To venture out or stay under covers

That is the question that faces the 2008 team. After an exiting showing in the Gatortown classic, this years team is deciding what will their legacy be? Some teams in the past have shown tremendous offense while other Venice teams were known for their stellar defense, while others would scratch and claw to the finish. Last week, we played Manatee and Leon HS up in Tallahassee. Against Manatee, we destroyed them when we decided to play up but when we played just mediocre, we lost. Luckily, we came out ahead. Same thing happened after the 5 hour drive to Tallahassee. The first game was a 29-27 battle, in the 2nd game we seemed to be cruising at 20-16 then the bad people in our heads seemed to get the best of us as each game would be fought hard until we scored around 20 points. Is this typical of a young team or is it that we did not handle success the week before or is that we think we achieved something and thought we could just cruise the rest of the season? All of these questions were "discussed" after the Leon loss. Why is it that a team celebrates so much after beating a Venice team? The reason is simple...... tradition, pride, and entusiasm. These are the things that explain what our teams are about. Many times, we do not have the best athletes or experience or height that other teams possess but we have something much bigger and better. Venice Volleyball teams have a big heart and Every team that we face knows that the Green team is going to scratch and claw all the way to the finish and that nobody will have an easy road. This is the reason why teams celebrate when they rarely defeat the Green Machine from Venice, FL So the question must go out to this years team that must be answered from their actions and not their words. Will the the 2008 team venture out or stay safe in the shelter?

Gatortown classic

After a tough 5 game loss at Tampa Prep on Thursday night, the Indians went to defend their title in the Gatortown classic in Gainesville. VHS was seeded 7th overall in the 16 team tournamant but the Indians proved in the first day that seeds don't mean a thing. In the first match against Gainesville Santa Fe HS, vhs cleared the bench winning 25-15, 25-15. The second proved to be much tougher beating 4A powerhouse Bishop Kenny 25-23, 26-24. The last game of pool play against St. Thomas Aquinas was for the right to go to the gold division on Saturday. Venice beat Aquinas twice last year in 5 games and the rivalry continued its long tradition on Saturday night as VHS defeated Aquinas 25-23, 25-22. It was a grueling, emotional match as the Indians were down 11-6 in the first and finally took the lead at 23-22 as the defense smothered each powerful hit. Emily Daniels had her break out game with 13 thundering spikes to clinch the win. BTW, it is Aquinas turn to visit the TeePee in early October which will be a doozy!

Tampa Prep

Game starts at 6:30

On the Road Again.....

You probably thought I was singing the Kenny Rogers song but I was talking about next week. After a 2-0 start to the season, the Indians will be on the road this coming week. We will go to North Port on Tuesday, Tampa Prep on Thursday, and Gainesville on Saturday and Sunday. I am sure all of the gyms will be filled with Venice haters which somehow usually sparks an emotional VHS volleyball team. The team will be staying in Tampa on Thursday night and Gainesville on Friday night. We will be sending home an itinerary with the players soon. Parents and fans------ Do you feel out of place w/out a new Venice volleyball T shirt? T shirts are on sale now at all home games. Get them while they last!!!! Students---- Over 250 Wheatley Wacko shirts were sold in the first week. There are only a few left so don't be a nerd in the stands without a shirt. I'm just kidding. Nerds are always welcome at our games.
Take a look at some of our preseason pics with the egg drop. This was a team chemistry game where we split the team up into 3 teams of 4. We gave each team 1 egg and told them that in 10 minutes, we would drop the egg from the top of the football stands and the egg was not to break so they had to think fast, work together, and protect the egg. See pics. I am happy to say that that this was the 1st year where all the teams were successful. Hmmm..... could be a sign of good things to come. War Eagle!

New Era

Preseason is for gaining confidence and finding weakness. That is exactly what happened this past week for the Indians. It was a total success as we competed with 2 of the best teams in the state of Florida. Both matches could have gone either way and our coaching staff is very pleased as we start the regular season on the road at Lakewood Ranch on Tuesday night @ 7 and we will return home on Thursday vs Bayshore HS. Our New Era has begun!!!! As we are not used to losing, Friday and Saturdays practice was extremely focused (and tough). If we had played easy or mediocre teams, we would be going into regular season blind and ignorant. Its not how good you are but how often you are good. Any team can have a good showing once in awhile but it is those teams that stand the test of time who are successful.
Also, veniceindianvolleyball.com will have a new look here in the next few days so keep checking back. I think you will like the new look!

Venice sweeps home opener!!!!!!

Venice def. Ft. Myers in 3 tonight 25-21, 25-23, 25-13. It was a classic Venice win with disciplined defense and passing, aggresive swinging, and a whole lot of guts. Both teams stayed very even the 1st 2 games until about 20 and then the Indians put it into high gear. The Wackos were out in full force which really sparked a lot of energy into the match. Looking forward to seeing a great crowd for the Championship on Thursday night at 7 against Berkeley Prep.

Big Sis/little sis program

To all freshmen and JV players:

Many years ago, Venice Volleyball was the first to launch the Big sister and little sister program. All players on the freshmen and JV teams will get a big sister from the Varsity team. This program is designed so our volleyball athletes support each other and help through the good times and the bad. A big sister is there to help talk through problems or may share in her victories as well. We want all of our athletes to feel part of our program and this is just one way to fulfill it. Not only does it help kids on the freshmen and jv teams but it helps promote leadership from the varsity players because leaders are not born but made. Your big sister will be announced the week of Aug. 25th