Week Five - Skippers Reclaim Top Spot in a Week of Rough Seas…
10/8/23
Sometimes, the schedule just does a team wrong. Too many good teams in a row, a date that is just too close to another important date (nothing beats that match that is right before or directly after a prom or a universally loved traditional school event), or a gap that is too vast…these are all examples of scheduling that can lead to tough results for any squad. In fact, it’s every coach’s secret goal to create the perfect schedule for his or her club. I remember having a war room type atmosphere in my office trying to figure out the best schedule for my college team…
“Ok, so if we see the top team in week three of the season, I have to makes sure we have a manageable team that follows…but maybe we need to prep with a tougher team in prior? On no, that week is also spaghetti week on campus, you know our guys are going to be too full on noodles for practice…maybe we can move it to week four in hopes of being in prime condition…”
Scheduling can also play a gigantic part when it comes to rest and recovery. Play to many matches in a row and your team may get fatigued. Play too few matches and your team may become complacent or bored. Spend too much time on the road and the road may become a terrifying experience. Spend too much time at home, and you may be unprepared for the road in general. Scheduling is an artform, though sometimes its just out of your hands…but considering all the tough home court advantages in Rhode Island Volleyball, it’s key that there is some thought behind it.
Speaking of which, what is the top 10 home court advantages in RI Volleyball? Glad you asked. Here are the ResV top 10…
10. Westerly - Let’s go Dawgs, over and over again from a solid fan base. Gym is solid and gives plenty of room to battle, though.
9. Coventry - Lot of “W’s” for the home side in that gym. When it’s rocking, fans are letting you know and dingy lights can make it kinda hard to see.
8. South Kingstown - Fans come out and bring the noise. The gym is older, and that ceiling is quirky.
7. Mount Saint Charles - Tough place to play as the batting cage over the visiting team is challenging to maneuver and generally the atmosphere is lively.
6. Prout - Like playing volleyball in phone booth. Fans aren’t shy and acoustics are dreadful.
5. Block Island - Sea Sickness on the ferry…need I say more?
4. North Kingstown - The Forge is cast with plenty of room, but when there is a big match, the crowd and the team brings it, the place feels small.
3. Portsmouth - The gym is wonky, I like to call it haunted, and you have a solid excursion just to get there.
2. Classical - Electric atmosphere every time there is a match. It’s loud in there and the gym has a nice old tinder box feel.
1. Chariho - The Cave is the toughest place to play bar none. It’s small, cramped, and with a rubbery floor. It’s a trek to get there and the fans show and are loud…they can make the whole place bounce.
Big Stat Games of the Week…
Syd Hanson (North Kingstown) - 13 digs, 4 aces versus Mount Saint Charles
Ella Maack (North Kingstown) - 30 assists, 6 aces, 6 digs versus Mount Saint Charles — 24 assists, 5 kills, 9 digs versus Chariho
Annie Draper (North Kingstown) - 12 kills, 9 digs, 2 blocks versus Chariho
Kasey Dillon (Barrington) - 16 kills, 4 aces at Westerly — 13 kills, 5 aces, 10 digs versus Cranston West
Emma McCrann (Barrington) - 9 kills, 5 aces, 14 digs versus Cranston West
Sophia Denham (Barrington) - 25 assists, 5 kills, 10 digs versus Cranston West
Karmen Lambert (South Kingstown) - 8 kills, 21 digs, 2 blocks and an ace versus Chariho — 10 kills, 15 digs, 3 aces versus Mount Saint Charles
Mia Iemma (South Kingstown) - 20 digs, 3 aces versus Chariho — 21 digs, 3 aces versus Mount Saint Charles
Sophia Baeta (Mount Saint Charles) - 20 digs, 2 aces versus South Kingstown
Ava Jarret (Mount Saint Charles) - 16 assists, 2 kills, 2 aces versus Portsmouth
India Vaughn-Hallene (South Kingstown) - 8 kills, 5 blocks versus Chariho
