Week Nine - And then There Were Four…
6/2/25
I asked AI to make me a picture of four players looking nervously at me…the above photo is what I got. Clearly, I’m not so good with the AI stuff…but I kind of think it’s funny. I didn’t specify what type player, so I guess this could be exactly what I asked for. Who knows?
Final Fours are here and I’ve done enough pontificating about the beauties of sport, comradery, and cherishing these moments. Everyone knows the score. Thus, let’s say a small prayer for the officials as they’re the human beings calling these contests…let’s get it right over anything else if we can help it. I know how it feels, as I’ve done it. It’s brutal when you make a call that is wrong and even worse if it costs a team. Plus, it’s not just here…it’s everywhere. I think about that umpire who robbed a MLB player of a perfect game. That guy was so upset, he almost left the game entirely. Officiating is hard, so try to have some understanding for those guys and gals.
Maybe what this first part of the ResV article is really about is empathy. Empathy for all those who make it work…it’s hard, I know. Empathy for your opponent! Remember that if your team wins, you’re going to be absolutely pumped…through the roof…but there is a group of guys that are across the net who will be crushed. I’m not saying that what you’re opponent is going through should nullify your feeling of electric joy. Not one bit. You and your teammates earned it and should celebrate like you’re hair is on fire!
“That’s a Red Sox reference…I thought. I always heard that Dennis Eckersley claimed he took the mound and pitched like his hair was on fire. However, when I looked it up for this reference…the darn google machine said Mitch Williams said it from the Phillies?”
Point of the story is, have some empathy for your opponent, especially when the end comes because there is a wonderful stat out there that says if you decided to track all of the games and contests you play in your entire life…the massive majority of humans on the planet (outliers will always exist and it does here too) will have won and lost almost 50/50. This is a crazy stat. I have zero idea how it was tabulated. I do like it, however, because it gives us all the insight to really love when you win, because tomorrow it could be reversed and because of that it’s essential that you treat your opponent and teammates well. Why? Because the only chance to skew the numbers one way or another is to get as many opportunities to play…and the only way to do that is for people to like to play the game with you.
Be a gracious winner and loser and you’ll get more opportunities to play. That’s about as good as I can make this final four edition of the ResV!
Enjoy!
D1 Semifinals: (Seeds are Not ResV’s)
Currently I’m 11 - 4 on the playoffs…got off to a rocky start, but landed most of the final fours…cheers to La Salle, South Kingstown, Coventry and North Providence for proving me wrong. Love to see it!
Good luck to everyone left standing the rest of the way!
(1) North Kingstown (19 - 0) vs. (5) LaSalle Academy (10 - 7) - This one is now at North Kingstown’s barn which perhaps bodes worse for La Salle. Personally, I don’t mind it. I’ve been a big believer in the regular season should mean something and neutral courts are only for finals at the high school level. The Skippers now play in their back gym, which I kinda like too. It’s small, compact, and it has a more intimate feel. Good news for the Rams is that the last match they played in the regular season was against NK in said small gym. Thus, they know the feel. In that match, the Rams had one set where they push the Skippers and made it uncomfortable…so it’s in there. They just can’t get down north of six or seven points early. This NK side is devastating with a lead. The Rams are going to need big performances from Green, Evans, and Tavares to give themselves a shot. Serve receive will be everything in this one. Harrington, Tow, Rathbun, and Yang, will be serving darts and should the gap expand too much…it’ll be too much for the Rams to handle.
I’m staying with my pick…though it was with a different opponent…Skippers in four.
(2) Cranston East (14 - 5) vs. (6) Bishop Hendricken (10 - 8) - Similarly to North Kingstown, this one is now at Cranston East as opposed to Rhode Island College. Below is what I wrote in the Week Eight article…
“I’m not sure how Hendricken wriggles out of this one. It’s a push at almost every position of strength for them and the blocking is far superior to Classical. Warr and company will fight valiantly but I just don’t think they’ll be able to score enough points to exert enough pressure to make the Bolts blink. Now, CE has had some moments this season where they’ve taken their eye off the ball to their peril, but I don’t foresee that happening in the playoffs. Too much heat from from the Bolts.”
Don’t really feel too moved to change that theory…even with CE taking one of the top setters in the league and moving him to Libero…Famous last words, as they say.
Cranston East in four.
D2 Semifinals: (Seeds are Not ResV’s)
(1) Lincoln (18 - 0) vs. (4) Westerly (14 - 4) - Here is what I wrote in the Week Eight article…
“This one is going to be interesting. Last time the Bulldogs saw the Lions, it was a four-set defeat with some solid play sprinkled in there. It was early in the season, though, and Westerly has polished up a lot of their play. Problem is, Lincoln is also different then before. They’ve been through some matches and are pretty polished in their own right. We get the premier middle matchup in D2, Colton v. Kenyon, and we get to see if Westerly can play enough solid defense to deal with Biddle and Gugel. I think it’ll be too much Lion scoring and Westerly will succumb in four.”
