Volleyball Recap!

First off let me apologize for the long time since my last post. Alot has developed so I'll begin where I left off. Way back on March 4th we played Gentofte, the only team to beat us since Christmas, who was also red hot and had won 7 in a row putting them in first place. We were looking for redemption of our previous two losses, the first a 5 set thriller in Middelfart and the second a 3-0 effort in Copenhagen. Alas, it was not the day to do it. We came out quite flat, actually getting aced on 2 of the first 4 serves. That immediately set the tone for the first set and we lost 25-13. We regrouped in the second sharpening up our passing, and using our middles to score and won 25-17. Gentofte then turned their serving pressure up for the next two sets and won 25-16, 25-22. The match was all about ball control, they served better than we could pass and they passed better than we served. It also helps when your best player goes 19 for 24 wit 2 errors! Their leftside was pretty unstoppable for us and something we'll have to work on if we meet them in the final.

Next, on March 15th we had a match again Ikast. This win would secure 3rd place going into the playoffs and proved to be a good test for us to stay on track. They have some good young players but we were hoping to exploit some weaknesses up the middle. The game was a less than outstanding match with both teams making lots of errors, making the flow of the match seem long and drawn out. Either way we walked away with a 3-1 victory (25-18,22-25,25-20, 25-20).

Finally, on March 21st we played out final regular season match at Holte. After already securing third place the results of this match did not affect anything, however it was a very good opportunity for us to sharpen up our offense and try different things. Most of the guys on the team trained hard right through the week with a few extra workouts to be able to taper for the semi finals. This meant we were a playing a little bit tired and sore. We came out firing right out of the opening serve. Both teams traded points until about 19-19 when we made a push to 23-. We sided out and won the set 25-20. The next set we came out a little flat and got down 4-0. Mizuno was forced to call a time out to get us back on track. We played from behind most of the set until about the 20 point mark where we made our push with aggressive blocking and defense. We took the second set 25-22. The third set was another great battle with both teams trading points in side out fashion. However our blocking forced Holte to commit a couple hitting errors late in the set and we won 25-22 completing the match and our regular season.

The second half of the season has been quite successful for us as a team. The season is broken down into three parts as you play each team 3 times. The first round we went 2-4, the second 5-1 and the third 5-1. We've been playing alot better which is to be expected when guys start to feel more and more comfortable paying with each other. Next up is game 1 of the semi finals vs Marienlyst on Saturday March 28th.

Discussion Board

COMING SOON!
One of the complaints I hear is that there is not enough discussion about volleyball in Denmark. In Canada, there is a discussion board at pvbcanada.com that spans across the country and debates many things about volleyball. Some are very good debates and some are just silly or fun. My hope is to create something like this through my blog. Discussion can be in English or Danish. It will take a little while to get this going but my hope is for open dialogue. Let me know by comment if you like this idea.

UPDATE
The 'beta' discussion board is up and running. You can get there from the new menu at the top of the page or by clicking here Let me know what you think and if you have any problems.
P

