The intramural volleyball and waterball seasons are relatively short, as next week will be the final week of the regular season for both sports. Most preseason favorites have established themselves as front runners in their respective leagues, leaving their competition gasping for air at the bottom of the pool… er …standings.
Women’s Champ Volleyball
The club teams have taken over the top three spots, though placements likely will have changed after last night’s games.
Ko Jo Kai and Sigma Theta Chi own identical 3-0 records, while GATA is close behind at 2-0. GATA played the Siggies last night, so one team will have fallen at least one spot in the standings.
The Kojies play the Siggies in each team’s last regular-season game Thursday at 9 p.m. in what could very well be a battle for first place overall. The match will be dubbed the Oversized T-shirt and Nike Athletic Shorts Bowl.
Men’s Champ Volleyball
Not much has changed in the standings. Gamma Sigma Phi and She Set Yes were tied at the top at 3-0 after Monday night, although She Set Yes played Hakuna Matata in the battle of the Terribly Named Teams on Tuesday.
GSP and She Set Yes are mid-season favorites to clash in the final. This would be a rematch of last year’s championship game, when She Set Yes was known as the Kaneko Brothers. Trojans, currently in third at 2-1, hope to have something to say about that after they came within a point of defeating She Set Yes before the defending champions rallied for five straight points to win the third set.
GSP plays Galaxy Thursday at 8 p.m. with hopes of moving to 4-0 and setting up a first-place showdown with She Set Yes next week.
Hunter Haley credits Will Mack for GSP’s hot start to the season.
“He’s been the most valuable asset to our team this season,” Haley said. “His motivational speeches and good looks guarantee our team a victory each week.”
Sub T-16 and Galaxy played in one of the most eventful games of the week, as Sub T’s first set win came by a score of 37-35. The set lasted longer than a typical Sub T Sing Song practice. The Subbers ended up winning two sets to one, and Mason Smith’s creative collection of one-handed passes almost caused the ladies in attendance to drop their pumpkin spice lattes as they watched in awe.
The men of Galaxy, on the other hand, are simply looking to keep their heads above water. Volleyball has never been Galaxy’s strong suit. The club prefers bathing suits and a good game of waterball.
Men’s Waterball
Excellent segue.
Galaxy’s title defense in waterball is on track, as the Moonies won their first match in impressive 32-6 fashion over GSP-2. They don’t play at all this week, but play back-to-back nights next week against Frater Sodalis and GSP.
GSP’s top team isn’t rolling over, though, and currently sits atop the standings at 2-0 after lopsided victories over Trojans and Sub T.
I watched most of the GSP/Sub T game and realized I still have no idea how waterball is meant to be played. Maybe it’s because Sub T is awful at waterball. Or possibly because the caps the players wear make me think of Princess Leia. Either way, I’ll have to catch another game to fully grasp the concept. GSP and Galaxy play Tuesday at 8 p.m. in what will likely be a showdown for first place and a great opportunity for me to learn the game.
GSP’s Haley tried to fill me in on some of the finer points of the sport.
“The most difficult thing about waterball is that it requires a mix between having a great personality and choosing the right length of swim suit that provides just enough thigh exposure,” Haley said.
Women’s Waterball
Alpha Kai holds the early season lead at 2-0, but GATA, at 1-0, remains the favorite to continue its streak of dominance. GATA played the 0-1 Siggies last night, and will face off against Alpha Kai Tuesday.
Emily Sears, GATA intramural director and my biggest critic, isn’t letting her team get too far ahead of itself.
“We fully intend to take the four-peat,” Sears said. “But we are smart enough not to underestimate anyone. We know there’s a target on our backs.”
Sears offered praise for her team, something she’s never seemed to have for my intramural articles.
“Our rovers are unstoppable,” Sears said. “Our shallow end could end lives (while still not getting called for neck) and our deep even scares me.”
She, like Haley, tried to help me understand the most difficult aspect of playing waterball.
“(The most difficult part is) keeping it from taking over your life,” Sears said. “The amount of time I’ve spent thinking about waterball even rivals the number of jokes that fall flat in your articles.”
None taken, Miss Sears. None taken.
