Blues Split Contests at Indianapolis By Paul Gomez, 10/14/16
Our tournament journey began on a wonderful Friday afternoon in September from the home of Kevin “Nacho” Heinrich. The planned departure from Memphis began with tension amongst the team as we awaited the late arrival of Eddie “Professor” Walsh. Little did the Blues team know that Eddie’s tardiness would haunt us for the entire weekend. With the Professor finally on board, our chariot was fully ready with the following victims: Nacho Heinrich, Professor Walsh, Kert “Duke” Johnson, Meghan ”Test Tube” Turnis, Caroline “Peanut” Kaufman, Paul "Whoot-Whoot” Gomez, Samir “Ghaz” El Mouchantaf, and Daane “Brohemoth” Smith. As the team traveled towards Nashville, the conversations amongst the team was most lively and varied from high taxes and water polo to knitting.
Arriving in Nashville, the Blues made a quick stop to pick up Carolyn "Interior Designer" Mescher and David "Moby" Whaley. After eating some pizza at Carolyn's house, we mounted back up and proceeded to Indy. Due to the frequent pee stops for Daane, our 10 PM arrival turned into a midnight rendezvous with Rick "Sweet Cheeks” Reinhard. Cheeks, who arrived at the hotel a few hours before the team, was kind enough to check in and obtain our rooms. After the team gave good night hugs and kisses to each other, we all settled in for a short night’s sleep.
Morning came way too early for the Blues, but no one passes up a free breakfast, especially Daane! So, with fully bellies and heavy eyelids, we departed for our first game. The Blues’ van arrived at the pool on time where we met the teammates Chris "Gilligan" Harris, Jacob "Dancer" McNeely, and brothers Ben "War Eagle" and Joe "Peach Fuzz" Addison. With a line of thunderstorms upon us, we took shelter in the locker rooms and awaited our first game. After the storms passed, the Blues warmed up and readied themselves for the first of four games.
Game 1: Blues vs. Kentucky Wildcats
The Blues took an early and commanding lead and never looked back! With multiple goals scored from the set position as well as a few outside scores, we easily defeated the Wildcats. Goalie Chris Harris had multiple stops and our smothering defense kept Kentucky to a low score. What would turn out to be a constant issue for the Blues, our man-up offense did not produce any goals.
Final score Blues (9) - Kentucky (6)
Game 2: Blues vs. Ohio Beasts
For the first few minutes the Blues kept the game close as neither team could score. However, the Beasts, which was mostly comprised of Ohio State players, made numerous steals and put in four quick goals before the end of the first quarter. As in our first game, our inability to score on man-up situations crippled our team as we went at least 0 for forever with the extra man. One positive indicator from this game is that our 3 rotating hole-sets drew multiple exclusions. The most exciting event of this game was Meghan Turnis's first goal with a perfectly placed lob shot over the goalie. As in the first game, Goalie "Gilligan" Harris had multiple stops and kept this game to a big loss instead of a massacre.
Final score: Blues (4) - Ohio (12)
Game 3: Blues vs. Illinois State Red Birds
In a game we should have won, the combination of passing mistakes, poor penalty shooting, and a few bad breaks on some calls led to us losing a close one. After the Red Birds took a quick lead, the Blues came roaring back to life. With multiple exclusions drawn and penalty shots called, we were able to keep the score close. Though we failed miserably on penalty shots, the amount of fouls against the Red Birds took their toll and we were finally able to score on some man-up situations. With time running out and fatigue setting in, the Blues came up short.
Final Score: Blues (7) - Illinois State (8)
Game 4: Blues vs. Indianapolis
This final game was a well-fought match between the only two masters teams in the tourney. With the sun’s intense rays causing some vision problems for the Blues, Indy was able to take the lead and hold onto it for the first three quarters. Each team that had the sun at their back was able to notch in a few goals, but the game was tight going into the fourth quarter. With multiple exclusions drawn by our hole sets and some big stops by our goalie, the Blues took the lead in the middle of the fourth and never looked back. In what would be our overall best game as a team against an evenly talented, but deeper benched team, the Blues ended the tournament with another win.
Final score: Blues (13) - Indy (11)
With the fun weekend ending and our sore muscles starting to scream for food and drink, the tourney hosts were kind enough to invite us out for dinner. At the restaurant the tall tales of each team’s water polo prowess ensued and we all agreed that the best teams were all seated at the same table. In what could have been a crazy night and with the prospect of a long drive the next morning, we ended the night well before the usual Blues’ hour. Departing early for Nashville and eventually Memphis, the team safely arrived home with a 2-2 virtual trophy.
Until our next tournament,
Lorem Venetae