Commissioner’s IREVA OFFICERS 2007 Welcome Commissioner Patty Blacklock Patty Blacklock Vice President Fall 2007 I’d like to welcome all of the returning Jim Webber and new Iroquois Empire Volleyball Association members to the 2007-2008 Treasurer volleyball season and urge that each and Jim Bishop Inside this Issue everyone of us do whatever we can to contribute in making this one of the best Secretary Commissioner’s seasons ever! Chris Symes 1 Welcome While I am still a relatively new Registrar-Systems Reviewer 1 Ireva Officers 2006 Commissioner, our Board is full of Cameron Erickson exceptional volunteers who, like myself, The 518 Junior Nationals 2 have been part of the Iroquois Empire Registrar – Adults & Junior Boys 3 NCAJ Explosion region for many years and have the best interest of the membership and the sport Joni Blacklock USA Junior Olympic 3 of volleyball at heart with each and Championship Registrar – Junior Girls & every issue that is brought to their 4 Lakeside “Beachbums” attention. So please, come to us with Associated Adults Freedom Junior your ideas and become aware Susanna Ashline 5 of/involved with the committees that we Olympics Insurance and Grievance have available to promote policies and 5 Junior Development Blaise Agnew Camp progress in the sport of volleyball 9 Dig Into It within our region and beyond! Tournament Coordinator Schenectady 50’s Betsy Marsh 9 In looking at the initials of our region’s 10 Blue Karma name (IEVA), I see a message to Competition Chair 11 Jackass Involve Everyone in Volleyball Cameron Erickson Schenectady 55’s Activities 12 Referee Chair 12 Serve-ivors and I believe it is up to all of us to make those invites to everyone that we know Paul Vink-Lainas 13 Legion Red so that more people are getting involved Scorekeeper Chair 14 Pacmen with the sport and increasing their level Mike McNeil 14 Zero Gravity of involvement with each and every 15 Kilgore invite that they accept. Adults Chair 16 Hack Fu The volleyball community is one of the Betsy Marsh 17 Slaughterhouse few that consistently demonstrates (on Juniors Chair and off the court) the values and Goonies Hazel Goldstein 18 importance of teamwork, commitment, 19 UVA dedication, camaraderie, appreciation of Communications Chair 20 Legion others, and the willingness to help Ben Rosenthal others when in need. So, let’s continue to expand that trend beyond our Regional Office Manager

individual teams and clubs to work Anna Turner together as a region sharing resources, talents, ideas, facilities, etc. to Referee Assignor ultimately grow the life-long sport of Howard Veater volleyball for participants at all levels

...... Fall 2007 (recreation to AA), genders, and age larger sport, The Great Lakes, Southern success, beating them with set scores of divisions (youth to golden masters), as California, and Hawaii is always 25-18, 25-27, and 15-10. The boys took well as, implement programs to develop interesting. Unfortunately day one their momentum and rolled it right into players to their maximum potential results were not so good. We started off the match against Capital City thereby improving the national against SOVA providing a challenge but Volleyball beating them in two sets, 25- representation of the Iroquois Empire came up short 21-25 and 19-25. The 17, and 25-21. Due to a schedule region at all levels of competition. first set was a heartbreaker with SOVA misprint our court had gotten started regaining momentum from a big run in late so our hour break scheduled for this In closing, I will ask you again, to the first set. We were up 17-14 and point had completely disappeared. please, join me, and the dedicated board finally sided back out for 18-21. Fortunately we were able to negotiate a members that I will be working with, to Getting ready to play High Line the minimum of thirty minutes to eat before make our region grow with increased coaches were pretty confident that our our third match in a row but this proved numbers of tournaments, teams, team could pull out a win. They were to be inadequate for the match against officials, and exposure of novices to the very competitive in the last match the top team in the pool, Tool City 18- various levels of the wonderful and fun against a much better team. During this 2s, and we went 16-25, 25-22 and the sport of volleyball! match, we regressed to a team that third set was lost with a very tense 13- could not serve the ball consistently. 15. There was no time to recuperate Very sloppy play left us with another from this before the fourth match. It loss, 19-25, 20-25. This second loss left became immediately apparent that the The 518 Junior us in a precarious situation; if we were boys had nothing left to throw at our to lose the third match as well, we forth opponent Panther City 18s so we Nationals would be relegated to the bottom half of used this opportunity to rest up some of the tournament. The first set against our starters. The sets went 21-25, and Chris Aiello Quicksets was a nail biter that we lost 20-25. 23-25, the second set offered hope as The 518 Volleyball Club embarked on nd we dominated the entire time to win 25- Day four was the highlight of our trip; its 2 Junior Olympic Boys’ Nationals 20, but in the third we seemed to have the day before the team had begun to appearance. We traveled to Atlanta, nothing left and lost 8-15. play cohesively and figured many of our Georgia to compete against some of the issues out, but lack of depth in a few top teams in the nation. The 518 18’s Day two dawned with fresh hope. We positions meant that we did not have the team had had some great showings at came out fighting and lost the first endurance to cope with the schedule. various tournaments all season, as well match: 20-25, 25-23, 11-15 to Diablo Starting off the day in Flight 4, we beat as retaining the regional championship Fujinaga. This team went on to win our Missouri Thunder 25-19, 22-25, and 15- and everyone looked forward to the pool, which is severely disappointing 10. In the next match against tough competition to come. when you play them that close. We BOOMERS the team repeats the played the second match of the day as if performance, taking set one easily 25- Coming into the first day of games, it was already lost from point one and 16, playing set two too close and losing mixed feelings arose. Some players this resulted in a massive loss 18-25, 24-26, but pushing on in set three to win were there for the first time, others their and 17-25, almost completely due to 15-11. This places us in the final match second, and three for their third. The unforced errors. We remembered how of our bracket poised to be the first 518 excitement was there, but not apparent to play with some heart in match three team to leave nationals with a win in until we reached the convention center. and took it 25-15, 22-25, and 15-11. their last match. The 518 Volleyball Many of the first timers had stunned This late day win picked up everyone’s Club delivers another close match for looks upon their faces as they caught the spirits tremendously and the team the crowd, barely beating SHOTEN 24- first glimpse of the vast amount of seemed to remember how to close out a 26, 25-17, and 15-10. Thus we finished volleyball underway. It was nice to match. out the day 3-0, winning Flight 4, and finally have a tournament where we got finishing 45th overall. to play in the second wave and the The schedule on day three was brutal. players got to sleep in a bit. We were seeded in a five team pool on The 2007 Boy’s Nationals was a great two courts and we had pulled a short experience for the entire 518 team. Our The pool the first day included some straw: we worked first and then played seniors finished out their junior careers stiff competition from SOVA 18 Gold, four matches straight with a one hour with an impressive finish and our High Line 18 Red, and Quicksets 18B break in the middle, no matches off. younger players gained some great Black. Playing against these teams Our first match was against Shoten and experience for the coming years. from areas where volleyball is a much we continued from the previous night’s

2 ...... NEWSLETTER all of our players’ eyes when they tried winning the gold medal at their first NCAJ Explosion to emulate some of the players they saw tournament and ended by winning the while they competed in the games, so I gold division at the Iroquois Empire Linda Wagner know they have the fever and they now Regional Volleyball Championships in believe that it is possible for them to Syracuse, NY. The North Country Albany Juniors 14s work hard and reach great heights with team, Explosion, earned a bid to this wonderful life-long sport of Members of the Explosion team who participate in the 2007 USA Junior volleyball. I just hope they remember attended Nationals were Libby Bjork, Olympic Girls’ National Volleyball their individual shining moments, Sarah Bjork, Hattie Burgher, Brigit Championships in Minneapolis from because each of them had them Diamond, Emily Gillich, Brigit June 28th-July 2nd. They were the first throughout the event and I want to thank Haggerty, Victoria Nixon, Mandy NCAJ 14s team to participate in the them and Desiree Farley, who stepped Schott, Sylvia Sorriento, and Ellie National Championships and were in as my Assistant Coach for the Wagner. proud to represent their Iroquois Empire Championships, for all of their hard Region at the event. work, dedication, and unconditional Based in the Capital Region of New

