50p
Spike On Spikers!
According to spikeball.com, “Spikeball is a new sport that is currently sweeping the nation.” However, according to Head Prefect, Jack NG, Ellis ‘21 “Spikeball is life.”
This past Saturday, as the bell tolled, Brentwood’s most intense, skilled, and, in the case of Avik B & Alana H, incredibly athletic, spikeballers made their way out to the fields in their quest for the 2021 Interhouse Spikeball Championship.
Over the past years, interhouse events have ranged from basketball to debate, soccer to spelling bee, but for the first time ever, one of the brother-sister house duos would be crowned Spikeball kings and queens. In this year like no other, Ms McLean and her SAC team considered the ever-growing population of head-over-heels spikeball lovers, and struck gold with the idea to make this competitive hobby, sport, art - or whatever you choose to call it - worth some points (and, of course, bragging rights).
Teams such as Ned B & Tommy M have been practicing tirelessly for the past six months in preparation for this day, while some teams such as Tyron O & Kennedy H just showed up, ready to fight for their reputations, egos and, in some cases - the most intense cases - their self worth.
Brackets were built, and friendships were tested. Games were played to 21.
A player starts a point by serving the ball down on the net so it ricochets up at their opponents. Then, the receiving team has a total of 3 contacts to get the ball back on the net. A point is won by hitting, tapping or absolutely demolishing the ball off the net so that your opponents can not reach it before it hits the ground.
There were three different sections of competition - boys, girls, and mixed. Each house pairing provided four teams in each grouping. Jocie L, Mack ‘23 stated that she’s “not sure I would say the matchups were always fair, however they were always fun.” Tall and small, fast and slow. The winning combination was not immediately evident, but as the evening wore on, we saw less blue, pink, red and purple.
The boys’ finals consisted of Will G & Mahir A from Rogers against Ellis powerhouses Nate R & Erik L (see photo right) The boys in green pulled out a victory. The ultimate showdown on the girls’ side was formed by Mack’s Jocelyn L & Sophie B vs. Allard’s Emma T & Maria TC as they also battled for first place. In the surprise of the night, the Allard duo shocked the crowds with a convincing win. Last, but certainly not least, the mixed category finals was a battle of youth vs. wiley experience, between the athletic duo of Avik B and Alana H, the lifelong friends, Jack NG & Abby S. Age triumphed.
As I turned this article in to Mr Ganley, I received an email from none other than Ms McLean uncovering the final winners of Spikeball. So, hot off the presses, here they are. Tied for third and fourth are Hope/Privett and Alex/Whithall; in second place we have Rogers/Allard and, finally, the moment we have all been waiting for … the winners of Interhouse Spikeball 2021 are the reigning Interhouse Champions, Mack/Ellis.
I would like to thank Ms McLean and her team once more for all the work they put into make this event a success. We look forward to many more spikeouts.
Spike on spikers!
Jensa NG, Mack ‘23
This past Saturday, as the bell tolled, Brentwood’s most intense, skilled, and, in the case of Avik B & Alana H, incredibly athletic, spikeballers made their way out to the fields in their quest for the 2021 Interhouse Spikeball Championship.
Over the past years, interhouse events have ranged from basketball to debate, soccer to spelling bee, but for the first time ever, one of the brother-sister house duos would be crowned Spikeball kings and queens. In this year like no other, Ms McLean and her SAC team considered the ever-growing population of head-over-heels spikeball lovers, and struck gold with the idea to make this competitive hobby, sport, art - or whatever you choose to call it - worth some points (and, of course, bragging rights).
Teams such as Ned B & Tommy M have been practicing tirelessly for the past six months in preparation for this day, while some teams such as Tyron O & Kennedy H just showed up, ready to fight for their reputations, egos and, in some cases - the most intense cases - their self worth.
Brackets were built, and friendships were tested. Games were played to 21.
A player starts a point by serving the ball down on the net so it ricochets up at their opponents. Then, the receiving team has a total of 3 contacts to get the ball back on the net. A point is won by hitting, tapping or absolutely demolishing the ball off the net so that your opponents can not reach it before it hits the ground.
There were three different sections of competition - boys, girls, and mixed. Each house pairing provided four teams in each grouping. Jocie L, Mack ‘23 stated that she’s “not sure I would say the matchups were always fair, however they were always fun.” Tall and small, fast and slow. The winning combination was not immediately evident, but as the evening wore on, we saw less blue, pink, red and purple.
The boys’ finals consisted of Will G & Mahir A from Rogers against Ellis powerhouses Nate R & Erik L (see photo right) The boys in green pulled out a victory. The ultimate showdown on the girls’ side was formed by Mack’s Jocelyn L & Sophie B vs. Allard’s Emma T & Maria TC as they also battled for first place. In the surprise of the night, the Allard duo shocked the crowds with a convincing win. Last, but certainly not least, the mixed category finals was a battle of youth vs. wiley experience, between the athletic duo of Avik B and Alana H, the lifelong friends, Jack NG & Abby S. Age triumphed.
As I turned this article in to Mr Ganley, I received an email from none other than Ms McLean uncovering the final winners of Spikeball. So, hot off the presses, here they are. Tied for third and fourth are Hope/Privett and Alex/Whithall; in second place we have Rogers/Allard and, finally, the moment we have all been waiting for … the winners of Interhouse Spikeball 2021 are the reigning Interhouse Champions, Mack/Ellis.
I would like to thank Ms McLean and her team once more for all the work they put into make this event a success. We look forward to many more spikeouts.
Spike on spikers!
Jensa NG, Mack ‘23