Night of the Upset at Gorman: Cali Favorites Fall Heading Into Durango Classic

That's why you play the games!  Coming into Thursday night's Champions Challenge, you knew you had quite a bit of talent, and you knew you had some historic programs. What you didn't know was how teams from completely different parts of America with uncommon schedules matched up vs. each other.  The results, well, they caused the computers to get their erasers out, and whoever the voters are for the "National Rankings" are going to have to leave the coast next week when they do their Top 10.

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In match 1, Marymount, CA, who had looked nearly untouchable this season with their height and devastating service attack, came in on more than a roll, more like a tidal wave, taking out big-name programs nationally.  The names on the roster have been getting it done on the Open Club level for a couple of years now for the top West Coast clubs, and this is a very, very good volleyball team.  Thursday, they just didn't have their best, and for whatever reason, their opponent never let them get into their usual power game.  It was Marymount with the passing errors off serve receive, and they seemed out of system all night, and they just couldn't find the spark or big play when they needed to.

Much of that has to do with the opponent on the other side of the net.  Yes, they are from the home state of where we are based out of, but two years ago, when I called around asking about these National type tourneys (I called Vollapalooza also, but was told this Harrisburg team couldn't play with Texas teams:) I had an idea they could compete at this level because of how hard they play on the defensive end (they have had to compete that way in club at Kairos volleyball at the open level their entire careers so 1st contact has been stressed since they were 4) they don't get to simply go up and bang with teams.  I also figured they would take all of these math challenges seriously and play extremely hard out here.  Oh, and not to mention, THIS IS A TEAM WITH 4-5 D1 players of their own and 2 top 10 recruits in their grade, people.  They are very, very talented and the true leader of the team....soon to be 3x Gatorade POY would be on her way to a P4 of her choice if genetics would have stretched her out another inch and I think that Marymount's front line (all D1 commits or will be) could attest that Gabi Zachariasen (University of South Dakota commit) can hold her own on a volleyball court, hype or no hype nationally!  So, even though VBadrenaline completely bombed at the marketing and promotion of this event, if nothing else, a small town high school squad did get to show how good they really are and that they do belong vs. the big dogs, regardless of public or private school and regardless of geography.

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In match 2, well, Bishop Gorman and their talented Seniors, I just want you to know, along with my white Monster Energy and Quest protein bar, I also ate my words this morning for breakfast!  You had MORE THAN ENOUGH firepower to take down Mater Dei last night, and wow, what a win.  The Gaels get their revenge and take down the mighty California program 3-1, and like the coach had said to us months ago, "Ayanna wants another shot at those guys and nothing is stopping her, I'm not saying no to that."  Well, the Mater Dei team wasn't saying NO to the Pitt commit either, and her Gorman teammates were ready from the start.  This was a team effort, though, and contributions from multiple spots, with, of course, Trinity Thompson (Pitt commit) also having her ALL-AROUND solid game and doing so much of everything like she does.  When she gets to the Steel City, they may have to play "Where's Waldo" with her because she could have a different role each night (by the way, that is a GREAT THING if you want to play early at the P4 level in college kids).  From clips I saw I was impressed with the calmness that Gorman showed this year from last, as Mater Dei made runs (and won their set) Gorman just kept firing.  They were locked in for this one.  They surely celebrated the huge home match win and should have, and I was way off on the performance I thought we would see from both squads, so congrats to BG, that's a win as an HS athlete you probably hold on to as a top athletic memory for years.  Now, how do they continue that focus through the weekend and sustain that play for two great days at Durango?  That would really boost them into serious national talk!

For Mater Dei, yes, a tough loss you don't want, but when you are still dealing with some of your star power being injured and not at full-strength, and you played earlier in the week, you don't want this loss, and you do not want it to become a habit, but it's not the end of the world.  You need to come up with more offense to go with Matavao vs. the top teams in the US, as they will be able to limit her production enough so someone else will have to produce, and you simply need to pass better than they did vs. Gorman.  They met a very fired-up and solid team on a great night.  I'm assuming they are used to getting everyone's best shot and will this weekend at Durango as defending champions, where they will see many familiar California rivals on Saturday.  You shake this off and go for the real prize you came here for and that is the trophy Saturday afternoon, you have way too many talented pieces to not be in contention for that.

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All in all if you are a prep volleyball fan it was an eventful night at Gorman High if you were able to attend or watch.  Over 20 D1 current or future commits in action, so you saw a chunk of the future of the game.  Some of the traditional powerhouses of the sport in action.  A brand new feel-good story out of nowhere.  A story of a school working for a year to get another shot at their nemesis they had never beaten, and getting it done!

Now get ready for 64 talented teams going at it in Vegas for two days.  Enjoy the Durango everyone.