U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team Press Kit
2012 NORCECA Women’s Junior (U-20) Continental Championship Managua, Nicaragua Aug. 21-26, 2012
For additional information or to schedule interviews, please contact: Becky Murdy, USA Volleyball Coordinator, Communications (becky.murdy@usav.org) (719) 228-6800 1
Table of Contents
2012 U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team Roster………………………………………………. 3 2012 U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team Photo Roster………………………………………
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Media Resources…………………………………………………………………………………………… 5 Event Information…………………………………………………………………………………………. 6 Teams By Group…………………………………………………………………………………………… 7 Group Play Schedule…………………….………………………………………………………………..
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Playoff Schedule……………………………………………………………………………………………. 9 2012 U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team Preview…………..…………………………………. 10 Athlete Profiles…………………………………………………………………………………………… 12 Staff Profiles……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 24 U.S. Men’s Junior National Volleyball Team in Review…………………………………………………….. 27 Volleyball Glossary…………………………………………………………………………………………. 30 USA Volleyball Fact Sheet…………………………………………………………………………………. 33
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2012 U.S. Women’s Junior NaƟonal Volleyball Team Roster No.
Name
Pos.
Hometown
Club/Region
Grad
College
2
McKenzie Willey
OH
Highland, Utah
Club Utah/Intermountain
2013
Verballed to Arizona State University
3
Kelly Hunter
S
Papillion, Neb.
Nebraska Juniors/Great Plains
2013
Verballed to University of Nebraska
7
Merete Lutz
MB
Houston, Texas
Southwest Juniors/Lonstar
2013
Uncommitted
8
Kelsey Humphreys
S
Newport Beach, Calif.
Laguna Beach/Southern California
2013
Uncommitted
10
Amanda Benson
L
Litchfield, Ariz.
Club Red/Arizona
2013
Verballed to University of Oregon
11
Haleigh Washington
MB
Idaho Springs, Colo.
Colorado Juniors/Rocky Mountain
2014
Uncommitted
12
Kayla Morin
OH
Portage, Mich.
Dead Frog/Lakeshore
2013
Verballed to Northwestern University
13
Maya McClendon
OH
Louisville, Ken.
KIVA/Pioneer
2013
Verballed to University of Louisville
14
Haley Fauntleroy
MB
Winnetka, Ill.
Wildcat Juniors/Great Lakes
2014
Uncommitted
15
Amber Rolfzen
OH
Papillion, Neb.
Nebraska Juniors/Great Plains
2013
Verballed to University of Nebraska
16
Kadie Rolfzen
OH
Papillion, Neb.
Nebraska Juniors/Great Plains
2013
Verballed to University of Nebraska
19
Azariah Stahl
OH
Elkhart, Ind.
Circle City / Hoosier
2013
Uncommitted
Head Coach: Rod Wilde Assistant Coach: Charlene Whitted Assistant Coach: Blaine Tendler Team Leader: Alexandra Dunphy
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2012 U.S. Women’s Junior NaƟonal Team Photo Roster
#2 McKenzie Willey Outside Hitter Highland, Utah
#10 Amanda Benson Libero Litchfield Park, Ariz.
#14 Hailey Fauntleroy Middle Blocker Winnetka, Ill.
#3 Kelly Hunter Setter Papillion, Neb.
#11 Haleigh Washington Middle Blocker Idaho Springs, Colo.
#7 Merete Lutz Middle Blocker Houston, Texas
#8 Kelsey Humphreys Setter Newport Beach, Calif.
#12 Kayla Morin Outside Hitter Portage, Mich.
#13 Maya McClendon Outside Hitter Louisville, Ken.
#16 Kadie Rolfzen Outside Hitter Papillion, Neb.
#15 Amber Rolfzen Outside Hitter Papillion, Neb.
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#19 Azariah Stahl Outside Hitter Elkhart, Ind.
Media Resources Inquiries Contact: Becky Murdy USA Volleyball Communications Coordinator Email: becky.murdy@usav.org Phone: (719) 228-6800 Address: USA Volleyball 4065 Sinton Road, Suite 200 Colorado Springs, Colo. 80907 Website: www.usavolleyball.org
Get Connected: USA Volleyball @USA_Volleyball #NORCECA
Other Resources: Federation Internationale de Volleyball www.fivb.org
North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation www.norceca.org
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Event Information
Managua
Event
2012 NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship
Date
Aug. 21-26, 2012
Location
Managua, Nicaragua
Venue
Gimnasio Polideportivo Espana, Reparto Altamira D’Este
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Teams by Group Group A
Group B
Group C
Antigua & Barbuda
Dominican Republic
Cuba
Costa Rica
Guatemala
Trinidad & Tobago
Nicaragua
Mexico
United States
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Group Play Schedule
Group A No. 1 6 9
Date
Time
21-Aug 22-Aug 23-Aug
15:00 19:00 19:00
Teams Costa Rica Nicaragua Nicaragua
vs. vs. vs.
Antigua & Barbuda Antigua & Barbuda Costa Rica
Group B No. 3 4 7
Date
Time
21-Aug 22-Aug 23-Aug
19:00 15:00 15:00
Teams Mexico Dominicana Dominicana
vs. vs. vs.
Guatemala Guatemala Mexico
Group C No. 2 5 8
Date
Time
21-Aug 22-Aug 23-Aug
17:00 17:00 17:00
Teams United States Cuba United States
8Â
vs. vs. vs.
Trinidad &Tobago Trinidad & Tobago Cuba
Playoff Schedule
Classification 9 No. 10
Date
Time
24-Aug
17:00
Teams 3nd HR1
vs.
2nd HR3
Quarterfinals No. 11 12
Date
Time
24-Aug 24-Aug
17:00 19:00
Teams 2nd HR1 1st HR3
vs. vs.
2nd HR2 2nd HR3
Final Classification 7/8 No. 13
Date
Time
25-Aug
15:00
Matchup 3rd HR1
vs.
Winner of M10
Semifinals No. 14 15
Date
Time
25-Aug 25-Aug
17:00 19:00
Matchup 1st HR2 1st HR1
vs. vs.
Winner of M12 Winner of M11
Final Classification 5/6 No. 16
Date
Time
26-Aug
15:00
Matchup Loser of M11
vs.
Loser of M12
Finals No. 17 18
Date
Time
26-Aug 26-Aug
17:00 19:00
Matchup Loser of M14 Winner of M14
9
vs. vs.
Loser of M15 Winner of M15
2012 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team Preview The 2012 U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team (WJNT) is slated to compete at the 2012 NORCECA Women’s Junior (U-20) Continental Championship being held Aug. 21-26 at Managua, Nicaragua.
(Litchfield Park, Ariz.). “She is relatively new to the program from the pipeline standpoint.” Wilde said. “She has gotten more and more solid and was playing well for us both defensively and in the passing role in Des Moines. She made the adjustments we needed on the court.”
