LOVB Championship + Week 15 Recap + Week 16 Predictions

Doc: Hey, welcome to the Major League Minute podcast. I'm Doc. I'm here with GNP. Today we're talking all things MLV. How you doing?

GMP: and maybe a little tiny bit of LOVB. Just a little tiny.

Doc: Oh really? Okay, just little tiny then. We'll talk a little love. Looks like the championships ended, but we'll get into that in a little bit. We're at episode 24, week 15 recap, week 16 preview. I did want to say if our audience, we did bump up our subscribers, but we didn't meet our goal this week. We were hoping to get 100 subscribers on YouTube. Looks like we fell a little show.

GMP: you

Doc: We're at 95 subscribers, so please, yeah. If you find this podcast entertaining and you're enjoying it, subscribe to us on YouTube and then follow us on Instagram and TikTok. We'd love to connect with you on those platforms. Should we start off with the volley update? I mean, you got caught celebrating.

GMP: That's okay. We're going to keep grinding. We're going keep on working. I did, I did. I was so excited. I was number one. It was short lived, but man, did I enjoy it while it lasted. I was a little bit bummed. I cannot believe that my roster this week, I don't want to name names, but it was my middle blockers.

Doc: You

GMP: very high scores and this specific week they did not come through for me and I was very much shocked. I, so anyway, I lived in a normal, what?

Doc: But early on in the week, you were number one, Early on in the week, you were number one. Because I seen that we put that on our Insta and TikTok that.

GMP: Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I was number one, but then the middles that I had didn't follow through and it brought me down. Yeah. Yeah. So still fun. I was living on that high for a little bit, but now...

Doc: Later in the week? The later matches in the week? Okay. I mean, that was your first time eclipsing the top spot. mean, you dethrone Tallahassee turtles.

GMP: Is that the name Tallahassee Turtles or it looks like you put a different name in here.

Doc: The Tallahassee turds. You've been Tallahassee turtled.

GMP: All fun and games. All fun and games, Tallahassee. We are just jealous of you, that's all. ⁓ Yeah, I dethroned him. I think his name's Kenny. But dethroned him for a hot minute. But now I'm back to sitting third in M-Volley. They took my place at second.

Doc: But he... Okay. It happens also we up our fantasy league participants to 54 teams are. Secondary goal or new goal is 58 so we're definitely in route to 58 with what two weeks to go.

GMP: Yep, two weeks ago. There's only 18 weeks and

Doc: So you must have gotten some clarity in terms of the fantasy league doesn't extend into the final four.

GMP: I was going to say, let me actually back up. are two weeks left. There's 18 weeks of the season, but fantasy with volley ends week 17. So May 3rd is the last day to participate in the fantasy league this season. Hey, it's been fun ride. I've enjoyed it a lot.

Doc: Okay, so if they still wanna play... Early if they still want to play they have to sign up before that last week if they want to be a part of the league

GMP: So our top scores of week 15, we have a new in the top three. ⁓

Doc: What do know? You say that every week.

GMP: I feel like I've been saying that lately. ⁓ third place was leka tour member Mena. She scored 83.6 this week. Second place Omaha supernova is Sarah Parsons. She scored 90.1. And the new name in the top three this week, which dominating performance in my opinion. First place from San Diego mojo Taylor San bothy at 98.5. yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, I actually I watched the interview with her after their their first match against Atlanta. And

Doc: Yeah, yeah. So.

GMP: I thought she spoke really well. I thought she definitely emphasized like the team aspect and the culture. So yeah, do you know off the top of your head, did you have any of those three on your team last week?

Doc: Yeah, I think I had Sarah and Taylor, but it didn't move the needle. I'm still sitting 15th. I've been sitting 15th since day one.

GMP: Hey, you'll get there someday. Someday. Might have to be next year.

Doc: I'm running out of time. It's either now or never. Right. I'm running out of time, but do you really want to talk about love finals? You got it on the roster here.

GMP: Yeah, I think I think it's worth noting talking about for a smidge. ⁓ It just was just a pure entertaining story. I mean, you couldn't have written it better. Love Austin needed to win the second match and they did and then so they forced a golden set to 15 right then and there after that five setter already and they won. They won the golden set and therefore the championship and it just again you could not have written a volleyball story any better than that. That's like what the fans love.

Doc: Mm-hmm.

GMP: to see at least maybe I shouldn't speak for everybody but certainly me I mean I want more and more volleyball and

Doc: you .

GMP: So I just thought that was really, really cool. ⁓ Madison Skinner's acceptance speech of the MVP award was seriously, it was moving for me. I actually got teary-eyed. My husband and I were watching it and he agreed, like that was one of the best acceptance speeches that we've ever seen from Madison. ⁓ And it just was very team centered and memorable. memories and like all the love and so it just was ⁓ a cool thing for me to see from her. I thought that was really special. ⁓ But yeah, the volleyball is she was she was not only back to back champion, but she was back to back MVP of the championship series. So she got this sick leather jacket. I thought

Doc: So Love won it last year as well too, right? Okay.

GMP: It was like this blue leather, ⁓ do you letterman, leatherman jacket. And they had like all the logos on it. I just thought it was really slick looking. And I was like, that's a, that's a really nice touch.

Doc: Mm-hmm. With all that being said, I'm not a huge fan of the golden set thing. I mean, I'm thinking if somebody wins match one, somebody wins match two, there should be a third match, not a six. Do you have any idea why they've chosen that format?

GMP: ⁓ I mean, I can make assumptions, timing, availability of gyms, the schedule. A lot of love players are national team members, including Eric Sullivan for team Austin is the national team coach. So. Getting the players the most rest that they can and before they head into the national season So I can make all those assumptions Maybe i'm right. Maybe i'm wrong, but I want to say that I also agree with you Although the golden set is like entertaining in the moment. I don't necessarily think that it's entirely fair because

Doc: Thank you. All right.

GMP: You see love Austin have all the momentum I mean they were thriving in that fifth set of the second match and that fed into this golden set and so do I think it's fair? Not really but do I think it is entertaining? Absolutely.

Doc: Right. In that scenario, I think I'm in favor of a golden match, not necessarily a golden set.

GMP: So when you say a golden match, it would just be a third match. Yeah, but it not like a, when you say, so golden set is like just one set to 15 and then you said golden match and I was like, oh, is. Okay.

Doc: A winner take all, a winner take all. A golden match is one match, regular match for all the marbles. I and I'm not buying what you're saying. ⁓ let's shut it down because we got to get to the national team. I mean, this is for all the marbles. We need a full match.

GMP: You're not buying what I'm saying? What's your idea then?

Doc: It's a best out of three, full three matches.

GMP: I know, what's your thoughts as to why they did it the way they did?

Doc: I have no idea, because it doesn't make sense to me.

GMP: Okay. Well.

Doc: Because if you're legitimately playing for all the marbles, I think it's only fair. It's only right to start that third match from zero zero.

