Geeks on the Web

Thursday Night Volleyball - Eden Prairie
(Widespread Panic, Captain: Kirk Kosel)

March 24th, 2002 MSF Men's State

WSP culminated their up and down season at the MSF Men's State Volleyball Championships by getting knocked out in the first round of the AA playoffs. They started out the day with 4 straight wins. The final match of the pool play was not as successful as WSP struggled against a tough, but beatable, team from who-knows-where. If they would have even split the two games, they would have secured a first place finish in their pool. Instead, they settled for second and were forced to play a number one seed from a different pool. In that match, WSP was unable to answer the Wilmar team's quick paced offense and unrelenting defense. WSP needed a lot of breaks to go their way, but were unable to find enough to even force a game 3. So, in two quick games, WSP ended their season.

A few sights and sounds from the tournament:
- "Why would you take the first ball..." from Jerry to Kirk (as the play was still going on and he stopped to discuss the matter)
- Todd getting roofed, but then the ball hits him in the head and ends up on the other side of the net for a point.
- "C'mon you guys, let's go!" from Brian's "better half" Tiff (usually quiet and does not really know that much about the game, but has a knack for sensing when we sucked)
- The sweet "one" Jerry and Kirk ran. Right after that fine play the courts were silent in awe. Seriously. Could of used more of them.
- "Get 'em out!" from Brian to Kirk (had to get this one in here to offset the previous one)

Thanks for a fun season guys. Obviously it didn't turn out as well as we liked, but just getting to AA was a good accomplishment. Thanks Jimmy for filling in last minute for us. Keep an open mind for next year and we'll see what happens. Have a great summer.

Dangerous and ruggedly handsome... right out of the sand v-ball seen in Top Gun

First Half

Date	Time	Record	Opponent	How'd we do (from the "Captain")?
Oct. 25	6:15	0-3	The Choir Boys	Due to conflicting schedules, Wide Spread Panic was forced to forfeit the opening week matches.
Nov. 1	7:15	1-5	Dave's Famous	WSP shook the rust off and ended up with a 1 and 2 record for the night. They expect much better results next week.
Nov. 8	8:15	3-7	Vida Del Mar	Despite only having 5 guys (thanks Brian), WSP overcame some serious bouts of confusion and ended up winning 2 and losing 2. Not accustomed to playing defense, WSP was forced to cover the quick middle and pansy-like tip game of the opponents. Being quick learners, they were able to make adjustments by the third game. Team manager, Todd Wrucke, was quoted as saying, "Crap!", as a well place tip was executed in front of him. Also, middle-blocker Jerry "Mad Dog" Polzin let out a "How in the f*ck did we get in this line-up?" sometime in the first game as WSP was getting routed 13 - 3. On a side note, Theo Fotis's ankles are healing well after repeatedly getting set 5's when he was calling 3's. Their plan on not peaking too early in the season seems to be working.
Nov. 15	7:15	4-9	Big Z Daddy	WSP, with the help of two subs, took the first game but dropped the next two. Overall, WSP was happy with the effort. Slowly, but surely, the team is coming together and starting to click. Thanks to Jim Kenney and Brent Romenesko for filling in this week.
Nov 29	6:15	4-13	The Choir Boys	Despite dropping 4 games to, quite possibly, the best men's team in the state, WSP left the gym with their heads high. All the games went down to the wire. If WSP could have caught a few more breaks, the score could easily have been 2-2. Defense is still their biggest area of concern, but the offense was starting to click. All of the guys can't wait to play the Choir Boys again, and especially some idiot called Hoover (because he sucks?).
Dec 6	8:15	4-13	The Players	Reschedules for Dec. 20th
Dec 13	6:15	6-15	Dave's Famous	WSP tried a new 6-2 offense, using Kirk and Theo as the setters. For the most part, it worked well, but it will take some time to get used to it. With the help of Jim and Sukey, WSP went 2-2 for the night (the two wins against four). It's amazing how well those old guys with beer-bellies can play. We'll get 'em next time.
Dec. 20	8:15	9-19	The Players	In the season's first half finale, WSP cruised to take 3 out of 4 games from the bottom-dwellers of the league (that's not us?). Despite being vertically challenged, The Players dug well and seemed to get touches on everything. For the most part, the 6-2 offense ran well. The setters still need to work on pushing the ball to the outside for the strong-side hitters, but that will come. No use in peaking too early. Happy Holidays!