The top three teams at this NORCECA (North America, Central American and the Caribbean) event will qualify for the 2013 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Junior World Championship, which will be played in Czech Republic.
The two setters selected to the team are Kelsey Humphreys (Newport Beach, Calif.) and Kelly Hunter (Papillion, Neb.).
The 12-player roster was selected through USA Volleyball High Performance tryouts held across the country this spring. Twenty players were initially selected as prospects for the team before the number was narrowed to 12 after the 2012 USA Volleyball High Performance Championships held July 24-28.
“We have been very satisfied with them. Humphreys is athletic and jumps to the ball well,” Wilde said. “She does a good job leading the team.” The three middle blockers include Haley Fauntleroy (Winnetka, Ill.), Merete Lutz (Houston, Texas) and Haleigh Washington (Idaho Springs, Colo.).
Rod Wilde will serve as the head coach and will be assisted by Charlene Whitted and Blaine Tendler. After working with his team at the High Performance Championship, Wilde is confident in the team’s ability to play well at the NORCECA event.
“One of our strengths is our middles.” Wilde said. “We were able to modify our offense to play to their strengths with Lutz hitting effectively in front of the setter and Washington being extremely effective behind.”
“The 14 days we had training in Des Moines were very productive,” Wilde said. “We were playing some really good volleyball at the end of the tournament. We have three practices once we get down (to Managua) to see where we are at.”
The six outside/opposite hitters (pin hitters) named to the program include Maya McClendon (Louisville, Ky.), Kayla Morin (Portage, Mich.), Amber Rolfzen (Papillion, Neb.), Kadie Rolfzen (Papillion, Neb.), Azariah Stahl (Elkhart, Ind.) and McKenzie Willey (Highland, Utah).
The 12 players who will represent the United States at the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship include one libero, two setters, three middle blockers and six outside/opposite hitters. The U.S. Women’s Junior National Team program includes athletes who were born in 1994 or 1995.
“The twins (Amber and Kadie Rolfzen) bring a lot of experience to the court, which will be a big factor in our performance.” Wilde said. “They have a lot of international experience.”
The libero selected to the program is Amanda Benson
Benson, Humphreys, Hunter, Lutz, McClendon, 10
2012 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team Preview Morin, the Rolfzen sisters and Willey are all part of the high school class of 2013. Fauntleroy, Stahl and Washington are members of the class of 2014.
Nine teams are slated to compete at NORCECA. Group A consists of Antigua & Barbuda, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Group B consists of Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Mexico. Group C consists of Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States. Group play will be held Aug. 21-23. Each team will play two matches over the course of three days with one day off. Playoff rounds will begin on Aug. 24, and the matchups will depend on the results of group play.
The 12 athletes selected represent 10 USA Volleyball regions including three from the Great Plains Region and one each from the Arizona, Great Lakes, Southern California, Lone Star, Pioneer, Lakeshore, Hoosier, Rocky Mountain and Intermountain Regions.
Photo Courtesy FIVB The Rolfzen twins competed on the 2011 U.S. Girls’ Youth National Volleyball Team that competed at the 2011 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ Youth World Championship.
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Athlete Profile—No. 2 McKenzie Willey McKenzie Willey
Position: Outside Hitter Height: 6-1 Weight: 155 Hometown: Highland, Utah College Status: Verballed to Arizona State University
INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: None.
Earned State of Utah UHSAA Kill Leader for outside hitters…Won Intermountain Regional High Performance National Beach Qualifier. 2010 - Named to PrepV\oOlleyball.com’s “Soph 79” list….All-State and All-Region nominee…Earned a bronze medal ath the High Performance Championships with the Intermountain Region High Performance Youth A1 Team… Qualified for Nationals HIC in the 17U division. 2009 Selected as “Frosh 59 “ by PrepVolleyball.com…Led her high school to a Utah State 4A Championship...AllRegion nominee…Made the Utah High School AllTournament Team…Qualified for Nationals HIC in the 17U division. 2008 - Qualified for Nationals SUVA.
USA VOLLEYBALL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 - Selected to the U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team. 2011 - Named to USA Volleyball High Performance Youth A2 Team. 2010 - Chosen for the USA Volleyball High Performance Youth A2 Team…Selected to USA Volleyball High Performance Girls’ Holiday Camp. 2009 Named to USA Volleyball High Performance Girls’ Select A1 Team. 2007 - Selected to USA Volleyball High Performance Intermountain Region A1 Team. CLUB/PREP HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 - Chosen as Intermountain USA Player of the Year…Qualified for USA Volleyball Junior Nationals with Club Utah. 2011 - Named PrepVolleyball.com’s “Top 85 Recruits” for the class of 2013...Named a PrepVolleyball.com Honorable Mention All-American.…Named MaxPreps Utah Player of the Year…Selected as Utah Offensive Player of the Year… Named Most Valuable Player from Region 4 Utah High School 5A…Chosen as a Desert News 5A First Team AllState…Nominee for Gatorade Player of the Year… Named one of Utah State’s Top Recruits by ESPNHS… Tabbed a “Top 10 Player” by ESPNHS Volleyball Asics…Selected by Salt Lake Tribune to the Utah High School 5A First Team All-State…Named AVCA Utah High School Player of the Week by MaxPreps…Named State of Utah UHSAA Dig Leader for outside hitters…
PERSONAL: Born McKenzie Brooke Willey on April 3, 1994, in Missoula, Mont..Goes by Kizzy…Parents are Walt and Cindy…Brother is McCoy (1992)…Mother was a middle blocker for the University of Montana and was selected to the National “B” Team in 1988…Hobbies include beach volleyball, hiking, four-wheeling and fishing…Favorite food is steak and potatoes…Favorite books are the Hunger Games…Favorite music is Acoustic, Soul, and Alternative…Favorite music group is A Rocket to the Moon…Favorite movie is Mega Mind…Favorite actress is Sandra Bullock…Favorite actor is Ryan Gosling…Most admired people are her parents because, “They both played college ball and have always supported me and helped me to achieve my goals. They are my best fans.” 12
Athlete Profile—No. 3 Kelly Hunter Kelly Hunter
Position: Setter Height: 5-11 Weight: 150 Hometown: Papillion, Neb. College Status: Verballed to the University of Nebraska
Girls’ Junior National Championship. 2009– Runner-up State Champion with her high school team….Selected to PrepVolleyball.com’s “Frosh 79” list.
INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: None. USA VOLLEYBALL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012– Selected to the 2012 U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team. 2011– Named to the USA Volleyball Girl’s Junior National second team.
