Tournament Recaps - Week 12

Last weekend of Badger Region Championships and we have more winners! Check out how teams did this weekend.

11 BOYS

The 11 Boys participated in the Badger Region Championship in the 12 Boys division this past weekend. The boys were excited about the challenge and opportunity and hoped to make the best of it. Day 1 the boys defeated a much improved Southport team 25-13, 16-25, 15-10 and a Sting 12-2's team 25-22, 25-10. They then played Southport again in a Crossover and won 25-19, 25-21. This put the boys in the Semi Finals on Sunday Morning!

The 11 Boys team again played the Sting 12-2's team. They were fired up and won 25-11, and 25-20. This set-up a much anticipated match against the Sting Boys 12-1 team. This was the only 12's team in the state that the I AM boys had not beaten. With a large crowd watching, the I AM 11 boys team came out on fire and dominated game 1, 25-14. Incredible serving and ball control gave I AM the easy win in game 1, however we knew game 2 would be more difficult. In Game 2, Sting took an early lead and improved their side out game. Although I AM kept the game within reach, they ended up losing game 2, 25-19. 

With both teams now knowing what the other team's game plan was, we knew game 3 would be a battle and it did not disappoint any spectators. With incredible dives, digs, serves, kills, and teamwork, the I AM 11 boys pushed the Sting 12-1's to extra points before losing 16-14. 

As Coaches, we could not be more proud of this group of boys! These boys worked hard on their skills in practice every day and it showed. They were the best passing and defensive team at their level. They competed against the #2 ranked team (HP ST Louis) and went 3 with the #8 ranked team (MKE Sting 12-1) in the nation. They BET (Believe, Encourage,

and Trust) on each other every day and we could be more proud of them. This group should be proud of their accomplishments and hard work this season. We can't wait to watch their careers grow here at I AM and we are excited to see what next year will bring!

11 RED

The 11 Red team was excited to compete in the badger region championships this past weekend downtown at the convention center. 11 Red started off the day against Sting 11 Black in their 1st match. I AM's consistent serves and ability to side out when needed gave them control of the match, never trailing and winning the match 25-21 and 25-23. Against Heat 11 Red in match 2, I AM came out on fire and dominated the match 25-12, 25-14.

In the last match of the day, I AM played FC Elite 11 red. The teams battled in game 1 with I AM winning 25-23. Game 2 was another very close contest with FC Elite winning 23-25. In game 3, I AM 11 Red dominated from the start with aggressive serves and awesome transition defense. Lucy (The Machine!!) Mies had ten consecutive service points with 2 ACE's as I AM went on to win 15-3.

On Sunday, I AM 11 Red earned a bye into the Semi finals against MWP 11 Red. The Penguin's were warmed up and ready to play, and I AM 11 Red started a little slow giving them a huge 10-1 advantage. After settling back in, I AM tried to close the gap, but eventually fell to the penguins 25-15. I AM 11 Red then battled to win game 2, 25-21 to set up a crucial game 3. In game 3, I AM 11 Red had control 11-9, however a few bad bounces and tough plays and I AM ended up losing 15-12.

This however set-up a very anticipated 3rd place match against Sting 11 Gold. I AM and Sting Gold battled, splitting the 1st two games 25-23 and 20-25. In game 3 I AM kept their focus and confidence being first to 5, first to 10, and winning 15-9 on an impressive kill by tournament MVP GiGi Dione to take 3rd place at the Badger Region Championships.

Overall, both coaches were super impressed with how the girls played this weekend. Most of the weekend our ball control and defense were on point. We are definitely the most aggressive team offensively, and the only team that is jumping and attacking on almost every 3rd contact. We know the future is bright here and I AM and we could be more proud of how our team BET (Believe, Encourage and Trust) on each other.

15 RED

Badger Region Championships and we had our sites on a very special rematch. Day one we came in with the 2 seed and played new teams for us this season. 262 Attack, Milwaukee Juniors 15's, and MWP 15's. The day went smooth as we got loose throughout the day and didn't drop a set!

We have a crossover match to go to gold on day two and we are facing off against an FC Elite team that we have played 2x already. Third time was a charm for the FC team as they played extremely well and we couldn't keep up with their energy and lost in a 3 set match. This was disappointing but a great learning moment for this team that anyone can beat anyone at anytime and the challenge is to prove your are the best team every time we step on the court.

We won out our next two matches winning the Silver Division in Open. 5th Place overall is nothing to hang our head on. It's crazy to think that we were not happy with our result because of the team we've become and how much we believe in ourselves! That's an awesome feeling going into our post season push!

16 RED

This weekend 16 red was back in Milwaukee for Badger Region Championships in the 16 open

Division. Day one was odd for us, we came from St. Louis playing a very fast speed game to

Badger Region were it was bit slower. The girls had to learn to wait a little for blocking or not

over running a pass. Eventually we figured it out and went 3-0 that day playing Madtown 161

Select twice.

#Shoutout Ana for bringing the energy and having some amazing kills earning an overpass kill pin.

Day two we were back on track, reading the ball great, flowing as a team, and simply starting hot on the day. We started off with a challenge match to get to gold, we were unstoppable. Our serving was off the chart getting aces left and right. We won 25-7 and 25-12. Just like that

we were off to the gold bracket semi-finals. We faced Eclipse, who we have played at previous tournament. We won 25-10, 25-21, with some great serving yet again. In the championship game we were facing South Shore Slam 16’s national team now for the 3 rd time. We came out strong with our right-side hitters dominating on offense. No one could stop them. First game we won 25-16, second game was 25-22. The second game we let off the gas a bit and the other team stepped it up a notch. For the most part each team went on a couple point runs, giving some points and taking some. We came out victorious! Winning Gold in the 16’s open division. These girls work so hard for everything and put all they have into the game.

#Shoutout Morgan for some sick saves on defense getting to every ball she could.

Her hustle and determination were insane. Now for a week off (spring break, everyone have fun on vacation) and back in the gym to get ready for Wisconsin Dells.