I think it all holds. Too much Lion power for the Bulldogs to send them packing. Westerly will get one…but that’s all they’ll get.
Lincoln in four.
(2) Pawtucket (16 - 4) vs. (3) Central Falls (16 - 3) - Here is part of what I wrote last article…
“Ok, last time these teams met it was four-set setback for Central Falls. Now, since that time, the Warriors have won seven in a row and Jamilson has been borderline unstoppable. Still, the home barn for Pawtucket is an advantage and Hayson is not going to let Jamilson get all the kills. For me, Pawtucket finds a way and gets to the finals. Pawtucket in five.”
I don’t think I’m going to deviate from this. I do think it’s going to be a crazy match. I think Jamilson is going to get set borderline 100 times and if he can put up 40 plus…who knows what could happen. Pawtucket does have more physicality over most of the D2 schools that J has dominated. He won’t be able to just tee off through most of the net against the Tigers. So, it comes down to whether Pawtucket can slow down Jamilson enough to cap it. I think they do…but it’s going to be a slug fest.
Pawtucket in five.
D3 Semifinals: (Seeds are Not ResV’s)
(1) Mt. Hope (17 - 3) vs. (5) North Providence (11 - 8) - North Providence has seen Mt. Hope twice and both were three set defeats. Then again, that was their record against Achievement First and A1 has gone fishing for the summer and North Providence is here in the semis (actually, I think NP took a set off A1 in their first meeting…but you get my point). What fascinates me about this whole thing is North Providence appeared to come out of left field this year and now they have a chance to upend a top seed. I think there is too much ball control level for Mt. Hope to fall here, but they play the games for a reason. Still, I expect Fisher to have a big night and catapult his squad to the finals.
Mt. Hope in three.
(2) Portsmouth (18 - 2) vs. (3) Hope (13 - 4) - What I wrote last week…
“Hope was the only other school to take a set off of Portsmouth not named Mt. Hope in D3. There is enough pop in the Hope lineup to cause Portsmouth discomfort to be sure. The question will still remain that is there enough front line help to slow down Casey and Wilkey? If both guys get above 15 kills, that’ll seal it for the Patriots.”
I think this prediction stands as well. Wilkey and Casey have been too dominant in the league this year to go misshaped now. Granted, anyone can have a bad day and it has happened that two guys fall into the tank in a match…but I don’t think this happens here. Wilkey and Casey will do their thing pretty well and perhaps Hope will take a set.
Portsmouth in four.
Final Predictions (Some from Week Eight ResV Article)…
1 vs. 2 across the board for me this year. I’m excited to see if this might be altered. Even so, I think the top seeds will do what they do against either opponent…except for Portsmouth (we all should know why).
Division One - North Kingstown vs. Cranston East - Previously on How the ResV Turns…
“This will be the fourth time Cranston East gets to take on North Kingstown this year. I wish I could write that I think this will be the time the result changes. Lou Brown’s in my ear saying, “I got a feeling they’re due…” I love you Lou, but I just can’t see it. Not enough firepower from Cranston East to stun the Skippers. More precise, I just don’t think the Bolts can pass well enough to run their options consistently. If the game goes into a highball battle, NK will win going away. NK will put lots of service pressure on, and will score often. Cranston East will get some big blocks and the tide will feel almost their way, but Harri and Cody will take over from there.”
Even if NK sees Bishop Hendricken, the same will apply. Should La Salle upend NK and get to the final…well, man, I have no idea what’s going to happen. The Rams would be in their fourth final in a row and looking to grab their third championship in a row. Crazy stuff! In that case, CE would probably have the best opportunity to upend that idea. Charles Pincince would need a big game to be sure. If La Salle saw Bishop Hendricken, well, I just don’t think the Hawks would be able to pass well enough to keep things humming.
NK in four against CE in the finals.
Division Two - Lincoln vs. Pawtucket - Last week on Dallas…um, I mean, Providence…
“This final feels like it could go one of two ways. Either it is a barn burner that the whole thing will be in doubt till the fifth set…or, it’ll be Lincoln running away with it. Why? I just think Pawtucket’s road is rougher terrain. Juanita Sanchez will pose some worries, and then Jamilson’s Warriors will pose a lot of worries. Lincoln should be able to paw Central aside and though Westerly can be tough, I think Lincoln has the pieces to just maneuver through relatively unscathed. Anything can happen, so I’m not saying Pawtucket is lost here. As I said, it could go one of two ways. Regardless, I’m putting my bet on Lincoln. Too much physicality from the Lions, and they were the only team to go into Pawtucket’s barn and win.”
