Week Eight…Ooohh La La, a Bad Romance (The Playoffs)…
10/28/25
Who will be Queen?
Little known fact, I’ve seen Lady Gaga in person. Saw the Mayhem tour in Miami this year and it was incredible in the truest sense of the word. I’ve also seen Shakira and Brandi Carlile! I love music and I have a wife who wants to show me all the concerts she digs. I will also say that I’m more of a Brother’s Osborne guy, myself… Anyway, as with most things, it got me thinking. The Mayhem performance, at least my interpretation of it, was about a talented artist thrust into fame after sharing her art…to then be dragged down to the hellscape that is fame of which the battle for her soul commences. She neither wins nor loses, but changes… She emerges from the fray with knowledge that both the good and the bad, the ying and the yang, of her soul exist and are capable of great and horrible things…she just keeps them in their separate cages until needed.
This depth, from someone who wrote Poker Face, Just Dance, and Telephone, was intriguing, as that was mainly my knowledge of her career. To me, till this point, her best song was Bad Romance…but that’s not necessarily fair, in a sense, as there has certainly been more thought behind plenty of her catalog as opposed to, say, Madonna. Tracks like Born This Way, Paparazzi, Bloody Mary, Judas, and others…have things to say…(and to this point I don’t have to like the message, I just like there is a message). Too many pop stars talk about just a party, drugs and alcohol, and the aftermath…I like things that make me think, giving me the opportunity to decide whether I like the message or not…challenging me to do my homework to understand.
Now, back to Bad Romance…
This song reminds me of many things…and it my own special way, I’m going to compare it to the upcoming Playoffs. How might you do that Coach Reslow? Well, check this out…
Coaches, Players, Families, and Fans love week eight and nine. Playoffs mean the concentration and intensity are turned up as the win or go home feel is intoxicating. Everyone wants the win…want that crazy feel of putting a team away…but only one team wins each time and that “Bad Romance” that both teams briefly share ultimately ends in tragedy each time for somebody.
Now, if you listen to the song, and Gaga does this a lot with her music, she treats the song as a story. There is the beginning where she quickly chants two different things…”Caught in a bad romance” and her bouncy gibberish, ending in “Want your bad Romance” letting the listener know what the whole thing is about. Caught vs. Wanting…and she does the wanting, her opponent is in the clutches.
Secondly, she makes all her marks but you can feel the song building toward the crescendo. As with most stories, good ones anyway, characters are introduced, plot gets working, build up toward the climax, climax hits, aftermath. Bad Romance does this. Introduction (see above paragraph), characters (Her and the potential lover), plot (How and why she wants this), buildup (She outwardly says four times as the music builds to a fever pitch, “I don’t want to be friends” insinuating that this will be a one time episode…the last one is a different pitch and demonstrative), and aftermath (the song finishes with her speaking, matter of factly, Want Your Bad Romance…presumably the action is a done deal.
That is theater for you, and she is most certainly from a theater back ground…and playoffs are all theater. Each team will have their “Bad Romance” pairing and one shall stand, while the other falls…till the crescendo. It’s going to be a heck of a ride and almost all of us are absolutely here for it…
To quote Gaga one more time, in her song, How Bad do You Want Me? “You hate the crash, but you love the rush…” To me, that’s playoff volleyball. It’s a Bad Romance that will be full of crazy and wildness, leaving one in the dust while the other moves on…until the climax of the story. From there, we breath again.
Best of luck to everyone involved. Leave it all on the floor, take a moment to absorb it all (be present), and when it’s over feel the emotion, hug your teammates, and turn you star north for the next adventure.
Stop calling, stop calling, I don’t want to talk anymore…It’s time to head to the dance floor…
Braketology…
(All seeding from the RIIL, not ResV)
Please remember that all of my predictions are made based on what I’ve seen on the year and what my team has reported to me. If you don’t like my picks, bust your tail and prove me wrong! It’s all good! I also truly appreciate all the hard work that every player and coach has put in all year…go for broke and leave it all on the floor!
D1:
Quarter Finals:
#1 North Kingstown hosting #9 South Kingstown - Battle of the Kingstowns. Good on SK to get into the quarters. The North has the matchup advantages all over the place in this one and they host. I think the SK run comes to a halt here, but still getting to the quarters is a solid go. North Kingstown in three.
#4 Coventry hosting #5 Classical - This one comes down to who can serve tougher. Oakers have Spadoni, but Womack for Classical is almost dominant. If Coventry can serve the Purple tough enough to make it hard to find their hammer, the Oakers will advance. However, I think Classical out duels them here. Purple in five.
#3 La Salle Academy hosting #6 Portsmouth - If this was at Portsmouth, maybe my mind would change on this, but it’s not. La Salle is way better at home and should be able to nullify anything the Patriots throw at them. Granted, anything can happen and the Rams can get a touch of the errors, but I think La Salle clamps this one. La Salle in four.