support that they gave me as the Head York, the North Country Albany Juniors Playing at the National Championship Coach”, says Patty Blacklock who also Club currently has six teams: 12s, 14s, was an exciting and challenging serves as the Club’s Co-Director and experience for the ten girls and two Commissioner of the Iroquois Empire two 16s and two 18s. Co-Directors, coaches who traveled to Minnesota, as Regional Volleyball Association. Patty Blacklock and Robin Sparks, are well as for the numerous parents who expecting those numbers to increase supported them by being there. “It was The Explosion team worked hard to based on the excitement that these a great experience for all of us and earn their place at the Nationals. For Explosion players are demonstrating showed the players what incredible most on the team, this season was their volleyball skills they could achieve if and talking about from their experience first time playing together and for others at Nationals this year. they put the time and energy into it that their first time playing club volleyball. some of the top notch players, within Yet, everything just seemed to come their age division, do. I saw the fire in together. They began the season by ...... are the 46th best team in the country.” I how we played! We won in three USA Junior think she had the right attitude. games, and used everything we had learned during the tournament. Olympic One thing we might have done differently was stay a little closer to the Casey Wright was a shining star Championship venue. We ended up at a hotel across offensively, and led the team with kills. the street from the Mall of America, Angie Mifsud made some of the most Ron Sparks about an hour, by train and foot, to the amazing defensive plays I have ever convention center. The proximity to seen. Christianne Ludwick carried us, What an experience! We went out one of the largest shopping centers in offensively, in our sole win. Kathleen expecting to play the best teams we had the world was a slight distraction for Hoyt served teams off the court, and ever seen, and we were not some of our group. I have to admit I was the funniest player in the gym. disappointed. I spoke with several was in awe of the indoor roller coasters. Lauren Passerelli was limited by a chest college coaches in attendance and they cold, but contributed when we needed a confirmed what I believed was the best, Even though our record did not show it, pass, and was the most supportive talent wise, tournament ever. I have we had many highlights. We lost games teammate ever. Brittany Conroy had to been to more than a half dozen NCAA by scores of 27-25, 29-27, and even 31- fill in for our injured setter, Allie Championships and the finals rivaled 29. Some of the games that we lost by Mentor, and led the team proudly. some of those matches. Although we large margins were great games. Lindsay Frasier made huge leaps as a finished with a record of one and nine, Exceptional rallys, amazing defensive middle blocker, and was an overall none of the young women on the team plays, and trying to run a deceptive balanced player. Jamie Belmonte, the wished that they had passed up the offense, we just could not score points. most inexperienced player on our team, experience. The opportunity to play at In the semi-finals of our flight, we played well above any of our that level is rare, and possibly a once in ended up playing Long Island Big expectations. Overall, we represented a lifetime chance for most. We finished th Apple (LIBA). One of the parents from our region well. 46 out of 48 teams. I remember LI commented that this was for the someone saying, “That still means we championship of New York. And that’s

...... 3 Fall 2007 One thing that we learned from our the event were concentrating their commitment to our sport (athletes, experience was how hard that you had efforts on volleyball rather than trying parents, and coaches) and competing in to work to be competitive at that level. to play multiple sports. Volleyball still these types of tournaments so that we We spoke with many teams that seems to be a secondary sport in our can bring back the knowledge to others practiced 5 nights a week, and one club region. We have the athletes to in our schools and clubs who have a that had two a days for the month prior compete at a national caliber love for volleyball. to the tourney. Most of the players at tournament. The next step is making a ...... Sky High entered the tournament ranked #21 #24 Lakeside Lakeside 25-Lake Country “Beachbums” Rock Pool Play (DAY 2) 14....Lakeside 26-Lake Country 24 Lakeside vs Bay to Bay (Northern Junior Nationals California) Lakeside vs Riptide (Orange County, Bay to Bay entered the tournament California) At this weeks Jr. Olympic National ranked 4th Riptide entered the tournament ranked tournament held in Atlanta Georgia July #9 4-7th, the "Beachbum's" shocked the Lakeside 20-Bay to Bay 25....Lakeside competition by coming from behind and 14...Bay to Bay 25 winning "1st place" in the Bronze Lakeside 19-Riptide 25...Lakeside 25- Division. Initially ranked 13th at the Riptide 22...Lakeside 24-Riptide 22 start of the competition, their hard work Lakeside vs Vaqueros (Puerto Rico) and success has now ranked them "9th Vaqueros entered the tournament DAY 4 (Bronze Division in the Country" in the 15u Open boy's ranked 8th Championships) division. This win has also made them Lakeside vs High Performance (St. the top ranked 15u boys team on the Lakeside 16-Vaqueros 25...Lakeside 17- Louis) east coast, and chances are good, that Vaqueros 25 they may end up with the highest ranking of all east coast teams Lakeside 15-HP 25....Lakeside 25-HP (regardless of age) playing at the Jr Lakeside vs Ultimate (Great Lakes, 21....Lakeside 16-HP 14 (Semi-Finals) Olympic tournament. Chicago) Ultimate entered the tournament ranked Lakeside vs Epic (San Diego California) Pool Play (DAY1) 14th Epic Entered the tournament ranked 7th Lakeside vs OCVC (Orange County v/B Club, California) Lakeside 25-Ultimate 21...Lakeside 25- Lakeside 20 - Epic 25...Lakeside 25- OCVC entered the tournament ranked # Ultimate 16 Epic 23....Lakeside 15- Epic 10 (Final) 1: Lakeside 25-Skyhigh 18....Lakeside 25- LAKESIDE BRONZE CHAMPIONS Lakeside 14-OCVC 25...... Lakeside Skyhigh 14 26-OCVC 26 Pool Play (DAY 3)

Lakeside vs Northshore (Milwaukee) Lakeside vs High Performance (ST. Northshore entered the tournament Louis) ranked #19 High Performance entered the tournament ranked #12 Lakeside 21- NorthShore 25....Lakeside

25-Northshore 16.....Lakeside 15- Lakeside 25-HP 22...... Lakeside 15-HP Northshore 13 25.....Lakeside 15-HP 10

Lakeside vs Lake Country Boys V/B Lakeside vs Skyhigh ( Great Club (Wisconsin) Lakes,Chicago) Lake Country entered the tournament

4 ...... NEWSLETTER Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. The day came meeting up with Jill, Brittany, Kayla Freedom Junior to a close as everyone dropped like flies and Coach Kwinn, the entire team set on their beds, completely worn out and out on a bus for the Tour of the Twin Olympics exhausted from waking up early. Cities. The first stop on the tour was located at Minnehaha Park, which Terry-Roxann DeGraw Monday, July 2nd: Our first morning in possessed a beautiful waterfall and a Minnesota began early; we all ventured statue of Hiawatha carrying Minnehaha Sunday, July 1st: Today was the off to the Mall of America for some across the river. Following the many “jumping off” point of our excursion. roller coaster adventures. Before hitting poses of the team next to the waterfall, For Kiersten, Jasmine, and Felicia up the rides however, we girls stood for the group journeyed back to the bus to (Jasmine’s mother), the day began at a photo op underneath the Mall of head into the heart of the Twin Cities. 3am. It was very rough for Jasmine and America signs, posing for The tour guide led the group through Felicia, who had been awake since the approximately fifty pictures. If you look Saint Paul and Minneapolis, visiting a night before and traveling home from carefully, the pictures should be posted cathedral and the capitol. More sites NYC at 1am. They arrived at the airport in the September issues of Vogue, Teen seen were the broadcasting headquarters at 4:30 am and their chief concern was People, and most importantly, USA for Prairie Home Companion, the house the weight of their baggage (Felicia’s Volleyball. Once inside, after “oooh- in the television show Mary Tyler was exactly 50.0 pounds!). The plane ing” and “aah-ing”, we bought wrist Moore and a speak-easy during the days was very small and tight, and Jasmine bands and rode many rides, including an of prohibition. The tour ended with the felt very claustrophobic. For the rest of interesting version of the Crazy Mouse, group back at the Mall of America to the gang (team members and family), the team favorite. Considering the eat dinner together at Famous Dave’s the morning began between 4am and personalities of those on the team, you then off the see fireworks over a nearby 5am. After a few mishaps with security can bet we screamed obnoxiously at all lake. Yes! Fireworks on the THIRD of (Kelly and Jill were thought to be inappropriate times. We also considered July!! The firework display was dangerous!), breakfast breaks and jumping in the blow up tree house, but beautiful and the scenery of the lake bathroom trips, the team boarded what as you can imagine, we were all completed the show. Over excited, the could be the smallest plane to ever take unfortunately taller than 43 inches. girls fell asleep and ready for the first off. Mr. DeFosse couldn’t even stand up After completing the indoor amusement day of play. straight! Despite the extremely bumpy park (and yes, Coach Kwinn dominated landing, everybody had a decent flight. the rides with us), the group split up to Wednesday, July 4th: The girls woke up In Chicago, meeting up with Kiersten, shop according to style interests, and decided to split ways again on Jasmine, and Felicia was rather funny. occasionally meeting up with each other Wednesday. After showering and All three women looked as if they might while eating lunch or shopping in one of cleaning, the girls of hotel room 421 just fall asleep while standing up! the gazillion stores. By 10:00 pm the (Jasmine, Dakota, Kiersten and Kelly,) Actually, Kiersten had eaten so much entire team had returned from their were shocked to see Stephanie knock on candy and drank so much Starbucks she shopping expedition. Some girls had their door saying how Jill, Kayla and couldn’t stop talking! Thankfully, the shopped for seven hours! Totally spent, Brittany were all ready off to start their flight to Minnesota was more spacious much like their money, the girls played day. After breakfast Jill and Brittany and less lengthy than the flight to some cards and fell asleep almost headed off to Lake Calhoun. Jasmine, Chicago. Most of the girls noticed the instantly. Kelly, Dakota, Stephanie and Kiersten odd patterning of the land below. Who spent their time in the pool and hot tub. ploughed the ground into PERFECT Tuesday, July 3rd: Tuesday began with Later the whole team and the coach squares? The great number of baseball some of us oversleeping (*cough, went to the mall again to eat food but, fields lain across the Minnesota ground cough* to Dakota, Kelly, and Jasmine) after some discussion, skipped the food was also unbelievable. Finally, after and eventually breakfast. Then, some of and headed straight for the train. Rather landing, baggage claim and catching the us moved on to relaxing in the pool and ironically, the team was prompt in shuttle, the team and family entered the hot tub. Mid-morning was characterized boarding the train to Nicollet Station cutest Country Inn and Suites in by some shopping, some hanging out, (where the Convention Center was America. Even the elevators were and a whole lot of rain. Dakota, located), but the coach was so busy painted with homey landscape décor. Kiersten, Kelly, Stephanie, and Jasmine “buying tickets” (yeah right) that she Most of the team hung around the hotel; all visited one of the Mall of America’s MISSED the train! (The truth: Coach swimming, playing Mario Tennis, or quintessential tourist attractions, the Kwinn was nice enough to buy hanging out in the hot tub. Kiersten, Largest Underground Aquarium. The everyone’s ticket and was waiting for Jasmine, and Felicia, however, lived up aquarium contained many species of her credit card to be released – it took so to the old adage “Shop ‘til you drop.” fish, sharks, and sea turtles. The girls long she missed the train.) Once the Hitting up the Mall of America as enjoyed taking many pictures with the girls realized Coach Kwinn was not to quickly as possible, the rest of the day fish and varieties of statues within the be found, frantic phone calls were made included bargain shopping and eating complex of the aquarium. After and Kelly, queen of the subways and