PERSONAL: Born Kelly Hunter on September 7, 1994, in Omaha, Neb… Father Jeffrey played professional baseball for the Boston Red Sox from 1980-1984 and was a member of the Nebraska Men’s Baseball Team from 19761979….Her Mother, Lori, played volleyball at the University of Nebraska from 1977-1981...Her sister Lindsey (1984) played volleyball for the University of Missouri from 20022005...Lindsey also played for the USA Women’s National Volleyball Team from 2004-2009 before playing professionally in Puerto Rico for Valencianas de Juncos from 20102011...Has one brother Danny (1988) who plays basketball for Rockhurst University… Kelly’s favorite food is mashed potatoes….Kelly graduated in the top 10 percent of her class at Papillion-Lavista South High School...She also earned Academic All-American accolades and was an honor role member…Her favorite book is the Hunger Games...Her favorite musical group is Skirllex...Her favorite actors are Adam Sandler and Will Ferrel… Her hobbies include playing tennis, swimming and going to her family’s lake house...Her most admired people are her parents because, “They work really hard.”… her happiest moment in life was winning nationals in 2010.
CLUB/PREP HIGHLIGHTS: 2012– Named a PrepVolleyball.com First Team All-American. 2011– Team captain of her Nebraska Juniors club team as well as her high school team….Won a Nebraska High School State Championship….Candidate for Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year….High school team named National Champion by ESPN RISE and MaxPreps...Named a First Team AllAmerican by PrepVolleyball.com...Also made the PrepVolleyball.com “Top 50 Juniors” list…. Named a First Team All-State Selection by the Omaha Herald...Named a Nebraska First Team Super State selection by the Journal Star. 2010– Team captain of her Nebraska Junior club team as well as her high school team….Won the Nebraska State Championship with her high school team… High school team was named National Champion by MaxPreps and ESPN RISE…Named to PrepVolleyball.com’s “Soph 59” list… First Team All-State Selection by the Omaha Herald...Named a Nebraska Super State First Team selection by the Journal Star...Earned All-American honors at the USA Volleyball
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2012 ATHLETE PROFILES: Merete Lutz Athlete Profile—No. 7 Merete Lutz Merete Lutz
Position: Middle Blocker Height: 6-8 Weight: 170 Hometown: Houston, Texas College Status: Uncommitted
INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: None.
Hobbies include reading, skiing and traveling…Has traveled a lot with her family, and her favorite places to go are the Maldives and Austria…Favorite food is Tex-Mex….Favorite book is Harry Potter…Favorite music is alternative…Favorite musical group is Foster the People…Favorite movie is Ocean’s Eleven… Favorite professional team is the Chicago Bears… Favorite athlete is John Isner…Most admired person is Stephen Colbert because, “He is very intelligent and skillfully uses sarcasm and irony to humorously make his point.”…Happiest moment in life was, “Realizing in the eighth grade that the height of the volleyball net was not going to get any higher. I was new and assumed that they raised the net as you got older!”
USA VOLLEYBALL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Selected to the U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team. 2007 – Started playing volleyball at Southwest Juniors. CLUB/PREP HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 - Competed in a USA Volleyball Junior National Qualifier. PERSONAL: Born Merete Lutz on November 7, 1994, in Dallas, Texas…Father is Michael Lutz (1962) …Mother is Lisa Gertsch (1962)…Brother is Karsten (1993)…Karsten rows crew for Stanford University…
Copyrighted by USA Volleyball 14
Athlete Profile—No. 8 Kelsey Humphreys Kelsey Humphreys
Position: Setter Height: 6-0 Weight: 135 Hometown: Newport Beach, Calif. College Status: Uncommitted
INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: None.
SVCA Junior National Qualifier. 2005 - Started playing volleyball for Orange County Volleyball Club.
USA VOLLEYBALL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012Named to U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team.
PERSONAL: Born Kelsey Humphreys on January 17, 1995, in Newport Beach, Calif. …Parents are Bradley and Wendy Humphreys…Brothers are Ben (1996) and John (2001)…Sister is Ashley (1999)…Father played football for Stanford University (1984-1987)….Mom played volleyball at Stanford University(1984-1987) and for the USA National Team (1989-1990)… Hobbies include going to the beach, hanging out with friends and playing volleyball…Favorite foods are mangoes, In-n-Out Burger, and frozen yogurt. Favorite music is country…Favorite group is Zac Brown Band…Favorite movies are Remember the Titans and Despicable Me…Favorite athlete is Foluke Akinradewo… Most admired person is John Wooden because “his life was a true example of what he taught and believed in.”…Member of National Honor Society as well as the California Scholarship Federation Honor Society.
CLUB/PREP HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 - Helped Laguna Beach Volleyball Club to finish second at the Fiesta Classic Volleyball Tournament…Placed third at the Las Vegas Classic…Finished fifth at the SCVA Junior National Qualifier. 2011 - Helped LBVBC to a first-place finish at the Fiesta Classic Volleyball Tournament…Led Corona del Mar High School to a Pacific Coast League Champion…Selected to the Torrey Pines All-Tournament Team…Named First-Team AllLeague and All-CIF. 2010 - Named Honorable Mention All-League in the Pacific Coast League…Led her LBVBC 15U Team to a first-place finish at the Northern Lights Junior National Qualifier. 2009– Finished first at the Pacific Northwest Junior National Qualifier…Assisted LBVBC team to first-place finish at
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Athlete Profile—No. 10 Amanda Benson Amanda Benson
Position: Libero Height: 5-7 Weight: 130 Hometown: Litchfield Park, Ariz. College Status: Verballed to University of Oregon
INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: None.
USA Volleyball Manhattan Open in 14U Open Division. 2007 - Started playing volleyball for AZ Sky...Took second place at USA Volleyball Manhattan Open in 14U Open Division.
USA VOLLEYBALL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Selected to the U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team. 2011 - Named to the USA Volleyball High Performance Girls’ Select A2 Team that placed fifth at the USA Volleyball High Performance Championships.
PERSONAL: Born Amanda Benson on March 9, 1995, in Tucson, Ariz…Nickname is Benny…Parents are Brett and Cristina Benson…Brothers are Nicholas (1993) and Ryne (1996)…Uncle David Alcoriza was a member of the 1996 Olympic Shooting team… Grandfather Ronly Alcoriza will be inducted into the ATA National Hall of Fame this summer…Hobbies include playing volleyball and listening to music… Favorite food is pizza…Favorite book is The Great Santini…Favorite music is country…Favorite music group is Zac Brown Band…Favorite movie is Mr. and Mrs. Smith…Favorite actress is Anne Hathaway… Favorite professional sports team is the Miami Heat… Favorite athlete is Lebron James…Most admired person is Misty May-Treanor because, “She’s a stud and gives me my motivation.”…Happiest moment in life was winning the state championship in front of 3,000 people…She and her brothers competed in the High Performance Championship Sand tournament last summer.