Taking Over 3rd Place

On Saturday February 21st, we travelled to Aalborg to play the HIK club. It is coming down to the end of the season and positioning for playoffs if very important. Only the top four teams make the playoffs and 1 plays 4, 2 plays 3 in a best two out of three series. Before the match we were in 4th place with an 8-5 record and Aalborg (9-5) was in 3rd place. The winner of this match would therefore take over third place.
The last two times we travelled to Aalborg we had quite disappointing losses. The first trip was back in October playing our first of three league matches against them. The thing I remember from that match was wow can these guys serve. They basically served us off the court recording over 10 aces in a three set match, and even the balls they didn't ace we didn't pass very well. This would routinely set up large three man blocks to hit around. They beat us 3-0.
The second trip to Aalborg was in the Pokal Semi finals. After a delayed bus ride we arrived late to the gym and put in a very poor showing. It was after a couple weeks of good training and some big wins, but in this match, it seemed like we just didn't come to play. They won again 3-0 and got to play Marienlyst in the Cup final.
The only other time we've played them was in Middelfart where we squeaked out a 5 set victory. Needless to say we had something to prove going all the way to Aalborg this time. We've been playing some very good volleyball since our return from Sweden. We're able to elevate our game to a high level and execute when we really need it. Our defence has also been quite strong picking up many more balls.
I believe this matches tone was set very early by Georg E. Within the first 5 points he had atleast 5 digs playing in position 6. It was an indication of how hard Aalborg would have to work to earn each point against us. The first set they struggled a bit with their serving and we continuously put them in trouble. I started with my spin serve, but decided a more tactical float serve would serve more beneficial while they struggled with their passing. We won the first set 25-16. We continued to serve aggressively while holding our errors to a minimum. Our blocking also started to take shape, Ulrik and Soren would combine for some timely blocks to ensure that Aalborg could not get into rhythm. What they couldn't stuff block, they would continuously slow down for the defence behind them. We won the second set 25-18.
The third set Aalborg came out with a little more fire. They begin serving as aggressively as in games past. and started to put our side out in trouble. We traded points but found ourselves behind 13-11 and in need of a time out. We stopped and regrouped and stepped up our defence. We would win 14 points while only surrendering 4 more to Aalborg to win 25-17. One play in particular is memerable for me. All week I've been coaching a Kidsvolley Camp in Odense and we were teaching defence. One lesson was to keep your back straight but your chest up incase you have to dig a ball with your chest. During the third set, their best outside hitter got a one on one from the left side, so i stepped into the seem. Without really seeing the ball, it bounced off my chest and up into the air so that we could set the ball. Who knows, maybe I do what I'm talking about when I'm coaching!
The win was another boost and step in the right direction. We continue to improve and demonstrate that when we play well, we are a very difficult team to beat. Next, we play Holte on Friday. A team that is in 5th place and trying to get into the playoffs. They won this weekend over Marienlyst so they are not a team to be taken lightly. Also, they beat us in a 5 set match the first time we played them in Holte. I think we have a new thing or two to show them!

Relegation duel and fight about the third place

from volleynet.dk
translated by gram trans

There are two very decisive fights on the programme in the men's league for picked teams on the weekend. Skovbakken and Ikast contend for avoiding relegation, and Aalborg HIK and Middelfart meet in a fight that can decide the third place.

The bottom-fight has right since the season's start stood between Skovbakken and Ikast/SKF. The two teams have each won one of the mutual fights, but haven't been in a position to defeat some of the row's rest five teams. Therefore it seems mostly probable that the winner of Saturday's third mutual showdown is in the clear at the relegation fight, while the loser must out. The fight is played on Skovbakken's home ground in Århus, but it was here just that Ikast secured the season's so far only victory.

There will also be a lot at stake in Aalborg on Saturday, where it's the row's third place that is playing about. Through the whole season the home team HIK has lain in front of Middelfart, but the Funen-inhabitants have moved for instance by virtue of two victories over Marienlyst close to the north Jutlanders and can actually overtake with victory in Saturday's fight. The third place can become very important, because one avoids a semifinal with it against the row's number 1, which probably becomes Marienlyst.

On the fourth place you can maybe also come into the situation that you must look yourself over the shoulder for Holte. The North Zealanders can still manage to create excitement about the semifinal spaces, even though it calls for quite a final spurt. It Holte could appropriate address a Saturday, when they have to go on visits on Saturday with Marienlyst.

