Instead of tailgating all day before the Super Bowl, the 17's traveled to Lancaster to play in their second tournament of the year.  Based on the results of their first tournament (a tough 25-23 25-23 semi-finals loss) the team came into this tournament with two goals. First was to get off to a faster start in all their matches and the second was to cut down unforced errors.  The first set went as planned while cruising to an easy win but the second set we reversed course and got down early with many unforced errors but managed to squeak out a 25-23 win.  Our second and third matches went well.  We still had a slow start or two but we cut down on the unforced errors while still playing aggressive volleyball.  Then we had the dreaded hour and 15 minute wait for the playoffs to start. In the semis we played Dock Volleyball and got off to a good start with a 25-16 win but we struggled a little bit with a very good left handed right side player.  We made a slight adjustment and cruised in the second set 25- 19.  In the finals, we faced Mason-Dixon who went undefeated in their pool.  With a good start and a reduction in unforced errors we still found ourselves in a tight match. Until a late push to pull off a 25-23 win.  Mason-Dixon gave us their best shot at the start of the second set but we weathered their strong start to stay even with them up to the 10-10 mark and that is where we started to separate ourselves and pull out a 25-17 victory.  It was an all around great team effort. 

 Although winning the championship should have been the high lite of the day, I took more joy from the compliments I received about our team from the referees and other coaches.  Three different coaches pointed out to me how much they admired how our team supported each.  After a missed serve, a bad pass or a poor swing they noted the girls never got down on each other but went the other direction and encouraged each other.   A big emphasis with our club is to have great work teams and although I'm sure being the work team is not a thrill our team takes it seriously and does a great job.