Week 3 Preview

All the 2-0 teams can pretty much take a deep relaxing breath. Only 2 of 19 teams since 2009 have started 2-0 missed the playoffs. We have 4 of them now, and surprisingly the Pharoahs and Scarlet Ember are among them. Even more surprisingly is the 0-2 Toros. Teams will now settle into the groove of the season, hoping to get rating improvements after this week. 

#2 (2-0) @ (1-1) #7

Rematch time already in this divisional match-up. It was a sloppy 3 set win by the Scarlet Ember that has wrecked the Reapers initial hope of completely dominating this year. They can gain that momentum back if they can manage a commanding win at home. The Scarlet Ember are starting to believe in themselves now after showing up in front of the TV's last week. Should be another 3 setter.
Prediction: REP
All Time: SE- 10 REP- 15

#5 (1-1) @ (0-2) 

Silverback Gym is always a roucous place to play, but it should be interesting seeing the fan loyalty because 3 of the Cat's players are from schools in the Pacific North-West: Ausonio and Zach - Yellow University in Oregon, Arthur - Ultra Violet Rays of Washington. And its also hard to root for a squad that is missing its identity. Kenneth has been vacant the past 2 games. He needs to step up along with Zeno and Sanchito if they even have a shot at the Cat's who are deceptively hot right now.
Prediction: CATS
All Time: CATS- 2 SB- 3

 (1-1) @ (1-1) #6

This matchup is almost annual, the True North series as it has been coined. They have never met in the playoffs, nor has any matchup really been memorable, but this year it should hold some weight. Both teams are attempting to break into the upper echelon, surprisingly, quite honestly. The Gremlins have the squad and the home field, but it should be a battle.
Prediction: GRE
All Time: MAR- 3 GRE- 5

(0-2) @ (0-2)

The utter desperation bowl! Who thought a Southern matchup would ever be so dire this year? The Toros are frustratingly bad and the Dragonfish have been dragging their feet too. The time is really now or never for both these squads to save their season, too bad they have to play eachother to do it. 

Prediction: TOR

All Time: TOR- 10 DF- 16

(1-1) @ (1-1)

One of only 2 team painrings that hasn't happened yet in 13 seasons of the DBL. The Diamonds embark on a journey to the nations captial for the 1st time ever. Before the season started this wouls have looked like a much more hyped game, but both teams have suffered questionable losses. But still, it should be a playoff atmosphere, both these squads can really bring it. 

Prediction: DIA

All Time: DIA- 0 DD- 0

#4 (2-0) @ (1-1) #8

The Empire act like last year didn't happen and that they have had this unit for years with how well the chemistry is. Home crowd looking for a pcik me up after Sandy, perfect storm. The Gremlins are looking hole-y, but they still have an outside chance of winning this. I look at them as this seasons spoiler team.

Prediction: PHA

All Time: PHA- 3 EMP- 2

(0-2) @ (1-1)

This is the beginning of the Interceptors 'gimmie games' until they hit the Reapers again all the way in week 9. If they cannot sweep these games it will prove they just don't have it like last year. The Seadogs are young and scrappy, they know they look like a joke to other teams. They can't dwell on that, they just need to focus on chemistry and put together a solid game and at least win a set!

Prediction: INT

All Time: SEA- 4 INT- 3

Flex Game of the Week 3

#3 (2-0) @ (2-0) #1

Good Dodgeball is back in San Francisco! It has been a year, but the holy grail of dodgeball stadiums greets the nations cameras again as probably the most dangerous team in the league visits the bay. The Gold have shown how crippling they can be in their old age, and have something to show these young Skylarks. The Skylarks have been building this chemistry through last year's 2-8 season where EVERY loss was a 3 set fight. They have fight engrained in their DNA. Ready yourself for some fireworks. 

Prediction: SKY

All Time: SKY- 3 GOLD- 3

Week 2 Recap

-The Streak Ends!

#7 (1-1) @ (1-1) 

7-10

This was the most unceremonious ending of the longest regular season win streak. Everyone pretty much knew the Reapers were going to rock it, especially because of the desperation that had sunk in from flubbing week 1's game. Jason was on it. he caught Salem not once but twice. Take that MVP king, maybe this was a passing of torch of sorts? We'll have to wait and see. But yea, after those catches, the Interceptors' back was broken and the OKC crowd went berserk. Have the Reapers finally convinced the nation they are the class of the Midwest? Or maybe we will find out when they face #2 2-0 Scarlet Ember in a week 1 rematch next week in their home dojo.

 (0-2) @ (1-1) 

3-10

Looks like someone forgot to tell the Dragonfish that their 7 season playoff run was on the line. weak play from everyone but Paolo doomed this team before they could even say 'dodge'. Cat's were on and popping just like last week, but this time they finished swiftly. Ausonio went from zero to hero earning the MVP.

 (0-2) @ (2-0) #1

11-13

So why would there be any surprise with the #1 team in the land fending off a shabby SB team at home? Because it is the hard to believe in Pharoahs. Charlie had another great game. He really is giving immediate returns to PHA. They finally got a draft pick right. Lyons and Charlie took care of the 1st set, but SB had rookie Carter and Sanchito handle business in the 2nd. But it was an entire team effort from the home team in the 3rd that brings them to 2-0. Silverbacks need to infuse Kenneth, they are dying without 'the leagues best kept secret'.

