Horaire du tournoi RAVE - Fredericton

Hotels - Vote for your choice

PROVINCIALS / APRIL 5-6 2008

Which motel would you prefer ? Please vote.
Click on the name of the motel to access the website and obtain more details. We will go with the majority of the votes received by Friday. Thanks

A -Delta Fredericton (4 stars)
225 Woodstock Road
$100 per night (4 person occupancy)
Code = Volleyball New Brunswick

B- Comfort Inn (2.5 stars)
797 Prospect Street
$90 per night (4 person occupancy)
Code = VNB
506-453-0800

C- Wandlyn Inn Fredericton (Not even in the Federal Gov. Directory - or 3.5 pee stains)
958 Prospect Street
$85 per night (4 person occupancy)
Code = Volleyball New Brunswick
1-866-561-0000

Horaire (modifié) du tournoi GATORS

Voici notre GATOR avant le tournoi à Minto:



Voici le nouveau GATOR après le tournoi de Minto. Qu'en pensez vous?

Resultats du tournoi des Cuties - GATORS toujours en 3e

Senior B Womens – Feb 2, 2008
Summit Cuties – Host. 6 teams

Round Robin
1st place Wolfpack/chix 6/0
2nd place Fredericton Digs 4/2
3rd place Summit Cuties 3/3
4th place Fired Up 2/4 (117/101 points)
5th place Excell Pro 2/4 (134/134 points)
6th place Gators 0/6 ? yeah, right ! (see my comment below )


Semi Finals
Wolfpack def. Fired up (16-25, 25-23, 15-3)
Digs def. Summit (25-14, 26-24)

Final(e)
Wolfpack def. Digs (22-25, 25-23, 15-7)

Senior B Women’s League Rankings
1 Crazy Chix Saint John
2 Digs Fredericton
3 Gators Moncton
4 Delta Reds Fredericton
5 Excell Pro Bathurst
6 Fired Up Fredericton
7 Los Locos Saint John
8 Keggers Moncton
9 Cougars Saint John
10 Femmes Fatales Shediac
11 Summit Cuties Fredericton
12 Oxygen Moncton
13 Top Notch Thunder Woodstock
14 Litening Saint John

GATORS Hold 3rd Place Overall Standings - Results and rankings

Femmes Fatales Women’s Senior B Tournament
École Louis J-Robichaud - Shediac, NB

Division A
1st Crazy Chix 6 / 0
2nd Oxygen 4 / 2
3rd Gators 1 / 5
4th Keggers 1 / 5


Division B
1st Cougars 5 / 1
2nd Femmes Fatales 4 / 2
3rd Fredericton Digs 3 / 3
4th Excel Pro 1 / 5

Quarter Finals(Quarts de finale)
Crazy Chix against Excel Pro 2-1 (23-25, 25-21 and 15-8 )
Cougars against Keggers 2-0 (25-14 and 25-21)
Fredericton Digs against Oxygen 2-0 (25-21 and 25-14)
Gators against Femme Fatales 2-0 (25-20 and 25-16)

Semi Finals/Demi-finale
Crazy Chix against Gators 2-0 (25-14 and 25-23)
Fredericton Digs against Cougars 2-0 (25-21 and 25-16)

Final(e)
Crazy Chix against Fredericton Digs 2-0 (25-21 and 25-13)


Senior B Women’s League Rankings
1 Crazy Chix (Saint John)
2 Digs (Fredericton)
3 Gators (Moncton)
4 Delta Reds (Fredericton)
5 Excell Pro (Bathurst)
6 Los Locos (Saint John)
7 Keggers (Moncton)
8 Cougars (Saint John)
9 Femmes Fatales (Shediac)
10 Fired Up (Fredericton)
11 Oxygen (Moncton)
12 T.Notch Thunder (Woodstock)
13 Ligthning (Saint John)

Good job Gators !