Second Half

Date	Time	Record	Opponent	How'd we do (from the "Captain")?
Jan. 3	7:15	1-3	Vida Del Mar	Missing their big man in the middle, Jerry, WSP took 1 of 4 against a less than impressive Vida Del Mar. They had one weapon, their middle, who has been effective every time these two teams have played. Like in most matches this year, WSP found themselves typically down about 9-2. While this team was able to fight their way back most of the time, they were unable to put the games away. Deadeye Jim Kenney picked on their serve receive weak spot to help WSP build a substantial lead and eventually win the game.
Jan. 10	7:15	2-6	The Choir Boys	WSP pulled out their first win of the season versus the notorious Choir Boys. Despite going 1 and 3 for the day, WSP showed some of that magic that took them to the class BB finals last year.
Jan. 17	7:15	4-7	Dave's Famous	WSP finally found their groove and took 2 out of 3 against a scrappy Dave's Famous team. Despite some shotty passing, they were able to run some plays and cause some confusion for the other team. With Todd recovering from eye surgery, Jim filled in nicely at middle. Maybe this team is finally rounding the corner. Stay tuned....
Jan. 24	8:15	7-8	The Players	Continuing to improve, WSP officially became "Player Haters". They wiped these guys all over the court by going 3 and 1 for the night. The passing was outstanding and the hitting and setting were much better also. All around a great night of ball. WSP is finally beating the teams that they are supposed to beat. Hazzah to Todd's "new eyes" and whatever else they did to him. He had a great match.
Jan. 31	8:15	8-11	Big Z Daddy	Big Z Daddy threw a wrench in WSP's bid for world domination. Trying to go .500 for the night, WSP played well all match but came up short in a very close 4th game. Instead they were only able to post a 1 and 3 record for the evening.
Feb. 7	7:15	9-13	Vida Del Mar	WSP, working with only 5 guys, pulled out a 2 and 2 record versus a tip-happy Vida Del Mar. After the match many were wondering if Vida Del Mar's husbands also played. To their defense, every time they tried to hit hard WSP stuffed them early and often. All they had left was the tips and throws (and not to mention the various no-calls from Rob Schneider). If WSP would have had 6, there is not a doubt they would have gone at least 3 and 1 for the night.
Feb. 14	6:15	9-13	The Choir Boys	Both teams forfeited, so we'll call it a wash...
Feb. 21	6:15	13-13	Dave's Famous	WSP dominated a piss-poor Dave's Famous team in route to a 4 and 0 record for the night. Chalking up their first sweep of the year, WSP team-members were heard saying, "Where the hell did that come from?" and "Do these shorts make me look fat?". Afterward the team celebrated at The Watertower with ample amounts of beer and food. Opie, who was out with the flu, was replaced on the outside by Jim "She Smells Like a Stripper" Kenney. The team now has a week off and will be short-handed for the final match of the year, due to the absences of Jerry (It's Flabby) Polzin, Kirk (Is Not!) Kosel, and Brian (What is?) Dahlman. Once again, the team will be looking to Theo (Fullofshitus) Fotis and Mike (Kelloggs Sucks) Gode to carry the team to another sweep.
Mar. 7	6:15	13-16	The Players	Due to 4 out of the 6 players being out of town, WSP was forced to forfeit (0-3). All in all, WSP had a good year. They started slow but eventually showed glimpses of how good this team can be. With good passing and improved defense, WSP should do well in the state tourney this year (March 24th - Redwood Falls: Get your tickets now!). Thanks for a fun year.