GMP: Yeah, and you know this isn't what they did last season so maybe next season will look different again because they just are learning and they're making changes it seems like each season so ⁓ yeah maybe next year they'll hear they'll hear our input and maybe they will make changes ⁓ if we're loud enough. So ⁓

Doc: ⁓ Okay. Yeah, right.

GMP: Pretty good entertaining weekend of volleyball, that's for sure.

Doc: Yeah, definitely enjoyable. looks like it was on the USA network, which was easy to find on, you know, major network. wasn't, I was expecting ESPN or somebody to pick that match up, but did not. Do you want to tell our fans a little bit about you've been working on your celebration dance, your cellies at your dance practice?

GMP: Yeah. Okay, no, I have not been working on any cellies, but I know where you're going with this. I'm just I was thinking over the weekend watching a lot of volleyball. There is a very specific action that liberos take after they get a great day and that is the immediate hand clap. And it is just funny to me, like it's such a distinct action that that position alone does. So when they get a great dig, you will almost always see a libero from any team immediately start clapping like, come on, get it. That was a great dig. And just like encouraging like to get the kill or whatever. But I just thought that was funny. I saw it multiple times this weekend.

Doc: Right. Yes. That's how the liberos celebrate with a clap, a hand clap. They're giving their own applause. then, and this ball is up, you better go get it. I upped it, go get it. pronto. Yeah, yes. You're demanding without saying anything.

GMP: That's their mid rally, Selly. ⁓ Yes. It's like the clap is like a demand. Exactly. Hey, Doc, you never told everybody where you're at. How come we're not in studio together?

Doc: with ⁓ we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary down in Siesta Key, Florida. So that's why my forehead is beet red and...

GMP: 30 years, congratulations. 30 years is something special. Congratulations.

Doc: You betcha. So in light of that, we talked about love, you know, how they finished their season. We're doing a completely different format. The Final Four schedule, it's on what, Thursday and Saturday? I think I checked that out. We had made some promises to the audience that if the Supernovas make it, we're going to the Final Four, 100%.

GMP: That's why you got those red sheets. Yep, I'm in.

Doc: If the supernovas don't make it, we're a solid maybe. ⁓

GMP: or a coin flip. We'll leave it up to chance. But yeah, that's right. The semis will be May 7th and the finals will be May 9th, which I remind me, do you remember last year, I thought the finals were on Sunday, which was Mother's Day.

Doc: And that still holds true. I don't remember because didn't we leave Saturday or we left the day before the finals because we were one done.

GMP: Do you remember? Maybe I maybe it was Thursday and Saturday and we we left Friday. I think it was Friday Sunday.

Doc: I do too because we wanted to be home for Mother's Day. You're right.

GMP: Mother's Day and because ⁓ graduation of our ⁓ nephew and niece. So I'm happy to see that it's a Thursday, Saturday this year, just that selfishly, I just like that better. But we'll see how that pans out.

Doc: Okay. Right. Along those lines, I looked at the TV schedule. They are gonna be televised on ION. Any idea? Yeah.

GMP: I I don't think I have any experience with that or.

Doc: Have a good

GMP: I don't remember ever watching anything from there.

Doc: Okay, and along those lines, mean, while we're there, is there an opportunity for us to live stream and maybe like broadcast the match on our live stream?

GMP: from our. ⁓ That might require a lot of work and I'm not really sure if the quality would be good. I mean, I do have this new iPhone Bitcoin Orange 17 Pro, I don't know if like also legally I wonder if we could live stream that. I don't know.

Doc: ⁓ okay. Okay. Yeah, you're probably right. But we can definitely do a live podcast, a live stream podcast.

GMP: licensing. Yeah, we could do real time reactions during the play.

Doc: Yeah, that'd be great. ⁓ Can we get into this next segment here? So I've scoured over the social media some of the social media responses and questions and comments And I wanted to run some of them back with you to see what you thought On one on Instagram. I asked is there this was relating to our conversation with Mimi about passing I said is there a right and wrong way to pass question mark and some of their responses was Wisconsin approach to passing is only is the only way

GMP: Sounds like. Okay.

Doc: The right way to pass is, and then another one said the right way to pass is forward. The wrong way to pass is backwards. Beyond that, you choose a method you trust, you can replicate and believe in. Do you agree with those statements? Number one, Wisconsin's approach to passing is the only way.

GMP: ⁓ I think that's a very strong statement to say that it's the only way I probably would disagree if I had to go word by word. But the next comment I would very much agree with is like, as long as you're passing forward, a different method works. For example, me versus Mimi. Mimi loves using her hands. I hate using my hands. ⁓

Doc: Thanks, guys. Which is. You

GMP: is one way rider wrong. I don't think so. But as long as we both pass it forward to the target. That's my point is like, whatever the players most comfortable with whatever like they're physically able to do and succeed at. ⁓ I will say when she talked about Oregon strategy, I thought that was really interesting and odd.

Doc: Right.

GMP: if I dare say publicly, I thought that was weird. ⁓ Because Mimi talked about like, angling like towards the court or like, right, like her heels onto the sidelines. And I just thought, I just thought that was so ⁓ that was such a disadvantage if you are in, let's say you're in left back or zone five.

Doc: Okay. Yes. She called perpendicular, Mm-hmm.

GMP: and you have a server serving from zone one and they serve down the line, if you're already angled like towards the middle of the court and the ball is going to hit your high shoulder, I just thought that's such a disadvantage that you're putting yourself in. ⁓ Don't see how that would be consistently successful. So I thought

Doc: Yeah, you're setting yourself up for a Sankapotamus, right?

GMP: You set yourself up for what? Yes, that in my opinion, that's what you would be setting yourself up for. Yeah.

Doc: Aschenke Paternus. You know him? So in your defense, the next one was, one of the comments was hand versus platform passing. And the comment was, if you are confident with your hands, 10 out of 10. If you're confident with your hands, 10 out of 10 float, receive the float, sir, with your hands if you're confident with them. Top spin, 10 out of 10. Use the platform for top spin. Float, use your hands if you're confident with your hands.

GMP: I would also agree with that. I think that if you are confident with your hands, that is ultimately the best way to control the ball, right? You actually have like a firm grip on the ball and you can direct it. It's easier to direct a ball with your wrist and your fingers than a a flat platform. However, maybe I'm wrong on this, but I would consider a majority, a high majority of passers would prefer their platform.

Doc: Do agree? Okay. I agree.

GMP: ⁓ it's.

Doc: Obviously because you don't see a lot of them using their hands. Even on a float.

GMP: Yeah, I mean, I think that the higher you get in volleyball, the more force that a serve is going to have. ultimately, the goal is to basically like be right over the tape. so depending on where you line up, which majority of the time, let's let's say the 14 foot line, that's going to be in an awkward position to take at your head to use your hands. if in fact that serve is like a line drive dropper, you know? So I think just, if I dare say, ⁓ I think passing with your platform is ultimately more consistent and easier to control a majority of the serves. There are serves, there are serves definitely where hands would be easier, it would be more successful, it would be easier to ⁓ direct. ⁓

Doc: For you. Okay. Mm-hmm.

GMP: But we just don't, overall, it's not a habit or a technique I think a lot of us use.

