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A typical Miami heat wave in September has brought unrelenting temperatures this past week throughout the region. It was also very heated one evening at the Westminster Christian Academy volleyball courts, where the Lady Warriors hosted the Lady Falcons of Palmer Trinity School in the first game of the 2009 fall volleyball season.
The clash of these two teams can be said to be a true classic battle between the undisputed two best teams in the district, and that evening proved to be an indicator of how tight the battle for first place will be, with a very long and intense game in which Westminster ended up victorious in five sets, each with both teams making over 20 points in each set. The final set ended 15-11, where the teams never let up until the end. The heat inside was palpable to the point of a nuclear meltdown. Final Score Westminster d. Palmer Trinity: 25-17,22-25,25-22,20-25,15-11. Rebecca Acevedo led Westminster Christian with 64 assists, five blocks and four aces.
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With these two teams, one can never know how it will end, even when it seems that one of the two was a sure winner of the game. But it was a see-saw of points, both displaying power spikes, prowess in the defense, and some wickedly awesome plays that amazed everyone over and over again. The lead went back and forth again and again. Each gained the momentum, only to give the lead up with an awesome play by the other team.
Even though I watched as a parent for one of the Palmer players, I could not help but to admire how well both teams played, even with the rookies that went in for their first varsity game. It is clear that both teams have been well trained and are thoroughly disciplined in their game ethics. I only wish that the officiating would have matched this level.
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I will not sour the story by saying that one team lost, or the other won, because of the officiating blunders (some that were ridiculously hilarious, if not for the seriousness of the mistakes that clearly affected the tempo of the game, and which both teams were clearly affected), since I am one hundred percent in agreement that the game was decided by the players, regardless of how the officials in this game clearly displayed that they were rookies refereeing the most intense game of the season. So I will not focus in any way in that aspect, but to look at what has developed in a Classic, just like the old Army-Navy and Harvard-Yale games. In Miami we have The Palmer Trinity-Westminster Christian Classic. The officiating did not match the level of play at all, and I only hope that the people who schedule the officials for the games will not make this mistake again. We need good refs for this match up. Period.
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All in all, the intensity of this game was such that every one was up on their feet almost the entire game. Detaching myself from the emotional side of being a spectator, I could almost compare this as a great sports movie. At the end, one team had to come out the victor, and I congratulate Westminster Christian for their victory, and cannot wait until their next game at the Falcon’s nest at Palmer Trinity. This type of game intensity is reflective of the type of game needed to be a powerhouse in South Florida. We are headed in the right direction.
If you want to see the very best of High School volleyball in Miami, head to the next Classic Match up at Palmer Trinity vs Westminster in October __, 2009, 7:00 PM.
Special Thanks to Flip Littke for his insight and sharing with us what is a very special match-up between two very dominant teams. We look forward to other parents taking the time and sharing with the South Florida Volleyball Community.
5 comments:
Two great teams that played 5 tough sets, only to be ruined by HORRIBLE officiating. Overturnning calls that a blind person could see was not justified. 7 or 9 calls reversed on the Falcons that night. 1 call reversed on the Warriors. If whomever was in charge of the officials was not aware of what a big game this is for both schools, and seen that the first 4 points of the first set did not even have a line judge set on the court, then that person should not be incharge of the officiating. Its a shame to cheat both teams of would is a great match with HORRIBLE rookie officiating. The athletes deserve better. Hats off to both teams and to Westminster. But nothing was decided that night other than officials can determine the outcome of a game. Westminster is a tough competative team and always provides Palmer one of the toughest competitions of the season, but this was unjust and not fair. Cant wait to see the next game and line judges that arent 12 or 13 years old.
PS, Westminster is a force to be reckoned with no doubt. And Palmer Trinity is also as tough as expected. This two teams match up great giving the fans that watch at night of GREAT Volleyball action. Its never a let down. Keep up the good work ladies. The next game they paly against eachother, to me, is the real first match up. Officials did neither team any justice and should not be on the court. Lets see what the Athletic Directors for each school can do to keep this rivalry alive and fair, and take the officiating and line judges seriously. Yes, The game could of gone eitherway, No, Palmer Trinity did not loose that game. Thats just my opinion. If Westminster beats Palmer with qualified Officiating and Line judges as they should always have regardless of whom they play, then that is a win I will congratulate them on.
I apologize, since I forgot to note the date of the next Classic Match up between PTS and WCS.
This game will be played at 7 Pm at Palmer Trinity on October 8th.
See you all there!!!
Palmer needs to be a more complete team other than Paulina. The reason Westminster won is because they are a very solid team all around, no super-stars and all kids who can play together. Palmer has some weak spots and they were riding on Paulina's back at the end of that game. Officiating was suspect but not crucial in the outcome, the calls went both ways.
Funny how no one cried about losing the second game in this series. Even after going five and losing w/out thier main setter/rt side. Shows alot of class! I dont think Westminster should be measured by there wins and losses. They are a class act in our county! More teams and there followers should learn from them!
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