Volleyball Voices

University of Central Arkansas Volleyball: Smith To Play Professionally In Finland

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University of Central Arkansas Volleyball: Smith To Play Professionally In Finland 

CONWAY, Ark. - Former University of Central Arkansas volleyball player Chloe Smith has signed to play professionally in Finland. The three-time Southland Conference Player and Student-Athlete of the Year will compete for the Kuusamon Pallo-Karhut (translated: Kuusamon Ball Bears) in the Mestarrusliiga Level One league.

The team is based out of the town of Kuusamo, 500 miles north of the capital Helsinki, and 40 miles south of the Arctic Circle.

Smith, who will make her debut on Sunday at outside hitter or opposite, is the first former Sugar Bear to sign a professional contract. The season will last until March 5 with playoffs to follow.

Smith left UCA as the career leader in kills (1,689), kills per set (3.78) and attempts (4,182), fourth in attack percentage (.286), sixth in blocks (336) and  eighth in service aces (115).

Former Iowa State Cyclone Volleyball Player Kaylee Manns Signs Pro Contract

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Former Iowa State Cyclone Volleyball Player Kaylee Manns Signs Pro Contract
 
AMES, Iowa – Former Iowa State volleyball All-American Kaylee Manns has signed a contract with TSV Dudingen, a member of Switzerland’s ‘A’ League.
 
Manns, who is the only player in Big 12 history to post 5,500 assists, 1,000 digs, 300 kills and 300 blocks, joined TSV Dudingen in September for the 2010-11 season, which runs from September to early April.
 
The two-time All-American had offers in France, Germany, Italy before deciding to play in Switzerland.
 
“I had a number of other offers but wasn’t sure if I really wanted to play, so I turned down those offers early,” Manns said. “Once I decided to play I told myself I would take the next possible offer and that led me to TSV Dudingen. I’m excited to get started.”
 
Manns, who led the Cyclones to four NCAA Tournament berths, is looking forward to the opportunity to make an impact, much like she did at Iowa State.
 
“I want to be a large part of this team’s success,” Manns said. “They do play in the top league, but are right in the middle of the 12-team group so this is something I have much experience in. It is a lot like playing for Iowa State when we were an up-and-coming program. I hope I can help the team become a top program throughout the season.”
 

Former Oregon State Volleyball Player Rachel Rourke Signs Professional Contract with Italian Team

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< Former Oregon State Volleyball Player Rachel Rourke Signs Professional Contract with Italian Team
 
Corvallis, Ore. – Former Oregon State volleyball All-American Rachel Rourke has signed a professional contract with Cedat 85 Volley San Vito in Italy, announced Friday.
 
"With the addition of Rachel, we can make a significant leap in the process of finalizing and challenging the strongest teams that seek to jump to A1,” General Manager Enzo Ardon said. 
“I was drawn to San Vitus immediately when I heard about its expressed interest because of their competition level, and the prestige that comes with playing for an Italian team,” Rourke said. “The area is very beautiful, and I’m currently working on learning Italian in preparation for the upcoming season.”
 
Rourke was a two-time All-American for the Beavers, earning Under Armour/Volleyball Magazine honorable mention honors in 2008 before nabbing AVCA Second Team accolades in her senior season. She finished her career as the best offensive player in school history with a school record 1,920 kills, also setting the single-match record with 37 against Oregon in her final Civil War.
 
Rourke also received offers from teams in Austria and Puerto Rico. She was honored this summer as the Senior Female Player of the Year at the Queensland Volleyball Awards Night. She has played internationally before, most recently playing in the United Arab Emirates with the Australian National Team in 2008.
 
She joins former Beavers Heather Lowe, Desma Stovall, Gina Schmidt, Shelly Smith and Magan Prieto, who also have played or currently play professionally.
 
Support Oregon State University Athletics by making your tax deductible donation to the Beaver Athletic Student Fund.  For more information follow this link or call 541-737-2370.  You can make an “everyday champion.”  Follow Beaver Athletics on twitter.

