Volleyball Voices

Volleyball News On the Net: The Fiesta Is On Siesta Key, My New Favorite Volleyball Player Name, The Power Of Pink and Phil Bush On Switching Sides

I should call this post College Volleyball news on the net. 

Is it me or is the college volleyball player postseason transfer scene starting to look very 

similar to the AVP volleyball preseason partner swap processional that happens every year? 

Regardless of the reasons why they transfer as long as volleyball players leave their 

college institution happy, healthy and with a degree in their hand, then they've 

accomplished their goal, right? Or just look at Volleyball Monthly's January cover story,

Life After Volleyball.

Lessons Learned from Lauren

It's great once you know you've earned a scholarship to play volleyball in college, but the 

key as a volleyball recruit is to remember that volleyball will not last forever. I cannot 

believe I just said that. But it's true. I've got too many friends on Facebook who will tell 

you the same thing.   

But the education you get while attending THAT college should...so when you are being 

recruited, even if your goal is to become a professional volleyball player-which is a 

career that wont last forever--make sure you look for schools that are going to give you 

something in a return. 

You want a return on your investment. 

Where are you going to get the biggest return on YOUR investment of the time, energy, 

blood, sweat and tears spent for four-five years on a college volleyball court. 

When you are done what kind of education are you going to walk away with? 

“The biggest thing for me was academics,” she said. “It’s my bad for not looking into this before I committed to UCLA, but they just weren’t able to offer me the major I want which is event planning. It just so happened that recently Nebraska has added that major.”

(Lauren Cook in The Independent)

  

The college volleyball player transfer issue was discussed in an earlier post by guest contributor and ESPN and FOX volleyball analyst Phil Bush. Have a gander at...

TV College Volleyball Commentator and Color Analyst Phil Bush on Commitment, 

the Transfer Rule and "Switching Sides"

More Volleyball Recruits and Transfers

I love her name. No joke, I really dig this name.

I can see this name on a GRAMMY Awards marquis. 

"...and the next nominee for Album of the Year is ...Bailey Reshel..."

Okay timeout! Watched the show last night. How athletic is Pink? 

Upside down, spinning, 50 feet in the air, in front of--no above a huge crowd, at the 

Staples Center, drenched, on international TV...and still singing. Loved it! 

Anyone who can do one-arm pushups and lip-synch in a music video 

can be on my volleyball team.

p.s. She isn't naked. She is covered by more fabric than a beach volleyball player in a bikini (besides they showed it on CBS, okay THAT was funny..). 

Okay where was I ...Bailey Reshel. Sorry...

But anyway volleyball player Bailey Reshel will tranfer from South Dakota to University of Wisconsin Badgers.

“She's a great athlete who is determined to make the most of this opportunity. We didn’t have the chance to see her play in high school, but she caught our eyes when she played here in the Field House last fall with South Dakota. I immediately noticed her athleticism and realized that we had missed a real diamond in the rough from the northern part of Wisconsin.

(coach Pete Waite)

From The Islands To Colorado Springs, girl bring your coat! 

The national team tryouts in a few weeks will have some Hawaiian flavor because Kanani Danielson is trying out for the team. Sand or snow. Sand or snow. Sand or snow...  I'm thinking. I'm thinking....would I do it again? heck yeah.. Good luck KD!

Sand Volleyball wasn't the only big issue at the NCAA Convention last week. 

Some of the biggest legislation passed regarding Division II sports which included moving the start of volleyball season back a week in addition to every measure that was on the table and part of Bylaw 17. 

 “This is all about the overall picture of balancing the lives of student-athletes,” Kurtz said. “There’s a feeling that over the years there’s been a creeping up of increased games and practices and less time for student-athletes to be regular students.

(SC Times)

 

I have no clever segue here, but it's just...

Time for my two cents and I'm sure a lot of club volleyball coaches who make a living coaching full time won't agree, but some of the best volleyball players have become so because they  have had time to dedicate to playing other sports. 