Doc: So then what is the technique on a high floater with your platform? Off to the side, pick a side.

GMP: Yeah, I mean. who knows nowadays what there I feel like there are a lot of methods but I think the most important thing is to keep space between your arms and your body. If your arms are close to your body, you're not going to have the right angles and the balls most likely not going forward. So whether you want to take it on your side, that's fine as long as there's space and you have the right angle. ⁓

Doc: Okay.

GMP: But definitely a top spin serve is a platform. I mean, unless it's like a shank from the server, there's not really a shot that you're gonna use your hands for that. Going back to that comment you got us.

Doc: Yeah, I mean. Right. But those are a lot easier. mean, those are the top spin is unless it's a Natalie Foster serve, which unpredictable, but most top spins you can predict and just get in the way of the ball and it'll pop up.

GMP: Yeah, well, Natalie's remember is kind of a hybrid most of the time. It's has its own little stank on it. But yeah, I've always said top spin serves are almost always easier to pass than a float serve. Just because you can. Well, it just doesn't move as much as a float should. Right? if you do a float correct, it could go anywhere.

Doc: Right. Almost always baby food. Right. And when it does move, it's predictable. Yeah. Right.

GMP: With a top spin you pretty much can see the path that it's going to take from the moment it hits the server's hand.

Doc: And when you take it with your hands, I feel like you can even chuckball a little bit, redirect. You know, it can stick a little bit and they don't call that anymore. I don't know if that's at every level.

GMP: Well, on first contact, you kind of have like that, that gray area to kind of do something like you just described. So they're not gonna call that on the first contact. Now, if you do that on the second or even the third, ⁓ they're gonna call it.

Doc: Right. Right. they still don't call it, even when the center chucks it, redirects like a BMAC.

GMP: like over the net on two.

Doc: No, on your side.

GMP: when ⁓ yeah, if I said or like basically doubles on the same side. Yeah, that that's no longer a thing. Which kind of like, irks me because you're taking away from the game. Like that's what the game requires you to play clean. And so that ruling just I don't think I'm in favor for because it's like, it's like back to like the classic donut analogy that we had like now you're just like

Doc: Yes. Yep. Right. Right. Mm-hmm.

GMP: you're adding filling or you're adding sprinkles and like, okay, sometimes yeah, this is better tasting. But in this situation, I'm like, I don't think we should reward people or incorrect play or incorrect technique, whatever you want to fill in the blank there with, but I don't love that rule.

Doc: Right. So from your perspective, you think the beach rules have it right.

GMP: ⁓ that's how I feel like that's a whole different conversation. That's a whole different game.

Doc: But it is so tight. I mean, you can't even have a spin on your set. You call me for my hands on the serve.

GMP: I'm... I know, but that's such a different game. It's...

Doc: And it's so, mean, that's only doubles. It's a lot harder. Sand.

GMP: I, it's a different conversation. don't know. I feel like it's different.

Doc: I agree. Let me give you this one. This is the last comment from one of the clips that I wanted to talk about. It was about how do you win a joust? And you said, ⁓ you have to be second. the comment was ⁓ be last, not second. Is that ⁓ two? Is that Is that the same thing?

GMP: Okay, it's simply that system. I feel like that's the same thing because in a joust there's two people. You never see four people or three people go up on a joust. It's two. So whoever is second is technically last. I think that was getting-

Doc: Right. That's what I didn't understand, why somebody would comment that. Is there another scenario?

GMP: Unless they were thinking like maybe one person touches, then the next person touches, and then the first person gets the chance to touch it again. Maybe then that person is correct in saying be last instead of second. I mean, you're not really going to see that often unless someone's like 6'6 plus and they're already like on the ground and they're still touching the ball maybe. But I appreciate that person's

Doc: You ⁓ Okay. out there. I got you.

GMP: Particularity, I think we're ultimately saying the same thing.

Doc: Right. That's what I was wondering if there was an actual scenario that you could imagine where that would support his position, but it sounds like it's not really. It's more of the same. Let's get into week 15 recap. ⁓ The Omaha Supernovas played Orlando on Thursday. You picked Omaha. I picked Orlando. I was wrong. Omaha swept.

GMP: Omaha sweeps. They they played beautifully. ⁓ I'm on cloud nine week because we'll get into the other match but they just they I feel like they're coming out of their shell. Like I feel like you know, obviously they they still have work to be done. And this season is not over yet. The playoffs still are not clinched by them. So

Doc: They did.

GMP: They still have to perform, but I'm just so happy to see like this freedom in them and just like the joy and the success that they're having now.

Doc: I would say they look like a completely different team in this match. I also made note of some type of record or some type of note that Thomas was the youngest coach in pro sport. What is it pro sports history in 90 years or something like that to win a professional match? Help me out with that.

GMP: they. Like 90s. Yeah, you're spot on. I'd have to look up, I'm pulling up the exact...

Doc: Verbiage.

GMP: became the youngest coach to win a US Pro Sports match in 90 plus years.

Doc: I mean that's hard to wrap your mind around. that surprising to you?

GMP: ⁓ surprising. Yes, because of the simple fact like, he wasn't the head coach, you know, a few weeks ago, and this change itself is surprising. But I know Thomas very well. And I'm not surprised that he a can handle this be enjoy it. It's like not something that's like, he's weighed down in stress and like

Doc: Right. Right. Right.

GMP: pressure. That's not Thomas. He's like, ⁓ my gosh, like this is the this is my dream. Like, let's ride. ⁓ and so in surprising in the fact or sorry, not surprising in the fact that, like Thomas can win he he is a winner. He knows how to succeed. So was really happy for him. Send him a text right away after this match just congratulating him because it was okay.

Doc: Right. Right. Mm-hmm.

GMP: The second and third set were a lot closer, but overall it just felt like an easier win. And it seemed like the team and him, they were having so much fun. And so just really was happy to see it.

Doc: Right. Do you know if Sydney Hilly hurt or is Brooke Moser taking the starting position in the last couple of

GMP: I think it's the simple fact of the connection with Brooke Moser right now is just a little bit more consistent and a little more successful.

Doc: Okay. Okay. And as we, we can talk a little bit about Orlando, but before we do that, I want to talk about is Thomas making a case for himself to become the supernovas next head coach for the next season? What does he have to do? I mean, is that on the table? Is this a, let's see how it goes. Is what does he need to do to lock in that?

GMP: I think that yes, he is, I guess making a how did you exactly phrase it like making a case for himself? ⁓

Doc: making a case for himself. He had to be one of the top candidate for the position next year.

GMP: Yeah, I think this is great for Thomas is let's say resume. I don't know what the future holds. ⁓ And maybe it's something. No, definitely. I mean, the fact remains that Thomas wants to be he wants to be a coach, right? There is probably a day when he doesn't want to be an assistant, he wants to be ahead. And so

Doc: Mm-hmm. But it can't hurt. His success can't hurt him.

