12 - 3) - Welcome back to the board! Congrats on the Mt. Hope win, now Middletown… Feel a little like Lincoln on the boys’ side this past season…
Middletown (12 - 4) - Been steady all year. Barrington is coming in hot, though. Take the Eagles lightly at your own peril.
Tolman (13 - 3) - Top team in D3, yet have to play Narragansett in the quarters while Tiverton has a bye to the semis and two more losses? Makes the point that top eight only get to the playoffs and should discard the percentage in thing. Sure, the D3 playoff format is slightly different, but still doesn’t feel correct.
Shea (15 - 2) - Bye to the semis and then, most likely, The Valley.
Receiving Votes: Mount Saint Charles, Westerly, North Smithfield, Bay View, Juantia Sanchez, Tiverton, Burrillville, Block Island, Blackstone Valley, Providence Country Day, Mt. Pleasant, Scituate
Playoff Article Tomorrow…
ResV Player of the Week…
Week 1 - Caitlin Mediate (Portsmouth)
Week 2 - Lyla Auth (Westerly)
Week 3 - Ella Maack (North Kingstown)
Week 4 - Casey Weaver (Lincoln)
Week 5 - Deana Baez (Classical)
Week 6 - Jules White (Chariho) / Caitlin Mediate (Portsmouth)
Week 7 - Mia Shaw (Mt. Hope)
Week 8 - Morgan Martin (Barrington) / Kayleigh Garrepy (North Kingstown)
End of Year Award Finalists…
Player of the Year:
Ella Maack - North Kingstown - Sr. - Numbers through the roof. Assists, kills, aces, and blocks, Maack has to be in the top ten, or close to it, in all of those categories. Arguably the top blocker in the state, always a threat to score, serves tough and runs the top offense in the state. Likes to win, hates to lose.
Caitlyn Mediate - Portsmouth - Jr. - Arguably the best pure setter out there. Has range everywhere and puts up a hittable ball nine times out of ten. Solid defender and underrated blocker. Serving is solid plus she makes everyone better on her side of the net.
Kiera Mullen - East Providence - So. - Likely the top Opposite in the state. Has a big arm, which she uses to tear teams apart. She can score at will. Serves tough, blocks well, and is asked to set in the back row in the modified 6 / 2. Defense is solid enough and clutch when it’s required.
Jules White - Chariho - Sr. - White was good last year in D2, but she’s turned it up a couple notches in D1. Easily the workhorse for a team that has talent all over the floor. White grinds. Has a good arm, is a crafty scorer, while also serving tough. Solid passer and defender and blocks better then you think. Might be the best set five player in the league.
Liv Rollinson - Coventry - Sr. - Could be the most underrated player in D1. Six-foot pin who just scores in bunches and patrols the net well. When asked to pass, holds it down well and makes more ground digs then one would think. Serves tough and has taken some huge swings when it matters.
Mia Shaw - Mt. Hope - Sr. - The glue that keeps the team together and the oil that allows the machine to run. Shaw has range, puts up hittable balls to strike and plays solid ground defense. Serving is top tier for her division and right at home in D1 as well. Better blocker then advertised and comes through time and again at the hardest of moments.
Defensive Player of the Year:
Syd Henson - North Kingstown - Jr. - Most feared Lib in the league. Teams will forgo hitting cross court to keep the ball away from her. Tracks down everything and ensures that her team gets extra swings. Doesn’t get fooled by much and has the athleticism to correct it even if it does happen on rare occasions. Passing is solid, but defense is divine. Sets a good three off, three in ball too.
Sofia D’Agostino - La Salle Academy - So. - Built like Henson. Strong Lib with range and tracks down most things. Defense is special, and passing is getting better every time she steps on the floor. Good foot speed. Sets the second ball pretty well and lives for the coverage assignment.
Brennah Abilheira-Cargill - Cumberland - Sr. - May be the best passer of the Liberos. Brennah can take half the court away on serve receive. Defense is quite good as well. Does a nice job of putting any roll or tip to target and can take the hard shots on too.
Emma Kocab - Chariho - Sr. - Could be the most underrated Libero in the league. Serves tough and passes well. Defense isn’t an adventure either as she’s sure handed against rolls and tips. Competent on the hard stuff. Does some unsung hero plays, too.