Not just cross training, but playing full seasons of other sports or participating in other disciplines like ballet, modern dance, handball, ping pong or martial arts., besides the usual soccer, basketball, swimming or tennis.

Simple reason...different muscles are developed, different reflexes are honed, there's a marked increase in hand-eye coordination enhancement, peripheral vision, speed and mobility issues are addressed, and the undeniable benefit of different coaches  and mental conditioning practices are explored and instilled. 

(As a kid I had to wear Forrest Gump leg braces for a while so I know about the leg and muscle strengthening benefits from taking years of ballet, but that wasn't the only discipline I benefitted from by far.) 

Guess what, all these things contribute to the development of a better athlete who can be trained to become an excellent volleyball player. 

You can teach an athlete to be a great volleyball player.  It's much harder the other way around and it can take more of a coach's time and energy. 

Don't get me started on the increased number of high school girls with overuse injuries before they get to college. Two and three ACL tears by the senior year in high school? Really? 

Playing one sport all the time and overusing the same muscles at practice day in and day out may be a huge factor. But playing different sports will give different muscles an opportunity to either get strengthened or to get rested whatever the case may be. I'm just sayin...

Unfortunately, many volleyball parents who don't know any better think MORE volleyball is the answer to creating a better volleyball player, which will get them closer to getting the beloved college scholarship. 

I know. What I'm saying is blasphemous. Shame on me. 

 I've heard it too many times so I know, but for those of you who don't, I'll bet if you asked a volleyball coach to choose between coaching a great young volleyball player and coaching a great young all-around athlete, they would choose a great young athlete. Volleyball parents take heed. 

(of course there are exceptions, but that's what they are, exceptions.)

 

And speaking of training athletes... in College Sand Volleyball news...

The second annual Fiesta on Siesta Key will be held this year on April 17, 2010. 

“With sand volleyball being named to the list of Emerging Sports for Women by the NCAA, we expect the demand for entry into our event to be off the chart,” Carstenson said. 

“Last year, the Fiesta was comprised of a number of sand volleyball tournaments in one. We are looking forward to seeing the growth of the event, along with this sport, this April.”

(Tom Carstenson, Fiesta on Siesta Key.com)

“The Fiesta on Siesta Key is clear evidence of the growth and popularity of the sport,” American Volleyball Coaches Association Executive Director Kathy DeBoer said. “It provides good, competitive opportunities for student-athletes in another part of the country.”

FIESTA ON SIESTA KEY w SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (ALL TIMES EASTERN)

Friday, April 16, 2010

Team Practices: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

            Individual Team Practices: Times TBD

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Fiesta on Siesta Key

            Play begins at 10 a.m.

I like to find and share college volleyball videos where you can learn about the team and what the school brings to the table. 

 This is Luther College

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Now you can shop, compare prices and find coupons for 

volleyball uniforms and volleyball training equipment. 

Here's Seven Reasons Why Players Will Gossip About The New Nfinity Volleyball Shoes

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About Volleyball Voices

Volleyball Voices is a volleyball news hub where girls high school volleyball, club 

volleyball, college volleyball players, parents and fans learn about the indoor and 

sand volleyball game and its female heroes with breaking news stories of college 

and women's pro volleyball players, self-coaching and volleyball training 

information, a gift and shopping directory, beach volleyball pictures and indoor 

volleyball videos.

 

 

Volleyball News On the Net: College Volleyball Training, Sand Volleyball, Being A Dinosaur And 10 Thoughts from Russ Rose

College Volleyball Training, Sand Volleyball, Being A Dinosaur And 

10 Thoughts from Russ Rose

Three-time NCAA Women's Volleyball Champion Russ Rose gives his thoughts on on a range 

of questions with subjects ranging from what he thinks about the 

emergence and override of sand volleyball in college to what it's like being a dinosaur.

Volleyball News On the Net

According to Ryan Spoon on the athlete network and recruiting platform berecruited.com,

college volleyball coaches were the most active participants on the site, which contributed 

to "a growth in activity in women's college sports in 2009."