CLUB/PREP HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 - Named to PrepVolleyball.com’s “Top 50 Junior” list...Selected to the Arizona Large School First Team All-State… Won a bronze medal at the USA Volleyball Junior National Championship with her 17U club team in the Open Division...Named PrepVolleyball.com “Defensive Dandy.”2010 - Chosen as a PrepVolleyball.com “National Sophomore of the Year” finalist… Named to the Arizona Large School First Team AllState…Selected as First Team All-Region in the Arizona Fiesta Region...Selected to the All-Tournament Team at the Westwood Tournament of Champions… Starting libero for 5A1 state champions Xavier College Preparatory. 2009 - Named PrepVolleyball.com “Defensive Dandy”…Selected to the Arizona Fiesta All-Region…Starting libero for 5A1 state champions Xavier College Preparatory. 2008 - Placed third at 16
Athlete Profile—No. 11 Haleigh Washington Haleigh Washington
Position: Middle Blocker Height: 6-3 Weight: 165 Hometown: Idaho Springs, Colo. College Status: Uncommitted
INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: None.
(1999)…Sister is Leilani (2001)…Hobbies are daydreaming, reading, writing, doodling, running, sociology, biology and playing with her siblings…Favorite food is orange chicken…Favorite book is the Hunger Games...Favorite superhero is Thor…Favorite music is anything but country…Favorite artits are Maroon 5, Queen and Drake…Favorite movies are Breakfast Club and A Knight’s Tale…Favorite actor is Heath Ledger… Favorite professional team is the Boston Celtics… Favorite athlete is LeBron James…Most admired person is an underdog because, “I love people that can overcome their issues, especially where there is just a small chance it will work. When people are beaten down, then get up and dominate, that is admirable.”
USA VOLLEYBALL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Selected to U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team. CLUB/PREP HIGHLIGHTS: 2011– Was named al All-Star in her region…Earned the region’s Newcomer of the Year award. 2008 – Started playing volleyball at Clear Creek Volleyball Club. PERSONAL: Born Haleigh Meridian Washington on September 22, 1995, in Denver, Colo. …Parents are Alecs and Danielle Washington…Brother is Kayden
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Athlete Profile—No. 12 Kayla Morin Kayla Morin
Position: Opposite Height: 6-2 Weight: 145 Hometown: Portage, Mich. College Status: Verballed to Northwestern University
INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: None.
sion. 2009 - Placed second at Great Lakes Power League in the 14U Division. 2005 – Started playing volleyball with Looga Volleyball Club.
USA VOLLEYBALL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Selected to the U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team.
PERSONAL: Born Kayla Morin on June 1, 1995, in Bowling Green, Ohio…Father is David Morin (1961) ….Mother is Gretchen Kauth (1962)…Sister is Sophie (1998)…Father played tennis at Minnesota (19791982)…Mother played volleyball at Minnesota (198185)…Hobbies include horseback riding, reading, volunteering, environmental club and running…Kayla is Editor-in-Chief of her school yearbook…Favorite food is Pad Thai…Favorite book is The Help… Favorite music is pop…Favorite singer is Taylor Swift…Favorite movie is Where the Red Fern Grows… Favorite actress is Anne Hathaway…Favorite professional team is the Minnesota Vikings…Favorite athlete is Roger Federer…Most admired person is Mrs. Wendland because, “She makes me laugh every day and helps me put things in perspective.”…Happiest moment in life was making it to the State Championships as a freshman in the 800 meter run.
CLUB/PREP HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 - Tabbed a PrepVolleyball.com “Top 50 Juniors”…Led team to first-place finish at Lakeshore Volleyfest SuperRegional in the 17U Open Division…Placed fourth at the Great Lakes Power League…Named a “Top 25 Underclassmen to Watch” by Volleyball Magazine. 2011 - Named a “Sophomore 79” by PrepVolleyball.com… Earned Second Team All-State honors…Voted Portage Northern High School’s Most Valuable Player… Helped her team place first at the Great Lakes Center Pre-Nationals in the 16U Open Division…Earned a first-place finish at the Lakeshore Volleyfest SuperRegional in the 16U Open Division…Placed third at Great Lakes Power League in the 18U Division. 2010 - Earned Third Team All-State honors…Named Most Valuable Player for her high school team...Finished in fifth-place at AAU Nationals in the 15U Open Divi-
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Athlete Profile—No. 13 Maya McClendon Maya McClendon
Position: Outside Hitter Height: 5-10 Weight: 125 Hometown: Louisville, Ken. College Status: Verballed to the University of Louisville
INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: None.
championship…Earned Mideast Power League Championship...Team named Pre-Qualifier Champions. 2008 - Selected to the AAU National Championship All-American Team and was named Most Valuable Player. 2006 – Started playing volleyball at Asics KIVA.
USA VOLLEYBALL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Selected to the U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team. 2011 - Named to the USA Volleyball High Performance Girls’A2 Youth Team. 2010 - Selected for USA Volleyball High Performance Girls’ Youth A2 Team that placed third in the Youth Division… Invited to USA Volleyball High Performance Girls’ Select Holiday Camp. 2009 - Chosen as member of USA Volleyball High Performance Girls’ Select A1 Team. CLUB/PREP HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 - Named a PrepVolleyball.com “Top 50 Recruit”…Placed third in JVA World Challenge Championship…Took second place in the JVA Showcase…Selected to the AllAmerican Team at AAU National Championship… Earned fifth place at AAU National Championship...Selected to the KHSSA First Team All-State list…Chosen for JVA Showcase All-Tournament Team…Member of KHSAA District 25 championship team. 2010 - Placed third at AAU National Championship…Helped team to KHSAA District 25
PERSONAL: Born Maya R. McClendon on December 14, 1994, in Cincinnati, Ohio…Parents are Roger and Suzanne McClendon…Brothers are Marquis (1997) and Jordan (2000)…Sister is Deja McClendon (1992)…Interested in black and white photography… Favorite food is sushi…Favorite book is Just Listen by Sarah Dessen…Enjoys all kinds of music…Favorite musical artist is Chiddy Bang…Favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice…Favorite actor is Will Ferrell…Favorite professional sports team is the Chicago Blackhawks… Favorite athlete is Derek Jeter…Most admired person is Maya Angelou because, “She has taught me that every person is born with talent and might encounter many defeats, but we cannot be defeated.”…Happiest moments those spent with the ones she loves.
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Athlete Profile—No. 14 Haley Fauntleroy Haley Fauntleroy
Position: Middle Blocker Height: 6-3 Weight: 150 Hometown: Winnetka, Ill. College Status: Uncommitted
INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: None.
Juniors…Hobbies include sailing, playing the flute and learning Chinese…Favorite food is pasta… Favorite book is the Hunger Games…Favorite music is country…Favorite band is Zac Brown Band… Favorite movie is Anchorman…Favorite actor is Will Ferrell…Favorite professional team is the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team…Favorite athlete is Stephanie Holthus…Most admired people are her parents because, “They have the largest influence on my life with their strong morals. They put so much time and energy into helping the community.”… Happiest moment in life was making the Women’s Junior National Training Team...“There could never be a greater opportunity for me than playing volleyball and representing my country at the same time.”