...... 5 Fall 2007 trains, jumped to figure out what station Olympic volleyball. Only two games of the girls, who were finished packing, we were expected to get off at. Oddly were played that day one against spent time in the swimming pool where enough, during a discussion about what California, the other against they met up with a group of soccer should be done in a worst-case scenario, Pennsylvania. Even though both were players (male.) They challenged them Jillian spotted something very unusual. lost, it seemed as if the girls were to a game of volleyball (sort of) and, It appeared that Coach was walking improving their attitudes and adjusting alas, the girls finally won a volleyball towards our train car! Well, it turned out to the higher level of play. A highlight game that week. Not to worry, Mrs. our military woman of a coach had happened when the referee told us that Dye was there to chaperone. taken a cab to the next train station and one of Jill’s saves was the best he had boarded. When the team first walked seen all week and she had floor burn to Sunday, July 8th. We were up and out into the Convention Center, the thought prove it. bright and early. Everyone was at the tip of every girl’s tongue was “Oh dragging, but glad to be heading home. my God. These girls are so tall. These Friday, July 6th: It was an early start. There were no mishaps and everyone parents are so tall.” Also, in the words Despite some unhappy times the night arrived on time with all their stuff. The of Steph, “They must breed them before, we were hoping to have a more flight was uneventful. Everyone said somewhere. The parents, I mean, which successful day on the court. their last goodbyes to Coach Kwinn and go on to breed more tall people.” Not Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. We her adorable kids (who met her at the only were the girls tall, they were lost the two games. Coach spoke to the airport.) After exchanges of hugs and strong. A girl from Deadfrog, a team parents and decided we should stay kisses, everyone departed to their own from Michigan, hit Dakota hard enough together as a team, without parents, for cars with some making plans to meet in the head to give her what was the rest of the day. After we worked, over the summer or at Whoosh Camp in possibly a mild concussion! Although she treated us to lunch at the Bistro and August. she played through the day, a trip to the we returned to the hotel to enjoy some trainer called for a series of obstacles down time at the swimming pool. The including running laps, taking it easy Dye’s returned with bags of cotton and sleeping in coach’s room! A second candy for each of us, repeating our old trip the next morning was necessary. mantra, “Cotton Candy Is For Winners.” Junior Long Beach After a hard day of playing, maybe not We were winners that day, even though to full potential, but intensely all the we hadn’t won on the court. We Development Camp same, the girls trooped back to the hotel. returned to the venue and, again, we Michael Pellitier Along the way, firework displays could lost. Most of the girls returned to the be seen in every direction. Jasmine, hotel to go swimming. Jillian and Britt This year attending the Long Beach Kiersten, Stephanie, and Dakota and their parents had planned to see developmental camp was one of the best personally witnessed over ten different dinner theatre on the Mississippi. They experiences of my life. Not only did I firework displays on the highway. dashed off in time, but, alas, it was get to play competitive volleyball all coupon night and all the seats were sold week long but I met some great guys Thursday, July 5th: After Dakota’s ten out. They had to “make do” with a and have become friends with them. o’clock trainer’s appointment, Thursday dinner on a riverboat. They played This has been some of the best proved to be a beautiful day in “headlines” while waiting for dinner volleyball I've played in my entire life. Minneapolis. The entire team spent the and enjoyed walking along the dock Being from the east coast our team day at Lake Calhoun swimming, posing together. It was a very enjoyable doesn't get to play really good teams for pictures, and boating! Jasmine, memory which was completed with a outside of East Coast Championships Kiersten, Stephanie, and Dakota shared photograph taken by Jill with a timed and Nationals. I learned so much from a boat so Dakota could leave at 12:30 to camera. this camp and the only bad part about it see the trainer, once again. Their was it didn't last longer. The coaches I excursion including attempting to Saturday, July 7th: Oh well, we were had were very encouraging and inspired peddle to the middle of the lake, consistent. We didn’t win on Saturday, me to work harder in hopes of being on discovering that they moved faster either. But, we did score 17 points in the national team. I hope next year I can peddling backwards, and eventually, one game. That was our all time high achieve a higher camp and work my passing through the bridge, seeing a for the week. We wrote some essays for way up. Thank you for this great turtle and a flock of ducks. Meanwhile, coach about our experience. Kiersten experience. Brittany, Jill, Kayla, and Kelly used and Jasmine left early for their flight to their leg muscles to peddle under the Syracuse and the rest of the girls split bridge and about, until Jill reminded the up to do some last minute shopping for team of the impending time restraint friends and family at home. Kayla went and everyone trooped back to shore. to the Aquarium at the Mall of America, After eating lunch, the girls readied and because she missed the opportunity left for their second day of Junior earlier in the week. In the evening, some

6 ...... NEWSLETTER After awhile I got more comfortable and Junior High confident. The instructors broke The last week in July came very fast everyone up into even teams and they and I was looking forward to the High Performance Camp told us that if we got to the first of the Performance Camp. I picked the camp four courts that we were “in.” After a in Virginia at George Mason University Ryan Earl long period of playing and very little because it was the closest to New York. breaks and me pushing myself into After many hours in the car with my It all started when my volleyball team, doing things that I didn’t even know I family I finally arrived to the camp. The The 518, was going to a tournament in could do, my number was called. When university’s campus was huge and Chicago and my coaches Paul Vink- one of the instructors yelled out “17”, I beautiful. I met my roommate for the Lainas and Hansen Leong, told me I wasn’t quite sure what they were going week and got three camp shirts and should go to this “High Performance” to do with me. The instructor that received all the information for the try-out. I never really heard about this called my number told me that it was week. We had three sessions each day before but I figured since four other of my lucky day and to go on the first with about an hour to an hour and a half my teammates were trying out I would court. After standing there watching the breaks in between each session to get too. I started asking my coaches’ other guys play on the first court my food and relax. During each session question like “what is the tryout for?” stomach went higher and higher into my they would teach us different techniques and “why should I tryout?” I never throat. Once again I had to tell myself to to become better volleyball players. I really got a straight answer from them not worry and just play the game, so I enjoyed playing volleyball but I was besides “just do it.” did. I played to my best potential and also happy to go to bed at night to get after the tryouts were over I couldn’t get my energy back. I learned something When I first walked into the gym where rid of the smile on my face. new at each session. I enjoyed playing the tryouts were being held I wasn’t to with other volleyball players who had sure what was going to happen. I got my A few months later, anxiously waiting the same passion for the sport. I had a t-shirt with the number 17 on it and to hear what my results were from the great time at camp and was when one of my teammate got his t-shirt tryouts, I got a phone call from one of disappointed to leave. Five years ago I with the number 319 I was a little my coaches telling me that me and two would have never thought I would be scared as to how many guys were of my teammates have been selected to selected to go to a High Performance actually trying out. I still wasn’t too attend the USA High Performance camp. And now I feel privileged to have nervous until everyone started warming Development Camp. I was very excited been able to be a part of it. The tryouts up. Being a setter, I was watching all and couldn’t wait to tell my family. I and camp taught me so much about the other setters seeing how I compared was looking forward to going to a camp volleyball, teamwork and my own to them. The level of play varied with two of my teammates but later I potential and it was a great experience. among the players but there was some found out that I would be the only one that intimidated me. I stopped thinking going to camp. After talking with my about everyone else and just focused on parents and my coaches, I was more me, so I jumped in and started playing. excited to go...... players my age around the United the next drill.” All but two coaches had Junior National States. this attitude for coaching the players.

