Can Celine Baldevia, Laura Vega, Nicole Sparks and Osan American's spikers do it again? Can Seoul American rebuild after losing the core of its volleyball team?
Can Kadena make it five Far East cross-country team titles since 2002? Can defending boys champion Andrew Quallio of Zama American make it back-to-back titles? Can fellow senior and 2006 champion Nadine Mulvany rise back to the top?
Can small-schools tennis teams really keep up with their Class AA brethren? Can defending singles champions Kennedy Allen of Seoul American and Kyle Sprow of Kadena make it double golds in two years?
We find out starting this weekend, when volleyball, cross-country and tennis teams from Misawa to Mangilao hit the courts and courses as the chase for Far East bragging rights begins.
Who's your favorite? Who's going to win, and why? Shout it out! And remember, you've entered THE "No-Hate Zone." :)
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You Bet They Can!
Celine, Laura, and Nicole are truly talented players who seemingly multiply their skills on the court...Laura has a wicked serve destined to be one of the best in the Pacific this year (watch her aces)...Celine often starts slow but literally gets better with every touch of the ball...watch her competitiveness and natural court awareness to take them deep into Class A...and Nicole, to know her is to love her...she plays with such tenacity and energy that you can't help but smile watching her compete...she epitomizes a true fire and love for the game...Go Sparky...enter a former Div I volleyball player and experienced coach to lead them...give those three a little support and anything is possible...Good luck!
Re: You Bet They Can!
Coach, was in your old neck of the woods last week. New coach seems confident and Laura, Celine and Nicole share that optimism. First match bore that out; Cougars prevailed at YIS-Seoul in four sets. Let's get the Class A winner together against your team after the season, eh?
Now We're Talking
Dave,
Definitely would be interesting...I am coaching in DI in Europe this year...the land of the Ramsteins, K-Towns, Heidelbergs, Lakenheaths, et al. so I am getting my wish playing with the big boys...as always, I am up to the challenge. I've got more height than ever, four girls 5'10 and over and one 6 footer, that plus a Libero from Hawaii who will eventually give Nicole a run for her money...plenty of athleticism and potential but it will take 6 weeks to bring it all together. Of course, I would support an All-DoDDS Championship, say top two teams from Europe in two categories and the top two from Class AA and A and we'd all be in hog heaven, maybe meet somewhere in between like Turkey and go at it...we can only dream!!!
Re: Now We're Talking
Brian:
When you reach K-Town, please give Dennis Decker a special hello for me. A great guy, another one who I really miss (he's late of Zama).
You should have seen Nicole's and Laura's eyes light up when I visited school last week. As you can see, the volleyball preview highlighted Osan, and there will be a story forthcoming soon on Osan's "Little Big Three" as they vie for back-to-back Class A titles.
Looking Forward to Reading...
I would expect nothing less...it is just too good a story to pass up...the Mighty Mites of Osan indeed...I will look him up although we don't visit K-town this year. Europe has gone to Regional vs Divisional play in an effort to save money, although all sports not equal...hmmm, could be a story, there...talk to you soon and good luck.