#4 (2-0) @ (0-2)
10-5

Toros! Wake up! The Toros have fallen (very unexpectedly) into the 0-2 hole. Missed throws all around, Rayquan nowhere to be found, they learned nothing from week 1. Now, the Skylarks played solid, but this was more of a Toros loss. Toros fans are already pointing toward the Frenchman Williame for his notorious infectious 'get money' attitude. The Toros look completely uninspired, tired of success, trying to see what it is like on the fringes. Have fun there. The Skylarks on the other hand have been consistently quality, the only team to have no sets against them thus far. Watch them, they have the quiet confidence of a scary good team. 

#6 (2-0) @ (1-1) #8
10-7

The biggest surprise outcome came out of the California Series. The Gold rolled all over the Diamonds in their own gym. The team that was supposed to challenge the Interceptors reign looked like nobody's. Peletierre set it off in the first set with a swift catch of Sean the Diamond. The Gold played very mean overall. They were just more ready, it was cat and mouse all game with the Gold leading the point tally's on both sets. 

(1-1) @ (1-1) #2
10-4

A snore fest for the most part. The Empire came out sluggish and Donte rose to the occasion after a year off pretty much. Too bad him and Casey can't perform together. The Gremlins understudys also put in solid work. 

(1-1) @ (0-2)
10-5

McFadden balled out over seas. The Seadogs kept targeting the rookie, but he was prepared. James had a glimmer of hope with a nice catch in the 1st set, but he messed up the throw. He is really on the down slope  possible scandal? The rag tag team of rookies on the Seadogs couldn't pull anything together as the Dizzy Devils, without Russell's supervision, looked okay and saved their season for now. 

Flex Game of the Week 2

#3 (2-0) @ (1-1) #5
10-5

A pretty sleepy game for the Margays, Pasquel was underwhelming after creating such a media buzz from the 1st week and before that the preseason tourney. The Margays game plan kept targeting Sven of all people, but the throws were weak, and Sven had a stellar game. Irwin had many many chances in the 2nd set to prove he was equally a rookie force of nature as Pasquel. Bad thorw after bad throw, dodge after dodge, he couldn't put his team into a 3rd set. The Scandinavian Ember roll to 2-0. 

Saturn® Player of the Week

Jason #3 Reapers
Exp: 3 yrs Uni: Florida
Thrw: 2 Out: 1 Cth: 3
Swiftly brought down the mighty Interceptors from their plateau of glory.

Week 2 Preview

Ah week 2. It may seem like just the beginning of the year but there is a daunting statistic: 22 of the 24 teams in the past 6 seasons that have started out 0-2 have not reached the playoffs. So the half the league is preparing this week knowing it may already be do or die.

#7 (1-0) @ (0-1) 

Maybe all the confidence and hype built around this team started with them being the only squad to topple the Interceptors in regulation in the past 20+ matches. Whatever the cause, many see the Interceptors run easily ending here in OKC. Reapers are hoping for a bounce back game after an embarrasingly sleepy performance last week. The Interceptors also need to get up to speed after a very fortunate mis step by Ausonio led to their victory.
Prediction: REP
All Time: INT- 16 REP- 12

 (0-1) @ (0-1) 

You can cut the tension of panic in St. Catherine's Gym with scissors. Both 0-1, these teams have very high hopes for this year, and to start 0-2 was not anywhere near the plan. The Dragonfish have a historically hard schedule so they need every single win they can get. The Cat's need to shake off the big time jitters and get back to playing their precise and efficient ball. The 4 game Interceptors vacation is finally over, time to get back to a game they recognize.
Prediction: CATS
All Time: DF- 15 CATS-7

 (0-1) @ (1-0) #1

How good are the Pharoahs!? Coming into the week an unprecedented #1, they quickly gave themselves a huge target on their back as easy AP points prey. But this game could really be a toss up depending on if the Pharoahs were real when they dismantled the Toros last week. The Silverbacks need to wake up and play a full roster game.
Prediction: SB
All Time: SB- 14 PHA- 8

#4 (1-0) @ (0-1)

The Skylarks have had this quiet confidence since last season even though they were 2-8. They knew this year could be huge. They are the masters of their destiny now, but the Toros are still a formidable opponent. The Toros will feed greatly off of the Houston crowd, but expect this to be an epic match.

Prediction: TOR

All Time: SKY- 11 TOR- 12

#6 (1-0) @ (1-0) #8

Huge divisional implications here. The Diamonds can really assert themselves as the team of the West with a swift victory here. This game is really going to test how good the Gold can be when tested. 

Prediction: DIA

All Time: GOLD- 16 DIA- 11

(0-1) @ (1-0) #2

The Empire act like last year didn't happen and that they have had this unit for years with how well the chemistry is. Home crowd looking for a pcik me up after Sandy, perfect storm. The Gremlins are looking hole-y, but they still have an outside chance of winning this. I look at them as this seasons spoiler team.

Prediction: GRE

All Time: GRE- 2 EMP- 1

(0-1) @ (0-1)

The Dizzy Devils should not over think this one. Just go in and show how a mature team that doesn;t have 3 rookies comes in and wins. Seadogs plan on playing up the beginners luck thing, since James seems to be off his leadership game. 

Prediction: DD

All Time: DD- 13 SEA- 13

Flex Game of the Week 2

#3 (1-0) @ (1-0) #5

One of the most enigmatic teams this season hosts their first non-RTP flex game since 2008-4. The Scarlet Ember are also on a tick where they plan on winning games nobody thinks they should after toppling the high and mighty Reapers. Fact is, who ever wins this match is granted some good vibrations from the rankings gods probably for the entire year. You cannot discount week 2 folks. 

Prediction: SE

All Time: SE- 5 MAR- 1