Camp, Colorado During the week of camp I was Another problem was the lack of effort somewhat disappointed with the way given by the head coach toward all of Springs the program was run. The head coach of the players. He had a certain few that he the program would begin each drill with would work with but besides that he Dakota Pruiss a demonstration on how to properly wouldn’t even bother trying to help out perform a skill. This of course would the other thirty girls. During the third First of all, I would like to say thanks to make sense seeing that players need to day of training we were working on a everyone who helped give me this watch a technique before trying it. shin collapse technique for passing opportunity to go to the Olympic Unfortunately, once we began the drill where he had one of the players Training Center in Colorado Springs. It if a player didn’t understand how to do demonstrate the skill before the drill. was a great honor to represent IREVA the skill, the coaches would usually yell During the demonstration she had no at the national level and I was happy to at or humiliate the player. I can idea what he wanted and in result I had be chosen for this experience. I was remember on one occasion where a no idea of what I was doing. So, trying very grateful for given the opportunity coach said to a girl, “Just give up until to learn the skill I asked the coach to to play with some of the best volleyball help me out. Apparently his idea of

...... 7 Fall 2007 Continued from Page 7 us run a complete play where there were breaking curfew. I could understand his helping me was throwing a couple of 3 touches to a ball. I can understand that anger until all of us found out that no balls towards me, and then walking fundamentals are very important in all girl from the volleyball camp broke away without any feedback. My partner sports especially volleyball, but if I am curfew and the head coach knew that. It for the drill just looked at me puzzled training with some of the best players turned out to be wrestlers (from another and had no idea what he wanted either. around the nation it would have been camp) sneaking local Colorado Spring nice to actually play with them rather girls into the center under the pretense Looking over the actual coaching, the than shuffle in a line next to them. that they were volleyball players. skills that I learned at the camp are somewhat affective, even if I am not The attitude of the head coach was The national camp was an experience if doing them correctly. We were taught probably the most unbearable thing anything. The other girls attending the two different kinds of arm swings at the about camp. I have had a lot of coaches camp were some of the most amazing camp called D1 and D2 arm swing for in volleyball and I have always tried to people I have met in my life. It was hitting cross court and line. I also listen to them and I have always tried to great to train with other people as reviewed some ideas on passing that I do what was asked of me. I can honestly dedicated to the sport as I am and I am was taught by Sue Medley at the say that this coach did not trust anyone glad that I went. The camp in itself Regional High Performance Camp last of the players, and made it seem like we wasn’t the best camp I have attended year. The one thing that annoyed me had to be stone cold and serious to play but it certainly wasn’t the worst. I did when going over passing was that we volleyball. I began volleyball because I learn a lot and it was worth it. I just spent about two hours shuffling towards watched college players who had a huge believe that the IREVA camp was run balls and letting them run through our amount of energy while playing and much smoother and I learned a lot more legs, trying to learn how to pass with they made it seem fun. This coach at the IREVA camp compared to the our body behind the ball. Many drills drilled it into our head that our only national camp. I am still impressed that we did were similar to this where goal in life was to move up the Pipeline with the USA Pipeline and I will be at we went over movement and rarely got and if we didn’t then we were mediocre tryouts next year. The opportunity to to perform an actual pass or an actual volleyball players. During the week he play and train at such a high level is just hit. It took the coaches five days to let punished the entire camp for three girls too much to give up.

...... campus with great facilities. Our libero training drills. Drills that will Junior Long Beach coaches were from Long Beach, BYU make me a better player and help and Orange County City College. It was to make my team better. We practiced Development Camp great to go to the camp with my two all week that led up to a tournament teammates Mike Pellitier and Jordan on the last day, which my team won. I Matthew Bynon. Armstrong and meet new people from thank the IREVA region for their help across the country. We had three in going and I was very proud to I just returned from a high performance sessions a day and 2hours in between represent IREVA, Lakeside, and Burnt camp in Long Beach. The camp was each session. As libero I did alot of Hills at this camp. held at Long Beach State a beautiful ...... Olympic Training Center in Colorado these coaches knew and were willing to Junior Long Beach Springs. teach us.

Development Camp The camp proved to be filled with I personally found the intensive setting knowledgeable coaches from Hawaii, parts of the camp most valuable. Jordan Armstrong Utah, and California. These coaches are Between constant positioning, footwork,

th th former players of the game who now serving, blocking, and defense, I would From July 16 to July 20 I was coaches at BYU, Long Beach State, say that my skills all around improved. I fortunate to have been selected to Outrigger Canoe Volleyball Club, and personally enjoyed the positioning and partake in the USA Boys Volleyball other coaches from Community blocking parts of the camp. It gave Developmental Camp in Long Beach, Colleges in Southern California, not to skills that I have already developed a California. This was my second year mention three players from the current chance to be critiqued so that proper taking part in the High Performance Long Beach State 49ers Men’s habits can be formed to help me reach Pipeline. Last year I went to The Volleyball Team. It was amazing all the the next level of volleyball even though tricks and specifics to the game that 8 ...... NEWSLETTER all these coaches gave were very I am happy that I was again given this Continued from Page 8 helpful. I really appreciated how opportunity to increase my volleyball I am only entering my freshmen year of completely honest the coaches were knowledge. I hope to continue my high school. with us, telling us straight forward what volleyball education through the coming coaches look for and what you can One of the most important parts of the control in your pursuit to play volleyball years. I am glad to be able to proudly camp was a session about what we need in college. represent the Iroquois Empire Region to do to reach the college level in on a National Volleyball Level volleyball. The tips and suggestions that

...... which brought us to a 4-1 finish in our first pool.

Dig Into It Our next assignment, a 9:05 start time on Monday morning, made for a rocky Therese Hans beginning to what would be our last day of play. We battled through our Late night in the Austin Airport brought early matches, but remained optimistic together the members of “Dig Into It,” that the silver would be ours. and our “Setsational” setter, Sarah Besemer. This would be our last Our last match proved to be a bit tournament with Jessa Canfield and disappointing. We couldn’t catch a Erica Golub (Nissen), both leaving us to break and it was a whirlwind finish. pursue lives of wedded Wisconsin and Later that evening, as we enjoyed Swedish bliss. But while in Austin, it IREVA camaraderie at the Paradise, it was just the girls. was clear that Nationals wasn’t merely about the medal. Sixth Street reminded us of that. We were assigned to the PM wave, which meant breakfast would be our On Tuesday morning, we dined one first adventure in Austin. We last time at the1866. As we departed discovered the elegant 1866 Café as the Courtyard, we had no idea how well as authentic Austin cuisine. As it determined Austin was to keep us. turned out, breakfast tacos were no Dawn and Jim returned to the hotel after match against an upstate NY belly. Dig Into It 2007 learning their plane had been punctured Dawn Kenyon – L Luckily, there was plenty of recovery after a collision with another plane. time before our first match. Sarah Besemer – S Others managed to rearrange their flight Katrina Fox – OH plans when faced with delays. The atmosphere in the convention Stacey Flanagan – OH Danielle Oulliette – OH center was invigorating. We found our “Dig Into It” will inevitably look chemistry early and, though we lost our Danielle Heath – OH / OPP different next year, but our memory of Jessa Canfield – M first match to those “Bad Betties,” we Austin 2007 will remain. Congrats on a swept the rest of the teams in round one Erica Nissen – M great season and best wishes to Erica Therese Hans – M and Jessa!

