Week Seven…The Tides Change Fast around these Parts…
10/23/25
Recently, in an interview, Michael Jordan said he would give anything to take a magic pill and get young again to play basketball. His rationale, I can only assume, would be to relive the dominance, the pressure, the challenge, and the success he breathed when he was the top athlete in the world.
I would do it too, but for a different reason. When I was at the peak of my basketball powers, I didn’t really understand what it meant to be a good teammate. I just knew I was pretty good, and I wanted the success that came from that. What I didn’t understand was that the success wasn’t the basketball, it was the team and the teammates. I was a good player in high school, a good player in college (when healthy, which wasn’t often), and a good player post college when I played in adult leagues over the state of RI…but it wasn’t until the end, that I realized it was the adventures with my team that made it special. I suddenly realized that if I played my best for my teammates, and not for me, the result was way better.
I took that understanding with me to volleyball…which may be the reason I fell in love with volleyball, because with volleyball I did it right. Basketball, I often did it wrong. Caring about your teammates, and playing your best to not let them down made the sport so much more fulfilling…even as my body began to breakdown. It also was my barometer to get out of the game when I could no longer do it. Can’t let teammates down, time to stop.
So, yes, I’d take the magic pill and go back…if only to add a time machine component and play basketball with my high school and college teams again and be the best teammate I could be. For it was a teammate that saved my life in college and it was because he saw I was hurting and he did what good teammates do…he forgave me for my bullshit and made sure I had friends, whether I liked it or not…
That’s what I’d go back for and do for as many teammates as I could…for as long as I could…
Big thanks to Bobby Schneider for keeping me on the mortal coil…the best teammate I ever saw…
ResV Top 15…
+1 North Kingstown - Beating down East Providence at home changed the tides…quickly at that. Kayleigh Garrepy had a huge match as did Tayla Schneider. They just knocked off La Salle at the Mountain Top as well, so that brief moment of doubt is now just a memory, and thus the Skippers are back at the Captain’s Wheel for the D1 concluding adventure.
—1 East Providence - When the winds and tides turn quickly, you can get hit by the boom…Townies got hit by the boom. EP went into the Forge and had a rough night. Sometimes it goes that way and there isn’t much you can do about it. It’s a little bit of a back to the drawing board as the wheels did come off, however, when the playoffs arrive in a week or so, EP can take solace in the fact that they did deal NK a loss and they have a POY candidate in Keira Mullen ready for one last ride.
+1 Westerly - The Bulldogs are now the odds on favorite to win this crazy D2 league! They hosted Mt. Hope, who hadn’t tasted defeat and showed them the door in a sweep. Now, this win was at home, and things can be crazy on a neutral court, however it was such a convincing win…it’s just hard to argue there. Lyla Auth is another POY candidate and the cast around her is game to take this to the house.
+1 La Salle Academy - Here are the facts…the Rams have the top JV team in the state. The Rams also have a top three D1 club…however, jarring the top two from the rankings has not gone so well this year. They also have a tough loss to Coventry to add to the resume. So this leaves La Salle is a strange position…is there anything they can do to bolster their team for a run, because at some point Sofia D’Agostino and crew are going to run into NK or EP and an answer will be required.
+1 Barrington - I’m not sure I’d want to see the Eagles in the playoffs. Since their loss at Westerly, it’s been eleven straight wins and many of those vics without Emma McCrann. Injuries can play a serious role in a title run, but Barrington has kept the ship upright. Now, when McCrann returns, everyone else has gotten better so the level just jumps up to 11 when the team is fully healthy. Yeah, I wouldn’t want to play this team in the playoffs.
—3 Mt. Hope - Nights don’t often go any worse then they did for the Huskies at Westerly. Mt. Hope seemed to stall at every juncture and didn’t ever really get things going in the right direction. Tough night to be sure. Now, they still have 17 wins and the system of volleyball they play is challenging for opponents. Also, they have experience in five-set matches, winning all three of them. Thus the question is can they forget about the night in Westerly in time to deal when only the best teams are at the table?