USA VOLLEYBALL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Selected to the U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team. 2011 - Named to USA Volleyball High Performance Girls’ Youth Continental Team. CLUB/PREP HIGHLIGHTS: 2008 - Began playing volleyball with Sky High. PERSONAL: Born Haley Nicole Fauntleroy on September 26, 1995, in Evanston, Ill…Parents are Bill and Mindy Fauntleroy…Brother is Billy (1999)… Sisters are Katie (1994) and Callie (1999)…Entire family is involved in volleyball and plays at Wildcat
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Athlete Profile—No. 15 Amber Rolfzen Amber Rolfzen
Position: Outside Hitter Height: 6-3 Weight: 160 Hometown: Papillion, Neb. College Status: Verballed to University of Nebraska
INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 – Participated at the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ Youth (U-18) World Championship and earned a ninth–place finish.
State...Named to the Nebraska Super State Team and garnered team captain honors…Selected to Nebraska All-Class All-Tournament Team …Named Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year ...Chosen by MaxPreps as a Second Team AllAmerican….Named National Sophomore of the Year by ESPN RISE as well as a Second Team AllAmerican...Tabbed PrepVolleyball.com “National Sophomore of the Year”…Maxpreps and ESPN RISE awarded her high school team the national title. 2009 – Named PrepVolleyball.com “Co-National Freshman of the Year,” sharing the honor with twin sister Kadie…Selected as a Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year finalist as a freshman…Made the Omaha All-Metro Team…Nebraska Class A AllTournament Team selection…Named to the Nebraska Super State Team.
USA VOLLEYBALL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Selected to the U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team. 2011 – Named to U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team that will compete in 2011 FIVB Girls’ Youth (U-18) World Championship. 2010 – Named to the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Training Team…Led the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team to the Women’s International Junior Division title at the USA Volleyball High Performance Championships. CLUB/PREP HIGHLIGHTS: 2011- Named Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year Finalist…Led Papillion-LaVista High School to Nebraska Class A State Championship and an undefeated season…Helped Papillion-LaVista the MaxPreps and ESPN Rise national title...Was selected by PrepVolleyball.com as a “High School All-American” Honorable Mention…Selected by ESPNHS as a Second Team All-American…Was name Second Team All-American by MaxPreps…Chosen to the Omaha All-Metro Team… Tabbed Nebraska Class A All-Tournament Team…Named to the Nebraska All-Class All-Tournament Team…Chosen as a Sports Illustrated “Face in the Crowd”…Was named by . 2010 – Won first place at the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championship in the 16U Division and was named All-Tournament…Helped Papillion-LaVista High School to Nebraska Class A State Championship with an undefeated record…Named Nebraska Class A First Team All-
PERSONAL: Born Amber Nicole Rolfzen on Aug. 25, 1994, in Papillion, Neb.… Father is Mark Rolfzen and Mother is Teresa Rolfzen…Brother is Ryan Rolfzen (1991)...has a twin Kadie (1994)…Hobbies include shopping, hanging out with friends and watching movies…Favorite food is chicken tenders…Favorite book the Hunger Games series…Favorite music category is country … Favorite musicians are Jason Aldean and Rodney Atkins …Favorite movie is The Lucky One…Favorite actress is Rachel McAdams…Favorite athlete is Jordan Larson...Most admired people are my parents because, “They always encourage us to do our best and follow our dreams no matter how big or small those dreams are...Happiest moment in life was “winning back-to-back State and National Championship titles.” 21
Athlete Profile—No. 16 Kadie Rolfzen Kadie Rolfzen
Position: Outside Hitter Height: 6-3 Weight: 160 Hometown: Papillion, Neb. College Status: Verballed to University of Nebraska
Championship and was named Most Valuable Player… Helped Papillion-LaVista High School to Nebraska Class A State Championship with an undefeated record…Named Nebraska Class A First Team All-State and Nebraska Super State Team…Selected to Nebraska All-Class AllTournament Team …Chosen as a Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year finalist…Tabbed by MaxPreps as a Second Team All-American…Chosen by ESPN RISE as “National Sophomore of the Year” and a Second Team AllAmerican…Tabbed PrepVolleyball.com “National Sophomore of the Year”…Led her high school to the national title as deemed by Maxpreps and ESPN RISE. 2009 – Named PrepVolleyball.com “Co-National Freshman of the Year” with twin sister Amber…Selected as a Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year finalist as a freshman…Tabbed Omaha All-Metro Team…Chosen to the Nebraska Class A All-Tournament Team…Named to the Nebraska Super State Team.
INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 – Participated at the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ Youth (U-18) World Championship and earned a ninth–place finish. USA VOLLEYBALL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Selected to U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team. 2011 – Named to U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team that will compete in 2011 FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship. 2010 – Named to U.S. Girls’ Youth National Training Team… Led U.S. Girls’ Youth Team to the Women’s International Junior division title at the USA Volleyball High Performance Championships. CLUB/PREP HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 - Named PrepVolleyball.com “High School All-American”…Named First Team All-American by MaxPreps and ESPNHS…Helped Papillion-LaVista to Class A State Championship…Tabbed PrepVolleyball.com “National Junior of the Year”…Chosen as ESPNHS “Junior of the Year”…Earned Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year…Named a Volleyball Magazine First Team High School All-American…Captain of the Omaha All-Metro Team…Selected as Nebraska All-State Team and was captain…Chosen to the Nebraska Class A All-Tournament Team as well as the All-Class AllTournament Team…Selected as a Sports Illustrated “Face in the Crowd”…Named to ESPN RISE’s PowerAde “Fab 50 National Champions.” 2010 – Led Nebraska Juniors to 16U Open title at the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National
PERSONAL: Born Kadie Lynn Rolfzen on Aug. 25, 1994, in Papillion, Neb.… Father is Mark Rolfzen and Mother is Teresa Rolfzen…Brother is Ryan Rolfzen (1991)...has a twin sister Amber (1994)…Hobbies include volleyball, basketball and track…Favorite foods are crab Rangoon and guacamole…Favorite book is Heaven is for Real…Favorite music category is country … Favorite musician is Jason Aldean…Admires her sister Amber...Happiest moment in life was receiving an offer to play volleyball at Nebraska 22
Athlete Profile—No. 19 Azariah Stahl Azariah Stahl
Position: Outside Hitter Height: 5-11 Weight: 148 Hometown: Elkhart, Ind. College Status: Uncommitted
INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: None.
by PrepVolleyball.com. 2007 – Started playing volleyball with Midwest Juniors.
USA VOLLEYBALL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Selected to U.S. Women’s Junior National Volleyball Team. 2010 - Named to the USA Volleyball High Performance Girls’ Select A2 White Team…Attended USA Volleyball High Performance Girls’ Select Holiday Camp. 2009 - Member of the USA Volleyball High Performance Girls’ Select A1 Blue Team that placed third at the High Performance Championships.
