Spiked Punch

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.