GMP: Yes, this is helping him. This is giving him that experience. This is giving him, you know, that that little check on his resume for sure. But is it his time yet? Whether that's with the supernovas or with a different team, or maybe even up to Thomas, maybe that that that transfer from assistant to head is not necessarily what him and his family want at this moment in time. ⁓ But

Doc: Mm-hmm. Okay. Yeah.

GMP: Ultimately, I do think that this is only only beneficial for him. Definitely. Exactly. Exactly.

Doc: Yeah, winning never hurts your resume, bottom line. It only helps it. Now in that match, what's happening with Orlando? What's going on there? What are you seeing? What are you feeling?

GMP: Yeah, so. Hey! I just I just hate to say but I just feel like this was a really disappointing performance by Orlando, ⁓ which makes me happy as a supernovas fan but makes me sad for like an MLV fan. I just wonder if there's something deeper going on which who knows but ⁓ with Brittany being gone like all these weeks and now trying to come back and ⁓ you know, they also have different hires with I think it's the Zo I think Zoe with Orlando. ⁓ So I just and then now you see like, ⁓ they they're running like that to libero system. And so I just am like, there's something from from an outside perspective, it seems like there's something like eating away at their team.

Doc: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. All right.

GMP: and Amy Pauli is trying to figure it out and obviously overcome that. I just don't know if it's too little too late now. ⁓ That's just me. That is totally just my interpretation of the game. I'm like, man, is this egos? it plans for next season that are getting in the way? Or is it the doubt coming back?

Doc: To your point, obviously. Mm-hmm.

GMP: Well, Hannah automatics came back and she definitely was the the player that was carrying her team in this specific match. But I'm just like, is it doubt? Is it the pressure because of where they're standing? I mean, this week alone, we it was very telling, like who could handle the pressure and who could not. We need that log jam in, you places.

Doc: Right. Right. Right. Right.

GMP: I don't know. think San Diego is probably safe, but not fourth, fifth, sixth, maybe even that seventh spot. And these matches were absolutely crucial for so many of those teams. And we definitely saw who, who handled it and who didn't. So

Doc: Right. Right. Right. ⁓ and in golf, they call Saturday before the final day moving day. That's when guys really start to find their positions. I feel like this was moving week in the MLB and I was actually expecting a scrap between Omaha and Orlando fighting for that, you know, third, fourth position. And they didn't show up. Orlando didn't show up to the scrap. They didn't show up to the fighting. I have no reason. I have no understanding of why. I can't make any sense of it. Because from my perspective, their season was on the line in this match and Omaha was coming off, was it two sweeps where they had gotten at least two losses, the two losses in a row, they weren't coming off a high note. This was a great opportunity for them to show up to a fight and provide a knockout blow and they didn't even show up.

GMP: I mean, I don't think any of... Right. Yeah, and that's why that's why specifically I think there's something internally ⁓ probably eating away at them and you and I are not going to know. A lot of people aren't going to know. I feel like the only people who know what's going on and who can figure it out are the coaches and the players. So I guess we'll see what happens this week. ⁓

Doc: Yeah. Alright. You've been talking about this week after week, the number of miss serves and the miss, how the miss serves impact the outcome of the matches. This was another prime example of, think there was 12 for Omaha, 11 for Orlando in a sweep. Is that a lot? That's 23 total misses in three sets. That's like a set. That's a set of misses.

GMP: It's. Yeah. I think so, yeah. Well combined. Yeah. But I don't I don't know. I'm like trying to like chill out. I'm like, am I being over analytical here or what but ⁓ I actually like I was talking with AI and I was trying to compare like love versus MLV in the mis serving specifically. And it was really interesting how it broke it down.

Doc: Yes.

GMP: like it did say that love overall has the fewer miss serves, but it broke it down in strategy. So with love, it emphasized more positional focused. And so they're maybe not necessarily going 100 % they're more like aiming and targeting when in the MLV they're really like going for it and being like aggression is really more of their strategy. And I was like,

Doc: Mm-hmm. Yeah.

GMP: Okay, like, that's actually a nice way to put it. And if that is in fact, true, I'll take it, you know, I can't argue with going for it and being aggressive. But I think what I can argue is understanding when to be aggressive and when not to if my team is already at 10 miss serves. All right, now is not the time to go for the ace. Now is the time to at least

Doc: Right. Right.

GMP: put them in a bad position and us in a good position. If I go back and miss my serve 10 feet out of bounds or in the bottom of the tape, I'm not even giving my team a chance or the other team a chance to make the error instead. So I just like.

Doc: Right.

GMP: I'm trying to like calm myself down like Gina, it's okay. But I'm just like, so irritated by it this season. And I don't know. I don't know if I'm necessarily on board all the time 100 % aggression at the service line. I think I would rather err on the caution side of like, I'm going to get it in, but I'm not going to make it a lollipop.

Doc: Right. Right.

GMP: but I'm going to do my best to at least force them to make the error and not us. But.

Doc: For our younger audience, our younger volleyball players out there, and maybe our coaches, what can the players do? What are some things they need to do? Consider mindset, routines, positions, picking a spot on the court, mixing the depth. What are some things that they can do to help increase their effectiveness and decrease their service errors from your experience?

GMP: When it comes to serving, I think of two things. I think of routine. Routine is, I think, one of, if not the most important thing when it comes to serving. So when you go back and you do the same thing over and over and over, you're forcing yourself to have...

Doc: Okay. Like a free throw, right?

GMP: like a free throw, you have this muscle memory. If you go back and you do it for the millionth time, you're going to have confidence because you've done it a million times and you're going to be able to, you know, execute. On top of that, I think it's really important for coaches to force the players to experience that pressure in practices. If you don't, let's say penalize or if you don't You know, there's a lot of different ways you can add pressure to the service ⁓ serving in practice. If coaches never do that, a player is never going to be prepared for it. So I think routine and practicing under pressure are the two most important things when it specifically comes to serving.

Doc: Mm-hmm. What was your routine?

GMP: ⁓ it's been a while. I think I did four bounces because that was just by feel. That was a low bouncer. Yeah, just like doo doo doo doo. I'm two hand toss. Yeah.

Doc: Yeah, low ones. Weren't you a low bouncer? Yeah, two hand low bounce.

GMP: That's it. mean, take a deep breath. That's always highly encouraged before serving. Yeah, mine was pretty simple. wasn't like, I think of like Elizabeth Inna. She has to have her toes on the service line within the court before she even can touch the ball.

Doc: Mm-hmm. Yeah, receives it, yeah.

GMP: before she crosses that end line, she has to toss the ball in the air and then walk past that service line to catch it and then finishes out her routine. I'm not that elaborate. I'm not that, I'm not like that. Natalia Valentin Anderson also does something like that where she has to like be within the court before they toss her the ball and she catches it. ⁓ And then she's got like a bounce bounce spin, bounce bounce spin and then.

Doc: To simplify the approach. Yeah. Yep. Yeah. That the bottom line is routine. Routine number one and then practicing the serve under pressure.

GMP: She's got an interesting approach too, but yeah, no, me, I'm just boring. Yep.