#2 East Providence hosting #10 East Greenwich - I don’t think anyone had East Greenwich upending Chariho in the play-in, which is awesome for the Avengers. Fain had an incredible night, but I don’t think that they will be able replicate that again against EP. Townies have too many weapons and are also stronger at home. East Providence in three.
Semifinals:
#1 North Kingstown vs. #5 Classical at Rhode Island College - Neutral court can be a factor in equalizing things…but not here. The ladies from the North have arguably the best pin in the state which will pay dividends on the college campus visit. Serve and pass advantages should both slant Skipper’s way. Womack and company will give their all, but in the end, Skippers prevail. NK in three.
#2 East Providence vs. #3 La Salle Academy at Rhode Island College - East Providence is the more stable team…La Salle has the bigger possibility to make the jump to top tier level. The Townies are what they are and you must figure out a way to stop them. La Salle has talent everywhere, but the question becomes will they put it all together and reach the level needed? Mullen is the best player in the gym, but D’Agostino isn’t far behind and there are more weapons for the Rams by a tic as well. I think the “X” factor in this one is EP’s Evora. If Evora dominates the match, and she’ll need to get past Tierney and Brzoza to do so, I think EP will get the result they’re looking for. Should La Salle gets huge nights from Naff and Byrne, Rams could provide enough pressure to break. It’ll be an interesting matchup, but for me, I’m going with EP in four.
Finals:
#1 North Kingstown vs. #2 East Providence at Rhode Island College - Once again, numbers one and two seeded will face off in the final. East Providence does have the lone victory over North Kingstown…however, that was at home. North drubbed EP in the return game at the Forge, so it almost feels like they cancel each other out. Garrepy and Mullen are the top two players in the state and both should put up fireworks. There are other matchups worth watching. Evora vs. Scott. Arnold vs. Bernhardt. At the end of the day, whomever executes their gameplan, serves tougher, and get the most quality swings will end up with the crown. Skippers in four.
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D2:
Quarter Finals:
#1 Westerly hosting #8 West Warwick - Wizards have battled injuries, so it’s admirable that they’ve made the tournament. Those good feelings will continue into next year as they continue to build the program back up…but the Westerly match will not have that vibe. Bulldogs have grown into a loaded team and they’re not messing around. Westerly in three.
#4 Cumberland hosting #5 Lincoln - The line I kept hearing is that Cumberland is just a bad matchup for Lincoln. This may be true. I think Hickey is one of the best Libs in the state, but there are just too many weapons for Lincoln to stop. Ashilaka will go north of 15 kills and Cumberland will take it. Clippers in four.
#3 Mt. Hope hosting #6 Bay View - I believe Mt. Hope is still dazed from the Westerly outing. Meaning, Bay View is in great shape to cause havoc here. The Bengals will need to pass well and keep the ball in play, but feed Gomes and see what happens. Meanwhile, if you’re the Huskies, you need to find that mojo again and brutalize Bay View from the service line. Bad passing will lead to bad everything and you win. Mt. Hope will find a way. Huskies in four.
#2 Barrington hosting #7 North Smithfield - Truth in advertising, I don’t know enough about North Smithfield. They’ve flown under the radar all year. They went 8 - 8 this year and have quality win over Bay View. Meanwhile, Barrington is likely healthy and I think it’s a great match for McCrann to get back into the swing of things. NS will play tough and cause some discomfort but not enough to cause much worry. Eagles in three.
Semifinals:
#1 Westerly hosting #4 Cumberland - The Clippers were able to scare Barrington and Mt. Hope in five-setters, but could not close the deal. They did not scare Westerly. Sets one and three were not close. Set two was interesting and that is where the hope needs to lie for this Cumberland side. Besides Auth, who is one of the top five players in the state, Cumberland has to figure out a way to neutralize or frustrate Crawford and Reyes. If they can figure out a way to insert doubt to the Bulldogs, something could happen. Easier said then done, and I’m not sure much of anything is stopping this Westerly train. Bulldogs in four.
#2 Barrington hosting #3 Mt. Hope - It’s a tale of two teams going in different directions. Barrington, after the significant injury and their loss to Westerly, has won their last eleven games. With health now not an issue, they’re going to be tough to deal with. Meanwhile, Mt. Hope’s lost to Westerly left the team rattled and unsteady. They’ve had to right the ship just to get here…though to be fair, sometimes all a team needs is just to get the first playoff win to get their swagger back. I think with this one at the Eagle’s nest and all the adversity that Mt. Hope has suddenly had to deal with…well, this one should be all Barrington. Eagles in four.
