The Bobcat’s last tournament was at CCRI, Lincoln, RI. Sometimes the day doesn’t go as planned. We played some really scrappy ball and had some amazing plays, but we had trouble stringing together enough points to pull out solid wins.

We finished pool play 1-5. In the silver bracket semifinals we lost an extremely close match to SMASH Black.

We enjoyed being at the tournament with our sister team the Panthers. We spent time between matches comparing notes on teams in our respective pools. In the middle of the day the Bobcats had a team bonding exercise. We made team t-shirts to remember each other and the season.

After two tryouts, 17 practices and 5 tournaments, everyone showed vast improvements. By season’s end everyone was serving overhand with at least 60% efficiency and some even in the high 80s and 90s. Nikee had one tournament with 100%! Our setting improved dramatically thanks largely to our setting clinic and Elysce. In the hitting department Darby came on very strong at the end after switching from setter to hitter. Jodie, Kayla and Lenna were also superb on the outside and showed lots of improvements. Lindsay missed a lot of the season due to an ankle injury, but she had a very strong showing in this last tournament. Our other setters, Cassidy, Lauren and Nikee, showed fabulous improvements placing the ball right where the hitters wanted it. They also improved their ability to better the ball on errant passes – a very important skill for setters. Our middles, Brooke, Caelin, Grace and Samantha, showed remarkable improvement tracking the ball at the net and timing their blocks. Brooke, Lenna and Samantha made huge strides in all areas of their play — especially in serving and hitting.

For us, as coaches, this was an especially fun year. We are very proud and impressed with the way our team developed a positive attitude in supporting each other during the highs and lows of the season. It was a tremendous pleasure to come to practice and work with such receptive players who were always so eager to learn. Our parents were the greatest, and their support of their daughters was enjoyable to witness. We will always treasure our Bobcats moments.

Congratulations, girls, on a wonderful season ….Beef it up!

- Melissa Hatanaka and Bob Hofeldt

On Sunday, the Big Cats found themselves in Springfield playing for the Central 16A New England Championship. While we got a couple of players back from an extended vacation, we were still missing our libero. Fortunately, Clara, our “reluctant” libero, really stepped it up and filled the void left by Melissa’s absence. The ‘Cats breezed through pool play (6-0) with everyone getting plenty of playing time and contributing to the victories. In the semi-finals, the ‘Cats ran up against a highly motivated Husky team and found themselves in a real barn-burner. After dropping the first game at deuce, the ‘Cats came back to win the next two games handily. This set up the Championship finals against CT Velocity, a team we hadn’t played all year despite playing in a couple of the same tournaments. The tough semi-finals seemed to take some of the energy out of the ‘Cats and we struggled mightily to win the first game. After dropping a close second game the ‘Cats regrouped and dominated Velocity in game 3 to win the 2009 Central 16A NE Championship tournament.

The win was a real team effort with everyone playing at least one full game in the finals. The key to the victory was our improved net play. We hammered overpasses and got into an offensive rhythm that was too much for the competition to handle. Corrie and Krystle led the way in the middle, hitting many more balls than usual and anchoring our defensive alignment. Alexa, Kelly, Sarah, Nicole, and Allison pounded away on the outside and contributed excellent back row defense and off-blocker coverage. Taylor did the bulk of the setting, keeping the defense off-balance and our own attackers in rhythm. Clara and Charlotte dug practically everything hit their way, continually frustrating the opposition’s hitters.

All in all, a GREAT job by the Big Cats this season. Three tournament wins and two strong showings in AA. They have a lot to be proud of and much to build on in the coming seasons. Coach Starr and I will keep an eye on your progress. Good luck!