Catching Up with LSU Volleyball Team Libero Elena Martinez

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Catching Up with LSU Volleyball Team Libero Elena Martinez








Catching Up with Elena Martinez

 

BATON ROUGE – Former LSU libero Elena Martinez is playing professional volleyball for Llaneras de Toa Baja, the defending champion of the eight-team Puerto Rican Volleyball League. The two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year and AVCA All-American checked in with LSUsports.net as her team has racked up a 7-1 record and currently is in first place in the league standings.

 

¡Hola from Puerto Rico! The sun is shining, the wind is blowing and our team is in first place of the league after our 3-0 win over Juncos on Monday night. It was still an exciting match even though we won in three sets. The fans fill the gyms in Puerto Rico rain or shine. Our team knows we're in for a crazy night whether we are home or away. Fans bring cow bells and air horns, even pots and pans to the games trying to make as much noise as possible. The atmosphere reminds me of football games in Death Valley. The fans are feisty, yelling at the refs, distracting opponents and supporting their home team regardless of how they're playing.

 

After games, we take pictures and sign autographs for fans who ages range from new born to 90. We even had a mother bring her two month old baby down to the court to take pictures with us. It’s an incredible feeling to have such amazing support from our surrounding community.

 

Our team even has its very own fan club! Every practice, a group of five elderly gentlemen are waiting for us when we get to the gym. They cheer for us, laugh at our goofy mistakes and give advice about our upcoming matches. I even had one of them, Tito, give me a Spanish-English children's dictionary so I could reach my goal of being fluent by the time our season is complete. 

 

Playing for this team reminds me of LSU and our volleyball team in so many ways. The owners of our team are very active and personable. They come to every team event and even bring food for us for when we're done. The coaches are challenging, yet supportive and always available to help. The team is close and loves to have a good time whether that means competing intensely against one another in practice or making fun of each other for a silly comment. We are surrounded by people that not only care about us as players, but people as well.

 

Other than the shaky cell phone service and lack of crawfish, I can't complain! This experience has been so beneficial already, and we’re only half way through the season. We'll repeat as league champions if we continue to play as well as we have been.  

 

Until next time, adios and Geaux Tigers,

 

 

Elena

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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.

 

 

 

Six New Mexico Volleyball Players Attend USA National Team Open Tryouts




Six New Mexico Volleyball Players Attend USA National Team Open Tryouts

Opportunity to gain international experience

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --- Six Lobo volleyball student-athletes are spending the weekend at the U.S. Olympic Training Center at the USA Volleyball National Team Open Tryouts, Feb. 19-21.  Seniors-to-be Taylor Hadfield, Lisa Meeter and Jade Michaelsen, and juniors-to-be Allison Buck, Ashley Rhoades and Kelly Williamson are among 177 participants in the largest-ever single tryout sponsored by USA Volleyball.

 

Hugh McCutcheon, the U.S. Women’s National Team head coach, will lead the evaluation process for the tryout. Karch Kiraly (U.S. Women’s National Team) and Jamie Morrison (U.S. Women’s National Team) will also take part in the player evaluations.

 

Athletes who have remaining collegiate eligibility may still participate in the program with participation beginning May 2010 or when their scholastic calendar ends.  The U.S. Women’s National Team Open Tryout is the only path for a collegiate volleyball player with remaining eligibility to access the U.S. National Team.

 

Previous National Team tryouts have led to Lobos gaining the opportunity to play internationally with the USA Developmental/BIP Team – Jeanne Fairchild (2007), Gayle Tripp (2007), Rose Morris (2008), Buck (2009) and Rhoades (2009).

 

-UNM-

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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.

