Coaches like state tourney getting back to normal

One year ago, girls volleyball coaches were not exactly thrilled when regional and sectionals titles were decided in one day.

The IHSA decided to play regional and sectional semifinals and championships on consecutive Saturdays to cut down on travel costs.

But when this fall's state tourney begins in less than three weeks, things will be back to normal for a trip to Normal (home of the state finals at Illinois State's Redbird Arena).

Regional and sectional semifinals will be played on one date and championships later in the week.

Conant coach Peggy Scholten won a regional title when her No. 6-seeded Cougars defeated No. 12 Hoffman Estates (semifinal) and No. 3 Hersey (championship) on the same day last fall.

But even the Hall of Fame coach with more than 500 wins agreed it was not a good format.

Not only does she want to go back to separate days, she would like to eliminate Saturday as the championship day for regionals.

"I really wish the IHSA would go back to the Monday (play-in match), Tuesday (two semifinal matches) and Thursday (finals)," she said. "Playing on Saturday night is uncommon to the whole season and it competes with soccer and football playoffs."

Scholten feels there would definitely be better fan support.

"The gyms would also be filled with more people interested in seeing some top notch volleyball," added Scholten, a 32-year coaching veteran whose Cougars are currently in first place in the Mid-Suburban West.

We would definitely have better fan support and the gyms would also be filled with more people interested in seeing some great volleyball.

Schaumburg coach Jeanette Pancratz, who has the second longest tenure in the MSL West behind Scholten, agrees that playing just one match a day during the state tournament is the way to go.

"Since these are do-or-die games, a school may reach its greatest accomplishment in winning the first match of a regional or sectional," she said. "If the final match is played on the same evening the feelings of exhilaration, pride, and accomplishment are diminished for the team that loses in the finals."

"This affects the school community climate in the same manner. Why not allow for school pride and community involvement as much as possible? Positive energy creates a more positive attitude toward school and ownership by the students and the community."

Pancratz, who served on the round table discussion regarding the issue last fall at the state tourney, also believes in the idea of giving the winning teams more time to prepare for their next match.

"Not only from a tactical perspective but also mentally, emotionally, and physically," she said. "One match in the semifinals could be close, an upset, etc. and the other match could bare less physical, emotional, and mental fatigue. That can provide an unfair advantage."

In last year's one-year experiment, the IHSA placed the higher seeded team in the first semifinal.

"Which is better - playing the first match of semis and receiving a rest before the finals or playing the second match of semis and carrying the winning momentum into the championship?"Pancratz said. "It probably depends on the character of the team but who's to say? Obviously, by the seeding, the IHSA believed having the rest after was an advantage because the higher seed received it. Didn't many higher seeds lose in the finals at regionals and sectionals?"

That was the case at many sectionals.

Pancratz also mentioned the factor of injuries.

"A key player may receive a minor injury which could be treated in a day but now she was unable to play in perhaps the biggest game of her career," she said.

Barrington coach Chris Bronke, who guided the Fillies to second place, in the Class AA tourney in 2004, is in total agreement with the IHSA's decision to return to a multi-night format.

"Obviously, that is easy for me to say as we never really have to travel far, but overall it is to the benefit of the teams, coaches and players," he said. "This 'traditional' format really allows for teams to prepare one match at a time, which is how it should be.

"A single-elimination postseason, by definition, should force teams to put 100 percent of their focus on the upcoming match, not two upcoming matches."

Bronke said coaches can implement more complete game plans.

He also said playing on two days provide teams the chance to enjoy the ride a bit more.

"Having had the blessing of being at state a few times (always in the "traditional" one-match a night format), I can say that part of what made it so much fun is that with each win you get, the following days' practices become more intense and focused and passionate," he said. "The energy that was in a practice in between a regional semi and a regional final or a sectional semi and a sectional final was unmatched.

"That is something no player or coach should ever be denied as those are the feelings and memories that will really stay with the players long after all the wins and losses are gone. So, I am very happy it is back to 'normal' and hope that the IHSA will keep it that way."

Seeding meetings for this year's state tourney were held Wednesday night.

The coaches probably left a little happier knowing they wouldn't be preparing their teams to play twice on the same day for postseason action.

"It's better for the promotion of the sport," Pancratz said. "More days creates more news and the contagious excitement that goes along with it. Again, I believe kids need something positive to be a part of and the more it is promoted and recognized the more the feeling of being connected to something worthwhile generates positive outcomes and attitudes."