Site search
sponsored by
News
Sports
ENLARGE
Nevada Union's Jenna Bell sets the ball for Miner middle blocker Jenna Britton during last week's season finale at Rocklin. Nevada Union, the seven-time defending section champion, opens the playoffs on the road in Lodi at 7 p.m. today.
Arguably, there has not been this much intrigue to volleyball's Lady Miners in the last half decade.
This edition, seeking yet another sectional crown, will have to do it in a face of adversity uncommon to the decade's best Northern California volleyball program.
The volleyball gods have spoken. In a crazy, almost unexplainable twist, the Miners plunged to the 11th seed in the Sac-Joaquin Division I sectional playoffs. The last time they lost a sectional crown, sophomore super server Victoria Kuhn was a fourth grader! It was that long ago.
Yet, a unique journey begins tonight in Lodi. The Miners will travel to upset their sixth-seeded opponent. It is a situation to dread and yet the chance of a lifetime. This Miners squad will begin an arduous route, one of which true champions are made. The mettle of this squad will be tested. However, there is no doubt that this is an incredibly awesome opportunity, perhaps the making of a story that will last with this band of ladies all their lives.
However, it is a step-by-step process.
Tonight is Chapter One of what most hope will be an epic.
“There is no more, nor less incentive,” NU coach Bob Rogers deadpanned. “It is harder to win on the road. People are comfortable playing in their own gym.”
The past few weeks have been wonderfully eventful for the Miners. They beat Stockton powerhouse St. Mary's. Nevada Union steamrolled Del Oro in three straight sets. They even boasted yet another victory over formidable St. Francis.
And they topped it off with a victory in the highly prestigious Super 8 tournament, where the section's best eight teams battle it out for supremacy.
Abbie Miraldi, although shocked by the seeding, was quick to point out, “If we play the way we did in the Super 8, we can do it. It is all about consistency and focus. We need to come out strong. We are going to have to go out and prove everyone wrong.”
As if the hill was not steep enough, Rogers received word that star outside hitter Ellie Selleck is doubtful for tonight's matchup. Tendonitis of the shoulder has caused doctors to ask her to take a week off. A lot of the expectation lay firmly on the shoulders of Miraldi and Selleck. It is just another obstacle to overcome.
However, Selleck is very optimistic.
“Abbie and I have talked,” Selleck said. “We are going to take this team as far as we can. I get mad that we are ranked No. 11. We will have to show them what we can do, making our way through the playoffs.”
In the beginning, people may have had their doubts about this squad. However, in recent weeks it has jelled. Big victories have been complemented by an improved serve-receive, strong front line hitting, and a very stingy defense. Although this team appears to be the real deal, the Lady Miners will have to prove it away from the friendly and comfortable confines of Ali Gymnasium. Sadly, it appears as though we have seen the last of this squad on its home floor during this sectional tournament.
Want some statistics to ponder? Nevada Union and Lodi have had two common opponents. While the Miners were beating Golden Sierra twice, Lodi was losing to them in their sole confrontation. Both teams beat Davis. However, the Miners' victory had a much larger point spread.
Perhaps it is also interesting to note that Nevada Union has beaten Division IV's No. 1 seed Christian Brothers. They were victorious versus Division III's No. 1 seed St. Mary's two weeks ago. Division II's number one seed is Rocklin and the Miners beat them three out of four times.
These are quite prestigious accomplishments for an 11th seed.
Nonetheless, everything in life happens for a reason.
This represents what could be developed into an unbelievable saga, perhaps the richest in Nevada Union volleyball history. Although this is a game-by-game proposition, watch for the Lady Miners to come out strong. There has never been a bigger moment in which there is a point to prove. It simply is the opportunity of a lifetime.
Four games to the sectional crown ... each of them on the road ... watch for this squad to play on an edge. I predict they will pull a big “upset” tonight in Lodi and will live to play another day. I say Miners in four ... maybe three.
Damn the seeding, full speed ahead, ladies. See you in Lodi.