 

 

University of Central Arkansas Chloe Smith, Cristin Curl Invited Tryout For US National Team




University of Central Arkansas Chloe Smith, Cristin Curl Invited Tryout For US National Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo – University of Central Arkansas volleyball
players Chloe Smith and Cristin Curl have been invited to the U.S.
Women's National Team Open Tryout set for this weekend at the U.S.
Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. They are two of 176
student-athletes from 82 represented colleges in the tryouts.

This is the second year to tryout for Smith, the two-time Southland
Conference Player and Student-Athlete of the Year. The 6-2 San Diego
native will be trying out at opposite hitter.

Cristin Curl, a 5-9 junior-to-be from Amarillo, Texas, is coming off a
season where she led the Southland Conference in digs and was named the
league's Libero of the Year.

Up for grabs is a spot on the USA Women’s National Team, which includes
roster spots for the Pan American Cup and the World Championship Roster.
More athletes will be selected for the USA Senior A2, which will take
place in Phoenix, Ariz.

" I am very proud of both of these young ladies for going to this tryout
and competing against some of the best collegiate players in the
nation," said UCA head coach Steven McRoberts. "It is a great experience
and will only make them better.

"Chloe is coming off two of the greatest seasons in UCA history and she
really wants to go out on top in her senior year. She is always looking
for ways to improve her game and this is a great opportunity for her.

"We need Cristin to have another big year this fall and I know she is
confident after being named the Southland libero of the year. She is
definitely one of the most competitive players on the squad, so I know
she will push herself big time this weekend.

"I am looking forward to talking to them this weekend and when they get
back about their experience there. These type of opportunities can only
help our program as we anticipate the post-season this fall."

Check out more news on Women's USA Volleyball Voices!

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Finally! Here's the volleyball tips e-book that will really help you to 

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86 Girls Indoor Volleyball Tips: How To Gain Confidence On The Volleyball Court, The E-Book

Everybody writes books for coaches.  But here is the volleyball tips self-coaching e-book written just for you, the young female high school or collegiate volleyball player.. 

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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.

 

 

Penn State Volleyball Players Megan Hodge, Alisha Glass Make Impact on U.S. Women’s National Team

Penn State Volleyball Players Megan Hodge, Alisha Glass Make Impact on U.S. Women’s National Team

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., Feb. 3, 2010 – Penn State women’s volleyball seniors Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) and Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) competed with the U.S. Women’s National Team on Tuesday, Feb. 3 in a training trip to China. The Evergrande Volleyball Club dealt Team USA a 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-19) loss in an exhibition match in Guangzhou Gymnasium in Guangzhou, China.

Hodge led the U.S. women with 15 points all on kills, as well as nine digs. Glass contributed a kill, block and an ace as the starting setter. Head coach Hugh McCutcheon started Hodge at outside hitter.

The Penn State pair competed against former Nittany Lion Christa Harmotto who is one of two members of the U.S. Women’s National Team on the Evergrande roster. Harmotto tallied 10 points in the match. She had seven kills on 13 swings with two errors on .385 hitting and put up three blocks.

Megan Hodge and Alisha Glass featured in 

this volleyball video by Access Granted

Glass and Hodge guided the Nittany Lion women’s volleyball team to an unprecedented third straight NCAA title in 2009, while Harmotto was part of the 2007 and 2008 championship teams. Glass and Hodge finished their Penn State careers with a 142-5 win/loss record at Penn State to be the winningest graduating class in program history.

For more information and up to date news on the U.S. National team, fans can visit USAVolleyball.org.
 
For more information on the Penn State women’s volleyball team, please visitwww.GoPSUsports.com. The Penn State women’s volleyball 2009 season is presented by Rockvale Outlets and The Outlets at Hershey. 

Check out college volleyball outside hitters, voices stories and news on the net!
 
 

 

Happy National Girls and Women In Sports Day, Rest In Peace Flo Hyman

Happy National Girls and Women In Sports Day, Rest In Peace Flo Hyman

Beginning in 1987, National Girls and Women in Sports Day has become the premiere occasion to celebrate the participation, success and accomplishments of girls and women athletes. 

