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Don't look now, but after a two year hiatus (2002-2003), we came BACK! The 2004 match was another classic battle. Although Piney didn't force a double final, it was still a highly contested contest. Both teams put on a show, and "everyone got their money's worth!" I think both teams finally truly respects the other. For example, I know Boyce and I shared a few hugs and handshakes - not only after, but during the game. After all the finals against PG with their current nucleus: '97, '98, '99, '00, '01, and '04, both teams have taken three a piece. Technically we played Piney Green in '96, but that was without Jon and Dusty. It's been about as even as it can get, and on any given night either team is capable of winning. Since '96 TCBC is 11-8 against PG; however, since the Jon/Dusty additions in '97, we are tied at 8-8 in match victories. For 2004, thankfully TCBC had the edge 4-0. Tates hasn't had a team since 2004; maybe we will have one more again one day. Until then, the exhibition games against Piney Green will have to do. Tates Chapel has been a dynasty for 10 seasons (93-01, 04). It has been said that Tates Chapel Volleyball is "the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be." Our motto - "Whether you like us or you don't like us, you gotta love us cause were the best team going today." And that's the bottom line cause ... Well you know the rest if you smell what we're cooking. Ok. All joking aside.... There was serious talk that 2001 would be the last year Tates had a team. It was inconceivable that we could have match point in two matches in the finals and not put it away. Johnny and Dewayne both had a chance to serve out the finals, and both couldn't dial up a needed ace. It pretty well follows how the 2001 summer went - really close, but not quite. It has been an interesting road over the years. We'll never forget all the huge games with Piney Green. We hope that games like those in the finals this year will be remembered. Both teams really showed people around the county how to play the game of volleyball at the highest level ever seen for these parts and with a desire to beat the other team to submission. We've had some games for the ages. TCBC has always brought it to the table every year. We really set the standard and raised the level of play in the county to a new level. Piney responded in 97' and '98. We did the same in '99 and '00. I think that in 2001 we both took it up a notch, but only one team could win. It has been fun guys. We put on another classic show in 2004. TCBC excellence dates back to '93 - three years prior to Piney Green's first final. To borrow another one from the Nature Boy Ric Flair, TCBC (Space Mountain) may be the oldest ride in the park, but it's still the one with the longest line. So let's hear it one more time guys..... Whooo!!! 2004 members include: (The Fearsome Four) Johnny Howell, Damon Wynn, Dewayne Davis, and Jason St. Clair. That's right, only four in the tourney. Damon McDonald played for us in 4 season matches just in case we needed a sub for the finals. 2001 members: Johnny Howell, Brandon Wynn, Jody St. Clair, Jason St. Clair, Damon McDonald, and Dewayne Davis. 2000 members included: Johnny Howell, Brandon Wynn, Jody St. Clair, Jason St. Clair, Eric St. Crair, Dax McDonald, Damon McDonald, & Dewayne Davis. 1999 members included: Johnny Howell, Damon Wynn, Brandon Wynn, Damon McDonald, Jody St. Clair, and Dewayne Davis. Previous members of the 1992-98 teams included: Lanny Lunsford (Daddy Funk), Eric St. Clair (the Wizard), Dax McDonald, Eric Mackey, Rod Ford, Ryan Roberts, and Lance St. Clair. |
