Calling It

Like I See It
Sam Woiteshek

A tale as old as time

Addy Wachter THE BUCS’ BLADE
COLLEGE-BOUND: Seniors Avery Strohmeyer and Avolyn Lepo pose with head volleyball coach Aaron Smaka following
their signings. Strohmeyer is heading to Lake Superior State University while Lepo is going to Oakland University.
Let me tell you a story.
A story about dominance, failure and triumph. A story of an athlete of firsts
and athlete of lasts. A story about a true sports legend.
Too revealing? Perhaps a more well-known title to this incredible narrative
would be better. How about this:
The story of Tiger Woods.
He was a child prodigy, a future star in training. His dad pushed him end-
lessly, molding Tiger into the golfer he wanted. As a result, Tiger won three U.S.

ON TO THE NEXT LEVEL By Ashton Voorhees Junior Amateur championships and was the youngest to win the U.S. Amateur
championship.
But he didn’t stop there. In 1997, Woods shot a 18-under to win the Masters,
Seniors Avolyn Lepo and Avery Strohmeyer fin- Q: What do you want to major in? becoming the youngest to win the event. After that, Tiger only broke more re-
ished illutrious volleyball careers at Grand Haven High AL: “I’m thinking health sciences.” cords, won a Grand Slam and is currently four major titles behind Jack Nicklaus.
School. Both have been successful in high school and AS: “Environmental science.” Sounds pretty good doesn’t it? Woods had it all: the money, the fame and his
both are now moving on to play college volleyball. Lepo unequivocal athleticism.
signed with Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI, Q: Is anyone from Grand Haven on your Until he didn’t. The man who was seemingly invincible all of sudden wasn’t.
while Strohmeyer signed with Lake Superior State Uni- teams already? In 2009, Woods was caught committing acts of infidelity. Soon after, he
versity in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. They reflectedon the AL: “Krysteena Davis graduated in 2014 and is a senior crashed his SUV into a fire hydrant and lacerated his face. He also lost sponsor-
rigor of playing in high school and their next steps. at Oakland now.” ships, but everyone assumed that by the following April he’d be fine.
AS: “Not anyone from Grand Haven, there are girls Until he wasn’t. Tiger couldn’t win anything; he fired his caddie and swing
Q: What made you pick your colleges? from West Ottawa also going there so there are people coach and repeatedly pulled out of tournaments because of injury.
AL: “I really liked the volleyball program, the coach- from West Michigan that we’ve played on that team.” He finally broke through, scrambling for a win in 2013. He’s back, isn’t he?
es, and the academics.” Not so fast. 2014 and 2015 brought back surgeries and lousy play. The cycle
AS: “I like the location of the school; it’s up north Q: What is your favorite moment of your ca- continued into 2016 and Woods missed all of 2017. Oh yeah, somewhere in the
and it’s really pretty and the lake is right reer? latter year he received a DUI for being asleep at the wheel.
there and I love being by the water. It’s a AL: “Probably my sophomore year Asleep. At. The. Wheel. Prescription drugs. Folks, Tiger Woods had hit rock
developing program, with a new coach, SEASON STATS when we beat East Grand Rapids in the bottom.
so I’m really excited to be a part of the semi finals.” However our story can’t end like that, can it? Surely there’s more, right?
Avolyn Lepo
program progressing and becoming bet- 246 kills (1.7 kills per set),
AS: “Playoffs and pregame fun in the Yes. Because the great thing about hitting rock bottom is that there’s nowhere
ter.” 138 total blocks (0.9 per locker rooms.” to go but up.
set) In 2018, Woods started rough. He was never in it at The Masters and missed
Q: What has prepared each of Q: What’s the funniest thing the cut at the U.S. Open. We sports fans thought this was just the latest under-
Avery Strohmeyer
you to play college volleyball the 76 kills (0.8 per set),
that happened to you oncourt? whelming year to Woods’ career.
most? 15.2% ace percentage, AL: “Just funny things from practice But hang on, this where the story gets better.
AL: “Being in a successful high 43 blocks (0.4 per set) like clowning around and jumping over In The Open, Woods made a charge on Saturday to be in the hunt on Sunday.
school volleyball program is super help- chairs.” In the final round, he had a share of the lead before giving it away. He’s back
ful, not a lot of kids are able to be in AS: “I killed a bee, I clapped and now, right?
such a successful program with lots of coaches avail- killed it during the game.” Possibly. After that tournament, he regressed to his old form, making sloppy
able all year round. Playing club volleyball in the offsea- mistakes with club selection and putting.
son also helps with getting recruited.” Q: What will you remember about playing However, in the PGA Championship, the world watched “Tiger Woods”. The
AS: “I would say my parents pushing me, whether it for Grand Haven? real one, the classic version that would relentlessly pursue title after title. Woods’
was to go to volleyball camps, go to everything that I AL: “All of the coaches care about you, not just driving, iron game and putting all synchronized to shoot an 8-under round.
can. Being a part of a really successful high school vol- as an athlete or as a player, they care about you as a For some, it was a glimpse back to the early 2000’s when a single athlete had
leyball team isn’t something everyone gets to say, and person too.” complete control of his sport. For others who had never truly witnessed Tiger at
just putting in a lot of time and effort.” AS: “I feel like coming from such a good invested his finest, like me, it was a breathtaking sight.
program and invested community, a lot of good things And sure enough, Woods would soon win the 2018 Tour Championship, the
Q: What makes you the most excited about come out of it. The program makes good people too.” last tournament of the year, re-establishing himself as one of golf ’s titans. A nice
playing in college? little bow to wrap up the year.
AL: “I’m excited to play against some of the top Q: What will you miss most ? Hold up for a minute though - Tiger will never become “Tiger Woods” again,
teams in the country, because our preseason is always AL: “Playing with all of your friends and playing where he dominate en route to a championship. He will, however, win a major
tough. We play against the likes of Michigan, Notre against your friends from club season.” again, it just might not be in his signature fashion.
Dame, and it’s always tough, so that’s exciting.” AS: “I would say pregame with all of our friends, This Thanksgiving weekend, Tiger is challenging Phil Mickelson to a one-on-
AS: “Just to say that I’m a college athlete. I’ve worked and practices after school with all of our friends. Ev- one match. If you have a little time, I’d suggest you watch it.
really hard for it.” erything is so tight knit.” Why? Because ladies and gentlemen, Tiger Woods is back.
www.bucsblade.com, November 20, 2018 SPORTS 23