Doc: That's awesome. And then also I did want to touch upon if your team is struggling, they're having a lot of service errors because the coaches on the sideline telling them one, five, what position to serve to. If they're struggling, just getting the serve in and you know, you're putting too much maybe pressure on them to hit a spot. there, do they just lay off? I mean, when do you just say, just get the thing in and let's at least initiate a point.

GMP: That's it. I think it depends on what level you're coaching. If we're talking professionally, I think it's not what's the word I'm looking for. If we're talking professionally. and you don't know how to serve under pressure to at least a position, I think you need to get some more time in the gym. But if you're talking more so to high school, maybe even college ⁓ or club, I think that's really on the coach to feed confidence to that player who's going back to the service line. So instead of saying like, five, I want you to serve five, get it in. I think it's more so important for that coach to be like, you got this. I want to see a strong serve, whatever you feel comfortable with. I want you to go for it and you got this. Like there's a totally different, ⁓ in approach.

Doc: Mm Yeah. And you're saying hit whatever hit to serve you feel comfortable with and hit whatever spot you feel comfortable with at that level.

GMP: Yeah, so I think like, it's more so on the coaches side of like, that's on them to help their servers get it in. At that level, I think professionally, again, if you can't tell a professional volleyball player where to serve, then that's a problem. ⁓ But I don't think that's an issue with us.

Doc: Right. In your mind and the MLV, what is a high error rate service rate indicative of? High service rate, what is that indicative of?

GMP: Like what does that mean if they have a high service rate?

Doc: Yes, yes, service error rate. Is that concentration? that?

GMP: I would first ask, I would first ask the coach and like the team is your strategy aggressive aggression? Like are you trying to go go for it right away? Because if aggression is in fact your strategy then

Doc: Could be a lot of things.

GMP: I guess you should be okay with miss serves. ⁓ But if your team is not going for aggression and they're still having a ton of miss serves, I think that that means that

Doc: Which we see a lot, which we see a lot.

GMP: I think it goes under I think it's then about pressure. I think it's more so about handling pressure. And I hate to say it, because it seems silly. But I think missing your serves is highly contagious. I don't know why it is that way. But I've felt it as a player like every season. Like there's a match when maybe

Doc: ⁓ that's a little-

GMP: two people in front of you miss their serve and then you go back and miss it and it's like, duh, like, I know I wasn't supposed to miss it. I thought I was gonna do well, like I felt confident. I don't know why it is that way, but I really, I am a believer in miss serves are contagious. And... ⁓

Doc: To piggyback on that, also I've noticed a lot of this in the MLV coming out of a timeout, a service error coming out of a timeout.

GMP: Yeah, which that's like a sin. You like you can't do that. That's like, that's like volleyball 101. You can't miss after a timeout or on match point. ⁓

Doc: Right. Those are the two. Those are the two no-nos. Okay.

GMP: Those are the two big no no. Yeah, so that's why it goes back to me just like, unfortunately, in that moment, I feel like they didn't ⁓ handle pressure, which I can't confidently say that that's every single miss serve. I do believe that you can go back there feeling confident going for it, but also controlled and you know, the ball moves differently. Some gyms that air moves differently. I know you're probably like what and that's the real thing.

Doc: Come on.

GMP: It does, does. Altitude makes a difference sometimes. I can't say all miss serves are because you can't handle pressure. I'm not saying that. But I do feel like a lot of miss serves, maybe not a majority, but a lot this season have been simply because they just couldn't get it in.

Doc: Right. Okay. Okay. Let's move on. On Friday night, Santimojo played Atlanta. This was another Atlanta was in the mix for the third or fourth spot expected them to show up and they were swept by San Diego. Pretty competitive sweeps nonetheless, but I expected a dogfight and didn't get it. Another disappointment from my perspective.

GMP: Yeah, I would agree and ⁓ I'm just, I don't know. I feel like Jackie Moore did really well, then Iko and Leah did overall, ⁓ but they didn't have like that second outside contributing. So whether it was Jenny Moser or Taylor Swift Smith or Pia, ⁓ I just feel like they that second outside position.

Doc: Mm-hmm.

GMP: wasn't necessarily contributing. And that alone could have been the game changer could have made this even more competitive sweep or forced a fourth or fifth or reverse the outcome. Atlanta is a team where I think that they do need all seven players to perform. I although they have Leah, they have Iko who are very dominant, I still think that they're a team that relies on

Doc: Right. Yeah.

GMP: the team aspect like they need all seven players and unfortunately I just don't think

Doc: Right, you're saying gone are the days where Leah could put the team on her back. They need all everybody.

GMP: Yeah. But for San Diego, ⁓ my my a table on she has been she's been doing super well. ⁓ I thought Shada had another great performance as libero. ⁓ Morgan Lewis got the start. So

Doc: Mm-hmm.

GMP: I'm not sure what was going on with Giovanna. The commentary just said that she wasn't available. ⁓ But I can't help and I think you agree like Morgan should be getting the starts, it seems like. ⁓ And now that she did get the start, now we know she can handle the start because I think in a previous week, I was like, maybe she's a player that's better off the bench. But now we see that she can start and perform well. So San Diego, this is

Doc: Mm-mm. Right

GMP: not a secret San Diego is a hot team right now. That's for sure.

Doc: They are, Right. ⁓ Jenny Mosser is her name. I think you called her Moser. I think it's Mosser. Is she a new hire? A new hire?

GMP: My bad. Yeah, she came from Italy.

Doc: Okay, that's she's the one that came from Italy. So that it looked like they tried her. It just wasn't just wasn't helping.

GMP: Yeah. Correct.

Doc: to your point. I think that was the first time I've seen her actually play in a match or has she had she been playing prior to that.

GMP: ⁓ I think she came in a little bit last week.

Doc: Okay. Let's move on to Indy vs. Grand Rapids. We both picked Indy and we both picked wrong. Luthus.

GMP: Sometimes these weeks we're together. I know this one was kind of bizarre. Grand Rapids won 2518 they lost the second 2520 and then they won 2523 2523. So they definitely battled it's not like Indy just laid down and just got whooped. They battled. I just wonder about this starting lineup like

Doc: Mm-hmm.

GMP: in this specific match then as we see like Indy playing Dallas later on it's a different story but after this match I just thought does Indy want the number one seed? ⁓ Did it affect like did those this

Doc: because of who they started, you're asking that because of who they started in the match? But they've been doing that all year.

GMP: Yeah. Yeah. ⁓ I don't know.

Doc: How was this different? I didn't see the match.

GMP: Like Mia didn't start So which that to me is a big that's a big change that's like Well, I don't want to call it a red flag I just thought Okay, that's that's interesting But it's like it could have been for several reasons, right? It could have been like Let's rest Mia. It could have been like Let's give

Doc: ⁓ okay. Yeah, that's a red flag, Question mark. Yeah.

GMP: How do you say her name? The other setter

Doc: Is that Pac or Pac?

GMP: No, bro, that's Columbus Fury.

Doc: Wrong team? I don't know.

GMP: She's also a Pacific Islander, just like Mia. ⁓ Anyway.

Doc: Okay. Okay. So what did me end up coming in or not?