PERSONAL: Born Azariah Marie Stahl on June 21, 1995, in South Bend, Ind…Parents are John and Yolanda Stahl…Brothers are Satori (1991) and John Jr. (1994)…Hobbies include creating collages and writing songs…Favorite food is steak…Favorite book is the Hunger Games…Favorite type of music is pop… Favorite singer is Eminem…Favorite movie is Legend of the Guardian…Favorite actor is Johnny Depp… Favorite professional sports team is the Indianapolis Colts…Favorite athlete is Dwight Howard…Most admired person is her parents, “For all the sacrifices they made for me and my brothers’ education and sports; we were all home-schooled until high school.”… Happiest moment in life was when her friend was in remission from HLH.
CLUB/PREP HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 - Named to the “Soph 79” list by PrepVolleyball.com…Tabbed Offensive Player of the Year in the Northern Indiana Conference…Earned First Team All-NIC honors. 2010 - Named First Team All-NIC…Named Most Valuable Player at Elkhart Central High School...Selected as a PrepVolleyball.com “Frosh 59”…Was named a finalist for “Player of the Year”
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Staff Profile—Rod Wilde
WJNT Position: Head Coach
Rodney Wilde enjoyed a long and successful career as both a player and a coach. Wilde was inducted to the Pepperdine University Hall of Fame in 2009.
taking a head coaching opportunity at his alma matter. In 1986, Wilde led the Waves to a 22-7 record and became the first rookie coach to earn a men’s NCAA National Championship title.
Wilde played at Pepperdine University from 1976-79 and helped the team win their first ever NCAA Championship Title in 1978. He earned First Team All-American honors three times during his career with the Waves and was one of the top setters in volleyball at the time.
Wilde took a head coaching position at UC San Diego with the men’s team and held the position from 19911993 before serving as an assistant coach with the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team from 1993-2000.
Wilde went on to play professionally, competing with the Tuscon Sky. His team won the Championship in 1979 and Wilde earned Rookie of the Year honors. Wilde played with the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team from 1982-84. Wilde was set to participate in the 1982 Olympic Games, but a broken leg kept him from participating. He played with the team again rom 198991.
During his tenure with the National Team, Wilde coached at two Olympic Games (1996 and 2000). After serving as head coach during the 1999 Pan Am Games, Wilde transitioned over to the women’s side, and served as an assistant coach with the Wisconsin Badgers women’s volleyball team from 2001-2007. During all seven seasons that Wilde coached in Wisconsin, the team advanced to the NCAA tournament.
Wilde kicked off his coaching career on the men’s side, serving as head coach of the University of Arizona club program. He led the team to two Regional Championships in 1980 and 1981.
During the 2008 season, Wilde returned once again to his alma matter and helped out with the Waves during the final month of their season. The lost in the NCAA National Championship finals.
He took over the women’s volleyball program at Drake University in 1984, and remained there for a year before
Wilde rejoined the Pepperdine staff full time in September of 2010. 24
Staff Profile—Charlene Whitted
WJNT Position: Assistant Coach
Whitted played collegiately at Brigham Young University from 1991-1994 and graduated with a degree in therapeutic recreation in 1999. She was a two-time AVCA All-American and helped the Cougars to their first-ever NCAA semifinal appearance in 1994. Whitted was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year as a senior in 1994, capping a collegiate career in which she was named WAC Freshman of the Year in 1991. Whitted ended her career with a school-record 5,321 assists.
selected in 2002 to serve a three-year term on the USA Volleyball Board of Directors as the international female player representative.
A member of the U.S. National Team from 1997 to 2001, Whitted was the starting setter for the squad from January 1999 to August 2000. In her first season directing the U.S. National Team’s offense, Whitted earned the best setter award at the 1999 NORCECA Continental Championship after leading her team to a second-place finish.
Whitted has spent a total of five years working with the High Performance Select Program as either an assistant or head coach.
She also guided the squad to a bronze medal at the 1999 Pan American Games. In 2000, Whitted helped Team USA qualify for the Sydney Olympics as the starting setter at the NIKE Americas Volleyball Challenge. She also earned the best setter award at the four-team event. However, Whitted sprained her wrist during a tour of Germany just prior to leaving for the World Grand Prix, Team USA’s final tune-up before the Olympics, and was relegated to a supporting role in Sydney as Team USA placed fourth.
In 2010, Whited was an assistant coach for the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team that captured gold at the 2010 NORCECA Girls’ Youth Continental Championship in Guatemala.
Whitted spent four seasons (2003-2006) as an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska working with the Huskers’ setters. During her tenure, Nebraska captured the 2006 NCAA National Volleyball Championship.
She served as an assistant coach on the 2002 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team, which earned a silver medal at the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship.
She later served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Youth Olympic Team that earned the silver medal in the inaugural event held in August of 2010 in Singapore. Earlier this year she served as an assistant on the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team that earned the NORCECA Girls’ Youth Continental Championship.
Whitted played professionally overseas, competing in Italy for Barrese Volley Napoli and in Switzerland for Adliswil. She also competed professionally in Salt Lake City in the National Volleyball Association (1994-95) and the Professional Volleyball League (1995-96). Whitted competed I the United States Professional Volleyball (USPV) league during the 2001-2002 season. She was
She has spent the past five years as the director of volleyball for American College Connection, along with five years as an instructor in the Whitted Volleyball Camps.
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Staff Profile—Blaine Tendler
WJNT Position: Assistant Coach
Blaine Tendler started playing volleyball in 1980 in Saskatchewan, Canada. He played for both club and high school teams before going on to play in college. At the University of Regina. In 1985, Tendler competed on the Canada Games Championship Team.
Tendler coached in Canada from 1982-1991 for various high school and club programs. From 1991-1993, he coached professionally in Germany and France. He spent the next decade (1993-2003) coaching for men’s and women’s collegiate programs, leading his teams to West German Championship while coaching Schwerte Volleyball Club in Germany. He also led his teams to a number of East Coast Championships.
After graduation in 1991, Tendler went on to play professionally in Europe. He played in Germany from 1991-92 and France from 1992-93. Two of the clubs Tendler played with were inducted into his hometown’s Sports Hall of Fame. Tendler was inducted into the Hall of Fame as well in 2001.
Tendler currently runs his own volleyball club, Piedmont Volleyball Club, in North Carolina. Tendler has been actively involved with the High Performance Pipeline since 2005, coaching with 26 different USA Volleyball teams. He is also involved with the Carolina Region High Performance Program.
Tendler won several provincial and national championships during his professional career.
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U.S. Women’s Junior National Team in Review U.S. CLAIMS FOURTH AT 2011 FIVB JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
ly be in Peru with the 12-player roster. Plum has a year under her belt at the University of Oregon and was tabbed to the All-Pac-10 Freshman Team as the Ducks finished 2010 with a 19-11 record.
China captured the bronze medal with a 20-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-23 victory over United States in Lima. The victory represented China’s 10th medal in the 16 editions of the tournament, while United States’ fourthplace finish matches their previous best classification.
Before college, she played three seasons with Coast Volleyball Club and earned USA Volleyball Junior National Championship’s All-American in 2010.
