NVASeasonUtah Stingers Full May Event Recap

Game 2, Las Vegas Ramblers V.S Utah Stingers

Set 1

Set 1 started off with both Ramblers and Stingers trading blows, first with a huge kill by Brandon Rattray, followed by a massive bounce by Storm Fa’agata-Tufuga. The Ramblers took a nice lead of 8-5 going into the technical timeout. The Ramblers then started to roll with momentum with kills from Kevin Lopez, aces from Ryan Mather and Brandon Rattray, and a block from Ryan Mather, which gave the Ramblers a nice 17-8 lead forcing the Stingers to use a timeout. The Stingers then started to chip away with kills by Jorge Mencia, Storm Fa’agata-Tufuga, and a block from Leo Durkin, coupled with some Rambler errors allowing the Stingers to force a Rambler timeout at 20-17 with the Ramblers leading. Kills by Tanner Maxwell and Brandon Rattray allowed the Ramblers to separate, score 22-17. Kills by Storm Fa’agata-Tufuga and Jorge Mencia closed the lead a little more, but it was not enough as the Ramblers won 25-23.

Set 2

Set 2 started off with both teams making consistent errors until a massive block by U15 gave the Stingers a two point lead. A missed serve by Corey Metclaff and a kill by Kevin Lopez gave the Ramblers a 6-4 lead. The Ramblers were errorless as they slowly developed a four point lead by Ryan Mather, notching two kills, score 10-6. The Stingers continued to fight, with an ace from Alex Shmelev and a kill from Storm Fa’gata-Tufuga, they were able to bring the score within one until Tanner Maxwell went on a five point service run, the score was now 15-10. The Ramblers maintained their point spread throughout the rest of the match, the closest the Stingers ever got was within two points at 18-20, but committed multiple errors. Final score 25-19.

Set 3

The Stingers came out of set 3 on a mission to collect a win. The game was tied early on but a missed serve from Ryan Mather, a block from Alex Shmelev, and an ace from Storm Fa’agata-Tufuga gave the Stingers a nice three point lead going into the technical timeout, score 8-5. The Stingers then continued to roll on after the timeout with multiple kills from Storm Fa’agata-Tufuga, and a lot of missed serves from the Ramblers, the Stingers were able to snag a huge 21-13 lead. The Ramblers then went on to miss four consecutive serves and basically handed over the win to the Stingers.

Set 4

The Stingers kept their momentum going into set 4, with two blocks by Paul Clark and multiple missed serves by the Ramblers, the Stingers grabbed   an early 6-1 lead. The Stingers maintain a solid lead going into mid-match that gets as big as 14-7, thanks to some blocks by Alex Shmelev and multiple kills from Storm Fa’agata-Tufuga. The Ramblers then begin a long fight back and bring the score to 19-17, this is due to kills from Brandon Rattray and three missed serves from the Stingers. The Stingers then started cleaning up their play after a timeout, and a kill and an ace from U15 sealed the deal. 24-19

Set 5

Set 5 started off being completely even, with both teams consistently exchanging sideouts until a huge block from Antwain Aguillard gave the Ramblers the momentum going into the side switch with a lead of 8-7. Once again both teams hammered away offensively with Storm Fa’agata-Tufuga notching two kills and Sean Dennis getting a kill and a block, but Brandon Rattray was the hero of the night, with two aces at the end of the match to win the game. Final Score 15-13

 

Game 5: Utah Stingers v.s Team Freedom

Set 1

To start the match, the Utah Stingers came out to a decisive lead of 7-0, with kills from Jorge Mencia, Cory Metcalf, and Storm Fa’agata-Tufuga. A kill from Christopher Nugent finally stopped the bleeding. Still, the damage was already deep enough that it seemed impossible for Team Freedom to make it back in the set. A late string of points was started with a block and ace by Joe Norman and intense defensive pressure at the net, bringing Team Freedom from being down 17-10 to 18-15. However, the Stingers came back harder with an ace from Alex Shmelev and a block by Fa’agata-Tufuga, which helped to end the set 25-18.

Set 2

Team Freedom came back strong with setter Matt Elias taking the reigns with a deep tip to the corner and a block on Fa’agata-Tufuga, gaining a lead of 8-4 at the technical timeout. Unfazed by being blocked, Fa’agata-Tufuga returned the favor by gaining four kills and two aces to bring the Stingers within one at 12-11. Team Freedom desperately tried to stay in the lead as the Stingers trailed by one until 19-18. With a kill by Nugent, an ace from Elias, and a kill by Matthew Seifert, Team Freedom finally pulled away to 22-18. The team effort allowed Freedom to coast to the end and win the set 25-22.