Good job Gators for making it to the semi-finals and giving a good match to the Crazy Chix (25-16) (25-23)

The quarters and the semis were amazing !
Good team work !
Good team spirit topped up with a winning attitude !

Mel Gator :o)

Horaire du tournoi 19 janvier (LJR - Shediac)

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS

Registered Teams for Femmes Fatales Tournament - Jan 19th

1. Femmes Fatales
2. The Gators
3. Wolfpack Crazy Chix
4. Excell Pro
5. Oxygen
6. Keggers
7. Fredericton Digs
8. Saint John Cougars

Waiting List:
1. Saint John Litening


Registered Teams for Cuties Tournament - Feb 2nd

1. Summit Cuties
2. The Gators
3. Wolfpack Crazy Chix
4. Fredericton Digs
5. Top Notch Thunder
6. Fired Up
7. Excell Pro
8. Los Locos

Waiting List
1. Saint John Litening
2. Saint John Cougars



Registered Teams for Gators Tournament on Feb 16th

1. Gators
2. Top Notch Thunder
3. Keggers
4. Femmes Fatales
5. Oxygen
6. Excell Pro
7. SJ Litening
8. Fredericton Digs


Registered Teams for Lightning Tournament - March 1st:
1. Saint John Litening
2. Saint John Cougars
3. Crazy Chix
4. Los Locos
5. Gators
6. Fired Up
7. Fredericton Digs
8. Fredericton Rave

Registered Teams for Rave Tournament - March 15th: (TOURNAMENT WITH 12 TEAMS)

1. Fredericton Rave
2. Top Notch Thunder
3. The Gators
4. Wolfpack Crazy Chix
5. Summit Cuties
6. Oxygen
7. Femmes Fatales
8. Digs
9. Fired Up
10. Saint John Cougars
11. Excell Pro - Excell Pro cancelled so the Keggers are in
12. SJ Litening
13. Keggers

Tournament Schedule Saint John (Jan. 12)

Can You Read Plays?

One of the biggest challenges many volleyballers face is their ability (or inability) to correctly 'read the play'.

Anticipating where the opposition's hitter is about to slam that ball - so you can move into position early - helps you get to the ball faster, and makes you a better defensive player.

But.... it's not only about reading what the opposition is doing - you also need to know what to look for on your own team - So you know 'exactly' where you should be to defend your area on the court.

So here are some specific tactics that will help you read an opposing team's hitter when playing back row defense...

Firstly; the process of reading a hitter in the back row is much the same as playing in the front row: you have to first see the hitter and the direction their approach is taking, and then the set and direction and speed at which the ball traveling.

But another important thing to keep in mind when playing in the back row is to read the block as well.

When playing in the back row, it is just as important to be 'prepared' as it is to read the hitter. As you see where the set is going and the direction the player is
facing when he or she starts to swing, you also need to be ready to play the ball off the block

If you are playing middle-back, then your first goal is to stay deep so that you can play the balls that are hit off the block and go sailing deep. Also, make sure you
take a step towards the side the set is on toward the sideline to play the cross court line shot.

If you are playing left or right-back, then make sure you are always starting by the ten foot line so you are prepared for the quick middle hit or the tip from the front row setter.

You do not release from this position until you see the ball set outside or to the opposite position.

If the ball is set to your side, then take three large, quick steps backwards on the side line. Make sure you are completely stopped and ready to move when the ball is
hit so you can make a fast reaction.

The ball could be hit off the block and you may need to jump or run after it, or the ball may be tipped, and you
will have to run and dive after it.

You will know if a tip is coming if the hitter begins to slow down his arm swing at all, or if the player is attacking a poor set that is tight to the net.

Make sure your feet are turned in slightly so you are more prepared to take that first big, explosive step toward the ball.

Otherwise, be down low and ready to take that hard shot down the line.

If the ball is set away from your side, you should release into the court by taking one big step/leap back and another one into the court. It is always important to
stay 'in the sunshine' of the ball when playing defense.

