I realize that I have hesitated to write about the state championship our boys varsity soccer team won because I feel so badly for our girls volleyball team in their state championship loss. And I know how wrong that is at several levels. So to set things right, I am writing two separate blogs: the first to celebrate the girls' achievements and the second the boys' state championship. Both deserve our thanks and praise.
I am starting with the girls. Our team was seeded first in the state playoffs and advanced to the finals against the number two seeded, Davidson Day, whom we had beaten in the regular season and who is a perennial state power in girls volleyball. For the second year in a row from my perspective--and you all know how biased I am when it comes to Spartan athletics--so please consider the source--I thought the officiating in the final game was completely different than in the regular season or any of the previous playoff games. The difference involved a much stricter enforcement of double-hit rule. The lead official called both sides for double hits. Again in my prejudiced opinion--those calls had not been made in similar circumstances in any previous games. Importantly for the outcome of the match, the referee called more double-hit faults on our team than on Davidson Day. These penalties completely altered the GDS style of play as our players completely changed the way they usually play to avoid further double-hit penalties.
Do I think that this stricter interpretation of the rules cost us the championship? Truthfully, I am not sure, but I wonder. Although Davidson Day is a fantastic team, and they played exceptionally well, I guess I will always wonder whether the best team won or not. And I do not understand why the officiating was not more consistent throughout the year in girls volleyball. Why does the officiating become so much stricter as involves double hits only in the state championship game? Fair competition in a state championship game requires consistent interpretation of the rules.
The unprecedented strictness of the refereeing in the championship game made it much harder for me to accept that the best team had won. So now that I have gotten all of this off my chest, I want to congratulate Davidson Day and believe with all my heart that they are a fantastic team and so deserving of great praise. Congratulations Davidson Day on being the 2019 State Champions in girls volleyball!
My disappointment with our girls volleyball loss was magnified because of the incredible respect and admiration I have for Coach Derek Bing and the senior volleyball players. We have watched the GDS volleyball program grow into a state power over the last five years because of the dedication and talent of our players and coaches. I wanted so badly for them to win the championship! Guess what, our varsity girls do not need a state championship to validate their greatness. Night before last, I attended the girls volleyball program banquet and here is what I saw. All of our girls volleyball players are winners and "champions of our hearts"--a term I first used to describe the 2017 State Runner-Up boys basketball team. At every age, team and level, our girls volleyball players embody the best values of our school: team before self, tireless preparation, and fierce in competition. And they are totally dedicated to each other, their teams, their coaches, and their sport!!
The varsity girls volleyball team is simply the best. Our school celebrates both a fantastic season and the amazing careers of our seniors. You have made us proud and filled us with awe and joy as we watched you play. We will always remember how hard you worked and how much you loved your team, your sport and your school. On behalf of a grateful school, thank you!
We can't wait to watch our volleyball players next year!
