We've all been sweltering in the hot, Kansas winter sun of later February. It's been crazy, we've been running air conditioners, running around in shorts and t-shirts.
The customary timeout between sets, the Landsharks are all planted to the stands like remoras. The Storm is on their feet, knowing how damn good their team is, and not getting the recognition from their organization.
The girls are electrified. They are bouncing and clapping and screaming. Their biggest fans in the world are getting rowdier, louder. The underdogs, the 'Select' team is taking on the juggernauts of the 'Premiere' league.
The Goliaths have looked down their nose at the Davids. With absolutely no clue what they are up against. World beaters, butt kickers, the toughest crew of little volleyball players anyone has ever come up against.
Come at me, bro.
The Landsharks get their first taste in the second set, a shanked bump. The Storm strike back, it's tied 5-5. (They start at 4-4 in the first two sets).
The Sharks grab a four point lead, but the Storm trades blows with them, it's 12-8. It's still a small deficit to overcome, but the confidence and momentum is our side. We got three sets, nothing to get to worried about, yet.
The Storm battle back to tie and then grab the lead. The Sharks call a timeout to ice the server, but if you got ice water running through your veins, it's just a lesson in futility to the other team. The teams trade blows, and the Sharks creep onto the lead and then capture it. 19-17. The Storm has not seceded the 20 point rule on tournament, and then they did.
Everyone's looking at the coach for a timeout, she does NOT call one. Storm bring the thunder. It's knotted up at 20! Then it is 21-20, Storm, then tied up again, then it's 21-22, Storm grabs the lead. All tied up at 22, a timeout is called, not by the Storm by the Landsharks. A big block followed by a flurry of bumps and sets and spikes the Storm grabs the lead at 23-22, it's all over.
Lou comes in and delivers an, all but unreturnable serve, it's 24-22.
No one will say it, but we are all thinking it. It's over, our ship has come in. One more point to go. Lou serves up one more beautiful shot, the Landsharks do all they can to return it. Lou comes flying in for the bump to Cool Hand Lex, who puts it in perfect position for Addy to come flying in and drop the hammer.
The impossible is completed. Beating 'better' teams, going wire to wire, running the table. The Storm had no competition all weekend no matter who they faced. 6th medal and 5th championship on the season.
I cannot even begin to wait to go through these pictures, but I am still keyed up after a 3 hour drive home, don't even know if I will sleep tonight.