GMP: ⁓ Mia did come in and sets two and three. ⁓ but it was, it was short lived. So anyway, I just am like, there could have been a lot of different reasons. thought, do they not want the number one seed? And that's no disrespect towards the players who did start. ⁓ but I just thought did that different lineup kind of affect their mindset going into this match?

Doc: Okay. Okay. Okay.

GMP: Did this lineup expose any weaknesses? It was just a lot of different thoughts, but at the end of the day, everyone on Indy is really good and can perform and ⁓ who's this? This could have just been a one off, but also credit to Grand Rapids. They they fought for this win.

Doc: Okay. And you mentioned ⁓ Elizabeth, you mentioned Elizabeth Anna and who else played good? Carly?

GMP: Carly Snyder and Al Hassan. So I'm actually, I've been really impressed with Al Hassan because she's been injured for like, feels like a majority of the season and she's just hopped right back in like she's never left.

Doc: Yeah. Yeah, I was I was. Right. Were you surprised they came out with the win and played so well without PBR? I mean, as one of the top, she wasn't one of the top scorers. mean.

GMP: No, I think PBR did kind of struggle a little bit in this match. ⁓ She only had nine, nine points. Nine kills, she 129. So it does kind of surprise me. Yes. ⁓ But they when you have a strong middle, and you have a strong opposite. You could probably get away occasionally ⁓ with maybe an outside

Doc: And they're kind of surging right now.

GMP: What's that?

Doc: They could sneak up and grab that four spot. Legit. Yes.

GMP: Grand Rapids.

Doc: You'll see in the standards when we get to the standards. I'm just saying keep one eye on them as we get down to these last two weeks. OK, let's move on to Columbus and Dallas. Yeah.

GMP: There it ⁓ I know. I know. I know. But I was just saying they ain't doing it because that means that they would take us out. Like that ain't gonna happen. But yeah, so the next match.

Doc: Well, maybe, yeah. Keep your eye on them, I'm just saying. Just keep one eye on them. Columbus versus Dallas, we both picked Dallas. Dallas swept Columbus. You said it was pretty competitive.

GMP: I said it, only two sets. It was 20, 26, 24, 25, 15, and then 25, 23. So two of those three sets were won by two points. Columbus just seemed like.

Doc: Yeah. Have you ever been in a position like this where the Columbus is in right now where they really have nothing to play for in terms of postseason aspirations? How does that impact them? Have you ever been in a position like that where your team's not really relevant towards the end of the season as it relates to postseason aspirations? I mean, what's the motivation?

GMP: Sorry, what was your question? Hmm.

Doc: other than spoiler.

GMP: I feel like I'm gonna sound like I'm flexing here, but I don't know if I've ever been in a situation like this.

Doc: Okay. But anyway, while you're thinking about that...

GMP: I'm trying to listen. Okay.

Doc: While you're thinking about that, were 26 miss serves in a three set match. 26.

GMP: Dude, I am just that is that is so sickening. I do think that Dallas is leading the league this year in miss serves. I think that Sophia and Mimi are the highest serving errors in the league. I was kind of exploring that on AI a week or maybe two weeks ago. And I think Dallas does lead in service errors.

Doc: ⁓ really, as a teen? Mmm. Okay. but you also did mention that you were pretty.

GMP: And they have a lot of aggressive serves like that's where I'm like, okay, I get it. But they have a lot of aggressive servers. So it makes sense. But man, again, it just some point you got to play it safe. ⁓

Doc: right. You were pretty impressed with Carter Booth making her, was this her debut in the MLB?

GMP: Yep, yep. She made an entrance and she she did really well. And I was just kind of like, ⁓ another short word. It was good. Like I think that she ⁓ maybe don't quote me on this. But I think she ended the match on a slide kill. I think. So yeah, I think that she is gonna be an impact maker.

Doc: How was her connection with Naughty? Okay.

GMP: right away and she seems like an emotional player. So what I mean by that is like when she goes into the playoffs too, I think that's only going to fuel her even more. I know in this next match, she wasn't as competitive, but I feel like she's someone who's going to turn it on when the playoffs start.

Doc: Okay. Okay, so now in the middle position the polls have Booth, have ⁓ Caitlin Hoard, have Savage. Is there a fourth?

GMP: Yeah, I think it's Carson Bacon.

Doc: Okay, yeah. Who do you think is gonna get the nod as we down the home stretch here? I guess they'll probably alternate. mean, they're really not playing for a whole lot. So maybe they'll just give everybody an opportunity to kind of battle it out a little bit to see who's gonna get the starting nod in the final four.

GMP: Yep, that's that would be my guess. So, yeah, let's try and get through these.

Doc: Let's move on to Sunday's matches where Grand Rapids, ⁓ no, Grand Rapids played Columbus.

GMP: your favorite two teams battling it out.

Doc: For some reason you picked Columbus and I picked Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids 1 in 4.

GMP: Yeah, I thought Columbus would have some fuel playing at home and ⁓ I thought they would just wreck some things up, but that's okay. I'll take this one. I'll take the L on this one.

Doc: Right and this was the second win for Grand Rapids in on the week and like I said You got to keep one eye on them as we get into the home stretch here because they're climbing in the in the in the rankings You mentioned something about a doughnut hole versus a doughnut

GMP: I just, I don't know why. I don't know if it caught me just in a funny moment or what, but the commentator was like, yep, she tipped it right in the donut hole. And I just started laughing because I'm like, in volleyball, like we don't really call it the donut hole. It's just the donut. So when he added, I'm like laughing all over again. I don't know, when he just said the donut hole, it made me laugh.

Doc: Well, it when you hear so it works when you say donut, that's a position on the floor. But when you say donut hole, that means the ball actually hit the donut, the hole in the donut and hit the floor.

GMP: ⁓ If you want to roll with that, that's fine. But it just, I don't know why, it just makes me giggle. It just, it made me laugh. So that's all we can, that's all we need to say about that match. can move on.

Doc: I'll roll with it. I'll just keep rolling on like a donut.

GMP: Nice.

Doc: Omaha versus Atlanta, we both picked Omaha, Omaha sweeps. This was a second loss in a row for Atlanta. I think they're pretty much out of the competition for the final four. Do you agree with that?

GMP: Yeah, I do. This was

Doc: Are you surprised by that? Knowing their coaching staff, knowing their players, knowing their history of the franchise, knowing Leah Edmond?

GMP: I am. Yeah, all those things it is surprising I feel like just maybe even a week ago maybe like Definitely a different feeling but after this specific week, it's like ⁓ Man like just kind of a punch in the gut for them ⁓ They have Leah they you know, they have Kayla band worth as the coach. They have bird as the coach. It just It is very surprising However not to make this about me. At the very beginning, we can go back to episode, I don't know, three when we started diving into these teams, I predicted that I didn't think Atlanta was going to perform as well this year. And I didn't even predict them in the final four. So kind of had a feeling this would happen. Ultimately, I am still surprised that they are now seventh in the standings. But

Doc: All right.

GMP: ⁓ I had a feeling about.

Doc: pretty much mathematically eliminated.