...... Schenectady 50s team added fellow the night before competition started, Schenectady 50’s IREVA players Rich Chapin, Pete Peer, meeting everyone and getting used to and Mike McNeil along with setter two new setters. Checking in at the Bob LaCerais Bernie Goldfine from Georgia to Radisson hotel that night, we wondered compete in the 50+ age group at Austin what the hundred or so people were Starting with a core of Schenectady this year. Arriving in Austin on Friday, doing on the bridge beside the hotel. YMCA players Bob LaCerais, Steve we had our first collective team practice We later learned that this was the Davies, and Jack Anderton, the

...... 9 Fall 2007 We completed pool play on Sunday, the tournament 25-15, 25-18. This was Continued from Page 9 dropping all three matches against Spike a good barometer of how much we famous “bat bridge”, where tens of Force 50 (14-25, 8-25), DALE - 50 (25- improved as a team over the course of thousands of bats emerge each night 21, 15-25, 9-15), and RVC50 (9-25, 12- the tournament, and a testament to all around dusk. 15) (but picked up another win in the the contributions we got from a group of process!). Although disappointed with 7 players from 5 different teams who Several of us on the Schenectady 50s our pool play results, it turned out that banded together in Austin. That match team have played in previous Nationals, we played in the strongest pool, with win extended our play to Tuesday, one and we knew many of the teams from teams from our pool ultimately placing of the goals our team had entering the those competitions. Once again, the 1st and 4th in the Gold Flight, 1st and 3rd tournament. On the final day, we level of 50s competition at Austin was in the Silver Flight. played another close match, but lost to fairly stiff. On Saturday, we started Wicked Olde Guys (13-25, 25-21, 11- slowly, going 0-3 against Volley & Cia Starting double elimination on Monday, 15) to bow out of the tournament tied at - Kappa (10-25, 11-25), we lost our first match in a tough 13th. Next up – Huntsman Senior World RobertBruceRealtor.com (15-25, 8-25), contest against The Ref Shop 50's (25- Games in October! and Greenfield 50's (25-21, 22-25, 10- 27, 14-25), which put us in the Silver 15). That win against Greenfield got a pool. Facing elimination from the huge monkey off our backs since the tournament, we played our second Schenectady Y 50s team finished with match against Greenfield 50's and an 0-16 games record in New Orleans! exacted our revenge, ousting them from ...... finished 3-3 in our pool, overall. As we cheering on our men (Jackass and Pac- Blue Karma eagerly awaited our outcome, we Men), and going out drinking and supported other teams, like Jackass, dancing. After playing hard for 3 Erin Erickson Pac-Men, Hack Fu, Kilgore, and straight days, we needed some Slaughterhouse. It was great to see all relaxation! Austin, Texas, 2007…what a blast! of the teams from our region do well. Austin made Blue Karma even stronger, Blue Karma had 5 original team but we all came to the same conclusion- members who were ready to go, but we Late Sunday night we found out we we need a new name. So when you had trouble finding a 6th. So we picked would be playing Serve-ivors to get into look for us next season, we won’t be up a pregnant girl and a former college the Bronze bracket. We had to travel to under “Blue Karma.” But we will all be player (thanks Darcy and Jill!). We Texas to play a team from our own back ready to kick butt! And planned on practicing 3 or 4 times region? We kicked some booty and remember, karma is a bitch!!! before we went, but our gym was won the match in 2. suddenly MIA. We went to Texas having not played together since But our last match proved to be the Regionals. most challenging. After we easily won the first, we lost the 2nd game 23- 25. We started Saturday morning at 8:00 am It all came down to a 3rd game and it and WON (Blue Karma never wins wasn’t looking good for Blue Karma early morning matches). After we were when we allowed the other team, the “spoken to” about our uniforms, our “ladies,” to get off to a 7- 1 lead. But captain choices, and Darcy’s serve, we after some tough serving by Jill, some took a deep breath and went on with the great sets by Katie, and some day. We were also told we had to get spectacular hitting by Krista, Sarah and new uniforms or not play on Sunday, Lori, we came back and switched sides Monday, or Tuesday. After all the 8-7 us! The lead kept changing and we drama, we needed to play well. Our day ended up losing 13- 15. ended on a sweet note after we won the 3rd game against a team that wasn’t too Despite our last match (knowing we friendly. We were actually nervous that should have and could have won), we might end up in Gold because we Austin proved to be a great bonding finished 3-1 for the day! experience for Blue Karma. We did awesome in our pool, and did well in Sunday we had a tougher time against our 2 post- pool matches. We had a ball the 2 teams we had to play, and we hanging out by the pool, eating lunch,

10 ...... NEWSLETTER Nationals location Jackass in the past ten years, with the Dimitri Garder possible exception of Minneapolis. The 2007 Volleyball US Open, held in Austin scored high Austin, TX, proved to be yet another on all of the fantastic Nationals experience. The factors that make a team’s annual tradition of sporting a superior ridiculous warm-up and new team tournament stickers (we didn’t stick them anywhere, location: great I swear - we just handed them out) did food, a fantastic not disappoint. From the moment we night-life, warm left the hotel to head to our first climate, and a Saturday afternoon match, we knew that centrally-located the new team warm-up concept would convention center be a huge success, since almost allowing easy immediately drivers and passers-by access within a stopped to laugh and take photos. The As a side note, the men’s open finals ™ few short blocks to the most lively part team sported Space Ghost outfits with of the city. The Tex-Mex and BBQ demonstrated, in the opinion of this masks, capes, and bulging muscles were some of the best in the country writer, that the rally point scoring (real, of course), which got lots of (third-best burrito I’ve ever had, system is killing the game of volleyball laughs and attention, including a shout- second-best BBQ). Austin is known for from the spectator’s point of view. out and standing O during the men’s its live music scene, and walking down Team Paul Mitchell put a pretty serious open finals. 6th Street on Saturday night it was hard beat-down on every team they played, to distinguish Austin from the way New not the least of which was the loser’s Unfortunately our play on the court did Orleans used to be in its heyday (though bracket finalist Riptide, who lost 0-3 in not live up to the high caliber of our Austin smelled considerably better). the final match. The point is not that antics off the court. We played in the B Perhaps the only negatives to Austin Paul Mitchell won so decisively; they division, which should have allowed us were a tough week for weather, caused are a very talented team and extremely to be very competitive. We faced only by a low pressure system that stalled difficult to beat. The issue is that the one tough team, and a number of over central Texas for over a month matches are not interesting to watch weaker teams during pool play, yet we causing record rains and flooding, after the first 15 points. After the initial managed to finish with a disappointing persisting incredibly for more than a impressiveness of early open-level pool 1-4 record. After pool play we won two month after the tournament ended; flight play matches with impossible digs and straight challenge matches earning a cancellations that resulted in a number straight down hits starts to wear thin, seed to the bronze bracket (a.k.a. tin of players needing to re-route flights spectators start to look for a bit more foil, just one step up from papier- through Houston and driving 3 hours to excitement and often begin to root for mâché). During most past tournaments Austin (one player took three days to the underdogs. In past years, side-out this is when we really begin to play; get home due to similar flight delays); scoring permitted multiple momentum unfortunately this year we lost our first and an over-zealous police force who swings within a game, which made for bracket match right away and were took jay-walking entirely too seriously extremely exciting semi-final and final eliminated from the tournament in (and were quite clear about the fact that matches. With rally point scoring, the record time, early in the third day of the no, they had absolutely no intention of momentum of the score allows for one tournament. It was a very disappointing producing a copy of the city ordinance or two momentum swings at most, finish for the team. Our expectations prohibiting crossing between corners, which is usually not enough to allow a had been high, since we seemingly had and if we didn’t get the hell off the lagging team to come back from any everything going for us: a strong lineup, street right now we’d be hauled off to significant point deficit. The result is a afternoon matches, a pool that should jail in handcuffs pronto, and they match that can be predictable and have allowed us to be very competitive, weren’t kidding). To express our downright boring, especially when one and the obligatory hotties cheering us gratitude for the fantastic job that the team is particularly strong, as in the on from the sidelines. But fate would local police force were doing, we case of Paul Mitchell. Finals matches in have none of it, hotties notwithstanding. happily obliged with a 2007 issue team past years were exciting and well- We were destined to impress with our sticker on the top of the old bike helmet attended; increasingly they’re becoming warm-ups, but not our play. (see photo, thanks to BJ for having so less well attended and not nearly as fun much game). to watch. Austin, on the other hand, did not disappoint. This was arguably the best