Think about the ball as being a sun, and the block is shielding the sun's light. On defense, it is important to change your position so that you are never behind the block, because you want to be ready to play the ball where there is no one else to stop it.

When taking your step into the court, make sure you are moving into an area that is not being covered by the block, or in the 'sunshine'.

Players usually hit in the direction of their approach. A player approaching the net at an angle will probably hit cross court. Players approaching more perpendicular to
the net will most likely hit down the line.

However, hitters may suddenly change the direction of their swing by hitting across their body; this is why it is important to always be in ready position and to study
the habits of each player throughout a match.

Remember, you are reacting to everything on the court, including the blockers on your own team. Just be in position, ready to react, and you can be accountable for
the space you are defending.

Gym Fees for 2008 - Wednesday nights

Hi Gators

For the period from January 9th to April 2nd except March 5th (March break), there are a total of 12 Wednesday nights. I am going to ask a credit for the night in October when the gym was unavailable and for Wednesday Dec 12th.

12 X $25 = $300 - $50 (credit) = $250.00 divided by 2(Gators et Femmes Fatales)= $125.00 per team which comes to 21.00 per player for us.

I am waiting a confirmation from the Femmes Fatales to see if they want to continue to play against us every Wednesday (I think they do). I need to sign the contract and pay in advance so I will do it next week. Since we're going to have a long break with no tournaments and we'll just meet again on January 9th.

Merry Christmas !! See you Gators in 2008.

Mel

VNB SENIOR OPEN - TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Hey Gators !!!!!

Click here to see the tournament schedule
(Womens Senior B on Page 4)

I asked VNB if the one-hour captains meeting could be skipped so we would not finish so late on Saturday. There could be an online forum instead... I am awaiting an answer.

See you later GATORS !!

Some Slides

Here are some videos of some pretty good slides by Middle Hitters, with some help from the Off-Side.

Video number 1 has a good example of some foot work and a good cross hit. She jumps on her left foot (which you need to do to get the angle shot).

Video number 2 shows how the Slide can be done with the Off-Side. It's called a split. The Middle Hitter goes for the slide while the Off-Side (watch blonde #11) goes for a middle attack by stepping in to the 3 position after the Middle Hitter has crossed. Note that the setter could have set Middle or Off-Side. Carole L, you may want to try this Wednesday.

Video number 3 is a drill for setting the slide. As a blocker, you may want to set up so the slider has an open line and take away the cross.

Tournament Registrations for Season 2007-2008 completed

Hi Gators

Just a little note to let you know that I have paid the registration for all the upcoming tournaments scheduled for the 2007-2008 season ($1025.00). It is all done so we are sure to have a spot. Most tournaments only accept 8 teams but, don't you worry, we are in.

See you all on Wednesday !! Let's get ready for the OPEN !!!!
HEEEEEYYYYYYYYYY GATORS !!!!

Mel Gator

Lots of Volleyball at UdeM This Weekend!

The Anges Bleues are hosting an inter-conference tournament with four teams from Quebec and Atlantic Canada this weekend. We'll probably be there Friday at 7PM or Saturday at 7PM.

Here's the schedule:

Vendredi/Friday
Terrain 1 Terrain 2
17 h Laval vs CBU / Montréal vs UPEI
19 h McGill vs Moncton / Sherbrooke vs UNB

Samedi/Saturday
11 h Sherbrooke vs UPEI / McGill vs CBU
13 h Montréal vs Moncton / Laval vs UNB
17 h Sherbrooke vs CBU / McGill vs UPEI
19 h Laval vs Moncton / Montréal vs UNB

Dimanche/Sunday
11 h Laval vs UPEI / Montréal vs CBU
13 h Sherbrooke vs / Moncton McGill vs UNB

USA VS Japan - Word Cup '07

They're giants.

Call the Ball!!!

Call it loud, early and often and with a tone in your voice that makes it absolutely clear to everyone around you that they should get out of your way because this ball is YOURS.