GMP: What was that?

Doc: pretty much mathematically eliminated from the final four.

GMP: Correct. But to Omaha, ⁓ this was an extremely exciting match. ⁓ my goodness, I was jumping up and down, ⁓ just drooling. I was tearing up like tears of joy. It just was such a fun match to watch as a Supernova fan. like, I don't know about you, but I could like feel. the joy from the team and from Thomas and Blake and Ellen. Like I could feel that through the TV and it just, it made my heart so happy. The team hit 413. Merritt. ⁓

Doc: Right. Bye. More importantly, more importantly, did merit did the coaching change unlock merit Beeson? She looks like a different player. We knew she had it in her. What do you attribute the drastic change in her performance to? Does it have anything to do with the coaching, the culture? Do you see them? They're anything different?

GMP: I think at the end of the day, it comes down to her inner confidence. ⁓ Whether maybe that was sparked by the coaching change. Maybe it was sparked by team culture. Maybe, you know, she talks about Emily being a very, excuse me, a very helpful teammate for her. Maybe it was that relationship. Who knows what maybe kickstarted it, but I think ultimately it just came down to Merritt's playing with confidence. She's playing with joy. ⁓

Doc: Mm-hmm.

GMP: And so with any player that is able to, you know, knock off that pressure, knock off doubt or fear or coach or coach, whatever, whatever it may be. Once they get to play with joy and freedom, anyone, anyone who does that can perform out of their minds. I think like all all sports are like 70 % mental. And so

Doc: Mm-hmm. All right. Right.

GMP: Again, once you whatever gets you to unlock that freedom and joy, it could be different depending on each player. But I'm just happy to see merit is playing with which with so much joy. She's having fun. She's smiling. The team is, you know, right there encouraging her celebrating her. ⁓ So hopefully we can continue to see that. ⁓ But in this match, literally

Doc: Right.

GMP: everything was working for Omaha and literally everything was not working for Atlanta. I actually was like, I like just was like, man, I, this was a total domination. I think this was like the shortest match in like all three seasons. Because of how fast like Omaha dominated. ⁓

Doc: Yeah, it was 21, 11, and 14. 21, 11, and 14, which is, it's probably under an hour, hour and a half, I don't know. Quick match, but yeah. Okay.

GMP: It was definitely under an hour and half. I don't think an hour but close

Doc: you mentioned Kayla Banworth getting caught on camera talking to the team. What did you mean by that?

GMP: It was hilarious to me.

Doc: Was somebody mic'd up?

GMP: No, no one was mic'd up. But it was a very clear shot of straight on to Kayla talking with the girls. And she had some choice words to say. And it was hilarious. ⁓ Because then the commentator was like, Yeah, so as you can see, Kayla is to her team about defense.

Doc: You

GMP: And I would have to agree with her. Like the team really needs to step up their defense, something like that. And so it was just funny because everybody could lip read what Kayla was saying. ⁓

Doc: So that was his interpretation of what she was saying. What was your interpretation?

GMP: No, that's I could we everyone could lip read what she was saying. And it was about it was about defense, but she just had some choice words in there. Yeah, so it was funny, just I know it's not funny in the moment for them. And I hope, you know, bird or bow or Kayla listening like I, don't mean any disrespect, because I've been there like I get very emotional to ⁓

Doc: It was, can you? Okay. Hmm.

GMP: But hopefully when they look back now they can maybe just giggle a little bit.

Doc: What was fun, what was interesting was that I was caught on camera and sometimes you'll see those moments on camera and they'll go away if it was, you know, a little bit dicey conversation, but you're saying they kept the camera on.

GMP: They had that camera rolling because that was like the first thing she said and then she kept going and the camera did not move. So moving on.

Doc: Okay, let's move on. San Diego played Orlando. You picked Orlando and I picked San Diego and San Diego sweeps easy.

GMP: Yeah, I, I don't know why I picked Orlando. I, I don't know. Because it was at Orlando, I just figured, which I figured out that I've been incorrectly thinking all this season. I'm always like, ⁓ Orlando will play at home, you know, they have to fight for the playoffs. They'll have like the luck on their side, all those things. consistently throughout this entire MLB season. the teams have had more success on the road than they have at home. So I'm like, why have I not, like I realized that, but why have I not applied it to my prediction? anyway, San Diego, they, again, they're a hot team. San Bothy, really a difference maker again. Alicia Glash Childress is just really, ⁓

Doc: Mm-hmm. Right. Mm-hmm.

GMP: making an impact, really making a name for herself as a coach. I mean, look what she's done this year, like bringing the bottom team to the playoffs. ⁓ And it's just a really nice thing to see. And with.

Doc: Yes. Right. Didn't she also accept a coaching position for the national team? Did you read that?

GMP: Not for like the head national team, I think it's U 23. Maybe or maybe it you 21. But yeah, and I think that that's a great ad. I think she'll do really well there. Um, yes. So then with Orlando, we really only had like Natalie. I would 10 points an ace. But

Doc: Right. Right. So that's a resume builder. Awesome. Right.

GMP: just I don't think that they have a shot. Well, I don't know. Maybe they have a shot still.

Doc: No, I think they're on. No, I mean you can't get swept twice in one week and bounce back and just, ⁓ here we are. I mean that has to be mentally.

GMP: Yeah. But what if Orlando wins this week and Grand Rapids loses? And I don't know. I don't know. have to, I can't do the math in my head. I'd have to ask Chad.

Doc: Alright, let's move on to the next one. Dallas played Indy and this was this was my match of the week and the reason why is because Indy sold out their stadium is what they were advertising which was pretty impressive. Have you been there? I can't remember to the new stadium.

GMP: not to Indy No. But I think it was only I don't want to let me restart. It is impressive that they sold out. That's amazing. ⁓ I love the support and like the attention that that match in our league got. ⁓ But just to put in perspective, I believe they like sold out at only like it was in the 6000 range. ⁓ And so just to put in perspective, ⁓ no, I

Doc: Right. That's pretty impressive for them to- That's pretty good. Around the league, league wide, that's...

GMP: Dude, I'm saying that's exciting. I was just saying to put in perspective of the CHI, we sold out at 17,000 almost. And so maybe they need to look for a different gym next time a bigger one.

Doc: So what's your point? ⁓ that's your point right there, The gym couldn't hold them? They were too hot to handle, too cold to hold. But they did win. They did win.

GMP: Just that, exactly. They did win. ⁓ I think I picked Dallas. thought Dallas, I picked Dallas because I thought Indy is going to be the number one seed most likely. They don't want to like show all their weapons and you know, exert all this energy when they're, let's say, if they're in their minds, they're thinking they're going to meet Dallas in the finals. I was just

Doc: Mm-hmm. Right.

GMP: It was a lot of thought process there for maybe no reason at all, but I did pick Dallas and I lost. But any one in four.

Doc: Right. And post game interview Lydia did mention that they're preparing to meet Dallas in the championship game for the Final Four. So and they've.

GMP: Yeah, what did you what did you mean by that? Because you put that because they own them. Was that a linear comment? Or are you just adding that?