...... 11 Fall 2007 district of town, rather than in the social Continued from Page 11 center of the city. Also, part of the fun In any event, Austin proved to be an As a final comment, it was of going to Nationals is seeing a new extremely worthy Nationals venue, and disappointing to hear that the 2008 US city each year. The choice of Atlanta so would be strongly recommended for Open will be held yet again in Atlanta, soon after recently playing in that anyone looking for a city that can rival which is a particularly poor tournament location, suggests that financial interests the former spirit, style, music, and city due partly to the location of the may have taken precedence over player cuisine of New Orleans. convention center in the business interests, which is unfortunate...... Compounding all of these issues was a younger, not how tall they really were – Schenectady 55’s decision to focus energy, budget and to say nothing about what they have vacation time (for most of the 55s) on shrunk to by now! Adventures in Austin the National Senior Games in Louisville, KY in July. As a result, our For a variety of reasons, our play was Jim Bishop club needed to do some recruiting to fill amazingly inconsistent – competitive out teams for 60s and 50s to go to for stretches, flat for the remainder. We Actually, getting there is part of the Austin. (See related story on the 50s.) won one match, and then lost to the adventure. For some people, it was the same team in playoffs. It wasn’t pretty, trip; for others, it was organizational For better or for worse, the Schenectady but participation in the event was still issues. 60s ended up picking up players from worthwhile (for me, at least); just being all over, and registering a bunch of new there is a success of sorts. For the geezers of Schenectady, people with IREVA just for this event. organization is definitely an issue! Last Thank goodness for the flexibility of the Other memories of Austin: USAV year, we had 38 players, and entered 25 conglomerate team rule for seniors / meetings (ugh); hazy, hot and humid; teams in tournaments. This year, we had masters. If not for that, a lot of people the beginning of the monsoon season; 10 people out for injuries for most of would sit at home pouting. no problem at all finding beer and BBQ; the year, registered 23 players, and dueling pianos; seeing a lot of old entered 13 teams in tournaments. Ouch The first order of business in Austin was friends and acquaintances; 18 IREVA – not the direction we wanted to go. I putting names with faces; then teams to cheer for - 2 in open, no less; guess old age, bad habits, and bad luck confirming positions for each; then being reminded by my friends from are catching up with a few of us. Well, organizing a tactical plan. Texas that “y’all” is singular – “all of as they say, the alternative to old age is Unfortunately, we were a relatively y’all” is plural. definitely not acceptable, so a few short team, and didn’t necessarily make infirmities may be the price to pay for a up for that problem with other positive I’m already looking forward to next lifetime of fun and frolic. Here’s hoping attributes. Personally, I’m convinced year in Atlanta. Sure, we’ve been there next year will be an improvement. that people remember how tall they and done that, but there are worse wish they were when they were alternatives – like not being able to go! ...... Custer, Marnee Card, Lisa Mosher, and beat GHVB- Girls Gone Wild (25-14, Jan Suits- just wasn't there. 25-21), ending the day 1 and 2 overall. Serve-ivors Lisa Mosher Day one of pool play starting out with With one win under our belts we were playing Easy as Pi. We played very hoping to maybe have our luck turn Year two for Team Serve-ivors didn't well considering we hadn't practiced around for day two. Unfortunately it end as we hoped. Our beginning together as a team in over a month, but didn’t’. We lost to Blue Fish Bowl in journey to Austin didn't start out well we just didn't have enough to win the game one (25-23, 25-19), and came up either and it just continued on for the match (24-26, 25-23, 15-8). Our next short again in game two, losing to remainder of Nationals. With half of two games we played right down to the Ensemble in three (27-25, 13-25, 15-8). our team being stuck in Chicago for wire. We lost game two to the Texas By now the team has lost their drive and almost 24 hours (and having to sleep on Satellites, one minute playing really hot any and all positive outlook we may cots and waking up at 4am), the mood and the next minute playing like it was have had coming to the convention and drive of our team- consisting of our first time (26-24, 25-16). Finally in center. And loosing game three to Has Diane Jaquays, Kristi Custer, Jessica game three we pulled it together and Beens (and quite badly) didn't help

12 ...... NEWSLETTER final) game of the Copper. We lost in OOPS, must be our watches stopped! Continued from Page 12 two very quick games to The Shockers For the remainder of our time in Austin, matters any. (25-15, 25-19). we just figured that we were playing so horribly, that us drinking by noon and After having two bad days of pool play We still managed to have fun even going out at night wasn't going to really we now found out that we were going to though we didn't play so hot. The first make matters worse. So after we played have to play a team from our own night out, the whole team headed to 6th we would have a few, cheer our other region- Blue Karma, to fight to get into Street and checked out a few of the local teams like UVA, Hackfu, the Bronze bracket. In a way we were local places and made our last stop Rockstar, Zero Gravity, Club Distillery kind of relived to find out we were Coyote Ugly- dancing the night away B, and Goonies, and then head out to playing a team that we knew and faced on the bar. The next night we each did 6th Street to meet up with our out-of- quite often throughout the season, but our own thing, setting an early curfee of state friends from Team Wally's (NJ), we knew it wasn't going to be an easy midnight- hoping that getting some our Pennsylvania friends, and Nacho task. And that it wasn't- Blue Karma sleep would help us play better; Libero. played their best game yet and beat us however, that didn't quite happen for in two (25-19, 25-20), pushing us down two of us. We ran into Team Wally's at Onto next year...... hopefully it won't into the Copper Bracket. By now, the Buffalo Billards and from there it was be a rerun of this year! See you in team had lost any and all togetherness downhill- making it back to our hotel by Atlanta! and it showed during our first (and 1:30am but not to our room until 3am- ...... pretty well for playing in the Legion Red Open Division. Ashley DeNeal Although we could not pull out any matches, it ROSTER: was a great experience to be #1 Blair Buchanan able to go up #2 Ashley DeNeal against some of #3 Ashley Crenshaw the best #4 Emmy Blouin competition in the #9 Ashlee Reed nation. #10 Jen Leone #11 Alyse Lahti By bringing #12 Kate Eckhardt together girls with #20 Kamisha Kellam recent college volleyball experience, we with a year of experience now under our In our first time ever taking part in the thought we would all go and have some belt, we hope to play in a few more USA Open Volleyball Competition, the fun playing volleyball. We ended up tournaments to better prepare ourselves Legion Red Women’s team competed doing both. Along with playing a ton of for heading into next year’s event. volleyball, we had a great time We would like to thank USA Volleyball hanging out with for a great event, everyone from the others who share in region who came out and showed their our appreciation for support at our matches, and all the the sport. Though people behind the scenes in our region the scores of our who helped make this all possible! matches may not Thanks again and we can’t wait for this reflect it, we all left time again next year! feeling that we played well and were able to compete in every match. However,

