Interview with Casimir of the Skylarks

Nat Bly of Sports Weekly:
Last week, the Skylarks beat the #2 Diamonds pretty convincingly in a 2 set win in California. So I sat down with Casimir, the very face of the franchise for his thoughts on the season thus far.

Nat: So Caz, what did you guys do differently this game to finally win?
Casimir: Well, we had to get that first win sometime, we knew the Diamonds are as good as they get in the league. I took it upon myself to make sure I was integral into the game plan, and we focused on our accuracy all week. That had been plaguing us all season.
N: Is there a commonly believed reason to your guys' slow start to the year?
C: Hmm, well, we just took it 1 week at a time, but those losses did add up pretty quickly. I guess we all knew we had to work on our throw accuracy.
N: How did you all keep morale during the slump?
C: Well, it wasn't really a slump until aobut the 4th straight loss. That's when things were pretty down. We looked to the Cat's miraculous comeback about 5 or 6 seasons back to get into the playoffs. Anyone can have a late season surge.
N: How do you see your chances of a post-season?
C: I'm going to level with you here, I'm trying to take it 1 game, 1 win at a time. If we can somehow put together 5 wins, I will be as amazed as the next guy. But we're just taking it one game at a time.
N: The Skylarks came into the season ranked #4, everyone knew this was your last season. How have your expectations changed, or how do you cope with this sunset?
C: Same as every year, we set out to win it all. Of course I wanted, and still want to, go out on top. It does get rough losing 5 straight, the Skylarks aren't used to that type of play in a while. The pressure on us has been pretty tough, but we all have our heads up. We come to get the job done every game, so right now I'm taking it game by game. When we lose that 6th game, I think I'll have a better answer for all that sunset stuff your talking about. But as long as there is a tiny tiny chance we can squirt through, I'll take it.
N: Final question, how are you guys preparing for the Dizzy Devils?
C: First off, everyone knows the team is all about the dynamic duo Alexi and Russell. Russell may be the best in the league right now. They have no reason to play soft, they are in the middle of the Run to the Playoffs and want every win they can get. So, key on those 2 and make our throws, that's all I can say, hehe.
N: Well, I wish you good luck with the rest of your season and career, thanks for your time.
C: My pleasure, thanks.

Seadogs: Still Truckin'

The Seadogs enter the 5th week of the season ranked #7 in the league at 3-1. This is where most everyone thought they would be this time this year, if you had asked them during the playoffs last year. The Seadogs were looking at a nice team for years to come with Williame at the head. Then, we all know the story.


The Seadogs got out to a nice start this year, 2 set winning over the Gremlins and Margays, looking as strong as last year. Then they did fall on their knees against the Empire pretty hard, but they got back up against the Dizzy Devils in a three set thriller in London. This was their biggest statement game, beating the team who many thought was the 2nd best in the North-Midwest. Just like last year, the team spreads the wealth of points around, Wayne, James, Corey, and Lewis all contributing equally. Corey was the best surprise for this team, he came undrafted and he didn't even go to a dodgeball college before it. Coach Howell liked his work ethic and he could be the inspirational story for this year.

"The goals we set for the year were unaltered by the offseason. There is nobody here who believes we deserve anything less than last years success, and if they do they are out the door." - Coach Howell

Maybe GM McInnis knew what he was doing by pretty much giving away Williame.
"I believe in chemistry over talent, if you have a bunch of meatheads on a team that can throw hard, you may win some games, but it takes the team coming together as a unit to win championships. We had it last year, but after Deutch left, Williame didn't seem like he was all in for the team, more out for himself. Maybe thats why he fits in so well in NYC, buncha big shots. Anyway, we got that man Corey, humble man, but works hard, we got Petr, nice up and comer. Wayne and James are quality, and Lewis has the experience to guide these young guys." - McInnis

Looking ahead, this team will have to keep producing statement games to get through the season. Next week, the all-of-a-sudden interesting rematch of the championship game takes place in Florida. All hell will break loose if the Seadogs win this one, just kidding, but it would really show what McInnis is talking about is right. Big games versus the Scarlet Ember, Empire, and Dizzy Devils, in that order, will further test how good this team really is. And also, they square off with the Skylarks in the last week, but hey, the Skylarks apparently suck now so they should win ;).

Margays Open Up Brand New Stadium

The Margays haven't been the most high-profile team throughout their 10 year history in the league. Making the playoffs 3 times, and never winning a division-title, they are always looking up at the competition. During the Playoffs last year, Nhiani Halim, purchased the Margays with a promise for a fresh new start. Immediately the old logo and bright yellow colors were taken down. Weeks later, plans for a state-of-the-art stadium were finalized and construction began in downtown Minneapolis.

Ami™ Arena will be a welcome change for the team and their fans. While playing in Dymleaven Arena, they were laughed at by the rest of the league for playing in a primarily perforning arts buidling. The seats were comfy, but the play was bad. Halim knew a fresh stadium would invigorate something inside this team. And the architect went all out to make an orignial stadium. The staidium features a 2 panel retractable roof, the first in the league. It contains 2 relfection pools inside the stadium, and can also be formatted for basketball and tennis.

The #15 Margays hope all of this fanfare about the stadium will intimidate the #1 Empire when they come into town. The Margays have beaten the Empire in the preseason tournament to everyone's surprise, and in the memorable 2008-4 playoffs. Many feel this game could be much closer than it looks.

"We are really excited about a new facility we can call our own. It's a real privilege, and this place sure can get much louder than the theatre. I was here for an H-Dream concert, and it was unbelievable. But anyway, we know the Empire, we know ourselves, and this would be a great way to break into the win column." Michael #23 Margays.

Podcast: Week 2

-Panic at the Skylarks
-Toros for real?
-Lopsided Conferences