Zhou Yang totaled a team-high 18 points with seven blocks in leading China, while Yanchi Pi added 16 points. Qi Wang and Xiaoya contributed 10 points in the victory. Haley Eckerman led United States with 18 points, while Kelly Reeves added 15 points and Haleigh Hampton 13 points. China held a 15-5 advantage in blocks and an 8-6 edge in service aces.
Dagostino was named ESPN Rise Volleyball AllAmerican in 2010 and helped Berkeley Prep School to back-to-back Class 3A state titles (2009-2010). Haleigh Hampton (Huntington Beach, Calif.), Carly Wopat (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Samantha Cash (San Diego), Sallie McLaurin (Midwest City, Okla.) and Madelyn Hutson (Brentwood, Tenn.) are serving as middle blockers on the 19-player preliminary roster.
“USA is a good team, strong and with good matches yesterday against Brazil and today. We were tired, but now we are happy for the victory.”
Hampton ranked third nationally in blocks in her first year at Long Beach State University and is part of the U.S. Women’s Junior National team for the second year along with Wopat and Cash.
2011 FIVB WOMEN’S JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW The 2011 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team, which will compete at the 2011 FIVB Women’s Junior (U-20) World Championship in Lima and Trujilla, Peru, contains a roster comprising of many players who have already had experience in international play.
Wopat was named to the 2010 All-Pac-10 Freshmen Team her first season at Stanford University. She also served as captain of the 2010 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team and played in the 2009 FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship after leading the squad to the 2008 NORCECA Girls’ Youth Continental Championship.
The setters for the 19-player preliminary roster are Molly Kreklow (Delano, Minn.), Lauren Plum (Poway, Calif.), Hannah Allison (Siloam Springs, Ark.) and Mackenzie Dagostino (Tampa Bay, Fla.).
Hutson begins her first year University of Texas this fall and McLaurin was awarded the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award after her first year at the University of Oklahoma.
Kreklow was named AVCA Central Region Freshman of the Year after being ranked second in the Big 12 at the University of Missouri. She set the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team to a sweep over the Dominican Republic as Team USA claimed the 2010 NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship.
Outside hitters that are returning from last year’s team are Stephanie Holthus (Elgin, Ill.), Liz McMahon (Liberty Township, Ohio), Andrea McHugh (Yorba Linda, Calif.) and Kelly Reeves (San Diego).
She also helped the 2008 U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team to the NORCECA Girls’ Youth Continental Championship title.
Holthus was named to the 2010 Big Ten All-Freshman Team in her debut at Northwestern University. McMahon begins her collegiate career at University of Illinois in August.
Plum, Allison and Dagostino have been named to the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team and one will like27
U.S. Women’s Junior National Team in Review McHugh and Reeves have one year of college play under their belts at Notre Dame and UCLA, respectively.
2011 FIVB World Championship, 16 athletes attended the U.S. Women’s National Team Open tryout held from February 25-27 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Haley Eckerman (Waterloo, Iowa), Madison Kingdon (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Moneshia Simmons (Buford, Ga.) are the new outside hitters on the 19-player preliminary roster.
“We have a number of veterans from last year’s NORCECA Championship team as well as some new additions,” Browning said. “I am excited to see them come together and form a cohesive team.”
Eckerman competed in the 2009 FIVB Girls’ Youth (U- 19) World Championship and will attend the University of Texas.
Browning has selected this year’s team based off of not only skill and experience, but also based on intangible assets players bring to the team.
Kingdon led Sunnyslope High School to three consecutive state championships and will be playing at the University of Arizona in the fall.
“Our criteria are simple - we want to get the absolute best players possible so that we can win the World Championship,” Browning said. “Being the best means more than just having the physical and skill components. It means being the type of person who can contribute to a strong team culture and is capable of helping the team achieve beyond the sum of its parts.”
Moneshia Simmons has a year of college play under her belt at Clemson University. Jennifer Bonilla (Reseda, Calif.), Natalie Hagglund (Encinitas, Calif.) and Alyssa Warren (Joliet, Ill.) are in the preliminary roster pool to handle the libero duties. Bonilla, who was part of the 2010 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team, was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team after her first season at the University of Illinois.
The team held a training session from July 10-19 at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif., to allow the team to pull together in full force as it competes in hopes of winning gold at the FIVB Women’s Junior National Championship.
Hagglund was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team after her first season at University of Southern California.
He expressed his faith in the team’s ability to mesh together and become a tough team for other countries to face.
Warren will be heading into her second season at Seton Hall University in the fall.
“We are still trying to determine exactly what our strengths are,” Browning said. “We certainly have a lot of talent on this team. We want to combine that with a singular desire to do everything we can to perform our very best when our best is needed. I think we will accomplish this by making sure we are a cohesive unit and mentally tough enough to overcome whatever obstacles lie in our path.”
Nine players - Bonilla, Cash, Hampton, Holthus, Kreklow, McHugh, McMahon, Reeves and Wopat - all competed with the 2010 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team that won the gold medal at the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship. Rob Browning (head coach at Saint Mary’s University, Calif.) is in his second year serving as head coach of the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team. He is excited to see the members from last year’s NORCECA Championship team come together with the new additions. Out of the 19-player preliminary roster for the
With the talented line-up, the team is bound to put on a competitive display. Browning feels that the team is at an advantage heading to Peru simply because they are the representing the United States, but the downside is that the team has experience minimal time to 28
U.S. Women’s Junior National Team in Review play together in preparation for the tournament.
team has set objectives in hopes to attain the prized gold medal.
“Our advantage is that we are USA,” Browning said. “We don’t take that for granted. It truly means something and our girls are proud to represent our great country, USA Volleyball and all that it stands for. The biggest disadvantage that we always have is that we will train together for 10 days before the World Championship. Every other team in the world will have trained together for at least a couple of months, if not a year or more.”
“Our primary goal is to come home with the gold medal,” Browning said. “To accomplish that we have set the following goals for ourselves during this training period: prepare the players mentally and physically to play their very best; implement offensive and defensive systems so that we are all on the same page; create a strong team environment; and to compete against each other to determine what our best line-ups are.”
The U.S. Women’s Junior National Team is playing in Pool C and will open the tournament on July 22 against Belgium.
U.S. WOMEN’S JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAM WINS GOLD AT NORCECA This year’s U.S. Women’s Junior National Team members Jennifer Bonilla, Haleigh Hampton, Stephanie Holthus, Molly Kreklow, Andrea McHugh, Liz McMahon, Kelly Reeves and Carly Wopat competed with the 2010 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team that won gold at the last meeting of the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship in Tijuana, Mexico.
The U.S. team is scheduled to face Poland for its second match on July 23. For the team’s third match, the U.S. will face Korea on July 24. The top two teams in each of the four first-round pools advance to the top eight second round with another round robin pool of four teams. The teams finishing third and fourth in the first round drop into the 9-16 classification second round. Both second rounds take place July 26-28.