“I thought we went about as far as we could in the tournament,” Minnesota head coach Mike Hebert said. “Destinee Hooker and those kids [at Texas] are athletes that are beyond the normal team in Division I college volleyball.”

Accompanying his article with a great volleyball action picture shot by Ian Larson and an 

interview with head volleyball coach Mike Hebert, Keith Beise chronicles the

Minnesota Gophers women's volleyball team's rise to the #4 ranking in the nation.

What the College Volleyball Coach said...

I love this blog and I would recommend it to all volleyball parents to read. I'm still trying to 

figure out who it is, but I do know we agree on a lot of the same recruiting principles. This week the College 

Volleyball Coach answers a great question about whether freshmen high school volleyball players

can contact a college coach.

Okay now for college sand volleyball in Alaska. 

 

Russ may not be a fan but the women's volleyball department at the University of 

Alaska-Anchorage thinks that the addition of sand volleyball in college is a good thing. 

It never fails to amaze me that in many situations or 'discussions" 

such as these the seemingly "most disadvantaged" are oftern the ones more likely to 

envision the bigger picture. Okay I'll ask, just like the question was asked in the 

article...would you go to Alaska to play beach volleyball?

I don't know if there are any volleyball athletes in this new photography book, although in 

photographer Rick Rickman's interview he states "on the East Coast, you find a lot of people 

who play hockey. On the West Coast you find surfers and volleyball players.  It's different 

sports, but similar intensity." 

As a former professional photographer and "mature" (lol) retired pro volleyball athlete, 

I can appreciate the spirit with which the action took place both behind the camera and

in front of the lens. For me it's the perfect combination. Regardless of your age, maybe 

you'll find an image that inspires you.

Volleyball Video

Chad Convis presents a great new concept in volleyball video instruction by top 

volleyball coaches and pros presented at volleyball1on1.com.

College Volleyball Pictures

Earlier this week I blogged about this college volleyball picture gallery on flickr shot by 

photographer Ryan Bagley of the Brigham Young Women's Volleyball Team in action. 

It's his point of view that makes him stand out from the competition.

Be sure to check out more volleyball pictures and volleyball picture galleries on Volleyball Voices. 

High School Girls Volleyball Pictures

I also spotted this high school volleyball picture gallery by HMFR photos, also on flickr 

documenting the state final participants and winner Greeley-Wolbach high school.

Beach Volleyball Pictures

If you haven't checked out her site, AVP pro Priscilla Lima has some great Beach Volleyball pictures in 

the Photo gallery on her site. So does AVP pro beach player Angie Akers who's made military trips to visit 

our troops and has some fantastic photos that document her travels.

Twitter

AVP pro beach volleyball player Brook Niles has funny tweets that make me laugh.

Volleyball Training

Active.com features ten volleyball training tips on how to improve your spiking by 

yours truly this month.

Remember the ball is in court.

About Volleyball Voices

Volleyball Voices is a volleyball news hub where girls high school volleyball, club 

volleyball, college volleyball players, parents and fans learn about the indoor and 

sand volleyball game and its female heroes with breaking news stories of college 

and women's pro volleyball players, self-coaching and volleyball training 

information, a gift and shopping directory, beach volleyball pictures and indoor 

volleyball videos.

It's Official! NCAA Sand Volleyball Remains a Reality, Override Voted Down

An override to eliminate the sport from the NCAA list of emerging sports for women was voted down Friday. 

               

ATLANTA, Ga. (UCFAthletics.com) – In what could possibly be a landmark decision, an override to eliminate sand volleyball from the NCAA Division I list of emerging sports for women was voted down Friday at the 2010 NCAA Convention in Atlanta, Ga.

 

“I think this is a big victory for young women who want to play sand volleyball collegiately, and more importantly I think this is a huge victory for women’s athletics,” UCF head volleyball coach Todd Dagenais said. “In the future, the opportunity will exist for many more young volleyball players to represent their university in intercollegiate competition.”