What started in 1987 as a single event in Washington, D.C. to honor Olympic volleyball player and superstar Flo Hyman has grown into a nationwide celebration across all 50 states. 

On February 3, 2010, thousands will gather to celebrate NGWSD 2010 and 

"Stay Strong, Play On."

According to the Women's Sports Foundation:

"NGWSD is marked annually with events around the country and on Capitol Hill to commemorate the achievements of girls and women in athletics. It is also an important day to promote the continued expansion of opportunities for girls and women to play sports and live physically active lives."

Rest in peace, Flo.

Recommended Web Pages on USA volleyball player Flo Hyman

Flo Hyman, a USA volleyball player and Olympic legend from Inglewood, California 

Volleyball Video of Flo Hyman's Volleyball Spikes During 1984 Olympics Brazil vs. USA Pool Play

Volleyball Video Part 2 of Flo Hyman's Volleyball Spikes During 1984 Olympics Brazil vs. USA Pool Play

The First Time The USA Volleyball Women Won An Olympic Silver Medal Flo Hyman Was On The Court

Volleyball Video Part 4 of Flo Hyman's Volleyball Spikes During 1984 Olympics Brazil vs. USA Pool Play

Part 5 (Volleyball Video) Flo Hyman's Volleyball Spikes During 1984 Brazil vs. USA Pool Play

Part 6 (Volleyball Video) Flo Hyman's Volleyball Spikes During 1984 Brazil vs. USA Pool Play

Part 7 (Volleyball Video) Flo Hyman's Volleyball Spikes During 1984 Brazil vs. USA Pool Play

(Volleyball Video) China vs. USA Olympic Gold Medal Match Third Set Flo Hyman's Volleyball Spikes

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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.

 

 

Outside Hitter Jordan Lawson - USA Volleyball Player and World Grand Prix participant

Outside Hitter Jordan Lawson - USA Volleyball Player and World Grand Prix participant

World Grand Prix participant number 11 Jordan Larson is a 6' 2" outside hitter from Hooper, Nebraska and is one of three USA players who played at Nebraska as a Cornhusker. 

From Huskers.com

Volleyball Photo Gallery on Huskers.com 

From scout.com 

From USA Today 

Flickr Volleyball photo action

On USA Today

From the Omaha World-Herald: Jordan Lawson, Frederick Ware Award winner  

FIVB World Grand Prix Schedule

Pool A – at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Maracanazihno Gym)

July 31: Brazil vs. Puerto Rico, 10 a.m.

July 31: USA vs. Germany, 1 p.m.

Aug. 1: Brazil vs. Germany, 10 a.m.

Aug. 1: USA vs. Puerto Rico, 1 p.m.

Aug. 2: USA vs. Brazil, 10 a.m.

Aug. 2: Puerto Rico vs. Germany, 1 p.m.

Pool B – at Kielce, Poland (Hala Sportowo Widowsiskowa Mosir)

July 31: Poland vs. Thailand, 4:30 p.m.

July 31: Japan vs. Netherlands, 7 p.m.

Aug. 1: Poland vs. Netherlands, 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 1: Thailand vs. Japan, 7 p.m.

Aug. 2: Poland vs. Japan, 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 2: Netherlands vs. Thailand, 7 p.m.

Pool C – at Ningbo, China (Beilun Sports Training Center)

July 31: Russia vs. Korea, 3 p.m.

July 31: China vs. Dominican Republic, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 1: Dominican Republic vs. Russia, 3 p.m.

Aug. 1: China vs. Korea, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 2: Korea vs. Dominican Republic, 3 p.m.

Aug. 2: China vs. Russia, 7:30 p.m.

Pool D – at Li Miao, Chinese Taipei (Miao Li Country Gym)

Aug. 7: USA vs. Dominican Republic, 2:30 p.m.

Aug. 7: Netherlands vs. Germany, 6 p.m.