Set 3

Team Freedom got an early lead of 7-3 with a pair of blocks from middle blockers Seifert and Mikheil Hoyte. After a few Team Freedom hitting and serving errors and two consecutive kills by Mencia, the Stingers got back in the game at 10-10. The two teams were only two points apart for the rest of the set as Team Freedom’s errors continued to allow the Stingers in the game. The Stingers eventually pulled away as Fa’agata-Tufuga, Mencia, and Shmelev dominated at the net. At the same time, libero Chandler Baugh’s five digs secured the backcourt. Stingers take the set with a strong lead of 25-20.

Set 4

Team Freedom brought out the block party with two from Elias and one from Seifert, which squashed any Stingers’ energy from their last set win. A strong float from Seifert gave Josue Castillo a perfect overpass to kill the ball and put Team Freedom up 8-3 into the technical timeout. Freedom continued to go on a field day without any resistance from the Stinger’s side. Winning the set 25-15, Team Freedom developed the most significant point differentials of the entire weekend event against the top two teams of the American conference.

Set 5

Team Freedom continued to carry the energy of their last set with a kill from Nugent and another block from the big man Seifert. Stinger’s points came from Team Freedom errors as the Utah team struggled to stay together as a cohesive unit, not scoring a point of their own until they were already down seven points as Freedom led 12-5. The late kills by Mencia and Paul Clark weren’t enough to bring the team from the grave as Castillo and Norman’s kills put the nail in the coffin to give Team Freedom the set at 15-6 and the match at 3-2.

 

Game 3: Orange County Stunners V.S Utah Stingers

Set 1

The OC Stunners look to go 3-0 on the weekend after going winless at Event 1 in San Bernardino. The Utah Stingers hope to bounce back from their two losses to the Ramblers and Team Freedom which both went to five sets. Nikola Dimitrijevic established his middles early, with Shayne Beamer scoring the first three points for the Stunners. Continuing the Middle sets, Nick West added some kills and a wild ace serve while Jair Santiago got into a good rhythm to keep the Stunners in front at 10-7. The Stingers responded well with high IQ plays from Jorge Mencia and good offensive distribution and defense from setter Leo Durkin. Although a tight battle, the Stunners finished the set strong with textbook triple blocks from Corey Chavers and high efficiency from Santiago.

Set 2

Bringing Storm Fa’agata-Tufuga back into the match, the Stingers found early success. An excellent scramble dig from Romero, one-hand set from Alex Shmelev to a kill by Storm that left the Stunners rattled. But as the Stingers began to develop a lead, Santiago started to unleash meteors down the line into libero Kai Dugquem who had no fear as each swing ricocheted off his body. A powerful back-row attack by Fa’agata-Tufuga plus a massive block by Romero on Chavers pushed the Stingers to a strong lead in the final leg of the set. Two consecutive floats serve aces by Hamilton Day secured the position for the Stingers as they won the set 25-21.

Set 3

Putting in a new lineup with setter Randy Ramirez, middle Nick Amado, and opposite Dillon Emery, the Stunners hoped to change the pace and correct for their loss in the last set. The Stingers middles Shmelev and Cory Metcalf showed their diverse skillset scoring a multitude of blocks and aces. Chavers and Romero began a battle of the pins in the latter part of the set as each tried to solidify their team’s lead, but both missed their service when it counted most. With an impressive commit block by Fa’agata-Tufuga on Nick West in the middle, the Stingers continued their domination and won the set 25-22.

Set 4

Once again, making a significant lineup change, the Stunners return Joey Jarvis, Beamer, Santiago, and Dimitrijevic to the court. The players try once again to establish their team chemistry. Romero continued to be the outlet for the Stingers. At the same time, Chavers began to soar above the block, making out-of-system plays look like perfect sets. After calling a timeout with a Stingers lead of 18-14, the Stunners backcourt came to life with Joey Jarvis and Josh Ayzenberg keeping the team alive, allowing them to return and take the lead 24-22. The Stingers feeling the pressure, called a timeout and was able to tie the game again at 24-24 before their unforced errors let the Stunners win the set 27-25

Set 5

The Stingers brought their a-game to start off the final set, with Romero starting off with an ace followed by Fa’agata-Tufuga hitting some fantastic shots over and through the Stunners sizeable blocks. As a characteristic of the Stunners so far in the event, Joey Jarvis is subbed for the youngest player Antonio Anguizola after Jarvis could not get any kills so far in the set. The substitution proved to be difficult, as the cold and unprepared Anguizola quickly made the serving target and aced off the court, with the Stingers leading 11-5. With Jarvis back on the court, Santiago on the service line, and West making clean transition kills, the Stunners made an astonishing return to get two points behind at 12-14. Just when it looked like the Stunners were about to pull off the impossible, Mencia swung a deep shot to the corner past the Stunners’ defense to end the game 15-13.