And make sure you call it early enough, preferably before it crosses the net, so that the other players can stay clear of your path and get into an on-help position.

If another player calls the ball at the same time as you and with the same high level of certainty as you, you should do one of two things; if there is time you should call the other players name and tell that player to go for the ball as you back-off and give that player room to play the ball, or, if there is not sufficient time or if you and the other player are already almost on top of each other, you should continue to play the ball.

Remember, if one or both of you play the ball, you will have a much better chance at making the point than if neither of you plays the ball.

TEAMS WHO COMMUNICATE WELL CALL THE BALL.

Tournament Schedule and Map for Saturday in Saint John

This is the schedule for the Saint John Lightning's fundraiser.

The tournament is NOT AT SJHS, it's at St. Malachy'S High School. Not too far from SJHS.
Click here for a map and directions on how to get there.

GATORS New Warm-Up Sweaters

Here's a look at what our new sweaters are going to look like. We'll have them in time for our next tournament!

Serve Receive Ain't For Sissies

Here are 5 volleyball tips elite athletes use when Serve Receiving. Now you can easily perform these volleyball skills to improve your technique during games and volleyball tournaments.

1. Read the Server's Body Position
When a server is ready to serve - they usually give you some indication where they are planning to serve. Checking their lower body, their feet and especially their hip position you get some clues as to whether they want to serve cross court or down the line.
Also check out where their shoulders are facing and where there tossing arm is - this will give you additional clues. A lot of servers when they want to serve a short ball to the front row hitters on the opposite side - MANY times they step right up to the serving line as close as they can. This is a pretty good indication that a short serve is coming. So when you see that adjust accordingly by taking a step closer to the net that you cover any short serves that come in your area.

2. Stay Low
Once the referee's whistle blows DON"T STAND UP! Stay in "shoulders hunched/slightly crouched" ready position in order to serve receive. Why?
a) Because if the server serves you deep or short its easier for you to move forwards and backwards - if you are in a slightly crouched position. b) By standing up, the ball will more than likely hit you in the chest. As the serve crosses the net Stay
Low - while preparing your body position and platform to serve receive.

3. Talk
Be ready to take responsibility for balls that are served to you or in your area - by calling "MINE" in a loud clear voice so your teammates know that you WANT that ball and only you will pass that ball. It allows your teammates to set up early for whatever they need to do next.
Communicate what serve you think is coming. If I see someone "toeing" the line- by this I mean stepping up really close to the server's line then I will tell my beach partner OR my indoor teammates in a loud voice "Watch out for the short serve!" This mentally helps you AND your teammates to be ready to move quickly if the short serve comes. This way everybody on the volleyball court KNOWS and is aware of the short ball possibly coming.
You've also made the server aware of the fact that you know what they are about to do so it puts more pressure on them to concentrate.

4. Focus on the Volleyball
Once you've checked out the server's body position and where they look like they are serving and called it out to your teammates...once the whistle blows Focus on the BALL while its in the server's tossing hand.
Once the server tosses the ball they really can't change much of anything else so I visibly TRACK that ball from their hands when they contact the ball across the net and I track it right into my arms. I follow by watching the ball with my eyes right into my serve receive platform. Really Focusing on the ball keeps me from being surprised and moving at the last minute once that ball crosses the net to my side of the court. I am already visibly and mentally following that ball out of the server's hands so when it gets to the volleyball net and then crosses to my side its easy for me to move my feet and get to position to make a great pass.

5. Early Positioning -Get Stopped!
Don't do two things at once. Don't be passing and running at the same time! Your passes usually won't go to your setter BUT instead will go immediately over the net. Get to the spot First on the court where you see the ball is going to cross the net and land in your area even if this means that you may only need a side step or two steps or may even have to run to get to a further spot away from you Get THERE first then GET STOPPED -get your Platform out- then make the pass. Make sure you do this in 2 separate movements.

So remember Get to Your Spot Quickly - Beat the ball there - Get Stopped - Make the Pass!