Aug. 8: USA vs. Netherlands, 2:30 p.m.

Aug. 8: Dominican Republic vs. Germany, 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 9: Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic, 2:30 p.m.

Aug. 9: USA vs. Germany, 4:30 p.m.

Pool E – at Macau, China (Forum de Macau)

Aug. 7: Brazil vs. Thailand, 6 p.m.

Aug. 7: China vs. Poland, 9 p.m.

Aug. 8: Brazil vs. Poland, 2 p.m.

Aug. 8: China vs. Thailand, 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 9: Thailand vs. Poland, 1 p.m.

Aug. 9: China vs. Brazil, 3:30 p.m.

Pool F – at Osaka, Japan (Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium)

Aug. 7: Korea vs. Russia, 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 7: Japan vs. Puerto Rico, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 8: Russia vs. Puerto Rico, 3 p.m.

Aug. 8: Japan vs. Korea, 6 p.m.

Aug. 9: Korea vs. Puerto Rico, 3 p.m.

Aug. 9: Japan vs. Russia, 6 p.m.

Pool G – at Hong Kong, China (Hong Kong Coliseum)

Aug. 14: Poland vs. Netherlands, 5 p.m.

Aug. 14: China vs. Dominican Republic, 8 p.m.

Aug. 15: Dominican Republic vs. Netherlands, 1:15 p.m.

Aug. 15: China vs. Poland, 3:45 p.m.

Aug. 16: Dominican Republic vs. Poland, 1:15 p.m.

Aug. 16: China vs. Netherlands, 3:45 p.m.

Pool H – at Mopko, Korea (Mokpo Indoor Gym)

Aug. 14: Korea vs. Germany, 4 p.m.

Aug. 14: Japan vs. Brazil, 6 p.m.

Aug. 15: Brazil vs. Germany, 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 15: Korea vs. Japan, 5:30 p.m.

Aug. 16: Germany vs. Japan, 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 16: Korea vs. Brazil, 5:30 p.m.

Pool I – at Bangkok, Thailand (Keelawes Gym)

Aug. 14: USA vs. Russia, 2 p.m.

Aug. 14: Thailand vs. Puerto Rico, 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 15: USA vs. Puerto Rico, 2 p.m.

Aug. 15: Russia vs. Thailand, 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 16: Puerto Rico vs. Russia, 2 p.m.

Aug. 16: USA vs. Thailand, 4:30 p.m.

Final Round – at Tokyo, Japan

Aug. 19-23

Penn State Volleyball Players Megan Hodge, Alisha Glass Make Impact on U.S. Women’s National Team

Check out more stories about women's volleyball players on volleyballvoices.com!

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Finally! Here's the volleyball tips e-book that will really help you to 

become a better volleyball player!

86 Girls Indoor Volleyball Tips: How To Gain Confidence On The Volleyball Court, The E-Book

Everybody writes books for coaches.  But here is the volleyball tips self-coaching e-book written just for you, the young female high school or collegiate volleyball player.. 

BUY Your Copy Now!

 

(Sponsored links)

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

April Chapple is a fan of

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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.

 

 

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Reports on little know facts like Paula Weishoff playing in different olympics 12 years apart. Got to admire that kind of info.

Deitre Collins Parker, to be named Silver Anniversary Recipient at 2009 NCAA Convention

Three Ivies Named Silver Anniversary Recipients Created: 12/2/2008 1:37:51 PM

INDIANAPOLIS -- Three former student-athletes with Ivy League ties will be recognized as Silver Anniversary award winners on January 15 at the NCAA Honors and Delegates Celebration during the 2009 NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C.

The honor recognizes former student-athletes who successfully completed collegiate careers in various sports and have excelled in their chosen professions. The Silver Anniversary Award acknowledges the former student-athletes on their 25th anniversary of completing their athletics eligibility.

