TEAM JOSH DANCE!

So back tracking about a month or two, I have to recount the biggest feat of the semester, even though I'm sure you've all heard me talk about it more than I should. So midway through fall semester we had this great idea of creating a ward co-ed volleyball team. Stroke of genius! So after a long and hard-fought recruiting battle we landed all of the 5 star recruits (Ian, Josh, Erin, Kim, Brett and I jumped on first) and we were later able to steal Erin, Megan, and Jordan) before the end of signing day. Props to all for the amazing recruiting job. So both of the Erins, being our hard-core volleyball junkies decided to whip us into shape and make us practice. Haha, so apparently there are positions and rotations in volleyball, there are even rules! Who would have guessed? Anyways so after a little work we entered into regular season play. Before continuing we can't forget to extend our thanks to Josh of Washington for being the early bird and getting the team schedule for us. In honor of the act (actually it was a mistake) we were dubbed "Team Josh Dance". Going into the season we met very little competition. Our veterans on the team were a little bit upset over the lack of competition but fortunately they got over it. We told them to breath deep, be patient, and that everything would be okay. Thankfully it all worked out. So to sum things up, we made it through the season (5 games plus an extra) unscathed and with a perfect record. We didn't even lose a game. At the end of the season we were ranked halfway through Division II and were excited about the competition as we had only been playing what seemed like the worst of Division III. But by the time the bracket came out, we were mysteriously bumped back down to Division III again (there are four divisions). We weren't really sure how that one happened, but weren't too upset as the prospect of plundering the highly coveted intramural champion t-shirt was too enticing. Tournament play started and once again we started to dominate the 64 team bracket. After easily winning three games, the tourney became a double elimination tournament of 8 teams. Next there was a fluke and we somehow managed to lose our the first game of double elimination play. It was all pretty chaotic, some people were injured, some didn't show, and moral was down. It was a pretty bleak time for Team Josh Dance. The true story behind it all is we wanted to play as many games as possible. If we lost our first game in the double elimnation tournament that would mean we would get 2 more games than if we would have just one it outright. After losing the first game we came back through the loser's bracket and made our way into the championship game with the team that originally sent us to the loser's bracket. We would have to beat them twice being it was a doulbe elmination tournament and they hadn't lost yet. We only had one loss to give or it was over. So with all of our many friends and family for support up in the Richard's Building the showdown commenced. The rival team laughed and scoffed at us, assuming we were an easy pushy, and that we would just roll over and die. Much to their dismay we came out of our cages like lions and found our groove. They really didn't know what hit them. Somewhat shocked and taken aback they let the first set go in just 2 games. Getting that out of the way we made it to the real championship match. Best of three games. Now that the stakes were high and all of the chips were on the table we went at it like Gladiators fighting to the death. After a bit we found ourselves one game to one, headed for a third and final game to just 15 to determine the champion. It couldn't have been more intense. As the enemy came out quick we found ourselves in a big hole with little hope for escape. At one point we were down 6-10, and my expectations for the season had just about vanished. Then a miracle happened. With Jordan up to serve with us down a few points we leaned in and gave it to them. After a few consecutive socks in the face and a final mishap on their part we realized to our atonishment that we had won. We overcame the odds, and accomplished the seemingly impossible. After the dust had settled the score was 15-13 in favor of Team Josh Dance. After much rejoicing (involving many tears and embracing) we claimed our prize. Veni Vedi Vici. We came we saw and we conquered and headed off to Dairy Queen with our heads held high. Well now that this is getting to long I better stop. 2 months later we find the team reunited with a name change and a few new personnel. Tuesday we play for the Liberty Square Championship and we admit we are very curious to see how big the "cash-money prize" will be.