Do not miss it. It will surely be worth the trip.
Jim Adams lives in Nevada City, is a regular contributor to The Union and a broadcaster for TouchDown Productions. He may be reached via e-mail at adamses@inreach.com.
This edition, seeking yet another sectional crown, will have to do it in a face of adversity uncommon to the decade's best Northern California volleyball program.
The volleyball gods have spoken. In a crazy, almost unexplainable twist, the Miners plunged to the 11th seed in the Sac-Joaquin Division I sectional playoffs. The last time they lost a sectional crown, sophomore super server Victoria Kuhn was a fourth grader! It was that long ago.
Yet, a unique journey begins tonight in Lodi. The Miners will travel to upset their sixth-seeded opponent. It is a situation to dread and yet the chance of a lifetime. This Miners squad will begin an arduous route, one of which true champions are made. The mettle of this squad will be tested. However, there is no doubt that this is an incredibly awesome opportunity, perhaps the making of a story that will last with this band of ladies all their lives.
However, it is a step-by-step process.
Tonight is Chapter One of what most hope will be an epic.
“There is no more, nor less incentive,” NU coach Bob Rogers deadpanned. “It is harder to win on the road. People are comfortable playing in their own gym.”
The past few weeks have been wonderfully eventful for the Miners. They beat Stockton powerhouse St. Mary's. Nevada Union steamrolled Del Oro in three straight sets. They even boasted yet another victory over formidable St. Francis.
And they topped it off with a victory in the highly prestigious Super 8 tournament, where the section's best eight teams battle it out for supremacy.
Abbie Miraldi, although shocked by the seeding, was quick to point out, “If we play the way we did in the Super 8, we can do it. It is all about consistency and focus. We need to come out strong. We are going to have to go out and prove everyone wrong.”
As if the hill was not steep enough, Rogers received word that star outside hitter Ellie Selleck is doubtful for tonight's matchup. Tendonitis of the shoulder has caused doctors to ask her to take a week off. A lot of the expectation lay firmly on the shoulders of Miraldi and Selleck. It is just another obstacle to overcome.
However, Selleck is very optimistic.
“Abbie and I have talked,” Selleck said. “We are going to take this team as far as we can. I get mad that we are ranked No. 11. We will have to show them what we can do, making our way through the playoffs.”
In the beginning, people may have had their doubts about this squad. However, in recent weeks it has jelled. Big victories have been complemented by an improved serve-receive, strong front line hitting, and a very stingy defense. Although this team appears to be the real deal, the Lady Miners will have to prove it away from the friendly and comfortable confines of Ali Gymnasium. Sadly, it appears as though we have seen the last of this squad on its home floor during this sectional tournament.
Want some statistics to ponder? Nevada Union and Lodi have had two common opponents. While the Miners were beating Golden Sierra twice, Lodi was losing to them in their sole confrontation. Both teams beat Davis. However, the Miners' victory had a much larger point spread.
Perhaps it is also interesting to note that Nevada Union has beaten Division IV's No. 1 seed Christian Brothers. They were victorious versus Division III's No. 1 seed St. Mary's two weeks ago. Division II's number one seed is Rocklin and the Miners beat them three out of four times.
These are quite prestigious accomplishments for an 11th seed.
Nonetheless, everything in life happens for a reason.
This represents what could be developed into an unbelievable saga, perhaps the richest in Nevada Union volleyball history. Although this is a game-by-game proposition, watch for the Lady Miners to come out strong. There has never been a bigger moment in which there is a point to prove. It simply is the opportunity of a lifetime.
Four games to the sectional crown ... each of them on the road ... watch for this squad to play on an edge. I predict they will pull a big “upset” tonight in Lodi and will live to play another day. I say Miners in four ... maybe three.
Damn the seeding, full speed ahead, ladies. See you in Lodi.
Do not miss it. It will surely be worth the trip.
Jim Adams lives in Nevada City, is a regular contributor to The Union and a broadcaster for TouchDown Productions. He may be reached via e-mail at adamses@inreach.com.
