2006 Volleyball Game 4 (6/12/2006)

After last weeks heartbreaking 2-set loss (heartbreaking due to the lack of write-up), TRx looked to get back to their winning ways last night, in a thrilling match against All-State. Despite Golden threatening to bench all the players who missed last week's game, spirits were high for most of the team, given the return of KB from a devastating softball injury. This provided a needed lift for the team, as their emotional leader was back, head-band, kick-serve, and all. Excited by the prospect of KB's return, Jonathan (the "tallest man alive," according to JR) even gave up his own glasses to Golden, as the Golden Child cried "Waaaaaaaa... the sun is too bright... waaaaa." Even Ben Lin came ready to play, wearing a white t-shirt that actually fit him this time. Yet one member of the team was playing with a heavy heart, as GLG had learned earlier in the day that a man that he doesn't know, and will likely never meet, Ben Roethlisberger, was in a horrific motorcycle accident.

Wearing a scowl, much like the one pictured below, Greg's bulbous head was clearly elsewhere during the first set, and this dragged the team down. With many mis-hit serves, TRx lost the first set, 15-5, as they were clearly not in good hands with All-State. After suffering such domination, Greg got into the World Cup spirit, and kicked the ball as hard as he could into the bushes (where Blin was waiting). However, he also got a solid foot-full of sand, most of which made in all over Ana's face and down her throat. Yet somehow, Ana played on.

At this point, super-fan DY arrived. Her arrival, coupled with Greg's emotional outburst was just what the team needed, as the second set started off with Monika's dominating serves giving TRx an early lead. JR and KB provided some high-octane energy to keep the enthusiasm up, as TRx played a true team game. Getting back to basics, TRx successfully put Play A into action, leading to Jonathan's, Golden's, and Remington's numerous spikes, and used many touch passes to win the second set, 15-7.

This set up the pivotal third set. With both teams playing well, the score was deadlocked at 6-6. Then Greg finally realized it was time to focus his emotions over Big Ben on the game. With vicious serving, and quick-minded net play, Greg almost single-handedly kept TRx in the game. With emotions flying high, TRx almost had to get physical with the other team. On one play, they spiked it hard at Ana, almost knocking her over, as All-State laughed at her near-injury. Ready to go to war for their teammate, verbal barbs were shot across the net, and Monika had to be physically restrained, yet for the most part TRx somehow kept their composure, as all the spike served to do was awaken an angry sleeping giant (but obviously this Giant was not as tall as JC). TRx then began to close out the set, as Jonathan continued to dominate the net. KB even broke out the GLG-patented sky hook. The game ended as Golden finished them off by serving out the last 7 points to the weaker members of the opposing team for a 2-1 victory (5-15, 15-7, 15-6).