The U.S. Women’s Junior National Team defeated Dominican Republic 25-22, 25-20, 25-20 in the goldmedal match. Cuba defeated Mexico 25-20, 25-19, 2521 in the bronze medal match.
The semifinal and final classification round is set for July 30, while the medal rounds will be held July 31. Browning is excited to have Jill Kramer and Erik Sullivan as his assistant coaches and Denise Corlett as the team leader in guiding the team in the FIVB Women’s Junior World Championship. The chemistry amongst the coaching staff will be a major asset to the U.S. team.
According to the NORCECA Championship regulations, the top three teams that placed in the NORCECA event earned spots into the 2010 FIVB Women’s Junior World Championship. The top three teams were the U.S., Dominican Republic and Cuba.
“The coaches we have selected to join me are also exceptionally good and I feel fortunate to be able to work with them,” Browning said. “They will contribute tremendously to the success of our team and they are fun to be with.”
U.S. WOMEN’S JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAM FINISHES FIFTH AT FIVB WORLDS The U.S. Women’s Junior National Team ended the 2009 FIVB Women’s Junior World Championships as it fell to the Czech Republic, 0-3 (13-25 13-25 16-25) in Tijuana, Mexico and finished the tournament in 12th place (2-6).
Browning has faith in his coaching staff and team to accomplish their main goal for the tournament. The
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Volleyball Glossary Ace - a served ball that directly results in a point.
before serving the ball.
Block - an attempt by a player or players to interrupt the ball before, as or just after it crosses the net.
Free Ball - a ball the opponent cannot attack and must yield by passing over the net.
Bump (Pass) - technique of playing the ball using forearms, hands together, to direct the ball.
Joust - when two players on opposing sides attempt to block the ball by vying to push it onto each other’s side of the net.
Bump (Set) - a forearm pass used as a set.
Kill - an attack that results in an immediate point.
Carry - a fault called if the ball comes to rest in the course of contact by one player.
Paint Brush - a wipe off shot by the hitter (painter) on a blocker.
Court - the playing surface divided into two equal areas by a net. In its official form, volleyball is played on a rectangular court 18 meters (59 feet 0.75 inches) long and 9 meters (29 feet 6.475 inches) wide; the women’s net placed at 2.24 meters (7 feet 4.125 inches) high and the men’s net at 2.44 meters (8 feet) high.
Pancake - a one-handed floor defensive technique where the hand is extended and slid along the floor, palm down, and the ball rebounds off the back of the hand, rather than the floor. Pass - the first of three contacts on the offensive side - overhead or forearm.
Coverage - most often, refers to backing up a teammate’s hit when the block is up and the ball comes back.
Perimeter Defense - backrow defenders work in the area a meter in from the backline and sidelines up to the three-meter line.
Cross Court/Cut Shot - an offensive hit when a player, instead of hitting with power, slices the ball just over and nearly parallel to the net.
Pipe - a ball set in the middle of the court, on the three-meter line, for a backrow player to hit.
Dig Lips - defending more than once and successfully an opponent’s hard spike as if the attacker was saying beforehand where the hit was going and you read their lips.
Quick - the first of the three attack options. The attacker contacts the ball immediately after it is released from the setter’s hands. Red card - a severe sanction given by the up-referee.
Dig - to pass a very hard hit spike; a ball brought up (saved) with any part of the body, particularly from a spike attempt.
Roof - to block a spike, usually straight down and for a point.
Dink - a very softly-hit spike; ball played just over the net or the blockers hands.
Screening - an attempt by a player to conceal the start of a teammate’s serve by obstructing an opponent’s line of sight. Screening is illegal.
Down-Referee - secondary referee. He/she stands on the floor at the opposite end of the net as the upreferee. Also known as the second official. Dump - when the setter, instead of setting the hitters, attacks the ball over the net.
Seams - the space between the blockers that the defense must fill to avoid giving hitters an easy shot. Set – the act of getting the ball into the position for the hitters to attack the ball. Usually done overhead with two hands.
Foot fault - stepping on the court or out of bounds
Setter – the team quarterback. Attempts to “set” every 30
Volleyball Glossary second contact for his/her hitters to attack.
than the top of the net. Also known as a bury, crush, hammer, kill, put-away or slam.
Serve - the act of putting the ball into play. Stuff - a block in which the ball goes straight down to the floor and the defenders have no chance to get a hand under it before it does.
Shank - to pass the so poorly that a teammate cannot make a second contact on the ball. Six Pack - another term for getting a ball in the face on while playing defense. A “Twelve Pack” actually knocks down the defender. In the past the defender was then obligated to buy the hitter a six pack of his/ her desired beverage (roots are found in doubles sand play).
Tool - when a ball is intentionally spiked off a blocker’s hands to make it go out of bounds before another defender can make a play on it.
Slide - a movement from an attacker’s serve receive position past another onto a third; usually the ball is hit while “sliding out” towards the sideline.
Up-referee - the main referee. He/she stands upon a special chair. Also known as the first referee.
Touch - when the ball lands out of bounds, but not before contacting one of the players.
Yellow card - a first sanction given by the up-referee, cost the sanctioned team a point.
Spiked Ball - a ball hit forcibly from a height not less
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USA Volleyball Fact Sheet
Name: USA Volleyball Location: Colorado Springs, Colo. Founded: 1928 Membership: Approximately 275,000 Mission: USA Volleyball is the National Governing Body (NGB) for all disciplines of volleyball in the United States and is officially recognized by the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). As mandated by the Amateur Sports Act, USA Volleyball is responsible for the growth of the sport in America at the grassroots and most elite levels. USA Volleyball is the parent organization of the USA National Teams. Chief Executive Officer: Doug Beal About USA Volleyball: Founded in 1928, USA Volleyball is a Colorado incorporated non-profit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Federation International de Volleyball (FIVB) as the National Governing Body for the sport of Volleyball in the United States. USA Volleyball is responsible for both the Olympic disciplines of indoor volleyball and beach volleyball. USA Volleyball has over 275,000 registered members, 12,000 teams and 5,300 clubs nationwide. With an annual budget in excess of $17 million dollars, USA Volleyball supports the USA men’s and women’s senior national team programs, youth and junior national teams, national championship events, coaching educa on and certificate on programs, grassroots development, and programs for the disabled and Paralympic Teams. USA Volleyball has a rich tradition of success as evidenced by winning an Olympic medal in every Olympic Games since 1984 and capturing numerous World Cup, World Championship and Continental Championship titles. USA Volleyball is committed to and works toward opportunity for all to participate. It is an advocate for all Americans endeavoring to assure universal access to opportunities at all levels of the game. For more information please visit www.usavolleyball.org. Other: USA Volleyball consists of 40 regional volleyball associations which manage grassroots playing opportunities for the USA Volleyball membership and is affiliated with 36 member organizations (i.e. NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, YMCA) that provide playing opportunities at a variety of levels.
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