Finals:
#1 Westerly vs. #2 Barrington at Rhode Island College - The lights are brightest in this match and the only real question I have, is can Westerly adjust to just that. The undefeated regular season is nice and fans love it, but this season hasn’t been a situation of just clean sweep after clean sweep. No, this Westerly side had to grow into this…from shaky starts at the beginning, to dominating performances late. Every player has gotten better from the beginning and now confidence is sky high. In their way is Barrington…the defending champs. They’re a lot different from last year’s team, but many of this year’s team were along for last year’s ride. They serve tough, defend well, and have pieces to score. In two words…they’re dangerous. To me, it comes down to whether the lights are too bright or not for the Bulldogs on a weekend, on a college campus, in the early part of November. If not, they win. Bulldogs in five.
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D3:
Quarter Finals:
#1 Ponaganset hosting #8 St. Raphael’s Academy - Chieftains hold all the cards in this one. They serve tougher and have more pop on the pins. Ponaganset in three.
#4 Johnston hosting #5 Juanita Sanchez - May be the match of the quarters in the state. Johnston and Juanita Sanchez are similar clubs and should have been a semi-final match up. JS is playing their best volleyball right now, while Johnston has been a force since week two. It’s a toss up. I’m going with JS in five, but I could be very wrong.
#3 Scituate hosting #6 Narragansett - Scituate has losses against four teams in the regular season…and Narragansett is not one of them. Gansett is a new crew from years past and earning the sixth seed is a solid accomplishment. However, I don’t think they survive this one. Scituate will hold form and advance, even if there is a slight push from the opposition. Spartans in four.
#2 Tiverton hosting #7 Tolman - The team from Pawtucket made sort of late run to get themselves in the playoffs, winning five of their last six. There was doubt, but the run at the end gets them to the dance. Now, they see the second seed in Tiverton who only has three losses, but those three losses came after their tough defeat to Ponaganset that was pretty hyped. That one rattled the cage of the Tigers and they’ve been trying to find their footing ever since. I do believe that it’s been enough time now, with enough success, for the confidence to return for Tiverton. Thus, I think Tiverton overwhelms Tolman and advances in straight sets. Tigers in three.
Semifinals:
#1 Ponaganset hosts #5 Juanita Sanchez - These teams saw each other once and Ponaganset took care of business. I don’t think JS has the juice to get it done, especially if they have to survive a five set thriller with Johnston. Shaw and Glover are a potent duo as well, which will cause all sorts of issues not matter what shape Juanita Sanchez is in. Too much Chieftains in this one. Ponaganset in three.
#2 Tiverton hosting #3 Scituate - When these two teams saw each other in the regular season, Tiverton escaped with a five-set vic. I have this feeling that Scituate may be due now. The Spartans have played everyone tough this year and have come out on the wrong end a bunch of times…five times to be exact. Tiverton has some shaky performances to report, especially lately, so this one just has a feel of going the three seed way. I could be wrong on this, and it wouldn’t be the first time, but I’m going to go with Scituate in five in a battle worth of a semi-final.
Finals:
#1 Ponaganset vs. #3 Scituate at Rhode Island College - The Chieftans have the best setter in the league in Shaw. They also have arguably the best pin in the league in Glover. Their middles are solid enough and their ball control does the job. Scituate will have had to work hard this playoff, dispatching Tiverton and Narragansett. That’s about all the tea leaves I need to call this one. Glover will have a big night and Scituate will fall in three.
D4:
Quarter Finals:
#1 Toll Gate hosting Themselves! - Titans are going to win this one!
#4 Central hosting #5 North Providence - Thinking on this one leans me toward Central. NP has had a solid season, but I think Central’s play at the net will be too much. Serving will play a role to be sure, but Central has the advantage at the front. Central in four.
#3 Hope hosting #6 Davies - Davies has a sub .500 record and didn’t get the vic over Hope in their only meeting during the regular season. Now, Davies did take a set off of Hope in that match, which is worth noting. Regardless, I still have Hope sorting this one…probably in three.
#2 Woonsocket hosting #7 Achievement First - Woonsocket has swept A1 twice in the regular season. This is Achievement First’s first time in the playoffs in school history, which is both exciting and nerve-wracking! I think it’s going to be a short visit for the Falcons this time around as Woonsocket has won six of their last ten with even good performances even in the setbacks. Woonsocket in three.
Semifinals:
#1 Toll Gate hosting #4 Central - Central has played Toll Gate tough this regular season. They’ve lost in three, with solid scores, and then also a five-set thriller where the ball just didn’t bounce the right way. Now, the three setter was at Toll Gate, and the Titans can pack that place and make it uncomfortable for opponents. TG will be hosting this one, so Central will need a special effort. Not impossible, but the Titans are especially tough at home. Toll Gate in four.
