Central Jersey Heat Volleyball Club

MEMORIAL DAY 2015 -  

PENN STATE HAPPY VOLLEY TOURNAMENT 

Readers, I want to recap the 14s National weekend for anyone that could not attend but follows the team.  We are all proud of what took place this weekend.  It was quite a ride all weekend long.   

It started when CJ Heat 14s National team began play on Saturday ranked  #12 for this tournament of about 50 teams from around the country.   Top seeded in their pool on Saturday, they quickly showed that they were the team to beat by blowing by the 3 teams in the first round.  Remaining the 12th seed into the second round, they were scheduled to play the #1, #13th and #24th seed at Penn State.  The afternoon started where the previous night left off.  They quickly beat the 24th seed in two sets and were poised to meet the 13th seed who had just beaten the #1 team.   Beating them would give CJ Heat the 1st place ranking.  The team was focused on the goal ahead, beat them and take the #1 seed.  Well,  they did in two convincing sets.  Now #1,  all they had to do is defend the #1 seed by beating the original #1 seeded team.   It was a two tough sets but CJ Heat prevailed, by showing their determination and successfully defended their 1st place status.   

Final Round Monday 5/25 -  There was tension in the air, can the team once again defend their #1 status and bring home the Gold at Penn State? 

In the Semi-finals the team met up with a team from West Virginia.  This team was a scrappy team.   They continually picked up what would normally be certain kills from our team.  But CJ Heat out smarted them with designed plays (quick balls/slides).  Then came a brilliant barrage of serves.  CJ Heat team members kept the other team off balance by mixing up the serves, deep balls, short balls, serving to the right and left with pinpoint accuracy.  The opponent did not know what hit them and could not recover from this. CJ Heat finished them off and move into the Finals.

Penn State's Final round began as other sets,  CJ Heat came out swinging and beat their opponent in a set that they never trailed.   In the 2nd set, CJ Heat started slow and saw itself quickly down by a margin of 10 points. They fought hard to make it close but dug themselves to much of a hole to come back from.   Next came the 3rd and final set.  CJ Heat came out fired up and had the lead going into the switch over at 8 points.  Their opponent also determine to win did not go away and came back.  The rest of the match was back and forth all the way to a 14-14 tie.  It was nerve racking time, parents had their eye close, their fingers cross.  Praying was taking place everywhere on both sides.  The next few point where great rallies that seem to go on forever.  Both teams fighting for their lives.  It was a final to remember and in the end CJ Heat came out on top winning Gold on an ACE.  

To the members of the 14s team of 2015,  I speak for myself and Coach Lee, this was a season that we will never forget.  We are very proud of you as are your parents.  You wanted this and you never gave up on yourselves or your teammates even when you where down.  We all worked very hard through out the season to get here and this is your reward for your efforts.   

Thank you for this season 

Coach Al Martinez. 

Atlantic City, Jersey Surfside tournament,  CJ Heat 13s had a big day while 14s and 15s not to bad either.  

DAY 1:  After three matches CJ Heat 13s found themselves undefeated and set to play for the Gold Medal.  The 14s had a slip during the first match but came back strong to set themselves up for a Silver run. And finally the 15s play some back and forth matches and never gave up to reach the Bronze bracket. 

DAY 2:  

Gold Bracket:  CJ Heat 13s played a very strong team in the first round, fighting all the way but falling short losing 25-14,28-26.

Silver Bracket:  CJ Heat 14s after playing hard and winning the first match, saw themselves facing a team from Delaware for silver.  The match was back and forth all the way.  CJ Heat 14s battle hard to win in three 26-24,24-26,15-9.  

Bronze Bracket:  CJ Heat 15s struggle through the first day but got stronger as the tournament went on.  Winning the First round and championship match in 2 set each.  

We are very proud of all of our team but especially these three team who left it all out on the court this past weekend. 

NICE JOB LADIES!