Mia Iemma - South Kingstown - Jr. - On a team that features two good middles and a six-foot pin, Iemma is the scrappy defender that keeps rallies going. Covers well. Best passer on her team, so most teams don’t go near her. Defense is good and setting a second ball is common for her.
Daniella Escudero - East Providence - Sr. - Has been real good all season. Passes dimes, chases down errand touches, defends well. Picture perfect defender in many matches as has been her team. Controls the floor and coverage is a priority regardless of opponent.
Newcomer of the Year:
Maisy Naff - La Salle Academy - So. - Young pin has brought some level to her team. Has good instincts and isn’t afraid to take shots. Blocks well and passes very well. Serving is coming along while her fearlessness attacking is striking. Potential is sky high.
Sofia D’Agostino - La Salle Academy - So - Already one of the top five Liberos in the state. See write up in Liberos.
Kayleigh Garrepy - North Kingstown - Fr. - Frosh has come a long way. Defending champs needed a middle and Garrepy stepped in. Timing is controlled and has gotten faster each week. Can score through the gaps and serves pretty tough. Blocking has improved immensely has well.
Emma McCrann - Barrington- So. - Been a spark plug for the Eagles attack. Forced opponents to defend the entire net. Solid arm with good instincts on shots, can be called in to pass, and is a sure handed defender.
Eliza Vest - East Providence - So. - Earned the starting OH spot and never looked back. Solid attacker and orchestrates some defensive groundwork as well. Serves pretty tough and block is decent. Huge pick up for EP and loads of potential for the future.
Erin Tierney - Exeter-West Greenwich - So - Has done duel duty at both the middle and pin positions. Brings heat with a solid arm. Does a little bit over everything for the Scarlet Knights and will only get better.
Setter of the Year:
Ella Maack - North Kingstown - Sr. - See POY write up.
Caitlin Mediate - Portsmouth - Jr. - See POY write up.
Mia Shaw - Mt. Hope - Sr. - See POY write up.
Lexi Cole - Chariho - Sr. - Conductor of the #2 team in the state. High volleyball IQ makes great decisions on where to go with the ball. Underrated blocker, serves well, and plays a good side of defense. Sells out on defense and grinds when things are challenging.
Lyla Auth - Westerly - So. - Borderline six-footer has hands that challenge Mediate’s. Runs a decent offense but is asked to do a little bit of everything. Skill set is solid in all the fields and only gonna get better and she has size already.
Abby Crowley - La Salle - Jr. - Lightening fast with good hands. Chases down as well as anyone and when in the setter box runs a solid tempo offense. Serves tough, ground defense is solid, and blocks better than you’d think.
Coach of the Year:
Brian Garrepy - North Kingstown - Another pristine season for Coach G. Weapons everywhere, top ranked libero, and players on the bench ready to rock. NK’s program continues to compete for the crown night in, night out, season in, season out, and Garrepy, along with Corey Maack, are the remaining architects.
Kathy McGeehan - Chariho - Flawless last year in D2, Chariho arrived on the scene in D1 and finishes the regular season the #2 team in the state. Dropped to the Kingstowns, and a Cumberland game that didn’t matter, and that’s it. Coach McGeehan has won games through prep, as well as split second decisions. Another masterful year for KM.
Alex Butler - East Providence - Coach Butler has the only undefeated team and it hasn’t been too close. The Townies have only lost three sets total and feel ready to take this all the way. Butler has kept the team motivated and keeps pushing for quality play regardless of the situation.
Lisa Lunney - Mt. Hope - Coach Lunney has directed the Huskies to a solid playoff spot with some real nice upsets. Mt. Hope has come to the forefront, landing the second seed in D2, and will host a quarter final match. Lunney has her team serving tough and making plays, especially in transition. Winning the whole thing would certainly elevate everything.
Steve Bevilacqua - Tolman - Bevi has another team prepped to go the finals. Finishing with the top record in D3, Tolman will host a quarter and then make the run. This potentially could be Bevi’s second team in 2023 to go to the finals…and finishing it off would be pretty sweet.