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We all know that the church tournament is what we shoot to win. Tates Chapel Volleyball has also been dominating in the church tournament, placing first in '88 (Kids), '93, '94, '95, '96, '99, 2000, and 2004 - while placing second in '97, '98 and 2001. In '92 - after winning the season - TCBC went down twice to Yellow Creek. They were too young to handle the pressure. The '93 and '94 teams went in the losers bracket early, losing to Slackland and fought back to beat Leesburg twice in the finals. The '95 team went undefeated all season and laid the smack down on Leesburg in the finals. In '96 we beat the young Piney Green team. In '97 and '98 The Green got back at us in a big way! In '99 Tates went undefeated in the season and Tourney - taking Piney Green in the finals. In 2000 TCBC went the distance in a double final that went to the final game against Piney Green before prevailing. The 2004 team went undefeated all season in games. We dropped one game in the finals to Piney, but remained undefeated in matches. In 1999 the mission was simple - return to the top. That meant only one thing - beat Piney Green. Hey "to be the team, you gotta beat the team." Until someone took down the team with a 50 match win streak, they were the team. Even in TCBC's best run, we only had a 43 match win streak, with a 86-1 record overall. We played great in '99. Damon and Damon set great, while Johnny, Brandon, and Dewayne were hitting and serving machines. A great team effort. In 2000 TCBC had a huge hurdle in their path - finding the chemistry with the new team members. With three different faces from 1999, the goal remained the same. Getting there turned out to be a lot of fun and a tremendous challenge. We believed that we had what it took to be champions again in 2000. We were proud that we were able to repeat in 2000 and take home the trophy for the sixth time. It was one heck of a battle, back and forth. TCBC took care of business in the crunch time. Everyone stepped it up in game three of the double final. Dax was playing well. Johnny hitting. Jody and Eric passing. Brandon passing and hitting. Dewayne blocking balls. (no not hitting - blocking). hummmm..... Jason put a ball down and passed great. A few thoughts and quotes before continuing: 1999 WAS OUR YEAR. The team practiced constantly and worked out together. We declared it the summer of the century, complete with the trip of the century to Clearwater. We preferd to make it the "Summer of Winning", not only in church but in various 2 man and 3 man tourneys. We would not be denied!!It carried over to 2000!! In 2004, we may still be seen to some as the underdog around the league to the Green Team. We never believe that we are the underdog and expect to win every game. That's the attitude that you have to have to be successful. CHAMPIONS NEVER QUIT!! I have listed a few favorite poems and verses. Click the link at the bottom of the page for many more quotes, scriptures - including the TCBC poem! II Timothy 1:7 - For God did not give me the spirit of fear, but of power... Phillipians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. "NEVER SAY QUIT" When things go wrong as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all up hill, When the funds are low and the debts are high And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When woe is pressing you down a bit, Rest, if you must, but never say quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns As everyone of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about When he might have won had he stuck it out; Don't give up though the pace seems slow You may succeed with another blow. Success is failure turned inside out, The silver tint of clouds of doubt. And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far, So stick to the fight when your hardest hit It's when things seem worst that you must never say quit. "Success" by Dewayne Davis Before the big game that you really must win. Focus on your goal Because you may not see it again. Your physically trained and ready to go, but are you mentally ready to steal the show? Confidence follows success and aids your play. Refuse to lose and leave your opponents in dismay. Others will follow and feed off of your attitude. Play at your peak despite the odds and, like Jordan and Karch Kiraly, earn gratitude. Interestingly enough, my first year to play for TCBC was 1995, the deepest team I've