AWVP

Incomplete Sunday AAR. I can’t comment on what I didn’t see, nor am I sure I’m allowed to.

What I can say is that the level of competition was much higher today than yesterday.

Big dog won 10 games I’m told. The only one I won today I played with him—“last” game to 21. We played more after that. A couple of 4s games, which I will argue are worth playing because they teach people how to move. Maybe even teach accuracy if you’re trying to teach people how to serve near somebody (for fairness) and hence to a particular place.

Since I can’t give a full accounting, this is going to be a little random.

One of the new guys from yesterday came back today: Colton. We got him into the rote late. His tall friend played with him later.

Can these guys do everything? No. But they can do some things. It is not the first time they have touched a round ball. Colton can serve.

They are also residents I’m told. That is important. Because my line is “I serve at the pleasure of the residents.” Read it, know it, live it.

Which means sometimes going out of your way to see if people want to play. I’m working with Dan to be more outgoing on this. If they have their own volleyball, they may have used it before.

Because from the outside, we are super culty (kinda from the inside too)

https://youtu.be/8oP2F5CM30k?si=KTY_tMMy_dLzt4Ay

Kinda tough to get in the door. But getting new people in the door is really kinda sorta important, at least for my generational view of the AWVP.

What is mixed ball and how do we do it is a highly debated subject that is a topic for another time. Spoiler: try to distribute talent, bring in new people 1-2 at a time. If they want to play as a team, ok. They will probably regret that : )

Now it would be one thing if 2 teams with skilled and experienced players facing off against each other always led to close nail biting gotta win by 2 competitions. Statistically that’s your best chance for those klnd of games, but doesn’t always happen.

Some of the games I saw today with the aforementioned complement of skilled players weren’t close. Sometimes it’s the team that gels first or has some outstanding individual performances, and almost always makes the least mistakes that is gonna win.

While it’s true that good teams can make runs, if the score is 15 to under double digits. It wasn’t close. I think that’s fair to say.

So if our reigning MVP won 10 games today, did everyone else win 9 and he barely edged them out? I’m guessing no.

That being said, I remember one time at a big boy game day (admittedly some years ago) I saw big dog go 0-6 and leave big mad. : )

Losing sucks. But it happens. So it goes for watervolleyball professionals.

The only way to guarantee you have no chance of winning is not to play. Percentages may be poor and getting worse, but there’s something called a nerds team. Totally overmatched. No chance of winning. But sometimes they do. And if you’re the star player that drags the nerds over the finish line, imagine the glory, and the shame on the other side. Ask big Papi about that.

PS: Dallas thought everyone on Austin teams were a bunch of nerds. Glad we collectively have been able to prove them wrong. We’re a public pool league. Not a mansion. And yet, look at the results.

Next up really boring and annoying talk about what rules we attempt to play with in 4 ft of water. So here’s your chance to tune out now. But if you do, don’t complain you didn’t have any input.