I love the Pawtucket guys. I really do. I’m going to be stoked if they make the finals. Not so secretly, though, I want to see Central Falls in the finals more. Once I heard that Lincoln saw Central Falls but didn’t see Jamilson…I mean come on…I want to see that match! Now, cart before the horse, Westerly has as good a shot as anyone to upset Lincoln, but I just don’t see it. Pawtucket is a solid side, but I’ve seen that story now twice with them losing to Lincoln. Most damning was the recent Lincoln going to Pawtucket and winning in four. That one hurt. So, if Central Falls can figure it out, I think that would be a fun match. All that said, I still think Pawtucket comes out and just like Westerly, they have as good a shot as any to knock out Lincoln…but I still don’t see it.
Lincoln in four over Pawtucket.
Division Three - Portsmouth vs. Mt. Hope - Last Week on the Young and the ResV-less…
“I believe that this match has the makings of being the best match of championship Saturday! Portsmouth has beaten Mt. Hope twice. Both times, it took real hard work to get there. Mt. Hope has to feel they’re due, but can they slow down the duo of Casey and Wilkey enough? Can Portsmouth limit Fisher and force errors? Add some minor controversy and you got yourself a really fun final. Division three is a strange world of beauty and unique volleyball form. Often, whomever has the best player wins…though also often, whichever crew plays the best team defense grinds out the result. It’ll be a five-set wild stallion type of match…”
Once here, the RPI seeding mishap is quashed and the rightful two top seeds will figure it out. As it should be, I suppose. Certainly, Hope will give their best effort to stop Portsmouth and North Providence could make absolute shockwaves if they could put Mt. Hope to bed. Either scenario is not likely. So, we’ll have Patriots and Huskies. I recognize that both sides have solid horses to back. The question becomes who wins, ball control or kill generation? In most volleyball worlds, both need each other to be successful. However, those with better kill generation tend to win more matches then better ball control. Kill generation is everything in the sport. This with that in mind, Portsmouth with survive Mt. Hope’s final charge.
Portsmouth in five.
ResV Top 15…
North Kingstown (19 - 0)
Cranston East (14 - 5)
+3 La Salle Academy (10 - 7)
Lincoln (18 - 0)
+2 Bishop Hendricken (10 - 8)
—1 East Providence (10 - 9)
—4 Classical (14 - 6)
+1 Chariho (11 - 9)
+4 Coventry (7 - 12)
Pawtucket (16 - 4)
Central Falls (16 - 3)
Westerly (14 - 4)
—5 East Greenwich (8 - 10)
Portsmouth (18 - 2)
West Warwick (13 - 6)
Controversy Corner!
I can’t remember a time when it’s been so hard for teams to play in their home gym or, in this case, any respective gym. If I’m correct, North Kingstown, Coventry, East Greenwich and perhaps a couple others, have all had issues with their gyms. That’s crazy stuff! There is a “where is our tax money going?” thought to be had here, I suppose, but I’m not going that direction. I think the real point of note is how quick everyone adjusted the scheduling. Maybe controversy is the wrong word entirely…maybe it’s more just a fascination that everything is adjusted so quickly. Gym doesn’t work anymore…Ok, you go here, we’ll adjust there, forget this…etc. I guess I’m just mystified that games, playoff games, whatever can be shuffled so easily. Quick point, it is also a testament to how flexible and helpful everyone has been this season through these facility breakdowns. Granted, it’s not the kids fault these things have occurred, so the fact everyone works hard to come up with solutions and then act quickly is excellent. It is called the Controversy Corner, but perhaps today’s segment is more, “Weird that it’s happening, yet well done, Corner.”
ResV Coaching Tip of the Week:
Big money games are here, so the best advice I can give is make your practices precise and no-nonsense from here on out. Nothing new you implement from here will be very effective. You are what you are by this point. Thus, the practice is basically cut into fourths…warm-up, then pass and serve…do your paces, i.e. high ball setting and attacking, overpass swings, tempo swings, block work, etc…hit scenarios, like free ball, hard struck dig, huge block, down by four late (21 / 17)… NOTE: I would also put in bench guys in scenario work. Make sure those guys know what it kind of feels like to go in when things aren’t going well and they’ll need to perform. Finish with more passing and into offense. Hit each rotation and get a couple of different looks from each. From there…call it a day. Get them out early and feeling good.
ResV Player Tip of the Week:
Nothing old man corny stuff here today. Nope, just hit the ball hard and make something happen. I think the worst thing a player can do is fear getting blocked when it matters most. Granted, if your eyes see a big block and you can do something to outmaneuver it, then make the smart play and keep giving yourself and your team a chance. However, if it’s match point, you’re down, and you have a split block to deuce it…Rip the ball! Could you hit it out? Yeah. Could you get blocked from someone you don’t see? Yeah. A tip or roll at this point, means the opposition gets the chance to score with any kill to win…forget that! Rip the ball and let the chips fall where they may.
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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