Three of the four National teams competed at Big South this past weekend. It was a huge event, made a little more interesting by some efforts from Mother Nature in her worst form. The week before the event, a tornado slashed through downtown Atlanta and damaged the World Congress Center, where all 900 teams were scheduled to play. With lots of effort and tap dancing, sites were found for all courts and play was scheduled to continue. Wednesday before we left on Thursday, high winds added to the damages, taking out the hotel we were scheduled to stay in. More tap dancing, more concerns. The fourth National team decided there were too many variables, too much up in the air for a young group to see the benefits of going (when they have 4 more years they can attend), but the other three took off for Atlanta ready for adventure.

 

Our relocated hotel, the Mariott Airport was EXCELLENT! About the nicest folks I have ever stayed with. Ask anybody that went about the beds!

 

Play continued at several locations around Atlanta, none too far away (relative to getting up any Saturday morning like we normally do).

 

Coach Karl and his 15’s had a slow start on Friday, going 1-2. But Rage was missing a couple of players and had picked up a 14 to help fill out the roster, so 1-2 wasn’t too bad. A repeat on Saturday, going 1-2 again, put them in the bottom portion of the playoffs. A tough 3 game loss finished the tournament for them on Sunday. Not as strong as they would have liked, but some great moments and lots of fun for those who went.

 

Coach Jeanne and her 16’s also went 1-2 on Friday in a tough pool. However, Saturday was a better day and they posted a 2-1 record (almost 3-0 with a 13-15 loss in that third match) and a 2nd in pool finish. Sunday’s match was against a tough Kentucky team that took Crush in two games and left them with a 93rd place finish and an overall record of 3-4.

 

Coach Peter  and his 18’s started the tournament strong, going 2-1 on the first day, and were in position to go 3-0, except they forgot to play in the third game of the third match. That 2-1 finish on Friday put them up against the big dawgs on Saturday and it showed. While we could hang offensively, the stronger defense of the teams on Saturday was obvious, and yielded a 0-3 record along with some well spanked egos. Sunday’s match looked like it would go our way, going to 3 games, but once again, defense, or the lack of it, took away what should have been a victory. Tough match, but an educational one. However, based on a strong Friday, Xtreme ended up with a 36 place finish. Not too bad!

 

All in all, it was a great event, overshadowed by Mother Nature, but sheer will power and perseverance carried the day. Thanks, Atlanta, for hosting a fantastic event and hope to be back again next year.

 

If anyone has any pic’s from the Big South, send me a few and I’ll post them up here.

 

Thanks

Coach Strick’

 

Big South