Jules White (Chariho) - 6 kills, 19 digs at South Kingstown — 14 kills, 6 aces, 3 blocks, 17 digs versus La Salle
Lexi Cole (Chariho) - 35 assists, 19 digs, 2 aces versus La Salle
Elle Clark (Chariho) - 10 kills, hit a .364, 5 blocks, 5 digs versus La Salle
Erin Tierney (Exeter-West Greenwich) - 9 kills, 7 digs, 4 aces, and 2 blocks versus St. Raphael’s
Isabella McCoombs (Exeter-West Greenwich) - 7 kills, 14 digs, 3 aces versus St. Raphael’s
Eriana Blanco (St. Raphael’s) - 23 digs at Exeter-West Greenwich
Gianna Paolino (Bay View) - 36 assists, 2 kills, and an ace at Ponaganset
Avery Gomes (Bay View) - 13 kills, 5 aces, 7 digs at Ponaganset
Maddie Gomes (Bay View) - 17 digs, 2 aces, 2 kills at Ponaganset
Ava DiFiore (Ponaganset) - 7 assists, 4 aces, 2 kills, and 2 digs versus Bay View
Taliyah Pereira (Classical) - 16 kills, hitting a .424, and 13 digs versus Portsmouth — 9 kills, 7 aces, 15 digs at Prout — 12 kills, 13 digs, 2 aces versus South Kingstown
Harmony Forrest (Classical) - 10 kills, 2 aces, 4 digs versus Portsmouth
Deana Baez (Classical) - 28 assists, 9 digs, 3 blocks, 3 aces versus Portsmouth — 20 assists, 6 digs, 2 aces at Prout — 26 assists, 6 digs, 2 kills versus South Kingstown
Abby Crowley (La Salle) - 24 assists, 4 kills, 3 aces, 5 digs versus West Warwick — 27 assists, 9 aces, 8 digs, 3 blocks at Chariho — 21 assists, 2 kills, 2 digs and a block versus East Greenwich
Sofia D’Agostino (La Salle) - 18 digs, 6 assists at Chariho
Maisy Naff (La Salle) - 5 kills, 7 aces, 7 digs versus East Greenwich
Lyla Auth (Westerly) - 16 assists, 12 digs versus Rogers
Keira Mullen (East Providence) - 8 kills, 10 assists, 2 blocks at Middletown
Caitlin Mediate (Portsmouth) - 26 assists, 7 aces, 7 digs at Mount Saint Charles
Avery Pelletier (Portsmouth) - 13 kills, 4 aces, 6 digs at Mount Saint Charles
ResV Player of the Week (5) - Deana Baez (Classical) - Week five provided some huge performances putting many players in position to win the award this week. Abby Crowley (La Salle), Kasey Dillon (Barrington), Ella Maack (North Kingstown), Lexi Cole (Chariho) and Mia Iemma (South Kingstown), all had big weeks that qualify. However, week five ResV Player of the Week goes to Classical’s Deana Baez. Baez led her team to a 2 - 1 week, upsetting #3 team in the state (by ResV polls) Portsmouth and then beating a game Prout side. Dropping to a suddenly hot South Kingstown team in four was a solid outing as well. All in all, Baez was directly responsible, whether it be assists, kills, aces, or blocks, for 84 points on the week and led her team back into the playoff discussion.
[↑ 1] North Kingstown (9 - 1) - The Skippers reclaim the top spot from a perfect week on the high seas. Mount Saint Charles, Cranston East, and Chariho all succumbed to the North Kingstown level…and all in three sets. Elle Maack maintained her case for player of the year while the Skippers also are starting to get Annie Draper and Tessa LeFrenier rolling at a higher level. Syd Henson still anchors the defense, while the emergence of freshman middle Kayleigh Garrepy is another foreboding item for the competition. With the Avengers and the Rams on the road, North Kingstown has an opportunity to unofficially wrangle the top seed in D1 in the blink of an eye.
[↓ 1] La Salle Academy (9 - 2) - Wins over East Greenwich and Cranston East feel ok, but the loss to Chariho at the Cave hurts. The Cave caused some consternation for the Rams while the Chargers played pretty error free, especially down the stretch. It’s an “L” to learn from for sure, and with the Skippers on deck for week six, Coach Diggs needs to make sure his crew is ready. Skippers certainly want some payback after losing to the Rams at the Forge and all indications point to North Kingstown correcting the flaw that was exposed in that match. Kaelyn Whittaker and Maisy Naff will need to score in bunches while Abby Crowley and Sofia D’Agostino will need solid matches to get it done. Losses now only hurt if there aren’t adjustments and learning that follow them, especially with the playoffs inching ever closer.