ever played on. This was a dominant team and argueably the most talented team ever in Cherokee County. We were young however, and no one pushed us back then. With Brandon's great serving, Dewayne and Johnny's hitting, Lanny's great blocking, Damon Wynn's setting, Damon McDonald's setting and consistent play, and Eric's spectacular defense and setting, we were a tough ticket. The 1995 team was special - demolishing everyone, including perennial power Leesburg in the finals. While '95 and '99 teams went undefeated in games and matches, I consider '04 our best team ever - in spite of the loss of one game. In '95 the competition was essentially limited to Leesburg. We were green back then, but very deep. In '99 we had a super team, but we were never pushed, never made to dust off and dig in for more. Piney had a different team and just wasn't as strong that year. (They even lost a tourney match to Sand Rock). As a result, we only had one match with them in '99 season/tourney combined. In '04, we faced them two maches in the regular season, and two in the tourney. We dropped one game, but won 8 games in the four matches. The '04 team gets my nod for the best TCBC team. Our records begin with the 1995 Season (12-0): Fairview 15-6,16-14; Slackland 15-3,15-12; LCOG 15-1,15-9; Leesburg 15-13,15-9; TCBC#2 15-1,15-6; C.Meth#2 15-3;15-6; Welcome Hill 15-1,15-6; E.Centre 15-0,15-1; PineyGreen 15-11,15-6; Mt. Vernon 15-6,15-4; Yellow Creek 15-0,15-2; Fairview 15-7,15-4. 1995 Tournament (5-0): Mt. Vernon 15-4,15-1; CBMeth#2 15-4,15-1; Slackland 15-7,15-3; Fairview 15-3,15-11; Leesburg 15-2,15-5. 1996 Season (9-0): Yellow Creek 15-1,15-7; Mt. Vernon 15-3,15-5; Fairview 15-9, 15-3; New Hope 15-1,15-5; C.Meth#1 15-1,15-5; PineyGreen 16-14,15-11; C.Meth#2 15-2,15-6; Faith 15-4,15-6; LCOG 15-2,15-11. 1996 Tournament (5-0): Noah 15-6,15-2; LCOG 15-4,15-5; Faith 15-12,14-16,15-7, PineyGreen 15-3,15-7; PineyGreen 15-7,15-9. 1997 Season results (9-0): C.Meth 15-9,15-4. Faith 15-13,15-4; New Bethel 15-1,15-3; Cedar Hill 15-3,15-1; LCOG 15-11,15-9; Yellow Creek forfeit; Noah 15-3,15-11; Welcome Hill forfeit; CBMeth 15-11,15-6. 1997 Tournament Results (4-2): Welcome Hill 15-0,15-1; Noah 15-6,15-9; Mt. Vernon 15-5,15-0; PineyGreen 15-10,13-15,6-15; Slackland 15-5,15-5; PineyGreen 12-15,13-15. 1998 season (9-0): Faith#2 15-7,15-2; Welcome Hill forfeit; Faith#1 15-7,13-15,15-13; Slackland 15-4,15-6; Cedar Hill 15-8,15-0; Sand Rock Blue 15-5,15-5; Noah 15-5,15-4; LCOG 15-2,15-1; Nazareth 15-1;15-1. 1998 Tourney (4-2): Fairview 15-3,15-1; Sand Rock Red 15-1,15-10; CBMeth.#2 15-12,15-4; Piney Green 9-15,15-10,7-15; CBMeth.#2 15-13,15-7; Piney Green 10-15, 16-18. 1999 Season (10-0): Faith 15-8,15-1; Nazareth 15-0,15-1; CCOG 15-0,15-0; Cedar Hill 15-2,15-3; Leesburg COG 15-2,15-8; Welcome Hill 15-0,15-1; Pleasant Valley 15-0,15-0 forfeit; C. 1st Methodist 15-0,15-0 forfeit, Union Grove 15-1,15-0; Piney White 15-0,15-1. 1999 Tournament (5-0): Slackland 15-0,15-1; Piney Orange 15-7,15-7; Cedar Bluff Methodist 15-8,15-8; Sand Rock 16-14,15-13; Piney Green 15-8,15-9. 1999 was a great season, an undefeated one. TCBC didn't lose a game all season and only allowed 1.7 pts per game in the season - A new record. Great job guys!! 2000 Season (13-0): Leesburg COG 15-4, 15-2; Centre First Methodist #2 15-2, 15-10; Union Grove 15-0, 15-1; Piney Grey 15-0, 15-0 forfeit; Cedar Hill 15-1, 15-4; Faith 15-3, 15-7; Mill Creek 15-2, 15-3; Slackland 15-1, 15-2; Cedar Hill 15-2, 15-5; LCOG 15-3, 15-11; Union Grove 15-4, 15-4; Centre First Meth. #2 15-5, 15-9; Centre First Meth #2 15-4, 15-7. 2000 Tournament (5-1): Yellow Creek 15-2, 15-1; Piney Orange 15-2, 15-4, Piney Green 15-13, 15-12; Cedar Bluff First Methodist 15-13, 15-4; Piney Green 15-8, 11-15, 4-15; Piney Green 15-12, 5-15, 15-5. 2001 Season (11-1): East Centre 15-3, 15-7; Sand Rock 15-4, 15-6; Faith grey 15-0,15-3; Centre 1st Meth #1 15-0,11-0; Providence 15-9, 15-2; Cedar Hill 15-0, 15-0 forfeit; Centre 1st Meth #2 15-4, 15-6; Mt. Vernon 15-2, 15-0; Centre 1st Baptist 15-1, 15-5; Cedar Bluff Methodist 15-0, 15-0 forfeit; Piney Green 15-9, 11-15, 7-15; Piney Grey 15-2, 15-2. 