Put Up Or Go Home

There is nothing like a playoff game! The crowd is excited, the teams are full of energy and anticipation, and the tension is so thick you can cut it with a feather! Wednesday night at Plainfield South was exactly like that.

In the first game Plainfield South jumped out to a quick start in the first set. Bolingbrook fought their way back to take the first two sets and live to see another opponent. During that first match both teams flew all over the court trying to will their teams to victory. Plainfield South may have lost the first game, but it was not due to a lack of effort or passion. They were doing all they could to extend their season, but in the end came up short. They are a young team with lots to look forward to. As hard as it is to take a playoff loss at home, they had tremendous sportsmanship and class to stick around and watch the second game! I want to wish them the best of luck next season as they will return the majority of their roster.

Bolingbrook brought the power in the first game as Ciara Hill was a force to be reckoned with. She was one of the best outside hitters we've seen this year. After the first game Dr. Pete and I wondered how having to play two playoff games in one night would effect the Raiders of Bolingbrook. As it turned out it had a noticeable impact. Bolingbrook fought tooth and nail in the second game against Waubonsie Valley but they clearly were a half a step slower than in the first game. They didn't lose because of a lack of effort or desire, but because they were running on fumes by the second set of the second game.

Meanwhile Waubonsie Valley used their height advantage to jump out on Bolingbrook early on in both sets. They were very poised on the court and showed great maturity as a team. They had to wait around to play this game and they did not let the wait interfere with their focus and discipline. In the playoffs it's easy to get over anxious and try and force hits that aren't there, but this team was patient and it paid off. They didn't put themselves in an opportunity to beat themselves and that was important. By getting the ball in play and forcing Bolingbrook to have to exert extra energy helped wear down their opponent. Since Waubonsie Valley was on fresh legs they had no problem outlasting their opponent.

The Bolingbrook Red Raiders are a very young team and showed some great poise out on the court tonight! More importantly they showed a lot of heart and a lot of desire. There is no doubt that this team is capable of great things next year. Waubonsie Valley gets to live to fight another day. They now get to wait around to find out who they play next, best of luck to the Warriors moving forward!

Tonight was a blast to call with Dr. Pete as we had a lot of fun coming up with some new and exciting calls. Mighty Matt Malich rejoins us tomorrow night as we are at Wheaton, St. Francis to call all the games at that location tomorrow night! As always this broadcast will be up for a free download on SportsTownChicago.com and tomorrow night we stream live starting at 5:45 PM.

If tonight was any indication, tomorrow will be quite intense!

A-Lo