...... 13 Fall 2007 Day 1 started with a refreshing change bronze playoffs. With memories from PacMen from last year with our first game at last year rising to the surface we gave it 2:30 PM. We played well the first day our all again for our evening challenge Ben Rosenthal winning some matches and losing some. match and took it in three games. The We were in a pool of 7 teams and ended bronze playoffs were within our grasp. This was the Second National up having 3 pool play matches on each Tournament for PacMen. Although of the first two days. Day 3 started a little earlier with our only three returning members from last second challenge match. I don’t know if years team made the trip, the team had Day 2 was much better for us. Winning it was the earlier start or the celebration played together for the whole season another match and a competitive loss on of playing so well the day before but we this year giving us high hopes in Austin our second. Our last match was against didn’t look so hot on this Monday for a strong finish. the undefeated team in our pool (who morning and found ourselves losing the ended up second overall in B). We took match leaving us in the copper division Before I get into the detail of the 2007 the match out strong with some of the again. Little did we know but our final Open Championships I would like to best play from our team I’ve seen all match was just hours away. We tried to introduce the members of PacMen for season. We just about took them with take the victory but fatigue had set in this season. Ben Rosenthal OH – some fantastic offense and defense to from our previous 2 days and we lost Captain, Doug Gordon OH, Jared Bazan match but they ended up winning out in again, finishing around 33rd overall. OPP, Adam Vaughn OH, Ken Wei L, the end. With complements from them BJ Carson MB, Cameron Erickson S on some great playing we ended our Although I had hoped for a better finish and Josh Hagel MB. John Leighton th pool in 5 place. This left us in a this year it was good to play with a team played with us all season as well but position familiar from New Orleans last that was together all season. I did think due do some unfortunate planning by year with a challenge match for bronze the competition was much tougher this another volleyball player, John had to or copper playoffs. It turns out that with miss the tournament this year to be the a new software package the tournament year and I am looking forward to taking best man in what I’m sure was a was using this year there was a little it on again in Atlanta in 2008. fantastic wedding. format change and there were now two challenge matches to make it to the ...... of pool play felt a lot like New Orleans stepped in to the setter's role, as then last year -- undefeated the entire day, setter Nathan shifted to Middle and solid play all around the court. Stu Blocker. The match went three games, Zero Gravity and Steve Hicks (clap, clap) dominated and Zero Gravity kept Gold bracket the middle, freeing up outsides Nick, hopes alive, putting the match away 20- Jeff Evans Mike, and Lou for big, explosive hits 18 with an ace from Nathan. What a from the outside. Jeff ("Coach") Evans match! This was what we came for. Zero gravity struggled a bit this season put up a consistent block, and with injuries. Our middle hitter (Pat 'a terminated well from both front and Again perhaps our celebration went a little less FK' Furman) from last year back row. We felt good leaving the little long that night as we played early was limited to a libero role this year due gym; ready to build on the momentum on day 3 and came out a little flat to shoulder injuries, and our team developed through the day. against team 'Club Chaos', losing two 'Monster' (Mike Forster) was limited tight games. That loss put us solidly towards the end of the season; however, Perhaps we celebrated our victory a bit into the silver bracket where we ended we picked up several new players for too much that night as Zero Gravity up 17th overall. the season and for our trip to Austin. found out on day two that we are The new talent (Nick 'FK' Laratta, Stu actually affected -- quite a bit -- by With the new talent in Nick Laratta, Stu 'Stuuuuuuuu' Hess, and Lou 'break his gravity. At the end the day we still stood Hess and Lou Gristwood, and finger' Gristwood) stepped up big for on the verge of Gold bracket for a continuing solid performances from the Zero Gravity in numerous roles. They second year, despite struggling through rest of the team, next year looks bright covered every position -- middle, our matches. Our first "play-in" match for team Zero Gravity. See you in outside, opposite, setter, and even libero was against an old rival -- Team ATLANTA!!! through the season depending on our Metropolis, the BB champions from need. So first and foremost, thanks to Denver nationals. The match was them for their flexibility this season. heated, long rallies, big swings, and great blocking all around. Nick Laratta As for Nationals, what a trip! Day one 14 ...... NEWSLETTER the afternoon shift. This meant that we silver bracket versus The Victors. Kilgore could go out at night, sleep in and even Unfortunately, their twelve-player roster get to check out other teams in our proved to be too much for our meager Heidi Brower region who were playing in the morning seven players and we fell to them in two (if we woke up in time!). We started games. For a team that decided in the very our pool play on Saturday afternoon beginning that we were going to with a tough three set loss to Ninjas After a long four days of playing, Nationals every OTHER year to save with Attitude, but we followed it up watching volleyball and going out on some money and avoid getting fired with four wins against ROOF, Pink the town, our team was thrilled with our from our jobs, we sure do spend a lot of Ladies, Go Fish and Shinkara-Red that 11th place finish! Despite a difficult time on the road. Kilgore made up our resulted in a 4-1 record and a first place season and a new lineup, we persevered minds to go to Austin about a month finish in our pool! Our pool play was and proved that we’ve still got it! Each before Regionals and immediately tough, but our attitude and spirit were player on our roster brought not only began brainstorming ways to get time tougher and with each win, we became her “A” volleyball game, but also her off and get enough players to go. For a more confident and comfortable with A+ heart and soul that we all know is decision that was so spur of the our lineup. the key to success out there on the court. moment, it sure did work out well! Congrats to all the IREVA teams and When it came time for our first gold we look forward to next year’s Open in We didn’t come off a great season this challenge match on Monday morning, Atlanta! See you there! year, but we were looking forward to our team was eager to play again and partying it up in Austin and supporting excited to be doing so well. We played other IREVA teams if our own efforts the Renegades, a team that we have weren’t very successful. Plus, we knew played before at the USA Open. One that Jackass would provide MORE than Kilgore player was particularly fired up enough entertainment in their warm-up to play after having noticed the other outfits and we’d get to see that for free! team imitating her “sexy serve” and Everything seemed to be going as unique hitting approach prior to the planned when nobody from our team match. With Hack Fu in the crowd and got Kemmer-fied on the way down to a hunger for revenge, we sent the Texas. Note for the future, do NOT Renegades packing in two sets. This book a plane ticket for the same flight led to our second gold challenge match as Aaron Kemmer…EVER. It is against SFVC Cheers. We suffered a virtually guaranteed that you will be disappointing loss to them in three sets, lost, circling an airport, renting a car with the third set going five points past and driving yourself, or having your game at 20-18. Although we lost, it was plane struck by airport personnel reassuring to find out after the vehicles on the runway. Basically, you tournament that this team finished will not get to your destination (or home second overall in our division! for that matter) even remotely close to the time your ticket states. That being Despite dropping down to the silver said, onto the part about…what is this bracket, we were psyched to find out about again? 6th street? Oh yeah, that we would be playing a team from volleyball. our own region that had given us a great deal of trouble in the past, the Goonies. We brought seven players to Nationals After taking a break to eat and watch this year, including one innocent Hack Fu and Jackass, we gathered back bystander from another team. Christy at our court to come up with a game McCarroll (setter), Amy Legendziewicz plan for the next match. After some (RS), Jess Meliosky (MH), Patti serious discussion, but much more Paniccia (MH), Heidi Brower (OH), joking around, we decided to just let it Jess Hageman (OH), and Michele ride and hope for the best. Our match Deguire (Libero) each brought was inspired by one brilliant dance something unique and important to our move from Patti and we came out on team for the week. After checking out top, beating Goonies in two sets, 25-19 the convention center and checking into and 25-20. We sailed through our next the tournament, we all breathed a sigh match on Tuesday morning against of relief when we realized that we once CVA ONE in two sets (25-21, 25-16). again, for the third time in a row, had This put us in the semifinals of the

...... 15 Fall 2007 Hack Fu Brings Home the Bronze

Tim Stewart

Back Row (L-R): Kevin Eitzmann, Mike D'Agnese, Peter Fabbro, Josh Kohout Front Row (L-R): Makoto Nagasawa, Jake Bluhm, Timothy Stewart, Frank Spataro, Michael Shorkey Results Hack Fu had its best finish of any IREVA team competing in Men’s BB for quite some time, taking home 3rd place along and the bronze medal. We went 5-0 in match play during pool, 2-0 in our challenge matches to make the gold round and 2-2 end, Tim still beat his bags to the Wherever nationals are next year, in the gold round, losing to the eventual Austin airport arriving 16 hrs. after look for Frank to be playing one of runner-up, Chicago Coast South and the he left Albany, only to wait 1 more these positions. champs, Nemesis from Saint Louis. hour for his bags. • “Let’s Go” – Coined by opposite The Team • Makoto’s chestee – In front of a hitter Kevin Eitzmann and probably This year’s team was truly the deepest packed house of IREVA fans, the the two words most screamed we have ever had as we traveled out to decision by Kevin Eitzmann and around a Hack Fu court, “let’s go” Austin with 9 guys. All of us saw Tim Stewart to leave Makoto in for is quickly becoming a way of plenty of action during the tournament a few extra plays in the front row saying “good play”. Look for it and it was the first time we all had been proved successful, as Makoto next time you watch us play. playing together in the same peeled off the net to bump chest the tournament. Everyone seemed to ball up to setter Mike Shorkey, • Hitting Lines – Josh Kohout is this understand the team’s mission quite making for the best defensive up of year’s hitting lines champion for well; bring home the gold to IREVA. the tournament. Hack Fu. He gets the award for most balls over the curtain. When We worked hard on-court and battled • Jake’s swan dive of sweat – presented with the award, Josh through our mix of aggression and Proving that defense is nothing responded, “This game is easy”. attitudes to do the best we could. It new, Jake Bluhm made a stunning truly was the highest level of play that defensive effort as he used the swan • Fabbro is Forman – Each night Pete we have achieved during the national dive technique to dig up a ball up in Fabbro was grilling up something tournament and we look forward to our final match of the tournament. to eat in our hotel room with fully competing at an even higher level in the While the ball was played up, two equipped kitchen. Burgers, fries, future. players went down immediately as the television remote, whatever it they tried to traverse the pool of was, Pete was putting Foreman Highlights sweat that remained on the sport cooker to shame with a frying pan, • Beating your bags to Austin – Tim court. half-a-gallon of vegetable oil and Stewart’s travel from Albany to hamburger meat. Austin involved 2 flight delays, 1 • Mr. Versatility – Playing 3 different surprise landing in Arkansas, a 4 hr. positions (weakside, outside and • All Tournament Team – Finally bus ride from Dallas to Austin, and middle) in the last 3 nationals, realizing that he could play middle a disagreement over fare with Frank Spataro has truly been Mr. and do it well, Mike D’Agnese Austin’s finest cab driver. In the Versatile and a team player. slashed and burned up middle

16 ...... NEWSLETTER sometimes his arms, Mike Shorkey cheered us on during the tournament. Continued from Page 16 played amazing right back defense Your support can be the difference blockers from all over country to and was truly touched just about between a win and a loss and it is get onto the all-tournament team. everywhere on his body. always a pleasure to have. Must have been due to his mental preparation each night before play. Once Again, A Promise The team hopes to make it to nationals The team members of Hackfu would again next year, wherever it may be, and • Truly Touched – Playing the ball like to send out a special thank you to bring back gold. with feet, chest, head and all the IREVA fans and others who

