Play offs

Regular season has finally come to an end and the best part of the year is here! That’s right, play offs are just around the corner. In fact, for us they start tomorrow with a best of three series against NUC Volleyball. Play offs are a little different here than in Finland because you continue your season in the play outs for positions 5-8 if you lose the first round instead of the season just ending right away. To me, that is definitely extra motivation to win!

We ended up reaching our regular season goal of placing fifth, thus avoiding playing against the two top teams in the first round. As I said, we will face our “oh so familiar” opponent Neuchatel (we have already played them four times this season). We have had very close matches with them in the past including two tiebreaks, so both teams know that they can beat each other. However the pressure is undoubtedly on NUC because they have managed to sweep us two times, not to mention they are also one of the cup finalists this year. For us this is an ideal situation as we have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Play offs always have a special feel to them because the teams already know each other inside out. There will be no surprises. It will not be about tactical prowess or technical skills anymore. It is about who can show up and execute the best. Each team will leave everything they got on the court and after all is said and done, the last team standing will be taking home that trophy. This is what I personally love about play offs. No matter where you place in regular season, (as long as it is the top 8) you have a chance to win.