Portsmouth (7 - 3) - Three-set wins over Coventry and Mount Saint Charles look the part for the current #3 team in the state…though the five-set loss to Classical on the road did not. Classical is another very tough place to play and Portsmouth had their struggles in the great atmosphere one finds there. It’s a very similar ride that La Salle took when they played at Chariho and lost in five. Great home court advantages mean something, and certainly Portsmouth knows that as their court is one as well. With a pretty tough week ahead, featuring Chariho at the Cave and South Kingstown also on the road, Caitlin Mediate at crew will need to be on point to be the crafty road warriors needed for success.
Chariho (8 - 3) - Well, the Chargers maneuvered through the toughest week of their season as best they could. Seeing both North and South Kingstown as well as La Salle in single week doesn’t seem like a lot of fun, but the win against Ram sure was. Knocking off La Salle at five was a huge vic and it bounced the Rams from the top spot. It also kept the Chargers in the fourth slot as Chariho would end up dropping the matches to the Kingstowns. Jules White and Katja Nelson had big weeks for big green and Lexi Cole orchestrated the offense well, especially in the La Salle match. Another tough week is in store, however as Portsmouth and Mount Saint Charles are on the to-do list. At least Portsmouth is at home.
East Providence (10 - 0) - Townies hold form from their toughest week to date. Four-set wins over Lincoln and Middletown keep the train on the tracks with a pretty calm week to follow. Having not lost a set prior to this week, it was interesting to see how EP would handle some hiccups in a match. With that in mind, the sets they lost were 25 -22 and 25- 23…and from those defeats, the Townies went on to outscore their opponents by 7 points (only one set following) and 26 points (three sets following) respectively. Meaning, they went to work and made it clear who the better team was…at least that night. With Pilgrim and Ponaganset up next, Keira Mullen and the EP side should have a relatively stress-free week as they look for Cumberland in the following week…though that’s exactly when upsets can happen.
Cumberland (10 - 1) - The Clippers continue on their record season, dispatching Johnston and then surviving a five-set slugfest with Bay View. Gianna Paolino returned to action for Bay View and the setter had herself a match and almost gave Cumberland their first loss from the D2 world in 2023. Nonetheless, the five-set grinder was probably a good thing for the Clips as they’re now a little more battle tested as they enter their toughest week of the season. Seeing Mt. Hope and Lincoln is sure to provide some fireworks for a Cumberland side that’s managed the campaign to date. Look for Lindsay Molis to play a huge role this week as she’ll be called upon, along with Grace Iannuzzi, to score critical points when it matters. If the Clips can finish the week with a clean sheet, it’ll set up the EP match perfectly.
[↑ 1] South Kingstown (6 - 4) - The Rebels get the week they so desperately needed. Through the first half of the season SK had the feeling of just not being able to get going. Week five changed the dynamic a little bit as the Rebels were able to knock off Chariho in three, then dispatch Mount Saint Charles and Classical in four-sets. Karmen Lambert continues to be solid for SK as has libero Mia Iemma. The Rebels are also starting to figure out their middle attack with Sierra Thompson and India Vaughn-Hallene. With Sierra and India, SK has arguably the top middle tandem in the state. Both block well and can score when the ball is in the right zone and the timing connects. With Coventry and Portsmouth up next, SK could make it five in a row with a strong week. Couldn’t ask for any better prep to the playoffs.
[↓ 1] Coventry (7 - 3) - Oakers have a pretty strong record going into week six, but there does feel like something is missing. The signature wins include La Salle (though that was in the first week of the season and the Rams are quite different from then), Classical (also in the first week and also quite different now), East Greenwich and Mount Saint Charles. The loses to Chariho, North Kingstown, and Portsmouth have been pretty swift leaving one to think, can the Oakers challenge the teams in the top five? Liv Rollinson continues to be the rock the house is built on and she is certainly the weapon every team prepares for. When the passing is solid, they can run Addison Patrick in the middle to plenty of success while Abby Spadoni has become the defender of the team. All good things, but Coventry needs a big-time performance over a top five team that wasn’t in week one. South Kingstown and Classical will be the tests this week as they prepare for that challenge.