Coventry - They are .500 and dangerous. That reminds me of something… Anyway, they’ve dropped their last two, but do see South Kingstown twice at the end…certainly within reason to be two games over before playoffs. Still, I wouldn’t want to play this team in the quarters or semis. They have some grit and can make plays. Emily Spadoni has emerged as the pin to fear while Saige Hodges is also playing good ball. Take the Oakers for granted at your own peril…
Cumberland - The Clippers are an interesting case. They have six loses…though nothing that looks outrageous. Even PCD was not able to nip them…as PCD nips everyone it appears... Now, the problem is they’ll have to beat one of the top three teams in the division soon. You could say it’s all building up to this…or you could say the future is bright, but not this year. I’m going to go with the first one. You’ve seen all the bombers, so now build your defense and flush one of em out.
Lincoln - Tennis Legend Michael Chang would be proud of this group. They defend and defend. They only have five loses, but similar to Cumberland, they’ve yet to nab a big fish. They’ll need to ramp up the serving and get an extra kill or so to accomplish that feat…but anything can happen when it’s win or go home…
+2 Classical - The best attacker you don’t know about is Amaya Womack. The best setter you don’t know about is Dara Agramonte. Those two are playing their best volleyball now and are giving the Purple a chance to make waves in the D1 world. They’ve won seven of their last ten and are gelling at the right time…so another crew you might not want to see this playoffs.
Ponaganset - With only Narraganset left on their schedule, it’s a mildly safe bet that the Chieftains will run the table this regular season. The only questions now is can they do it when it matters most…which, quite frankly, I think they can. Ponaganset has beaten all challengers to date while only losing 9 sets all season…meaning they are 51-9 in sets played. That’s darn good and thus the inside track to the crown is all theirs.
—2 Portsmouth - The Patriots are currently .500 and have won six of their last ten. The big one was holding off Chariho to maintain their presence on the board. Granted, prior to that, they had losses against La Salle and Classical before going on their three game winning bender (over Chariho, Cranston East, and South Kingstown)… So, yeah, this Portsmouth club is all over the place, however, should things fall just right, I think they’re a playoff opponent that could cause some agida.
+1 Chariho - The Chargers finish the season 6 - 12…I’m not sure this is good enough to make the tournament, however I have them above South Kingstown as they beat the Rebels in their final matchup in five. It has been a tough year for Chariho, however, still getting wins over SK, Classical, and Cranston West feels like a team that could cause issues in the playoffs…I just don’t know, and with RPI it’s uncertain who will get the nod for the final D1 playoff spot.
—1 Bay View - They are 11 - 8 with Cumberland left to deal with. The Bengals have won seven of their last ten and picked up a couple of quality wins over West Warwick and Woonsocket. Bay View is a tough one as they have Avery Gomes and Charlotte Didie-Burke making things happen…but on the other side, there are some really tough losses like North Smithfield and Ponaganset. A win against Cumberland could help the cause for sure, but otherwise, it does feel like a coin flip for level when Bay View takes the floor.
Tiverton - Tigers have also won seven of their last ten, however, those three losses are the only losses they’ve seen all year. It feels like their first loss, to Ponaganset, left a mark, as PCD was able to break through on them shortly after. Big losses can do that to you for sure. Still, they have 14 wins and will most likely take care of Rogers with their last match of the regular season. The question is, have they learned enough lessons to take it to Ponaganset when they get their second chance?
Receiving Votes… Toll Gate, Scituate, Woonsocket, Hope, South Kingstown, Johnston, West Warwick
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 - Dominant outings against EP and La Salle. Has all the shots, makes plays when the Skippers need them, and can pass and serve with the best in the league.
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 - Big three match stretch for Classical led by Agramonte. She is athletic, fearless, and makes plays. Solid server and puts up a hittable ball as well as anyone. Tracks down everything as well.
ResV 2025 Player of the Year Candidates:
Kayleigh Garrepy - North Kingstown - Jr. - Pin
Kiera Mullen - East Providence - Sr. - Setter / Pin
Lyla Auth - Westerly - Sr. - Setter / Pin
Emma McCrann - Barrington - Sr. - Pin
Sofia D’Agostino - La Salle Academy - Sr. - Libero
ResV 2025 Coaching Staff of the Year Candidates:
North Kingstown - Brian Garrepy and Corey Maack
Westerly - Laurel Auth and Megan Lacey
Ponaganset - Shannon Reall, Abigail Reall, and James McGee
Coventry - Jon Bartlett and Paige Greenwood
West Warwick - Andrew Bevilacqua and Jaci Gauthier
ResV 2025 Setter of the Year Candidates:
Keira Mullen - East Providence - Sr.