The week's fights
Skovbækken Volley - Ikast/SKF YMCA
Saturday February 21th 13:00.00 in Vejlby Risskov Hallen

Aalborg HIK - Middelfart VK
Saturday February 21th 14:00.00 in Aalborg Stadionhal

Marienlyst - Holte IF
Saturday February 21th 15:00.15 in the Marienlyst-centre


Related link:
http://www.volleyball.dk/dt


Kasper Lindberg , VolleyNet (VolleyNet) - 19.02.09

KidsVolley Camp - Odense 2009

For the past 3 days, I have been waking up at 6am to take the 30 min train to Odense to take part in a KidsVolley Camp. For school age children on this island it is winter holiday and they have the week off school (kinda like march break in Canada). I was invited by Thomas Lüthi, a fellow coach in Denmark, whom I met back in October when I was a guest at his KidsVolley Camp. We met up again at the Pokal festival when I was coaching one of my girls teams and asked me if I would like to be a part of the camp. I jumped at the opportunity. Partly for any chance to coach, meet people and do something different, but primarily to learn from Thomas. He is quite young and already has been coaching volleyball for 12 years as well as has a vast knowledge in pretty much everything!!!


KidsVolley is apparently a Dutch inspiration that has 5 levels depending on the childs skill level. It begins by throwing and catch the ball over the net on a badminton court and progesses all the way to actual volleyball on a badminton court. This camp was split into two categories level 3 and level 4. Level three is played just like regular volleyball except 3 players on the court and the second contact is caught and thrown. The first and the third contacts must be volleyball contacts. Level 4 has all the same rules as real volleyball except it is played with 3 players.

Much of the time we were split into two groups, where I had the level 4's. Mostly because they were a bit older and could understand my english a little better. This was a very different kind of camp. Alot of these players play within the local clubs and spend much of the time working on the basics. Serving and passing (which are very very important) but we tried to expose them to something different. The focus of the camp was offence and defence. Day 1 we taught the 'smash', teaching the 3 step approach and proper technique. Day 2 our focus was on diving and sprawling. And Day 3 was tourniment day and BT from Marienlyst came in to talk to the players as well. Keep in mind these kids are learning these skills at the ae of 9-12. I didn't even start playing anything organized until I was 12!!!


I really enjoyed coaching these children. It re-enforces my idea that I want to be a coach as a profession. To see these kids progress in such a short time is very rewarding. At the end of the camp, we asked the players what they liked and disliked about the camp. Almost all the comments were positive because it was very different than what they have been used to. Parents seemed to be pleased as well! I hope I get more chances to coach while i'm in Denmark! It's always fun signing autographs!

Old University Videos By Jody Kingsbury

Waterloo vs MAC - OUA Men's Volleyball - 01/19/08

Mac vs Western 02/03/08

Western vs MAC - OUA Men's Volleyball Semifinal 02/16/08

MAC vs Queens OUA Men's Volleyball Final Gm 1 - 02/19/08


Queens vs MAC - OUA Men's Volleyball Final Gm2 - 02/21/08



MAC vs Wesmen - CIS Men's Volleyball Quarterfinal - 03/02/08

Middelfart beats Marienlyst for the second time,

from volleyball.dk
http://volleynet.dk/dvbf-nyheder-popup.php?id2=10053
translated by gramtrans

For only the second time in this season Marienlyst's gentlemen lost in the league for picked teams to another Danish team. And for the second time, it was the Funen rivals from Middelfart, who got acrid on the masters.
At own track Marienlyst even lost as clearly as 3-0, and only just finally the Odense-toses was coming along in the fight, but Middelfart managed to lock up with the figures 30-28. Because Middelfart was the victory hugely important, because the team consolidated the fourth place and now looks like to have put course against the semifinals. And unless the west Funen-inhabitants succeed in moving further forward in the position, the semifinal will probably just will stand against Marienlyst. Therefore it also morally was important to defeat the local rivals. The row's number 2 and 3, Gentofte and Aalborg HIK, also won on the weekend, so that the distance between Marienlyst and the rest ones on the top 4 were reduced. Gentofte won on away ground probably over Skovbakken, but with a single set loss. Aalborg HIK’'s victory in Holte was scarce so convincing, even though the figures were at 3-1 were the same.

The week's fights
Skovbækken Volley - Gentofte Volley 1-3 (19-25, 25-23, 11-25, 14-25)
Holte IF - Aalborg HIK 1-3 (22-25, 25-22, 13-25, 21-25)
Marienlyst - Middelfart VK 0-3 (18-25, 22-25, 28-30)