Doc: I think they know that was my interpretation of what of the previous four matches, the previous four times they play. think that I think it was four. indeed. So, I mean, they're obviously the two best teams in the league, and hopefully we'll get to see them.

GMP: Gotcha. Mm.

Doc: In the final four.

GMP: Hopefully we'll get to see them in the semis. So that means Omaha can play one of them in finals.

Doc: Right. Well, Omaha, I think, wants to play Indy. They match up well with Indy and they don't match up too bad with Dallas either.

GMP: Right. think Omaha plays at a higher level against the higher teams. I think that they struggle more so when they're playing teams beneath them, which is interesting. But all right, let's move on.

Doc: And they also play at a higher level away from home. Away from home they play at a higher level.

GMP: What? Yeah, that too. ⁓ We're kind of getting pushed for time here. So let's keep on rolling.

Doc: Okay. Rookie of the week.

GMP: I picked Brooke Mosier. Aww.

Doc: I picked Brooke Moser.

GMP: You copied me.

Doc: High-key impressive player you picked.

GMP: I picked I ended up picking merit Beeson. ⁓ In the first match last week, she had three blocks three aces nine kills. In the second match, she had two blocks and 14 kills. And the reason why I you know, maybe she beat someone out like Carly Snyder or I don't know who else ⁓ or is because of the position she was in. So like, not being a starter all season long.

Doc: Okay. Mm-hmm.

GMP: And then getting her, maybe it wasn't her, it was not her first start, but getting back in that starting position and then dominating and getting player of the match both times. I thought, okay, that's tip of the cap.

Doc: Mm-hmm. for her she's the hip I got Sarah Parsons for the Omaha Supernovas I feel like she's back in full strength there was a time there she started the season and then kind of didn't look real strong but I feel like she's really back now making a high impact for the Supernovas so let's go to low-key impressive player the lip you have

GMP: I am picking Taylor Sambothi from San Diego.

Doc: and I'm picking Merritt as my low key impressive player. How about a match of the week? I'm going with Dallas versus Indy for the Seoul one versus two matchup. I think it's good to see late season.

GMP: Okay. I'm going with Omaha versus Atlanta. That way.

Doc: In a sweep? How can you have a match in the week be a sweep?

GMP: dude, we are not going to get into this again. But that was so like, just ⁓ my gosh, no, it was like, why would you not want to see your favorite team like completely dominate? I in my opinion, it was that was no one was anticipating a blowout like that. So that's entertaining in itself of like

Doc: Non-competitive. I'm just saying it wasn't the match of the week though. Okay. Right.

GMP: whoa, this is not what I was anticipating. ⁓ And so it just was, it was fun. It was fun for me to watch. I loved that one.

Doc: Okay, let's go to the league standings after week three. There are basically three teams battling for the last two spots with two weeks to play. Indy sitting at 792, Dallas at 720. So that's one and two locked in pretty much locked in there. San Diego's third at .542, but they still have Dallas, Columbus, Grand Rapids and Indy to play. Omaha sitting at 500. They have only have two matches.

GMP: Yeah.

Doc: Columbus and Dallas, is that an advantage or disadvantage to only have two matches with one, with a week in between the two matches?

GMP: I think if they win, then it's an advantage because you have more rest time, which is something we did not have last year or really the year before. and so if they win, it's an advantage. If they lose, then it's like, it's tough to just sit there and toil your fingers until you figure out the results of the other teams.

Doc: Okay. And sitting in fifth right now is Grand Rapids at 440 with three matches to play including Atlanta, Orlando and Mojo, three winnable matches for them. That's why I'm saying keep one eye on them as we get down to the last two weeks.

GMP: You think Grand Rapids can beat San Diego?

Doc: I do.

GMP: ⁓ I don't. I San Diego's too hot right now. I think they got things figured out.

Doc: Yeah. But that'll be a huge match. That'll be a huge match. ⁓ Orlando, I think they're pretty much out of it in the sixth position. And I didn't see any fight out of them this week. So I think they're gonna be on the outside looking in.

GMP: in the building. I agree with that.

Doc: Okay. And then with... with Atlanta and Columbus bringing up the seventh and eighth spot. And they're pretty much on the outside looking in as well.

GMP: Yep. All right, let's look into ⁓ starting on Wednesday, this week, we have Atlanta versus Grand Rapids 6pm on scripts. I am going

Doc: Let's go to week 16 preview. Go ahead. You can lead this.

GMP: I'm going with Grand Rapids. What?

Doc: Hey cheater, you can't change your mind.

GMP: I, I, I first I was picking Atlanta because I think Leah Edmond doesn't accept losing. But then after all we were just talking, I'm just like, yeah, but they need all seven players. And I just, I don't know. So I switched it. Okay.

Doc: No. Mm-hmm. Alright. Grand rap is for me too.

GMP: Then we have on Thursday another match, is Indy versus Orlando. It's 6 PM on Roku. I, this is an easy one. Yeah. I like you, said it well. I just didn't see any fight in Orlando. seemed like so then Friday we have two matches. First we have Columbus versus Omaha. That's 7 PM YouTube or scripts. ⁓ I'm definitely rolling with the Omaha supernova.

Doc: Indie, Indie, No, no. Omaha, Omaha, yep.

GMP: Now, let me remind you, Columbus beat Omaha at home this year. So we gotta change that, but I'm not worried. Then we have Dallas versus San Diego, which is 9 p.m. on scripts and YouTube. And I'm going with San Diego.

Doc: No. I'm gonna go with Dallas even though Dallas doesn't have a whole lot to play for in terms of positioning, but San Diego really does

GMP: Yeah, and that's that is a part of the reason of my decision. I also can't help but think of the San Diego flu and how it's really hard to win there and San Diego beat Dallas at home. Didn't they? Pretty sure it is like

Doc: Mm-hmm. San Diego beat Dallas. Yeah.

GMP: We'll have to go back and look, then Saturday, just one match and that's Orlando versus Grand Rapids, 6 p.m. on YouTube. I'm picking, shoot, I had Orlando here.

Doc: Here she goes. Here she goes. Watch her change. I'm going Grand Rapids. You can change to... Dude!

GMP: I'm going Grand Rapids. I don't know. Okay, all right, all right, all right. I'll keep it. I'll keep it with Orlando. Maybe maybe they'll have a little bit of fight left. Who knows? But we'll see. Then last closing out the weekend on Sunday, we'll have San Diego versus Columbus. 1pm on Vice. I'm picking San Diego.

Doc: same.

GMP: And then we have Indy versus Atlanta. 2 p.m. CBS Sports Network. I think I'm going Indy to no. The reason why I hesitate, so I'm like, is that right? Did I? Let me just check myself here really quick. Did I got that? Yeah, OK, it's correct. OK.

Doc: Andy. Indeed. Yep, you're good. Yep, you're good. And that will do it for this episode of the Major League Minute podcast. Thanks for joining us. If you haven't subscribed to our YouTube channel, subscribe on YouTube, follow us on Instagram and TikTok, and we'll see you next time on the Major League Minute.