 

With sand volleyball now set to remain on the emerging sports list, the NCAA could possibly conduct its first national championship in the sport as early as 2011. In order to sponsor the sport for a championship, 40 or more universities must start the program within the next 10 seasons. But, having been in the pipeline for so long and having gone through many positive voting stages, the minimum amount of schools are anticipated to commit to starting programs for the 2010-11 athletics season. 

 

“Although UCF has been a big supporter of the sand volleyball movement, it is yet to be determined exactly if or when sand volleyball would become a sport at UCF,” Dagenais said. “But, I remain very optimistic that if sand volleyball is added at UCF, we are in a unique position to be a national championship contender shortly after its inception.”

 

UCF is no stranger to the successes of the sport of sand volleyball, as two prominent names in the sport are alumni of the university.

 

A member of the UCF volleyball team from 1994-97 and a 2004 UCF Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, Tyra (Harper) Turner has experienced immense success on the AVP Tour since her time as a Knight. In seven seasons on the tour, Turner has finished in the top-three in standings in 22 of her 85 total tournaments played. Following the 2009 season, Turner ranked sixth on the tour with a .465 attack percentage and ninth with 0.79 blocks per game.

 

One of the most recognized names in men’s beach volleyball, Phil Dalhausser played on the men’s club team while at UCF, before going on to win the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with partner Todd Rogers. On the AVP Tour, the duo of Dalhausser and Rogers posted four-straight seasons with the most team wins, which included nine in 2009.

 

For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com – the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF’s new online apparel store. Also visitwww.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.

 

-UCF-

 

 

Georgia State Volleyball Set to Open 2009 Season

ATLANTA - The Georgia State volleyball team will officially open play
of the 2009 season on Friday at the North Carolina Central Invitational.
The two-day, eight-team tournament will take place in Durham, N.C. on
Friday and Saturday, with the Panthers playing four matches over the two
days.

State will start play on Friday at 11 a.m. against The Citadel. State
has faced the Keydets only once before, earning a win in 2000. State
will follow that up in the final match of the day, facing host North
Carolina Central at 6 p.m. It will mark the first time the two schools
have met on the court.

Georgia State will return to action on Saturday morning with an 11 a.m.
match against High Point. State owns a 3-0 record all time against the
High Point, last facing off in 2003. The Panthers will conclude their
first event of the year with a 3 p.m. match against South Carolina
State. The teams have split the all-time series with one win a piece.
UNC Asheville, CAA-rival UNC Wilmington and Elon round out the
eight-team field. The Panthers will take on Elon in three weeks as the
Phoenix host a tournament in North Carolina.

The Panthers enter the season having won two of their last three season
openers, defeating East Tennessee State in 2007 and Kennesaw State in
2006.

Coach Webster’s squad returns six from last year’s team, while
adding a talented group of six newcomers. Jocelyn Waldern returns as the
lone senior, while juniors Audrey Cantrell, Rachel Boryc and Ashley
Jones, as well as sophomores Muki Kangwa and Chelsea Perry return as
starters from last season. Jones earned All-CAA Third Team honors last
season, finishing the regular season tying for the national lead with
six triple-doubles.

Georgia State will return home next weekend for its home opener as host
of the Great 8 Volleyball Challenge presented by Residence Inn Kennesaw.
The two day event will feature eight schools over two sites and
determine a true champion at the end of the weekend.

-www.georgiastatesports.com-

Question: How To Not Tell A Beach Volleyball Player They Are On A Reality TV Show

 

Here's my question: Would you want to know beforehand if you are going to make a cross country trip which partly ends up being for the benefit of someone else's entertainment? 

I understand getting a surprise birthday party..but being a surprise reality show contestant? I'm just sayin...

“I really had no idea what it was … they invited 16 girls for a long weekend to teach us the differences to transition from indoor to outdoor volleyball.”

 

“I guess they figured we wouldn’t come if we knew it was a reality TV show, and they were probably right. But I would have gone.”

 

“The cameramen were awesome and made it so much easier. There were a lot of interviews, but I got used to it and started having fun with it. I made it a big joke. That works for me,” she said with a laugh.

 

--Natalie Mullikin, Wake Forest University women’s volleyball team