Dave DeJesus - Cumberland - D squared has his Clipper side in great shape. Securing the third seed is a solid finish and with the semis at North Kingstown High School, Cumberland avoids the potential travel to Mt. Hope (assuming the Huskies and Clippers get past their first-round opponents…and one never knows which is why they play the games).
* Special Recognition for Kelsey Conway at Achievement First!
There are many solid players out there, and ResV has done the best it can to identify the best players at each position. ResV congratulates all of the players, including those not on these lists, for an excellent season and best wishes for the future!
Top 10 players by position…
Outside Hitter…
Tessa LeFrenier - North Kingstown - Jr.
Liv Rollinson - Coventry - Sr.
Karmen Lambert - South Kingstown - Sr.
Ava Sardelli - North Kingstown - Jr.
Taliyah Pereira - Classical - Sr.
Kaelyn Whitaker - La Salle Academy - Sr.
Sarah Wilcox - Mt. Hope - So.
Maisy Naff - La Salle Academy - So.
Hailey Labonte - Portsmouth - Jr.
Eliza Vest - East Providence - So.
Honorable Mention - Kasey Dillon (Barrington), Kate Bernhardt (East Providence), Gwen Delaney (Middletown), Lindsay Molis (Cumberland), Avery Pelletier (Portsmouth), Abby Spadoni (Coventry), Casey Weaver (Lincoln), Avery Gomes (Bay View), Gianna Piker (Middletown), Julisa Smith (Juanita Sanchez), Selly Garcia (Tolman), Maggie Ray (Mount Saint Charles), Mazie Phillips (Mount Saint Charles)
Middle Blocker…
Olivia Higgins - La Salle - Sr.
India Vaughn-Hallene - South Kingstown - Jr.
Katja Nelson - Chariho - Sr.
Grace Iannuzzi - Cumberland - Sr.
Kayleigh Garrepy - North Kingstown - Fr.
Addison Patrick - Coventry - Sr.
Sierra Thompson - South Kingstown - Sr.
Malia Mullen - East Providence - Sr.
Skylar Schuster - Middletown - Sr
Erin Tierney - Exeter-West Greenwich - So.
Honorable Mention - Trinity Burk (Tolman), Adelynne Crisfield (Portsmouth), Abigail Allen (Mt. Hope), Ella Rwenzo (Bay View), Kenzie Cleary (Burrillville)
Setters…
Caitlin Mediate - Portsmouth - Jr.
Ella Maack - North Kingstown - Sr.
Abby Crowley - La Salle Academy - Jr.
Mia Shaw - Mt. Hope - Sr.
Deana Baez - Classical - Sr.
Lexi Cole - Chariho - Sr.
Lyla Auth - Westerly - So.
Gianna Paolina - Bay View - Sr.
Alexandra Spinella - South Kingstown - Jr.
Mackenzie Marcoux - North Smithfield - Jr.
Honorable Mention - Amanda Duke (East Greenwich), Kaylee Bradley (Cumberland), Sophia Denham (Barrington), Ava Jarret (Mount Saint Charles)
Opposites…
Keira Mullen - East Providence - So.
Jules White - Chariho - Sr.
Annie Draper - North Kingstown - Sr.
Harmony Forrest - Classical - Sr.
Hailey Kuncz - Cumberland - Sr.
Emma McCrann - Barrington - So.
Gabi Jackson - East Greenwich - Sr.
Dalia Toubia - La Salle Academy - Jr.
Mary Gerhard - Mt. Hope - Sr.
Brianna Hartman - East Greenwich - Sr.
Honorable Mention - Emma Roberts (Mount Saint Charles)
Liberos…
Syd Henson - North Kingstown - Jr.
Sofia D’Agostino - La Salle Academy - So.
Brennah Abilheira-Cargill - Cumberland - Sr.
Daniella Escudero - East Providence - Sr.
Mia Iemma - South Kingstown - Jr.
Jett Cronin - Prout - Sr.
Emma Kocab - Chariho - Sr.
Morgan Martin - Barrington - Jr.
Hannah Gaffney - East Greenwich - Jr.
Kim Hickey - Lincoln - So.
Honorable Mention - Mia Hansen (Mt. Hope), Mila Abedon (Portsmouth)
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
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