Spiked Punch

To Joe, Allison, Rich, and Maribel I say it’s been a pleasure playing with you guys this summer, you are all great people and I couldn’t have asked for nicer new comers. When Geoff and I set out this summer to round up a beach team we figured it would be difficult to find four people that would click with us, be on the same page and buy into our philosophy; but we stuck gold with you guys and I wanted to say how much I enjoyed all of you guys and gals and I really had a great time this summer. There is no doubt in my mind we are all better players at the end of August than we were in early June and ultimately that was the goal that Geoff and I set back in May before we had assembled a team.

Getting Joe was great too because of having played with him at the school, we knew we had a guy that enjoyed the game,  likes to compete,  and wanted to improve his game as well. Man who knew what a godsend Maribel would turn out to be- go Pumas!!!!!! she was great and taught me alot, now imagine if we could actually understand each other!!!!!

I also wanted to say how PROUD I AM OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU on how well you played in the playoffs. I assure you it was just as  hard not being able to watch you play as it was having the injury. You guys ROCK!!!!!!  Extra  kudos to Allison for her bumping improving so much, kudos to joe for playing through so much pain when he really shouldn’t have been out there with such a badly injured shoulder, kudos to Rich for being an athletic freak and being all over the court, and kudos to Geoff the assistant captain for just being the great the volleyball player is his and for always trying to get the best out of me and having my back.  Great job SPIKED PUNCH I enjoyed all of you and will keep all that are interested posted for the fall Volleyball . I’m finally able to get a decent bend on my finger.  I’ m about two-three weeks away from being able to do my thing but I DEFINITELY plan on being in the starting lineup come fall/winter Volleyball.

Playoffs aren’t supposed to be easy. Unfortunate scheduling and the loss of team captain Eric Stewart put Spiked Punch in a challenging position to close out the season on a positive note.

Game one started as a three on five match-up with Joe, Allison and Geoff carrying the load until Maribel and Rich arrived. The distracting wind and lack of cohesive play led to a first round loss and quick trip to the losers bracket.

In game two, Spiked Punch faced the pickled Wildcats and their strange approach to volleyball. With great serving and teamwork, Spiked Punch held on to win the match easily. Season over for the Wildcats. Raise your glasses for the Wildcats, the drunkest team of the BB bunch! Spike punch moved on to play JC Leap Insurance Co. …JC Leap Agency (the better of the two squads) was the top seed in the losers bracket.

Game three was a solid effort as Spiked Punch clobbered JC Leap 21 to 10. The game featured some great net play from Allison and Joe and backline support from Rich, Geoff and Maribel. The game really turned in Spiked Punch’s favor when Rich went on a mad serving tear after the 11 pt. switch of sides. Rodney even had an ace in his debut.

During a lull in the action, with Spiked Punch trying to close out the victory, Joe took an opportunity to rally the team in honor of fallen captain and raw talent, Eric Stewart. Joe painfully raised his right arm, something he has had difficulty doing all season, clenched his fist and straightened his pinky finger shouting, “let’s do this for ERIC!” Joe, of course, was using Eric’s devastating, season ending injury as a motivator to close out the win. Joe’s strategy worked. Season over JC Leap Ins. Co…we hardly knew you.

Feeling confident and one win away from BB league nemesis Lew Mar, Spiked Punch woke up the sleepy Seahawks and played one of its best matches of the year with the entire team putting their lives on the line to win.

The game started out with the Seahawks building a 6-0 lead. Spiked Punch, battled back with the hot potato style and tied the match 10-10. After the switch, both teams had trouble holding serve and kept it even until 12-12. The Seahawks went on a little run to increase their lead to 17-14. With the game getting away, Spiked Punch called timeout and regrouped, catching some air and grabbing some water. The renewed team spirit allowed Spike Punch to claw back and get within 1 point, 20-19. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as Spiked Punch’s season ended with a ball in the net.

After the game, Spiked Punch players were drained but satisfied that they lost the battle with dignity and pride. Of all the losses this season, this one hurts the most but is equally gratifying due to the excellent team play and desire to win.

After hearing the game report, Coach Stewart commented, “Man, I’m so proud of this team!”

What’s next for Spiked Punch?

• Free ACCC ESL classes for Maribel?
• Experimental bionic shoulder surgery for Joe?
• Eric patents “sand gloves” with steel reinforced pinkies?
• Geoff starts a reality series called “Searching for the Next Spiked Puncher” and copywrights “PAY ATTENTION” ?
• Allison runs away with an Amish farmer from Intercourse, PA.?
• Rich wins Smithville citizen of the month award and demands to have bug infested public volleyball pit named in his honor?
• Natalie shows up for the playoffs next week?
• Our one week wonders, Rodney and Mike, start their own team called “DREAD RED”
• WE ALL MEET AGAIN INDOORS????