Lyla Auth - Westerly - Sr.
Dara Agramonte - Classical - Jr.
Tayla Schneider - North Kingstown - Jr.
Lyla Parmentier - Cumberland - Jr.
ResV 2025 Defensive Player of the Year Candidates:
Sofia D’Agostino - La Salle Academy - Sr. - Libero
Kimi Hickey - Lincoln - Sr. - Libero
Alyah Evora - East Providence - Sr. - Middle
Sarah Wilcox - Mt. Hope - Sr. - Libero / Pin
Ella Reyes - Westerly - So. - Middle
ResV 2025 Newcomer of the Year Candidates:
Tayla Schneider - North Kingstown - Setter - Jr.
Svea Crawford - Westerly - Pin - Jr.
Amaya Womack - Classical - Pin - Jr.
Ella Reyes - Westerly - Middle - So.
Emily Spadoni - Coventry - Pin - So.
Playoff Races Through Week Six…
D1-
North Kingstown – Now hold all the cards and the gallery is afraid…
East Providence – Will hold on to the #2 spot, but doubt is in the mind…at least for a moment.
La Salle Academy – Gamesmanship aside, they are the #3, but can they dent the #1 and #2 in prime time?
Coventry – Have held the ground necessary, though Classical has made a last ditch effort to overtake them…
Classical – Playing their best volleyball come the end of the season. Could spell trouble for some when the bright lights are turned on…
D2-
Westerly – Regular season champs without a stain…but now the golden rounds have arrived…
Barrington – If healthy, absolutely formidable to whomever they see, whenever they see them…
Mt. Hope – Got exposed at Westerly, but that’s just a single match. Best believe that they’ve learned from it and are ready…
Cumberland – Have a lot of the pieces, but can they put it all together when it matters most?
Lincoln – Couldn’t stop Westerly…but then again no one has. Playoffs will be interesting, with kill generation being the one thing needed…
D3-
Ponaganset – Also finished the regular season without a scratch. Not sure anyone has the juice to topple them, but they play the games for a reason…
Tiverton – Have only one strange loss, to PCD, but otherwise have done everything right to get the #2… Question is, can they keep Juanita Sanchez or Johnston at bay to get another chance at the Chieftains.
Juanita Sanchez – Having the win over Johnston was huge plus they’re playing their best volleyball right now!
Johnston – JS loss hurts, but they’re still in a good position to make a run in the playoffs…
Scituate – Have had a solid season, but have just not been able to get a big win over the top teams in the league…and those pesky PCD people…
D4-
Toll Gate – Have also run the table in their division. They look strong enough to hold back the waves as well…
Hope – The weird point system has Hope third…not sure how as they’ve beaten Woonsocket twice. Must be a blip on the system…
Woonsocket – Great year for Coach Ruth and company…they might even finish with the 2nd seed despite not beating the 2nd seed!
Central – .500 club whose best win is PCD…which is actually saying a lot as PCD seems to spoil everyone!
North Providence – They also have a win against PCD…so anyone’s ball game if you have the PCD win…
ResV Coaching Tip of the Week:
I’ve talked about this before, but I’ll say it again, because I believe it…a coach’s job is to understand when a set is lost and remove the starters from the game. I’m not talking punishment. I’m talking the set is out of control, taking your starters off the floor to allow them to reset. This is gigantic for the psyche of your players. A, starter’s get overwhelmed and could use the reset time. B, you have players on your bench for a reason. Give them a crack at it. Perhaps one, or more, of them catches fire and brings you back into it…perhaps, one, or more of them, become better options for what you have… Sure you want to go to the dance with the people who brought you, but letting them get overwhelmed and pummeled because things have slipped away does not help them going in to the next set. Use your bench, and give your guns some time to find their footing.
ResV Player Tip of the Week:
It’s getting to that time of year where the end is right around the corner and older players are looking at the final weeks of their career. My advice around this time doesn’t change…play in the present and enjoy what is around you. Winning is fun, losing hurts, but regardless, you’re a part of something that is bigger then you and you’re creating stories that will be shared for years and years past your time. Stop and enjoy. Always work hard, have fun, and be a good teammate…and be grateful you had this experience to share.
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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