Oriole Ovation

From the fans came a standing ovation for the Springville Orioles, as they left the court with heavy hearts, after a hard fought battle that did not go the Orioles way. It was the end of the 2009 volleyball road for the Orioles, as Don Bosco took the match in four games to advance to the State Tourney.After losing two close games, the Orioles bounced back to win the third in a slightly quicker paced match-up.  Momentum slipped away in game four when Don Bosco ran up an 8 point lead that ultimately was just too much for the Orioles to overcome.The night was not a rout. This was among the best of the 1A match-ups, from the looks of the scores... There was a nervous energy that could be felt when you walked into the building......both teams clearly came to play.   The first two games were a see-saw of scoring right up to 20 points, with Springville falling in both.  Don Bosco served well and clearly had the ability to keep the ball in play, while Springville struggled with a number of lifting calls from the up ref who seemed to have a different idea of what the rules are...and a line judge who's call were all over the map...er...court...but the Orioles did not go down without a fight.  Indeed they played some of their most intense and skilled moments of the entire year.   Throughout  all four games Don Bosco had very few answers to Senior Maggie Ray's hard driving kills, while Karlee Markley and Alesea Bednarz also closed out their high school careers with superb games.  Sadly, throughout, (especially during game four)vthere were some almost astonishing moments of ...shall we say..."tacky"...behaviors exhibited by the Don Bosco players on the court, beginning with the student body booing when the Oriole Starting line-up was announced...continuing with the coach throwing his clipboard, and culiminating with one player showing very poor judgement during the fourth game.  Following the match, further displays of ill manners came from the Don Bosco team as they boarded the bus.   Yes... it was a big win for them, sending them into the State tournament with a starting line-up full of seniors...and they played some darn good volleyball...we can't take that away from them....it's just a shame that they had to marr the win with such a poor choice of emotions.I'm glad to say I saw no response, and no such displays of poor sportsmanship from the Orioles or their fans, with our AD nipping the only potential problem situation in the bud as soon as he was made aware of it.  Good for you Orioles, for choosing not to fall into that behavioral trap.To the 2009 Orioles I say....you played some solidly good volleyball, with a very respectable ending to a great season that saw you accomplish much much more than had been "expected".   BIggining the season an obscure bunch of  "who?" players, you brought home an outright conference championship and a three game sweep in post season play, landing a spot (the only Tri Rivers team to do so) in a regional final. You played hard, and ended the season with class. You represented your school well, and we thank you.Looking ahead, though we bid  farewell to starters Marklee, Ray & Bednarz, the Orioles should be pretty strong contenders next year, retaining power hitter & blocker Hannah Loehr who  showed that she is a player to be reckoned with in her first year as a starter.  Additionally, starters Katie Wyman, Hope Matus and CJ Fitzgerald will return to the court, and the Oriole bench has some very good defenders who will make their presence known in a good way.    Great Job...& Great Season Ladies...Stand Tall...you made us proud !!

Now get out there and do it all over again on the basketball court!  GO ORIOLES!!Good luck to all the teams who advance to the state tournament.