The 2009 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award winners are: Deitre Collins-Parker (Hawaii, volleyball and basketball); Mark Fusco (Harvard, ice hockey); Earl Graves, Jr. (Yale, basketball); Darrell Green (Texas A&M-Kingsville, football and indoor/outdoor track and field); Kathy McMinn (Georgia, gymnastics); and Steve Young (Brigham Young, football).

Following are the brief biographies of the three award recipients with Ivy ties:

Deitre Collins-Parker

Hawaii Volleyball and basketball

Head volleyball coach, Cornell

A two-time NCAA national champion, three-time all-American and two-time Broderick Award winner, Collins-Parker is the current record-holder in solo blocks in the NCAA tournament. The two-time NCAA all-tournament team pick also was named to the Big West All-Decade Team and the NCAA 25th Anniversary Team. At Hawaii, Collins-Parker was a member of Lancaster First Baptist Church and participated in Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

A three-year member of the U.S. National Volleyball Team, Collins-Parker was a starting middle blocker for the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team and an alternate for the 1991-92 Olympic team. She played professionally in the Italian League (1988-89) and the French League (1989-91), capturing the French League Championship twice and the European Cup of Champions in 1990. A recent American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee, Collins-Parker earned Mountain West Conference Co-Coach of the Year honors as head coach at UNLV and currently serves as head coach at Cornell where she has guided teams to three Ivy League championships in four seasons. She was named as head coach of the USA Junior National Team.

An active member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association, Collins-Parker is chair of the association’s Minority Coaches committee and serves on the Board of Directors.

Mark Fusco

Harvard

Ice Hockey

President and chief executive officer, Aspen Technology

After scoring 46 points in 33 games for Harvard during the 1982-83 season, Fusco, a gifted blueliner who scored a career 135 points, became the first Crimson skater to earn the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the top college ice hockey player. That same season, Fusco helped Harvard earn an NCAA championship tournament berth and was chosen to the event’s all-star squad. A two-time Eastern College Athletic Conference first all-star team selection and an NCAA East first-team all-American, he played three games for United States at the 1981 World Junior Championships and later played a year with the national team.



Fusco played parts of the 1983-84 and 1984-85 seasons with the NHL’s Hartford Whalers and was a member of the U.S. National Team that competed at the 1984 Canada Cup and the 1985 World Championships.

Since January of 2005, Fusco has been president and chief executive officer at Aspen Technology. He also served as president and chief operating officer of Ajilon Consulting, USA, a $400 million IT consulting firm with 40 offices and more than 4,000 employees. Fusco joined the Ajilon executive team in aearl 1999 acquisition of Software Quality Partners (SQP), an IT consulting firm specializing in software quality assurance and testing, which he co-founded in 1990.

Earl “Butch” Graves, Jr.

Yale

Basketball

Chief executive officer, Black Enterprise

A four-year starter and captain of the Yale basketball team, Graves is the all-time leading scorer in the program’s history with more than 2,000 points. The first-team all-Ivy selected ended his career as the second leading scorer in the league’s history. Graves was a member of the Skull and Bones Senior Society and the Afro-American Cultural Center at Yale before graduating with a degree in economics.

Graves was drafted in the third round by the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers in 1984 and also played with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks. He became vice president of advertising and marketing for Black Enterprise in 1988. Three years later he was promoted to senior vice president, a position he held until 1995, when he became executive vice president and chief executive officer of Black Enterprise. He was named as president of the company in 1998.

In addition to being inducted into the American Advertising Hall of Fame in 2002, Graves received both the American Advertising Federation Jack Everett Volunteer Spirit Award and the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award from the Boy Scouts of America in 2006. He serves on multiple charitable and corporate boards including the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, AutoZone and Magazine Publishers of America. Graves is president of the Yale Basketball Association and coaches the Westchester Hawks, a not-for-profit organization and member of the AAU.