Stay tuned.

Until then…best wishes and good luck during the fall.

Last Thursday as the  Spike Puncher were wrapping up their final prep for post season play  left hitter Eric dug down to hit a fast return when he heard a weird thud……………..

 ”I actually thought i hit a pretty good shot but did notice it didn’t feel like any shot I had hit before; the pain was quick and sharp. I looked at my hand and saw that my left pinky was sideways “oh my God, I thought, what the heck, my finger is done!” I’m saying to myself. I bent over as the pain continued to worse, then came the disappointment in knowing I caused this and it was purely MY FAULT; I tried to push back a ball that should have clearly been bumped; hence the very low percentage shot and ultimately the injury occurs. As a captain you feel you let your team down.  Now I get to the emergency room and thankfully the doctor is able to pop my finger back into place but the x-rays reveal a slight chip/fracture and even with tape or a splint does not allow contact so I’m out for three weeks which obviously means missing the playoffs. The sad part is it happened to my left hand and as a lefty that is deadly, had this happened to my right hand we wouldn’t be having this conversation.  As it is I can barely make a fist much least close my hands to bump, of course I can’t set right now and I can’t even spike so I would be a liability to our team at this point. I will be there to cheer us on and try to coach and strategize for us from the sidelines. I have alot of confidence in our squad and really do believe we are going to make some noise in the playoffs.

In the meantime I will do whatever the doc says, let this finger heal properly and without a doubt be ready to handle my business come the fall season”.

Latest News:

Eric will be unable to play on Tuesday night due to a fractured pinky finger. While the team is saddened, Eric will be on hand to coach from the sidelines and root on the Spike Punchers during their quest for the BB title.

Take a look at Denzel Washington’s pinky to see how Eric’s finger looked shortly after the incident.

UPDATE:

Team captain, Eric Stewart dislocated his pinky finger during practice in Ventnor, Thursday night, while attempting to return a serve by Geoff P.

“It didn’t sound good when he hit it,” said fellow spiked puncher, Rich.

“Su dedo parece realmente malo,” said 3 on 3 foe, Maribel.

According to the Spiked Punch team doctor, Eric has not been cleared to play on Tuesday. The doctor has advised Eric to seek the advice of an orthopedist due to a possible bone chip or fracture.

Joe D. knows all about injuries and is not optimistic about Eric joining the team for the playoffs.

“…When my thumb was screwed up, I didn’t want to complain about it. [Eric’s injury] is gonna make him hit the ball weird once it takes a good hit,” Joe specualted. “Maybe he should put ice on it.”

* If you would like to donate your time to help Eric use the stylus on his PDA, please contact him immediately.

Bad Break for Captain Eric

Team captain, Eric Stewart dislocated or broke his pinky finger during practice in Ventnor, Thursday night, while attempting to return a serve by Geoff P.

Playoffs are scheduled to start tonight in the V.V.B.L. (Ventnor Volleyball league) if this rain can hold off, although it appears to unlikely. Now it’s no secret that Spiked Punch is backing into the playoff only winning two of its last nine games including having been swept by top team WMA on 7/31. Former head coach and now tv analyst for the NFL network Jim Mora Sr. was asked what he thought about Spiked Punch’s chances in the playoffs……

Playoffs?! Payoffs?! They made the playoffs? I’ve watched them play and they can’t do diddly pooh! playoffs!? playofs?! are you kidding me?! I’d be surprised if they won another game this year! Eric’s supposed to be the captain and he SUCKS, and I saw Geoff at the TENNIS courts with his freakin’ girlfriend! playoffs!? you wanna talk playoffs!? After the unexplained rant the NFL Network released this statement………

“Those comments by Jim Mora Sr. were unexpected, out of line, and very unprofessional and no way reflects the views of anyone involved in the NFL Network. We have a great deal of respect for and offer our sincere apologies to the Spiked Punch franchise and its players. Mr. Mora has been placed on administrative leave and will remain there pending a full investigation.

Now back to the game tonight. Right now we are schedule to play and all teams are to be at the pier courts at 6pm. Team Captain Eric Stewart was told to  contact tounament official Mike Freeney this afternoon and see if the games will be a go tonight. Should the games be officially canceled tonight, the make up day has already been scheduled for Tues. August 28th at 6pm.