INFINITY BOYS AT FLORIDA FEST 2018
JACKSONVILLE
2/3/18-2/4/18
The Infinity Volleyball Academy Boys Program traveled to the sunshine state recently, to participate in the Florida Fest Boys Bid Tournament. Beginning Saturday February 3rd, and playing through Sunday, February 4th, four of the Infinity teams infiltrated Jacksonville, FL. There were ups and downs, good matches, and matches where we were forced to learn through some adversity. All in all, a good trip to showcase our teams to the best in the country. When all was said and done, our 18 Blue team placed 23rd out of 36 teams, 17 Blue placed 9th out of 24, 16 Blue took 18th our of 23, and 15 Blue was tied for 11th place out of 11 teams. The level of competition and experience these great young men experienced will serve them well as they head to Harrisburg in a few weeks for the Boys Northeastern Qualifier.
17 BLUE — 17 Blue kicked off Florida Fest with a defeat to Richmond Volleyball Club, but quickly recovered to win their next two matches vs CJVA and Toreros Coastal. On day 2, a tough 3 set loss to Academy pushed them into the silver bracket vs Vanguard. After an uncharacteristic first set in which they lose 25-8, they battled honorably, only to lose 25-23 in the second, ending their tournament in the silver bracket.
18 BLUE — Our 18 Blue team got off to a tough start, facing regional rival Warren Sixpack in the first match. Warren prevailed in two sets, 25-22, and 35-33 in an apparent street fight in the 2nd set. That seemed to set the boys on their heels a bit, as they closed out day 1 with losses to CUVC and Coastal. They got their legs back under them to start day 2, beating another regional rival EC Power in 2, and then exacting some revenge on Warren Sixpack, beating them in 2 to start the bronze bracket. They would eventually fall to Cinci Attack in the bronze bracket to end their tournament.
16 BLUE — While the results may not be what the 16 Blue players and staff were hoping for, the old cliche of “trust the process” holds true for this team. Playing with several players who are playing up an age group, and a new face to the team due to an injury, their willingness to battle and compete mean everything. They started out with losses to Richmond Volleyball Club and Ponce Pumas from Puerto Rico. To end the day, they took matches from Miami United and Academy in convincing fashion.
Day 2 saw them drop a tough 3 set match to another Richmond team, before finally bowing out of the tournament with a 3 set loss to A5 from Atlanta. Tough competition, but great growth for this resilient group as they prep for Harrisburg.
15 BLUE — 15 Blue started out with some of the best the tournament had to offer with matches vs Vanguard and Warren Sixpack. Not the welcoming party they had hoped for from the Jacksonville tournament hosts. After losing those first 2 matches, they got off to a tough 1st set vs MVP Academy, before standing toe to toe with them in the 2nd set, eventually giving way to a score of 25-22. Day 2 saw them drop an early morning challenge match to BRYC, before a hard fought loss to LIVBC in the first round of the silver bracket. Again, maybe not the results they had hoped for, but this team is showing great progress, and the level of competition will serve them well heading in to the BANE Qualifier.