Hoi conference

[gosoxgo]

Totally agree with this article. Seen many girls that had all the necessary skills for basketball but couldn't get past the physical nature of basketball. They naturally gravitated to volleyball with it's similar athletic requirements and explosiveness.

www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/18659 ... rd-numbers

It would not surprise me if boys volleyball took off some day in this area too given how physcial boys basketball is getting at the high school level.

[deejay]

Is there anyone on the forum that could give some coverage of the HOI volleyball season. PJS covers only a limited area due to staffing issues.

[vball1]

I can probably only give info on the Eureka match ups. This will have standings and such for the HOIC too:

http://hoiconference.org/joomla/index.p ... &Itemid=63

So far Eureka has only been tested by Wethersfield with a loss to them in two during the tournament they hosted a couple weeks ago. Eureka defeated Orion, Alleman, Prophetstown and Princeville to get to the championship.

They've beaten Olympia and Roanoke-Benson during regular season play.

They've won all matches in two.

Serve receive and passing has to improve in order to take full advantage of having Hailey Flowers in the middle and not on the outside.

The new players to varsity have some big shoes to fill.

[vball1]

Eureka remains undefeated after last night's win over Dee Mack. With their win over Tri Valley last week Eureka is poised to retain the HOI conference crown two years in a row.

[vball1]

Eureka beat Blue Ridge in two Thursday night. Have yet to beat Tremont and Ridgeview to keep the HOIC crown. Nothing is a given. The Eureka line up still isn't quite right and I don't expect it to change. Passing isn't good enough to use Hailey Flowers in the middle. She does lead the team in kills despite not being the L1. There's a promising freshman in Alexis Charlton who I'd really like to see play the middle on varsity so Hailey can take more sets on the outside. Blocks don't win, kills do. There's work needed to be done in order to get back to state but I think it's definitely possible.

[vball1]

Big night in the HOIC tonight with Tri Valley meeting Dee Mack at the Chief's gym. Eureka is traveling to Tremont as well. I can't pick a favorite between Tri Valley and Dee Mack but I'd give the Vikings a slight advantage over the Chiefs. Eureka is the favorite over Tremont but it isn't a given. Eureka will have to play well which can be a struggle at times. Passing remains an issue for the Hornets. I believe first, second and third place in the conference will be solidified after tonight's matches.

[vball1]

Hailey Flowers leads the state in kills for 2A with 261 and a kill percentage of 41.8%. The closest middle hitter to her numbers is Sami Moore from Hillsboro. That's impressive considering she's typically hitting from several positions and often in transition. What's not so impressive is that she's only got 35 blocks and is ranked 54th for 2A. You think I'm right when I say she's in the wrong position? Oh well. I'll be quiet for now. The club season starts soon. Playing middle in high school does show how versatile she is and that only helps in the recruitment process.

[gosoxgo]

Hailey Flowers leads the state in kills for 2A with 261 and a kill percentage of 41.8%. The closest middle hitter to her numbers is Sami Moore from Hillsboro. That's impressive considering she's typically hitting from several positions and often in transition. What's not so impressive is that she's only got 35 blocks and is ranked 54th for 2A. You think I'm right when I say she's in the wrong position? Oh well. I'll be quiet for now. The club season starts soon. Playing middle in high school does show how versatile she is and that only helps in the recruitment process.

What position do you think she should be playing?

[vball1]

I would like to see her play in the outside hitter spot for more than just serve receive.

[vball1]

Eureka beats Tremont in two and Dee Mack beat Tri Valley in two. So first should go to Eureka, second to Dee Mack and third to Tri Valley. None of those teams should lose their final matches this week.

[vball1]

In semi final play of the HOIC Tournament Dee Mack beat Tri Valley in two and Lexington upsets Eureka in three.

Lexington and Dee Mack meet Saturday for the championship.

Tri Valley and Eureka will play for the spoils of third.

My prediction:
1- Dee Mack
2- Lexington
3- Tri Valley
4- Eureka

[vball1]

Dee Mack beats Lexington in two and Eureka beats Tri Valley in two so the final standings for the HOIC Tournament are:

Dee Mack 1
Lexington 2
Eureka 3
Tri Valley 4

[vball1]

It looks like Eureka will be going into the post season with a new lineup. I think they have a chance to go pretty far with it. They ran a 5-1 tonight with Maddie McCunn setting and Courtney Heffren / Hailey Flowers opposite each other so there's always a consistent hitter in the front row. Hopefully this combination will be more successful against the stronger teams they'll face during sectionals.

[vball1]

Six HOIC volleyball teams win regional titles -- 1A: Blue Ridge, Flanagan-Cornell, Lexington; 2A: Dee-Mack, Eureka, Tri-Valley

[deejay]

DeeMack and Eureka could meet again next week in Sectional finals.

[vball1]

DeeMack and Eureka could meet again next week in Sectional finals.

They play tomorrow night for the Farmington sectional championship.

Eureka beat Dee Mack in three fairly tight sets during the regular season.

Dee Mack won the HOIC Tournament trophy (which is rumored to be cursed) by defeating Lexington who had upset Eureka so we'll see what happens.

Tri Valley is still in the hunt for 2A as well and Lexington is still playing in 1A.

[vball1]

Eureka downs Dee Mack in two tight sets. The HOIC Tournament trophy curse lives on.

Tri Valley falls to St Thomas Moore in three sets.

Lexington moves on as well.

That leaves Eureka and Lexington the only HOIC teams still alive and in the hunt for a state title.

[Adam Duvall]

Dee-Mack was the Class 2A third-place finisher when it won the 2013 HOI tournament.

[vball1]

Dee-Mack was the Class 2A third-place finisher when it won the 2013 HOI tournament.

It must be a weak curse then but if you look at it overall the tournament champs have not fared so well in the post season. That's not for a lack of great teams with good talent either. Who would have thought Tri Valley would have been knocked out as early as they were last year? Not me that's for sure. I was pretty certain they'd be at least into the final four.

[deejay]

Last remaining teams, Eureka and Lexington both lost tough 3 sets matches tonight. Great season for the HOI.

[vball1]

Last remaining teams, Eureka and Lexington both lost tough 3 sets matches tonight. Great season for the HOI.

Eureka had a great run. They stumbled in set two and just couldn't get back into a rhythm. Can't do that against a team like Quincy Notre Dame. They capitalized on the momentum swing and kept it going into set three.