Melbourne University Men

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David Martin's picture
Submitted by David Martin on September 1, 1997 - 11:35am

By James Burghardt.

    Prayer /pre-r/ noun 1. to ask that the laws of the
    universe be annulled on the behalf of a person who knows that he
    is totally unworthy.
      -courtesy R. Postuma Personal Dictionary

The Div II Mens' team has found truth in Ron's definition of prayer. Although countless hours have been wasted away discussing the "Is There a God" topic at the Clyde on Wednesdays following training, I can only hope that through the events defining our season everyone can at least keep his mind open. Obviously there is a Greater Power that can cause our State League team to shine and crush several teams 3-0, then again the Power has slapped us in the face by causing us to blow a 2-0 lead and ultimately lose 3-2. We also know that the Power has a sense of humour - just look at the Monash Uni Volleyball Club.

State League play has proven a @#$*load of ups and downs, but at the moment has still given us a record of 7-5. The middle of September finds us in third place (just barely) at Springvale, with a crucial game against fourth place Preston just prior to play- offs. No pressure at all - if we win, we remain in third and advance to the finals; if we just happen to lose, we could be ousted out of the top four all together because of percentage points.

The Men's Melbourne Uni Club has again entered teams in the (in)famous Kew competitions on Mondays: two teams in A Grade and athird in B grade. The season has wound down, with only the top four in each grade advancing into respective play-offs. The second Renegades team in Grade A (the "Maroons") is currently ranked second (we should be first but we've played two less games than the number one team) with a record of something like 16-2-2. That squad comprises the core of our State League team; with the other team (the "Reds") with more State Leaguers and many social competitors that frequent our Wednesday night practices.

Top Ten Highlights of the 1997 Season:

  1. Getting new 100% cotton uniforms.
  2. Derek going to America.
  3. Our passing.
  4. Universality of the Nelson "Ha-Ha".
  5. Picking on Div I people during our practice matches.
  6. Scoring 10 points against Eastside Honours at the LaTrobe
    Valley Tourney.
  7. Padua I calling us "cockheads" during warm-up on 30 Aug.
  8. LaTrobe calling us "assholes" during warm-up on 31 Aug.
  9. Beating Monash 8 sets in a row over one weekend.
  10. Winning the Ballarat Tourney.

Top Ten Blatant Travesties of the 1997 Season:

  1. The "roadkill red" colour of our uniform shorts.
  2. Listening to Tim's legendary stories.
  3. Our passing.
  4. Realising you must wear WHITE socks at Springvale.
  5. The ten points we scored against Eastside Honours
    was over three sets.
  6. Losing 3-2 to Geelong in Round 1, then 3-0 in Round 10.
  7. Figuring out who the hell has/where is the ball bag.
  8. Coach Gav showing people his back x-rays.
  9. Springer's ticket lady changing ticket colours weekly.
  10. The Clyde closing the front bar by 10pm.