...... with IREVA teams who make future Slaughterhouse Taking the court for the first time, no trips to Nationals: one knew what to expect. The first Jen Sangiacomo match flew by, shocking most of us. We 1. Make sure when you go quickly learned that our setting and Nationals, you have a set After a three-year hiatus, middles were strong enough to help us lineup Slaughterhouse 6 made the trip back to compete against good teams and that 2. Don’t forget to add Tim USA Nationals. The road to Austin our serving was going to give us the Stewart on your roster as a started with putting together the team. edge when we most needed it. The coach. Even if it’s a late Most of the regulars could not make the question remained though – with four addition, it’s worth the $50. trip, and the team was presented with outsides which two would were going to 3. Do not allow Aaron Kemmer what seemed like the easy challenge of play outside? As we played musical to walk across a highway at 4 finding four players. The original cast of chairs of outside hitters the first day, a.m. Slaughterhouse, Ann “Jill of all Trades” things quickly came together. We won 4. Remember to work out your Mantha, Ruthie “Damn That’s A Huge our next two matches of the day. biceps before wearing Bitch” Huehn, Jen “Have You Seen My sleeveless uniforms or you run Jumpserve” Sangiacomo and former On day two, we once again tried out the risk of looking like a 12- setter Erin “Energizer Bunny on Crack” new lineups. After winning our first year-old. Breithaupt were ready to go from the match of the day our record was 3-1. 5. To the ladies. . . at places with start. Then came a long list of people We were in contention to take first in names like “Harry’s Oil Can”, who had the mantra of “commit and our pool heading into our last pool play they don’t like it when you forget.” After a month of e-mails and match against HCA Blue, also 3-1. We dance on the tables phone calls, we finally had enough to finally found a lineup that worked. As a field the team. We added Melissa team, we played our best ball in that Much thanks to the Turner Construction Mosher from Philadelphia, a former match, but eventually lost in an intense Company who sponsored the team for Geneseo player, and Liz Akin from third game 17-15. Heading into our this event. Thanks to all the IREVA Monument, Colorado who currently gold challenge round match the next members and others who came to cheer plays for Siena College. It was not until day we were optimistic that we would us on throughout the event, and even April until we added our ringer middle pick up where we left off the day those who “molested” our players as hitter, Katie Higgins out of Buffalo, before. Yet it wasn’t meant to be and we they got ready to serve. Our region NY. So two months into the process we headed off for the Silver Bracket. The might not have had the highest finally had the team! So with no first elimination match ended in a participation, but we definitely had the practice together or tournaments under disappointing fashion, with us losing in best fan support, which adds another our belt we headed to Austin, Texas for two. dimension to playing in a tournament a great weekend of volleyball – most of like this. Another thank you to CDGD us without knowing anything about who It is said that it is okay to lose as long as for holding a tournament to benefit the are teammates were, yet all of us you learn from those lessons, and the team. And last, but not least, to Pete confident that we had a solid core of team would like to share these lessons Fabbro, our “team mom!” players and looking forward to the trip.

...... 17 Fall 2007 up pool play Goonies with a win- loss record of Crystal Lynch 3-2.

Heeeey Yoooou Guuuys!! The Goonies, Still looking quirky yes… and far from ordinary, set for our golden sail from New Orleans, checked all our treasure, we worries at the city limits sign, and came up short traded in our pirate hats for something a in our match bit more casual as we prepared for in the Gold experiences that we would only find at Bracket the 2007 US Open Volleyball against Championships in Austin, Texas. We Crank’n & had a full crew this year as all of the Spank’n out Goonies were able to make this of Hampton, unforgettable trip to the “city with a New heart and the city with soul”. However, Hampshire. once a pirate always a pirate, we were Yes, the gold on Sixth Street… and boy did we drink definitely looking for golden treasures eluded us again this year, but after our as we readied ourselves for the it down, definitely the best “Fuel” loss to Crank’n & Spank’n we had a anyone has to offer! However this challenge of fast paced games and shot at silver treasures in the Silver exciting volleyball… playing in the Goonie would say we definitely struck Bracket. With high hopes to attain our it gold at one of the best Texas Women’s BB Division this year. silver, we beat our first challengers from Barbeque places in Austin…. Iron Fort Worth, Texas, NT LMRA House Works BBQ. Hanging out and enjoying Starting pool play and still having our Rules, and we readied ourselves for a sea legs on it was a bit of a rough start a great barbeque as a team was the best match against one of our own league treasure of the trip! This time with the losing our first match to OB Clark’s out rivals... Kilgore-Club Vonegut out of of St. Louis, Missouri. We came back to Goonies made the chaotic journey to Clifton Park, New York. It was a tough Nationals even more pleasurable. win our next match against Pejsa match with Kilgore-Club Vonegut Enterprises from Oxford, Iowa , but lost coming out as the victors. This left the Live music, live action, livin’ it up in a very close third match to Reno, Goonies finishing up tied for 5th Nevada’s own Reno Rah. Getting in the Austin, Texas…. the Goonies definitely amongst other great teams in the Silver did that and in Goonie-style! We didn’t Goonie-style groove, we won our next Bracket of the Women’s BB Division. match against TriState CASE (Port get too comfortable though… the Goonies are still restless looking for Jefferson Station, NY) and then we It wasn’t all volleyball for the Goonies defeated Combat (Mansfield, Texas) their golden volleyball treasures…so though. As we pillaged through the continue to hide ye treasures, mateys for thriving cultural the Goonies be settin’ sail again in scene of Austin, 2008!! we definitely took in the sights …the bat colony at Congress Avenue Bridge, a duck tour around Austin, the Capitol Building, Texas University and Town Lake to name a few. We found that Austin definitely lives up to its name, “the live music capital while overcoming one of our Goonies, of the world”, Erin Hanlon, getting caught in a court- with great music on every corner! divider net “booby-trap”. We finished Austin’s nightlife is totally vibrant and there were liquid treasures all around us

18 ...... NEWSLETTER

Sunday morning because in our first As disappointing as it was to lose, the UVA match on Sunday afternoon he took 2007 version of UVA, consisting of ... over. In what could only be described Tom White as some sort of divine intervention Doug "Chip" Lynch Sticky had his best Nationals Chris "CJ" Johnson UVA rolled back into Texas fresh off of performance while being forced out of Troy Riddle a 2006 Men's B Silver championship his libero role and into an all around Dave Hamil from the Big Easy, but this visit to position player. It was the match of the Jim Sculley Texas was to Austin and not Dallas. tournament to see if you were tracking Sean "Sticky" Porta Unfortunately, UVA did not duplicate UVA's quest for gold. Doug Miller the success of New Orleans but we were Tom White able to spread our geographic curtain of We managed to win our final match of rostered members to include Long pool play that put us 2nd in our pool and gave it their best and tried to represent Island (Troy Riddle) and the Southern into the first of two Gold Bracket IREVA with sportsmanship and Tier (Jim Sculley) as well as Houston, challenge matches. For the first time in respect. I think we had alot of fun TX (Doug Miller) and somewhere in UVA history the challenge matches doing so and enjoyed the new additions Wisconsin (Dave Hamil). We can now were held on Day 2. We managed to proudly proclaim our team name as beat NETYETI-2 in our first challenge to the team. Thank you Troy, Dave, and UVA Syracuse-Utica-Rome-Long match, which put us in a position to Jim. You did UVA proud!!!! We Island-Binghamton-Houston- avenge an earlier pool play loss to appreciate Doug Miller being there and Wisconsin. Swwweeeet! Marysville Goodyear on Day 3. being available should the need have

presented itself. We tried where Day 1: (Saturday) A relatively Day 3: (Monday) Marysville Goodyear unimpressive start to our tournament possible to provide support to our other proved to be too much for UVA and teams and appreciated the support our placed us in a hole, down 1-2 in returned the favor we provided to them other teams gave to us. We look matches. We ended the day 4-4 in in New Orleans by bouncing us to the games won and lost but needed a good lower bracket (silver). As a result we forward to giving it another run next day on Sunday if we had any chance of faced an elimination match later that year.....WHERE EVER THAT MAY challenging for the Gold bracket. day and unfortunately had our hopes of BE...... UVA will be back in '08!!!! repeating as B-Silver champions ended. Day 2: (Sunday) Sticky must have been really inspired when he went to church

...... 19 Fall 2007 Legion

Chris Hosley

Roster #1 Chris Hosley #2 Chris Ganje #3 CJ Denk #4 Matty Smith #5 Brandon Mueller #6 Rob Soris #9 Charlie Haer #11 Sean-Miguel Morrison #14 Andrew Sipe #15 JJ Seitelman

For the third consecutive year Legion participated at the USA Volleyball Adult Open Championships. This year we decided to beef up our team, move up a level and play in the Open division. We played well all week long beating solid teams and playing with the best teams in the country. Summit where we won a marathon scores were 2-3 (25-20, 14-25, 25-21, To start our Saturday morning we beat match 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 33-31, 19-25, 14-25, 11-15). Following pool play all the Mexican UACH Chihuahua team 3- 15-12). 12 teams enter the double elimination 0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-19). Our second playoffs and get seeded based on their match had us face off against last year’s On Sunday we lost to So Cal Riptide pool play record. second place team Alumni VBC who (the eventual second place team this we lost to 0-3 (23-25, 13-25, 14-25). year) and Bameso (The first place team Our first playoff match had us lined up Later on that evening in our third match, from Denver in 2005). The scores for against Fog, a team from Canada. We we played deep into the night versus the So Cal match were 0-3 (19-25, 23- were handed a tough 2-3 (25-23, 24-26, 25, 19-25) and versus Bameso the 21-25, 25-18, 13-15) loss in a match that we really had control over. Later on Monday night we faced off versus Summit again where our tournament run ended with another tough loss at 1-3 (27-25, 22-25, 24-26, 22-25).

We would like to thank USA Volleyball for putting on a tremendous event this year. Also, the city of Austin, TX was truly a great host and we look forward to the next time it is back there. Most importantly Legion would like to thank all the familiar faces that showed up to support us at our matches this year. We are looking forward to next year and all the fun times it will bring. Go Legion!

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