We lost in 3 sets against Iskra. They did a good job exploiting our weaknesses and we are still struggling to score “Real points” from defense and transition. So we will face Kazan today for the Bronze Medal.
To watch our match from last night versus Iskra CLICK HERE.
The Russian Cup Final Four will be played here in Novosibirsk this weekend. The teams arrived last night…Dinamo Moscow, Kazan and Iskra. It is hard for an American audience to understand the meaning of this tournament as we really have nothing like it in professional sports in the states. However, in most every sport in Europe, there are two major competitions within a league in any one season. First and foremost is the League Championship. These are the weekly matches earning a running point total, qualifying for a playoff to a Championship Final. Secondly though, is the CUP. This is a tournament played within the season in a true “win or go home” sort of format. The initial round was played back in September and the four teams here this weekend are the ones who advanced out of their respective pools. The winner of this weekend will qualify their team to play in the European Champions League the next season not to mention the bonuses that each player most certainly has on a positive outcome in the CUP. So it is a big deal and it will be a weekend full of exciting volleyball in a sold-out capacity type environment. I am really looking forward to it.
On Saturday Kazan will play Dinamo first and then we (Lokomotiv) will play Iskra. The matches will be streamed LIVE online at Sportbox.ru. Our match will start at 6pm Local time (3am PST). But the matches will stay archived on the site. Good luck navigating the site if you don’t read Russian;)
The Mikasa MVA-200 was introduced for the first time at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Fortunately, we were able to train with it throughout the summer but still had to competed every weekend (World League) with the older MVP-200 model. Different people had different opinions regarding the ball and its introduction. Changed doesn’t feel very comfortable, especially right before an Olympic Games. I found the ball to travel a bit differently than the previous one. I notice that float serves now seem to be more of a point scoring force as the movement has increased and travels more true causing increased “knuckling”. Also the color combo helps visually. We noticed in our gym and increase in defense. I personally think it is because your eye can pick it up better.
The most important thing for me in embracing the new ball was to figure out where I was going to hold it in my hand when I jump serve. I have a very patterned routine and before the action takes place, I end my bounces and breathing always positioning my hand on the ball in the same spot every time. After tooling with it for a few weeks I finally found a comfortable position. I place my index figure on the pressure nozzle and my thumb at the apex/point of the seam.
Now, several months later it is old hat and feels like we’ve been playing with this ball forever. Many of the professional leagues are playing with the new ball and I think there is every intention of the FIVB to continue International competition with it. So get a head start and get comfortable with it! If you want one of your own visit www.mikasasports.com.
To watch the video transmission of our last match against Belogrod click here.
We on are a 4 match win streak and gaining some much need ground in the league standings. We had to play 5 matches in roughly 16 days and now have a full week to prepare to play UFA at their arena next Saturday night. Tonight the team worked well together…we received the ball well which gave our offense a good chance at success. We also had 10 stuff blocks to their 4. Again, a good team effort and a big step in the right direction!
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A step in the right direction. Volleyball is the essence of TEAM sport. It is impossible for one person to carry an entire team in Volleyball for any length of time. No, a great team is one that can play together and what wins over the long haul. The Russian Super league is by all accounts a long haul. As I made reference in my previous entry, we have been struggling to play as a team. But last night in our 3-0 victory against Belgorod #2, we made great progress. Sure, we always play better at home and granted the opponent didn’t pose too big a threat, but besides, the team as a whole made concentrated effort to stick together, communicate and encourage each other. We have two more important matches this week. Tomorrow against Spain (we have to win a set to advance to the next round) and against one of the top teams in the league, Belogord. I am hoping we can build on ground taken last night.
I was also informed by our friend Justyna from inside-volley.com that our match on Saturday will be broadcast on sportbox.ru. More details to come.
We are back in Novosibirsk after a week on the road. We started in Kazan for a Russian League match. We were stoked to be able to hook up with Lloy, Clay and Niki. Unfortunately for us, we played terrible and got smoked 0-3. Our team is struggling playing as a team or a unified group with one purpose…to do what it takes to win. It is a constant reminder to me that there is ALWAYS something to learn and ways to grow both on the court and personally as a human being. It is a daily struggle sometimes to submit to change and growth…its much easier to point a finger and blame others. So that is one of the things I am working through right now.
From Kazan we went to Moscow and had an off day to hook up with more friends. Sean and Kevin and their girlfriends Val and Sarah live and train in Moscow and took us to an “authentic” Mexican restaurant. It was a great change of pace!! The following day we took a charter and flew to Tenerife, Spain (Canary Islands). Again, another great change of pace. It wasn’t as hot as we had hoped it would be but it was awesome to be back in boardshorts! The food was great too. We won our first European League match against Tenerife 3-0 in a fairly uneventful match, then flew overnight back to Novo via Moscow…what a long trip that was!
Now we are preparing for another Russian League match tomorrow at home. We have dug ourselves a bit a a hole and have to come out of it soon. If we can make a push (AS A TEAM!) this month, we can end the first half of the season in perfect striking distance for the championship. Wish us luck!
