Welcome back to Blowouts, Upsets, and More!  Season 11, weekend 8 recap.  Lots of spoilers included, as always.  Thrilled to have you back with us here at the BUM Report, where we rejoice at the turning of emotional tides as quickly as a little kid whose brand new hot air balloon escapes their grasp and does exactly what hot air is supposed to do.  That is not to say that our Upset victims this past weekend had too much of the same in their lineups, as there were some pretty potent players thrown out to little Olmec love.  We may have also officially seen the passing of Olmec Torch of Eternal (for now) Affection this weekend.  More below.

Starting with Blowouts of the Week, while well off the season-high pace (+49 by POR, back in Match 8), we had three in close grouping for the top mark, and "one of these things is not like the others" and feels pretty personal to me.  All three occurred in Match 25, non-conference play.  Starting with Carlsbad at St. Charles, the Godfather Phil took apparent pity on the Godson and everyone's favorite TMVL Programmer, Max, as the sometimes-green ones blended into the court and were not readily seen as spikes bounced all over their side.  The 'Crows were hardly challenged, rated 14 pts better and not letting Phil finish a match within single digits of them, winning by a combined 31.  Taking it a notch further on mismatches, Schnectady turned their attention elsewhere and sent out the Kits to Starkville.  I don't know what they did to deserve that, yet it must have been bad because if there are any truths left in this crazy world, here is a solid and outstanding one: Dogs. Hate. Squirrels.  Eduard dropped a line at home (86) rated 23 points better than the Squirrels, and chased the Arboreal Rodents away in style, holding them to just 9 points in set 2 and winning by a combined 34 points.

And then there was Portland.  Admittedly, Portland had a bigger match to play for this session, and had divided interests.  I will note Paul's pre-game comment.  "We may just sneak a win here. Who knows"  Kelsey knew, Paul.  And, more importantly, Olmec knew.  Our current Blowout King dropped a very Un-'Jacks-Like lineup, rated just at 77.  The 'Coons matched them, and with the home bonus were rated just 4 better at 81.  This one seemed due for a pedestrian result, maybe 4 sets.  And then Olmec entered the equation.  Seemingly angered by Paul's lack of interest, the 'Jacks got jacked on the road.  While the first set wasn't horrible (18-25) it got progressively worse, ending out with an 8-25 beatdown as the Trash Pandas raided the 'Jacks' lunch boxes, Gatorade cooler, and probably cleaned out the visitors' lockers as well, sweeping Portland away to the tune of 34 combined points.

Congrats to Kelsey & Eduard, tying at 34 point victories for the Blowout of the Week!

On the Upsets end of things, we had a doozy by a team that needs no help yet continues to receive it, and Olmec's latest darling does it again as well.

Starting in match 26, non-conference, the Peas traveled to N'Orleans, and were rated 4 worse (83 to 87).  After trading early sets in slugfests, this one stretched out to 14-14 in set 5 before the Rats sadly hit out match point and killed themselves to lose 16-14.  Roger's side came to play, and was rewarded with the #3 upset of the week. Congrats, Roger!

At #2, it only reads like an upset on the scorecards.  In reality, we here at the BUM Report start our weekend reviews with a new first question: How'd John H do this week?  Week in and out the 'Bats seem to be Olmec's new love affair, and this past weekend was again a showing of Stone-lipped love for Sheboygan.  Match 25.  Non-conference.  Antioch (who never catches a break) at Sheboygan.  Rob gave a respectable road 78 effort.  John put out 70 at home, keeping the T7 for a conference tourney final.  Didn't matter.  Antioch took the first set easily, dropped the 2nd in worse fashion, swapped 3 & 4, and then set 5 sealed the deal. Antioch never led, though they kept within 3 at all times and had it tied up at 13-13, serving to go ahead.  Olmec stepped in for a totally unfunny comedy of errors as Antioch's 18 SRV player served it out, and then with the match on the line had a spike dug and ended up with a player in the net to give away match point to John.  Hard to lose in a more frustrating way for Rob.  Kind of par for his season.  While the sun rarely shines where the 'Fish reside, surely the clouds will part over Antioch at some point.  Maybe season 14.  Or 17.  Hope springs eternal, even in the darkest depths.

