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vb101
Advanced Member
808 Posts |
 Posted - 02/13/2010 : 1:13:56 PM
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The economy sure does dictate some different choices these days. Can't argue with that.
Just a few years ago, Vegas was probably less expensive than going to Dayton or that Early Bird thingee. Vegas wants customers and creates all types of deals in terms of flight packages and hotel rooms.
I have to agree that the Dayton tourney does have a good draw. So hard to get that hereabouts. The closer you get to the Chicago-Louisville pipeline the better the competition. I always balked at the drive, tho. That's a long trek for a 2 day tourney. 3 days and I'd have liked it a lot more. Too, the Dayton tourney's draw is probably stronger than most others in the States, save for what you find at a SPRI tourney. In SoCal, very few clubs are all-star programs... instead there are so many programs & so many quality kids that locale, politics, friendships and personal preferences make decisions. Hence, there are very few super-clubs and many just plain solid programs. Vegas is probably weaker in general than Dayton.
I always wanted my kids to have the opportunity to see a higher level of play than what they see regionally, getting away from the North East Atlantic coast was key.
The more we succeeded at that, the better we knew our kids would be. We wanted them to push themselves for more; get out of the big fish in a small pond ideology and see more than regionally. & doing that early we hoped allowed them to think that maybe with greater effort & desire they could do what their peers could do.
Another advantage/disadvantage to Vegas is that Vegas doesn't really have a huge convention center. Instead, a lot of local college and high school sites are used. I remember once playing in a high school gym (3 courts) and turning around and around and around & seeing one reknowned college coach after another. I recall once talking to Mike Hebert who told me the tale of discovering the then unknown Nicole Branaugh in one of those outlying gyms. A lot easier to do it there than at any huge convention center.
It seems college coaches use all their staff on this weekend. One coach may go to Dayton, but in general, there will be a coach from most institutions in Vegas, looking for that one or two nuggets... a three day tournament featuring only 18U and 17U greatly facilitates that.
Not to slam local tourneys any... we truly did love them. Their convenience and locale gave us greater confidence and many great memories. The Early Bird, Bay State, Cortland, various Albany tourneys, Penn State were fun and we'd find some good competition and good memories; but for our kids to develop into greater players they needed more than that. I wish I'd known what I know now. & gotten some of those good ol' cheapie flights.
Another new tourney, I'd recommend to anyone not making it to Nationals would be the Summer Soiree at Disneyland. What a cool volleyball vacation... hopefully if the economy stabilizes just a little bit, that may also come in as worth the price (due to deals and flights and such; like Vegas, Disney encourages customers through deals).
Always wished the AAU's @ Disney World weren't during finals. The more days they play the better. The Festival, while at Reno, became less than it was... wonder how it'll play out in Arizona (love those multiple days in a row). Miss when penn State and Columbus played 3 pools in 2 days... so much growth occurred; but I do understand how tired and sore and injury prone it made everyone. Just some thoughts.
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raider1
Senior Member
395 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2010 : 7:59:02 PM
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NFVB 17-1 swept Day 2 in DAyton, winning 4 straight playoff matches 2-0, including the Gold Medal Final win over prepvolleyball.com's preseason #1 ranked team in the nation: Team Z. That's a statement.
Great competition for all teams at Dayton and Columbus this weekend. Good job to all WNY competitors. |
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avbfan
New Member
39 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2010 : 06:27:57 AM
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| From a Parent/Player standpoint I prefer the 2 day tournament to the 3 day. At a 3 day tournamanet you have 400+ teams that stay that extra night away from home, show up at 8:00AM and then 1/2 of the teams are one and done. The obvious solution is to win so you get to keep playing but half the field only plays one match on the 3rd day. |
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vb101
Advanced Member
808 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2010 : 12:18:16 PM
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Congrats to the NF 17s! Sounds great on one hand, worries me from another. One of the funny things about these big early season tourneys is keeping the victors hungry. A friend of mine once told me that whoever won the Vegas tourney was likely to bow out quickly at Nationals. Who do they play hereabouts to get better? Luckily they're 17s, so perhaps there are some 18s that can push them to keep getting better.
I guess it really all depends on the 3 day tournament. A 2 day could provide only less than a one day in some cases. Some 3 day-ers, provide at least 2 matches on the last day. Really, all depends on the event. Played at a SPRI tourney a few years ago, where 2 on the last day were guaranteed. Kind of like that at the Festival, too. Basically, I agree, one match on the last day of an event just isn't cool.
Still, old school to an extent. I want to play or watch more play. Loved the days of 3 pools in 2 days, then playoffs.
Also, in a three day, the amount of time a team has to bond and get to know one another(becoming a team) greatly increases.
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Edited by - vb101 on 02/15/2010 1:26:29 PM |
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vb101
Advanced Member
808 Posts |
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Kingofthehill
Senior Member
253 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2010 : 10:13:14 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by avbfan
From a Parent/Player standpoint I prefer the 2 day tournament to the 3 day. At a 3 day tournamanet you have 400+ teams that stay that extra night away from home, show up at 8:00AM and then 1/2 of the teams are one and done. The obvious solution is to win so you get to keep playing but half the field only plays one match on the 3rd day.
Well, I can understand those thoughts. There is a PRO/CON list for 3 day tournaments. To speak to the other half---
-3 day tournaments give the kids more time to spend together as mentioned by vb101
-Wave play, common in most 3-dayers, can give kids/coaches/parents time to see the area or do other activities with the team or with the family when off.
-easier on the body, only playing one pool in one day with an opportunity to rest and reload for the final day.
-for some reason, can make a large tournament seem a little more worthwhile. If the city is nice, and there are things to do, being there for 2 VB packed days without seeing the light of day can be a downer.
Obviously the cost is less for 2 dayers because less hotel, less food, etc.
I personally enjoy the 3 dayers whenever they are possible.
By the way, Washington DC was certainly different. 65 courts and 450 teams, along with tons of vendors, a video game area (DDR, Guitar Hero, etc), and a blow up obstacle course punctuated the experience. Add to all of that walls of snow, lanes in roads completely snow covered and gone, parking hard to find, and prices extravagant. Our families really enjoyed it. The kids walked on the frozen reflection pool, and saw Lincoln and Jefferson...
A good 3 day tournament I thought... |
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Justadad
Junior Member
52 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 10:15:03 AM
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| Again, from a parent opinion.......Dayton provided great competition but unusual format. Regardless of your playoff bracket no team should be sitting around for 5 hours on a Sunday waiting to play their second match of the day. Unfortunately, play ran up to three hours behind later in the afternoon. Makes a big difference when you have 7-1/2 hours of driving ahead of you! Would almost rather play as three-day tournament. |
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Lancer
New Member
18 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 2:18:52 PM
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| Please foward any comments on the Dayton Presidents Cup tourney to the Dayton Juniors VBC. I'm sure they would like the feedback. |
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