[↑ 1] East Greenwich (5 - 5) - The Avengers this season, and perhaps this was due to early injuries, have not been afraid to shake up the lineup. This team has probably used more different players in positions then anyone else in the state. Sometimes it’s due to the match being in hand and the desire to try something different, other times it’s in a “we’re in trouble” mode and perhaps this combination will dig us out of the hole. What’s sort of neat is that they have the parts to do such things. EG has a plethora of players that can set, hit, defend, etc, so when the time comes, they can switch setters, switch pins, whatever they want to do. The only thing that hasn’t changed is that Hannah Gaffney is the libero. I like it, because it’s something you don’t see too often and when effective, the other team has no idea what to plan for. That being said, they’re sitting at .500, and need a couple quality wins asap. They host the Skippers as well as Cranston East in week six.
[↑ 1] Mt. Hope (8 - 2) - The Huskies have won five RIIL matches in a row to date. They’ve played a couple of teams outside of the RIIIL to mixed results, but in D2, it’s been five in a row. Lincoln and Middletown have been the premier wins with a drop to EP in there at the beginning of the season. Mt. Hope has pieces that can give a good team fits. Mia Shaw is having a big senior year and Sarah Wilcox is the pin they go to most. So, how are they going to match-up with Cumberland? I think pretty well. Expect that match to be a five-set slog with each team having opportunities to put the other away but cannot. Who knows how it turns out, but the Huskies would certainly love to derail Cumberland’s desire to be spotless going into the EP match the following week. That’s motivation enough.
[↓ 2] Mount Saint Charles (5 - 6) - Tough week for the Mounties as they drop three. It was a tough road to say the least…both Kingstowns and Portsmouth with only one of those matches at home. Worse, it appeared that their top pin wasn’t available, so MSC was up against it from the get-go. The continued bright spot has been the development of Ava Jarret. Jarret has come into her own as a setter with continued steady improvement. She’s making solid decisions with the ball, technique has sped up, serving is tough, and her leadership has been crucial with the Mounties battling some tough weeks. MSC is still a playoff team in my mind and once they have their full array of players on the floor, they’ll be another crew in the league you’d prefer not to see in round one. They’ll host La Salle and Chariho next.
[↑ 1] Classical (3 - 6) - Another team that needed a big week was the Purple. Having only one win on the season wasn’t where they wanted to be, so have to start knocking some teams off. Thus, knocking some teams off they did. First huge win was upsetting Portsmouth at home. Deana Baez was huge in that match and led her team to the most satisfying result. From there, the Purple went to Prout and dusted the Crusaders in four. Baez was once again solid and like before in the Portsmouth match, helped put the ball in good spots for Taliyah Pereira and Harmony Forrest to do work. Though unable to complete the three-match sweep on the week, dropping a four-setter to SK at home, it was still a huge week for Classical and certainly a week to build off of. They see West Warwick and Coventry next and that Oaker match-up has pay back feels to it.
[↓ 1] Middletown (5 - 3) - The Islanders are in some trouble. They’ve dropped their last two, and the Cranston West one was sort of a head scratcher. Add that you have to go to Barrington now…they’re absolutely looking to take your spot on the big board…and we have some “backs against the wall” vibes emanating out. Plus, you’re tied in the loss column with Westerly and should Westerly clip you as well, that puts the Islanders in sixth and a potential visit to Mt. Hope in the opening playoff round! Danger Will Robinson, Danger! So, with all that being said with Barrington and Pilgrim on the docket, it would be very nice for Middletown’s playoff seeding hopes for Gwen Delaney and company to get those two “Ws” if they can.