#2 Woonsocket hosting #3 Hope - Controversy Corner condensed… Woonsocket is the second seed at 14 - 6. Hope is the third seed at 14 - 5. Hope also beat Woonsocket in the regular season. In my mind, the seedings should be reversed. Losing to someone in conference should be valued way more then a normal match or considering winning percentage. It is not making a difference now and they’ll both end up here, but still. RPI is wrong on this one. There is always one that’s off. Anyway, I think Hope goes to Woonsocket and secures the ticket to the final. Hope in five.
Finals:
#1 Toll Gate vs. #3 Hope at Rhode Island College - The Titans were dominate this year and I don’t think there is a magical moment for Hope on this one. Toll Gate handled Hope twice in straight sets and Hope will have spent all of their emotional and physical capital to get past Woonsocket. Toll Gate will run away with this after taking one last gasp from Hope…Titans in four.
ResV Top 15…
North Kingstown (16 - 1)
East Providence (15 - 2)
Westerly (18 - 0)
La Salle Academy (13 - 4)
Barrington (15 - 3)
Mt. Hope (17 -1)
Coventry (9 - 7)
Cumberland (14 - 6)
Lincoln (12 - 5)
Classcial (12 - 7)
Ponaganset (18 - 0)
Portsmouth (8 - 9)
+1 Bay View (11 - 9)
+1 Tiverton (15 - 3)
(New) East Greenwich (5 -13)
Receiving Votes… Toll Gate, Scituate, Woonsocket, Hope, South Kingstown, Johnston, West Warwick, Chariho
ResV Player of the Week…
Week One - Kiera Mullen - Sr. - East Providence
Week Two - Kayleigh Garrepy - Jr. - North Kingstown
Week Three - Emma McCrann - Sr. - Barrington
Week Four - Darryl Ashilaka - So. - Cumberland
Week Five - Coventry’s Entire Team!
Week Six - Kiera Mullen - Sr. - East Providence
Week Seven - Kayleigh Garrepy - North Kingstown
Week Eight - Addison Fain - Sr. - East Greenwich - In a tough year for the Avengers, Fain, with the season on the line, had a monster match, paired with Sophia Hartman’s 38 assists, with 20 kills and 8 blocks to put the Chargers away and advance to the quarterfinal round!
ResV Honorable Baller of the Week…
Week One - Tayla Schneider - Jr. - North Kingstown
Week Two - Lyla Parmentier - Jr. - Cumberland
Week Three - Lila Moffit - So. - South Kingstown
Week Four - Amaya Womack - Jr. - Classical
Week Five - Coventry’s Entire Team!
Week Six - Avery Gomes - Sr. - Bay View
Week Seven - Dara Agramonte - Sr. - Classical
Week Eight - Gabriella Andrade - Jr. - Prout - In a year of change for this Prout side, transfer Gabriella Andrade has had a strong junior campaign. Getting noted praise from some top coaches in the league this season, Andrade has put together a great resume, and she performed admirably in the Crusader’s loss last night to South Kingstown.
ResV Coaching Tip of the Week:
Playoffs are always an interesting beast. Work your team too hard, and they break. Play it too casual, they lose focus. This is why it is essential that you learn how your players tic throughout the season. As the year goes on, you’re taking notes about what really got the crew going versus what was done that turned them completely off. Coaching is a lot about learning and reading your players…understanding, or creating, the one thing that unifies your group of individually complex human beings… Once, the playoffs are upon you, lean into that knowledge and find that sweet spot of training, fun, concentration, and desire. Once the match has started…all business, but also have the quick, soft, whispered side for one on one interactions. Often times, a quick, “Hey, we’re all right, just keep doing what you’re doing,” in a sidebar to a player could mean the world when the lights are brightest.
ResV Player Tip of the Week:
Playoff energy is awesome! So, my tip for you is really simple… Take your warm up seriously. In the prep for the match, ease off on casual play, and lock in. Then, once the match is upon you, execute all the things you’ve warmed up on…while also forgiving yourself along the way. The forgiving yourself is essential because it’s so easy to make an error in our game. As long as you are giving your all, errors are ok…some errors may even cost the match, but that’s ok too. As long as you left it all on the floor. The only error that will weigh on you is the one you made because you didn’t go for it. Warm up seriously, give it all on the floor, let the chips fall where they may, forgive yourself, forgive your teammates, and enjoy the experience.
NOTE- Thank you to everyone sending me information! This year it’s harder then ever to find stats from matches and obtain relative information. I may not respond to your email, but I am grateful for the data.
To send updates, stories, and players college decisions…or inquire about coffee beans that Coach roasts himself, to Coach Reslow - Scott.Reslow@protonmail.com
Coaches! Please feel free to reach out if interested in scheduling some time to talk shop! I’d love to help your program out!
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