Monday, October 12, 2009

Sickness and Southland Schizophrenia

All right, what in the world is going on? First off - everybody is sick. Raise your hand if you haven't had some form of the cooties over the last month? That's what I thought. What is up with that?

I thought I was getting better. I really did. Two shots - the location of which will not be revealed here, but let's just say - in a fleshy part of one's body - coupled with a five day Z-pac and a prescription cough medicine later says that I am still on the mend. I haven't missed a day on the mic in four years as our PA announcer, but I am tellin' ya that if we had played at home last Sunday one of you would've been doing the intros.

So, this entry is going to be short. It's just proof that I can still type.

The focus today is succinct: This conference is schizophrenic. Let's recap the first third of conference play shall we?

Sam Houston beats Lamar at a tourney, but then Lamar gets them back in Beaumont
UTSA loses to Sam Houston, but beats Lamar
UTSA also loses to UT-Arlington
Texas State loses to SHSU and Lamar

SFA has UCA on the ropes, can't finish the deal, can't win a five-set match if they were threatened with shots with long needles in the butt (oops!), then loses to Nicholls State. What the H-E-double hockey sticks?

Oh yeah, Nicholls - two weeks earlier had been blasted by Southeastern Louisiana...at home! For what it's worth Nicholls also swept McNeese - a team earlier in the year was looking pretty strong.

Got all that?

This conference is messed up.

With one exception. Central Arkansas continues to roll. Well, we'll see about that. Wednesday they are in San Marcos. That should be one to keep our eyes on.

But, what else? Is Sam Houston really this good? They've already got wins over Lamar, Texas State and UTSA. Let's not forget that they are doing this with a freshman setter in place of injured Kym Loving and without the services of their freshman recruit Kelli Stewart who was headed for a meaningful role on the club before her own injury.

Plain and simple: Anna Ferguson and Carli Kolbe are beasts. I still think they are underrated despite each getting a fair amount of attention this year (Ferguson is the reigning offensive SLC POTL and Kolbe won it the week before)

Finally, what about us? Well, you read the last post, right? Next SLC games: Home against UTSA, at Sam Houston (planning to be there), at Lamar (would LOVE to be there but can't, sorry Gibert) and then home against Texas State. Of course, I need not say more. So, I won't. Time to rest.

Well...I will say this since the match finished while I was writing: Ashley Bailey with 10 rejections of Islanders' shots tonight. Yeah, she's good. Oh, and the winner of "my shoulder is most likely to fall off before the end of the year": Emma Ridley of TAMUCC. My goodness? Do they set anyone else?

Regular posts to resume soon. Some interviews with veterans, showcasing the Assistant Coaches and honoring Debbie Humphreys on her upcoming 5ooth career win are all coming up!