At #1, Cinci pulls off a new season-long #3 Upset.  The Hogs, as we all know, are the current top team and just landed two trophies to add to the case.  On the road in match 26, non-conference, and with their whole T7 tied up elsewhere, Cinci put out a 71 lineup (22-ratings point lower than their top lines of the weekend, both at 93).  Tucson was game, with Amy setting out an 83-rated home line.  12 points higher.  And yet Cinci (or rather Olmec) still found a way!  The Fighting Cacti won sets 2 and 4 by a score of 14-25.  Double-digit set wins in line with the ratings.  The other sets?  Cinci traded points and had some blistering streaks of hitting, topping .700 in set three (15 kills on 19 attempts).  By set 5, Amy could only hope that the pendulum would swing back her way, which (because the BUM Report is all over it!) we know it didn't.  James' porcine squad jumped out to an early lead, and the Cacti found themselves having to rally back from a 5-10 hole, which they did!  Tied up 12-12 and showing their might, they actually out-hit Cinci in set 5.  However, with the finish line in sight, the wheels fell off the rally bus.  Service at 12-12?  Out.  Cinci then serves an ace.  With the match on the line, Tucson's best passer passed a 1, which led to a worst set (also a 1) and that led to the weaker hitter hitting it out.  Could not have gone much worse for the 'random' rolls over those three points.  At the same time, top teams take advantage of their gifted breaks.  Cinci shows no mercy, and even their backup teams have to be taken seriously.  So congrats are still in order for James and the league-leading Hogs for the Upset of the Week at -12, and #3 on the season to date!

On the "More" portion of the column, I would like to highlight the sorrow and heartbreak over at Columbia.  Unrequited love is hard thing.  For several seasons, we've seen the Crazy Reds receive favors from Olmec when needed most, and few upsets when favored.  This season?  Olmec has moved on to a new boy toy (John H), leaving Steve behind with wilting flowers and melting chocolates as we approach Valentine's Day this week.  Despite this, Steve has gamely played on.  CCT knew that they had uphill fights in both finals (Conf & WGM) this week.  Steve knew that a T7 there would leave little in the non-conference matches against good teams (Denali & Antioch), who are not fans of showing mercy when they sense weak prey.  Steve played on anyway, for which we at the BUM Report wish to extend our applause.  Columbia put out 90-rated teams in both the Conference & WGM Finals.  That ties the highest away-rated teams we've seen this season (tied with Portland & Pekin), and now Steve holds the tie with Roger for the top-rated road losses (two each at 90!) against this season's dominant T7 squads: Portland and Cincinnati.  The Conference Final between Columbia (90) and Portland (96) is the highest combined rating match of the season so far.  Play on, Steve!  We here at the BUM Report still love you, even if Olmec has (for now) turned aside to another flame.

And a final note for those who want some ammo to throw against opposing managers who pick and choose when top effort is to be made.  The Opposite of Trying (note the acronym: TOoT, as in 'this match stunk') for the week highlights either the lowest combined ratings-scores or the lowest % of possible top lines of the weekend, solely at editorial discretion and absolutely influence-able through post-match comments and home page complaining wall posts.  This week's nominee (and winner, because there's only one vote) is Match 26, non-conference, Manatees at Anteaters.  Mark gets a bit of a pass.  Just a bit.  They were playing in the SEC conference final in match 27, and hosted a potent Alton team in the prior match (putting out 84 at home to win in 5 sets over the Eagles' 77).  At the same time, they announced pre-match that they weren't even trying, and then backed that up with a 62 on the road.  Only one team posted a lower road rating for the entire weekend.  On the other end?  Arlington had two matches, road and home, and put out a better lineup away (77, at Santa Clara) than at home (73).  Olmec was not impressed, giving Santa Clara the slight upset (-1) in response to the competitive slight.  The combined 135 rating in match 26 was the lowest of the weekend, so the Opposite of Congrats to MIM & ARL for the TOoT of the Week!