Tolman (8 - 0) - The Tigers are in a strong position going into week six. They’ve yet to drop a match, have only dropped a set to plucky Tiverton, and are looking at a solid week of action where they see a game Narragansett side on the road and Woonsocket at home. The Narragansett match has the feel of a trap game, but even should they lose, almost everyone in the league has four losses, except Block Island, but BI has only played four matches so it’s unsure what exactly what BI actually is yet and Burrillville with two loses. Short of a complete collapse in the following weeks where they see everyone again, Tolman pretty much has the top seed in D3. Pitfalls are out there…Burrillville, Juanita Sanchez, Block Island, Tiverton, and Narragansett are dangerous, but you have to like the position the Tigers find themselves in to this point.
Shea (10 - 0) - Similarly to the Tolman Tigers, the Shea Raiders have carved out a solid path to the top seed in D4. Undefeated to date and with four-set wins over Times Two, North Providence, and Mt. Pleasant, the Raiders have set the tone for the second half of the season. Dangers lurk with a revitalized PCD side as well as a second date with a solid Mt. Pleasant team. Also, can’t forget The Valley coming in strong as well, so nothing is decided by a long margin yet for Shea, but the position is exactly what you’re looking for heading into the back nine of the campaign. Week six is will be a bear…PCD, Blackstone Valley, and Achievement first are on the docket, and you know both PCD and The Valley would love to hand Shea their first loss and throw the whole D4 playoff landscape into disarray.
Receiving Votes: Westerly, Barrington, Janita Sanchez, Block Island, Burrillville, Blackstone Valley, Lincoln
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)
Playoff Races Through Week Five…
Division One…
North Kingstown - Skippers back on top, but for how long? Match with La Salle this week may solidify things…
La Salle - Hiccup loss at Chariho gives concern. The Cave is tough…can they right the ship with the Skippers coming to visit?
Portsmouth - Signature wins against Coventry and SK, but that Classical defeat on the road…plus they go to the Cave next!
Chariho - Brutal week ends with a win over the top team in the state, but still lost two. Beating the Patriots at home would be just what the Doctor would order.
South Kingstown - Rebels get much needed three-win week. If they get two and push to five straight…may not want to see them in the playoffs.
Division Two…
East Providence - Top team in D2 has a pretty standard week ahead of them. Certainly could be trap matches, especially with focus on the Cumberland match a week from now.
Cumberland - Clips see their toughest week to date…may be their toughest week of the season! Two playoff teams with EP lurking…
Mt. Hope - There is nothing the Huskies would rather do then upset the apple cart and send Cumberland into a doubting tailspin…even for just a week.
Barrington - Eagles are quietly putting together some good games and a solid resume for the playoffs. They don’t feel like a team you want to see in round one of the playoffs.
Middletown - Three up, three down, in their last five. The Islanders are holding on for dear life with Barrington coming to push them off the board.
Division Three…
Tolman - The Tigers have only lost one set all year and that was to Tiverton. Two more teams may face the same result as everyone else as Tolman has all the cards at this point.
Burrillville - Losing to Tiverton in 4 stopped a six in a row winning streak. Tiverton is a tough out, so it’s understandable, but how they react with Scituate and the premier match with Tolman will be interesting.
Block Island - The Hurricanes have won all of their first road games (qty 4). Now they get to see six matches at home. They have Toll Gate on the 9th, but starting the 14th they play, if the schedule is to be believed, five back-to-back matches starting with Juanita Sanchez and ending with Tolman…Brutal.
Juanita Sanchez - Four up, four down, in their last eight. Need to get two this week before they get on the ferry to BI.
Tiverton - Have won their last three which included Burrillville. Starting to feel like a team no one wants to see.
Division Four…
Shea - Still undefeated but have been tested. Have a tough week ahead with PCD and Blackstone Valley
Blackstone Valley - The Valley has come on strong and looking to make some noise. Denting Shea’s record will do it.
Providence Country Day - PCD’s serving is it’s best weapon, and when on, wins matches. Can they damage Shea this time with it?
Mt. Pleasant - The Kilties have come down to earth a little as they dropped matches to Shea and PCD. Davies and The Valley are next and they need to have one of them.
Davies - Davies is ahead of Hope by a hair, but Hope could easily be in the same spot. Need to win some matches to make some sort of push before playoffs.
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
Also, if you like the content, please consider donating to ResV Systems…Venmo is @ResVsystems or visit the store by clicking the picture below and getting some ResV merch!
