JMAVU9193

Weren't those losses when Nicklin was down in Argentina? Heck, I am pretty sure Webb beat Brentwood straight up in late September, and beat them good, but Logan Eggleston was still fighting some back issues. And with that, I'm out. It's been a slice, but my kid has aged out. Wishing all y'all the best.

Full strength Webb versus full-strength Brentwood would be very interesting...

It really is Brentwood's world, isn't it? the rest of us are just leasing space...

True, but that's about it. Nothing personal on the Siegel setter, I'm sure she's a great kid. I think both Ravenwood setters are more consistent, especially in terms of back sets, connecting with middles, and improving the ball on imperfect passes. Siegel sets their hitters; Ravenwood runs an offense, which is very different. I do think the Siegel setter has a better command of her team. All that aside, scoreboard: Ravenwood will have to come up the loser's bracket, whereas Siegel looks like they are scrimmaging their JV team.

I'm less sure Siegel setting is that big an advantage over Ravenwood. Might be a moot point, Ravenwood split the first two sets of their opening matchup.

Mainly agree, Tot. But I will add... I think Ravenwood has as many future college players in their program as Brentwood. I don't know if they have any Power Conference kids, while Brentwood obviously has at least 2 (Logan Eggleston and Garret Joiner), and a couple of freshmen who are probably going to have similar kinds of offers... but there are a ton of Ravenwood kids who will play in college at some level.

just to make sure Siegel gets their due... they actually have a couple of superlative ball handlers in their Libero and their OH1. they are in system quite a bit, and that is part of why I think they are a top 4 team. I just don't think they have quite enough physicality at the net, both on offense and defense, to beat Ravenwood. That and, as I mentioned earlier, Ravenwood is peaking at the right time.

I don't. Ravenwood is really coming together. They rolled Station Camp in the Regional Final, and I just don't think Siegel has the net presence or side out game to get by them. I do agree on your final 4, but I think the final will be a close one between the two Woods.

Siegel is very good. They would compete in 12AAA.

Siegel won their District Tournament, but of course they did. No shocks in round 1 of the 12AAA Tournament. Ravenwood and Page will meet in one semifinal, Brentwood vs. Summit in the other.

K2ruth, I have a question for you. Can you be more specific about your complaint regarding this particular player? Reason I ask... here are her current attacking numbers, according to (another website I am not allowed to name on this forum because they also focus on High School Sports): 239 kills, 126 errors, on 673 attempts, for a hitting % of .168 (across 64 sets) This puts her 4th in the state in attempts per set, at about 10.5. That is a HUGE volume of attempts, especially considering the somewhat pedestrian efficiency number (.168 isn't very good, really). On paper, anyway, It seems she is getting plenty of love and attention from her setters. And her team is having a lot of success, with a legitimate shot at winning AA. So I am not sure (from admittedly, quite a distance) what your concern is on her behalf.

Clifford speaks the truth. Coaches can only nominate their kids. Or not... you can't nominate your entire team, and some of those 3rd and 4th decisions are not easy. Once the nominees are on the table, the other district coaches determine how everything shakes out in the end. So I see 3 possibilities: 1. Catholic, it turns out, does NOT actually have Knoxville's best player. In fact, Catholic does not even have AA District 3's best player. 2. AA District 3 coaches are idiots, or there is some political motive against the player or program. 3. Catholic moms control not only the coaches at Catholic, but, in fact, every coach in the District. Not having seen any of the teams or players in question, I defer to the rest of you. That said, if Cunningham is as good as you (and, to be fair, some others) have said, Catholic will make noise in the playoffs, and she'll get her due. I'm sure she'd rather be All-State than AA District 3 PoY.

In Williamson County, the 12 AAA Tournament bracket is basically set. Brentwood will have to get by the winner of Summit vs. Independence in order to advance to the next round. Page and Ravenwood have sealed 2nd and 3rd place, in some order or another. Which means, assuming they get past Centennial / Franklin (and I do), they'll play each other to see who advances, and who starts getting ready for club tryouts.

Portland will have a chance to measure itself against AAA teams in the Williamson County tournament this weekend.

Baylor seems to have had an easy time with Brentwood Academy last night. I still like BA, and think they have room to grow into a threat to Baylor.

In Williamson county news, Page beat up Ravenwood pretty good last night. I've made the point that Page suffers from first contact issues, but when that's not the case, they are a very good side out team, with size and athleticism at setter and across the front row. Apparently that's what happened last night, they ran their offense and blocked well enough to throw Ravenwood off their game.

Portland is a AA team. I know that Knoxville Catholic has sort of already been crowned with their AA championship here (I exaggerate, mostly), but perhaps they'll meet in the state tournament. In other news... forgot to mention... I am told Logan Eggleston has still not taken the court for Brentwood. Not that they've needed her. Working through some back issues, should be back before long.

I'll bite. Nashville Christian?

Season underway, kinda dead in here, figured I pass along what I am hearing from Mid-Tenn. Brentwood - Nobody in their class, and that is without either Eggleston. Just so good on first and second contact, they don't make many errors, and when they do, they fix them quickly. Logan has been back in the US for a week, and sat the bench in last week's games. Maybe returns this week? Ravenwood - Deep, skilled, athletic. At least D1 kids on the roster, and another 5 or 6 probably good enough to play in college somewhere. Had some injury issues (in fact, there have been a LOT of injuries this year for everyone), but have been able to plug and play as needed. Will probably have the best shot at taking down Brentwood, if anybody does (they'll play at least 2 more times). Coach really knows her stuff, seems to make good in-game adjustments. Siegel - Better than expected, based on the production they graduated. Maybe they'd have been better last year if they had spread the ball around a bit more? Certain to return to state tournament, which is basically home court for them. Station Camp - they had a beastly kid move in from Texas, about 6'3" and already hits at a high D1 level. Play with a lot of confidence. Winning a lot of games against fair competition (they split a couple tournament matches with Collierville, for example). My buddy says they would have to get by a Williamson County team to make it to state, and that will be interesting. Brentwood Academy - Tall, athletic, skilled. As deep at Ravenwood, comfortable in system or out. In D2 AA, Baylor might have a higher ceiling, but BA has a higher floor. That will be an interesting playoff. Page - They have 3 D1 kids (2 of whom have committed, and a third yet to commit that is probably their best college prospect) and a D2 commit... too bad they are in Williamson County, and/or too bad they are the smallest school promoted to AAA. Serious first contact issues when someone other than the Libero touches the ball, that probably wouldn't be a problem in any other context (in TN, anyway).

Check AES for full results.

Funny, I see it the other way. I don't see a 3A team in B'wood's league. Sans Logan Eggleston, the field opens up (but B'wood might yet be a favorite even in that case). But with her, I don't see anybody within shouting distance. I see quite a few in the next tier down...

Wow. Stats were posted onto (a competitive website for high school sports), and they show that Shaye Eggleston took 62 swings in her varsity debut against Siegel. Just for fun, let's assume Brentwood continues to play 50+ matches per year, and she keeps up that pace for a 4-year varsity career. That puts her at >12k swings for her high school career. That would be a record of some sort, no?

Brentwood dropped the first against Siegel, then won 3-1. On paper, it looks like the match could have gone either way, all the games were close.

Thanks, SJ. Surprised at Siegel beating Briarcrest, I didn't think they were returning much. Good for them. BA has all the pieces, it will be an interesting year for them.

Did anyone here attend the Brentwood Blastoff at A-Game yesterday?