2001 Tournament (4-2): Fairview 15-0, 15-0 forfeit; CB Methodist 15-0, 15-4; Centre Methodist #1 15-2, 15-2; Piney Green 15-13, 15-11; Piney Green 15-12, 7-15, 15-17; Piney Green 8-15, 15-8, 14-16. Go ahead PG, rub it in....... 2004 Season (12-0): Centre COG 15-0, 15-1; CCC 15-1, 15-2; Leesburg COG 15-4, 15-4; East Centre Blue 15-1, 15-1; Piney Green 15-7, 15-11; Fairview 15-6, 15-2; Centre COG 15-0, 15-0; CCC 15-3, 15-1; Yellow Creek 15-1, 15-0; Leesburg COG 15-6, 15-10; East Centre 15-3, 15-2; Piney Green 15-4, 15-7. (3.2 pts per game) 2004 Tourney (5-0): Cedar grove 15-2, 15-4; New Bethel 15-0, 15-1; Providence 15-5, 15-5; Piney Green 15-7. 15-8; Piney Green 15-13, 13-15, 15-8. 2001 - Now for a few final thoughts and comments from TCBC members and former players: Dewayne 2001- "I think my thoughts are pretty evident at the beginning of this page. I would add that it has been great to set such a high standard. I (and others on the team) feel like we still get a bad reputation around the league like we are bad sports. There are other teams that go light years beyond us in that aspect, but our image seems to stay the same. It just isn't worth it to endure all that and have no competition till the finals. So we leave it to someone else. Just remember that we'd be in the finals every year as long as we wanted. We could win 15 tourneys if we kept playing, but what's the point? On to more important things." Damon McDonald 2001 - "Where do I begin? Since 91 (88 if you count Kids) we have been a separate mens team representing Tates Chapel. I've been there all my life. I think that is one of the things that made us special. Except for Dewayne(who lived 1/2 mile from the church and always was around the church), we all grew up there. We are friends outside of church. Church ball got me playing V'ball to start with. I will - as long as my body lets me - play the sport. One of things I think is great is that we changed the way the sport is played in the league. Most Church leagues are Softball or Basketball. Whoever started Volleyball, I want to shake their hand. Because if it wasn't for that person, I would have missed on some wonderful times. I look back very fondly on the years of church ball. Of course winning a lot helps, but hey I believe if you are going to do something; give it your best effort. There are WAY TOO MANY MOMENTS AND MEMORIES through the years to recount on paper, but plenty of time to tell old stories when we all see each other. Who knows where we all will be in 5, 10 years but we will always have Tates Chapel. We have left a mark on this county that people will always remember. Yeah,Piney Green might go on to beat 6 titles, but we were the FIRST team to make an impact. We created Piney Green. And I want to thank them. If not for them we might have given this up 4 or 5 years ago and that would have been a shame. Tates Chapel, Tie-Dyed Shirts, and competition all fit together nicely. Speaking of Tie-dyed. I think that was a big reason for the start of our success, I know that sounds silly, but it's true. It gave us a sense of pride and it became a ritual to make them together before the tournament. Well, I've gone on long enough with this sappy letter(plus I can't type). I will end with this. Tates Chapel Volleyball is at the end of an era. Even if they're future teams with old members or a totally new team it will never be the same. Some people may call us silly, but we are all friends and colleagues and no matter what the sport/activity the church would have been involved with; we would have been together fighting it out in the spirit of competition. I'm not saying this is the final team ever, but this is an end of an era. Thanks( Johnny,Eric St.,Damon W., Lanny, Dewayne, Dax, Brandon, Jody, Jason, Ryan, Lance, Eric M. & Rod)Guys! Damon " White Wonder, Tip " McDonald Since 1995 TCBC is 122-8 in matches (94% wins) and 250-20 in total games played (93%). Not too shabby!! |
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