Sting 17 Gold is the first team from Sting to secure a bid! Many other teams also did very well at the MEQ to kick off the qualifier season. 18 Black was eliminated from the Gold division in the first round of playoffs (12-15 in the third). 17 Black won the Bronze division. 17 Red was elminated in the Gold bracket in their quarter-final match (16-18 in the third). There was a 3 way tie for first in 16 Gold's final pool but Sting came out in third using the tie-breaker criteria. That was enough to eliminate them from contending for a bid. Sting 16 Black was eliminated from the Gold in the semi's to the eventual champion. They were scheduled to play their 3rd place match at 2:00. Lo and behold, no results have been posted at this time. Sting 15 Gold won Flight 1 of the 15 Open division.

If and when TIVA gets their results updated and finalized, we will post the final standings for all of our Sting teams in Indianapolis this weekend. It looks like the last matches took place hours ago so it should be soon.....Congratulations to 17 Gold and securing their bid. It was a great run by some, a struggle for others, there is plenty of season left. Keep after it everyone.

Both Sting 17 Gold, and Sting 16 Gold began their third round of play late last evening. As of this morning, both teams are 1-0 in this round. This is the last round for 17 Gold. They should be on the verge of the clubs first bid of the season but they have some more playing to do yet to seal things up. "It aint over till it's over..." 16 Gold will have one more round to play after this pool of 4.

!!!Update!!! 8:25 am
Sting 15 Gold has advanced into the semi finals of Flight 1.
Sting 18 Gold was knocked out in the first round of Flight 1.

Other results for this mornings first matches has yet to be posted at this time.

!!!Update!!! 9:00 am Sting 18 Black was knocked out of the Gold in the first round
Sting 17 Red has advanced to the quarter-finals
Sting 16 Black has advanced to the quarter-finals

We don't have any details but we can give you updates for those who are interested in how our older teams are doing at the first Qualifier of the season.

Day 1 Pool Results:

The first tournament for the 15 red's started out with a bang. Not only coming in first place, but also getting to know everyone on our team. First we had pool play. We definitely had control of these games and we achieved a win. Next, there was the Semi Finals. I thought our serving was excellent in this game. It really helped us to win. But what made this tournament so special was the championship game.

The team that we were to play came out. They were a tall and powerful team. It was an exciting point for point game, and for the most part, they were the ones in control. Finally it was about 18 to 21 when Dave and Tracy took a time out. They calmed us down and encouraged us to stay focused. We came back with powerful serves and ended up winning that game. The 2nd game we were battling point for point. This time we were in control. With the help of our great setting, powerful hitting, and our aggressive defensive playing, we pulled out a win. Also, what helped us win the game was that we all came together, and truly worked with one another. Dave and Tracy did an awesome job coaching us through that last match providing us with excellent strategies and advice. We got our medals and took pictures as champions, and yes, there will be more where that came from.

Since this time we have played three more tournaments. The first two that we played we came in first place. The third tournament that we played was a continued tournament, but so far we have won our pool, and came out on top again. It seems that our team really enjoys one another, and it's great to have this kind of chemistry. We look forward to going to Appleton this weekend as it will give us a chance to spend a couple days together bonding as a team.

[Editors Note: This was submitted quite a while ago and some updates are in order. To date, Sting 15 Red is the only undefeated team in the club. Congratulations players and coaches alike. You all are doing awesome!]

Several weeks ago Sting 13 Gold and Sting 14 Gold both headed down south for their first Central Zone event. Every year the Louisville trip is the big bus trip for both teams and well, it's always an interesting ride. It's usually the first overnight outing for both teams as well as the first big road trip. It's also the first taste of some of the best competition in the midwest for both teams....but who cares about competition? Let's talk about the bus.

Last seasons 13 Gold team got their hands on some 'old school' rap circa the 70's. Lindsey Seil introduced the team to the official dance to the song and the rest is now history as they have passed the torch to this years 13 Gold....lucky us. It's a spirited dance and although simple, some players (note picture) still look more like they are having a spastic attack in their attempts to release their inner James Brown. I kid of course. They all did a fabulous job of dancing and we coaches are just thrilled that nobody blew a knee during the revelry. Not that it looked that bad of course....from everyone.....just a few...nevermind.

The other highlight of the trip of course are the movies. The usual question is always "What movie should we watch?" After four years of doing this one would think I would know better. My only rule of thumb is, 'no chick flicks.' In a democratic society I have learned however that majority often rules and just when I think I have something that resembles control, it's voted out of my hands. Of course once the players were allowed to choose "White Chicks" as one of the movies to watch on the way down the selection process went through a series of changes that will likely last for years to come. Having never seen the movie I didn't know what to expect. Apparently none of the parents did either. I'm not one to say, "Never Again" but, "Never-Again." I hate to play the role of spoiler but if you have never seen the movie before allow me to offer a quick synopsis. Take Dumb and Dumber, add a bit of Romey and Michelle, throw in a very loose interpretation of Beverly Hills 90210 along with several bad sterotypes and you have "White Chicks." If you take the time to read your local want ads, you will have gone deeper than the plot of this movie.

Believe it or not there was some ball played that weekend and both teams wrapped the tournament up with two great placings. 13 Gold took home 3rd place honors after losing to a very physical and smart CYC team in the semi's. 14 Gold took home 5th place after meeting up with a formidable KiVA Red in the quarter final match. Their only loss of the tournament. It was a great weekend of play for both teams.

For the ride home we watched two, count 'em TWO chick flicks. Suddenly "White Chicks" wasn't so bad.....yes it was. After two movies of people in bad relationships, then good relationships, then bad relationships again.... we were back home. Two weeks later we were on the road again; this time, no bus. Last weekend both teams were joined in Indianapolis by Sting 14 Black who was making their first Central Zone appearance. What an appearance it was! They dropped one match en route to winning the Central Zone Championships in the 14 Club division! They did a fantastic job. They had a great quarter final match in which they were pushed to 3 games. Some dedication to defense and teamwork later, they pulled out their third game. In the finals they fought through some adversity as one of their players had to leave and miss the finals. Another player left the game with an injury. Positions were changed and everyone came through like champs, literally.

Meanwhile in 14 Open (and on the court next to the 14 Club Finals), Cletus and Clem (pictured) set their 14 Gold team into a finals match of their own. Munciana was able to take the win but 14 Gold had a great run taking 2nd. On their way to that second place finish they met up with KiVA Red in the semi's and fought it out for a win this time. Earlier, 13 Gold wasn't as fortunate as the first outing and exited the Gold bracket in the quarter-finals in a 3 game match against Team Indiana who played a great match. That put them in 5th place for the Central Zone Championships.

All in all a great series and a fantastic run for the 14's and 13's in the Central Zone this year. Keep up the great work everyone. The year is still young. We have many more great memories to make.