The Silver Anniversary Award recipients are selected by the NCAA Honors Committee. Members of the committee are Gene Corrigan, former Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner; Timothy W. Gleason (chair), commissioner, Ohio Athletic Conference; Calvin Hill, consultant, Alexander & Associates, Inc.; Jackie Joyner-Kersee, former UCLA track and field student-athlete and Olympian; Gibbs Knotts, faculty athletics representative, Western Carolina; Robert Lawless, president emeritus, Tulsa; Roxanne Levenson, associate director of athletics, Pepperdine; Barbara Walker, senior associate director of athletics/senior woman administrator, Wake Forest; and Willie Washington, director of athletics, Benedict.

Related Schools: Cornell, Harvard, Yale Related Sports: No Associated Sport

Francesca Piccinini: An Interview with a World Champion and European Champion

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Volleyball Voices Interviews Australian Setter Lauren Bertolacci

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Volleyball Voices Interviews Australian Setter Lauren Bertolacci

 

Volleyball Voices interviewed Lauren Bertolacci, Australian Volleyball National team setter currently playing in Germany. Read on for the interview...

VV: "If I could, I'd set like..."- Name the player past or present whose setting style you learn from the most...

LB: Thats not a tough one, it would have to be Takashita from Japan. The current national team setter. I could watch her play all day. She's unbelievable, everything she does is spot on, and she is extremely hard to read. She is up to my shoulder, and I stand at a large 170cm, you've got to have respect for that. She moves her attack around so well, isolating her players and giving them the best chance to win the point. She has aura about her, and it's not even just her setting. Her defense is unbelievable, nothing hits the ground that comes in the vicinity of her. I definitely try to model my game and attack on hers.

VV: What two things do you always try to remember to do when setting?

LB: Technically, I always have to remind myself of the two easiest things, get your feet under the ball, and take the ball high. The two most important things when setting, are also the two that can easily fail you when you when you are under pressure or tired. When I am having a bad training, and am starting to get inconsistent, it's always one of those two things, and I have to remind myself to concentrate on them for a while, and I get back into a rhythm. Tactic wise, my first thought tends to be, where are my blockers, who are my weakest blockers, and I line them up in my mind to my attackers, and try to isolate the one I want. Sometimes though it is simply, OK, so who is going to win this point for me. Ideally as a setter you love to get one on ones, and set the right option, give your hitter the best chance. But sometimes, someones on fire or you need a big point won, and we all know those kind of players, you just give it to them.

VV: What's the best thing about playing in Germany? (volleyball wise, culturally, and for personal growth)

LB: Volleyball wise, for me it has to be the atmosphere. The atmosphere is great on court, and in trainings. I played in France in Pro A last year, and it could not have been any different. The girls all seem to be really hard workers, and sometimes that is hard to find over here. During games we have about 500-700 people in a pretty small gym, making a lot of noise, its great to play in and we have great support from the town. Culturally, well I haven't been able to soak much up yet, having only got back here 3 weeks ago, but the people here are lovely. Helpful, nice and pretty patient with my terrible German! Personal growth, well you are always going to get some pretty awesome experiences playing in Europe. Its so far away from home, and the Volleyball is so much different. It forces you to learn a lot about living in a different country, being pretty independent, and exposes you to another side of Volleyball.

VV: What is the best conditioned European league team you've seen so far and why?

LB: Compared to the states and in Aus, I think its not as high a priority and tends not to be done as well, but it's slowly filtering through, and its not the same at all clubs. Those with the money to get the knowledge and the facilities do some good stuff. All depends on the level you are playing at and how much emphasis your clb puts into it in the budget i think. At my new club now we do some really great stuff. Luckily one of my assistant coach's is doing a PhD related to Sports science, so we do a lot of great proprioception, core and conditioning work. I suppose the best conditioned team I have played against was RC Cannes last year in Pro A. They have a great setup, and good support staff to provide the knowledge, and a lot of money!

VV: What're your expectations for the new Australian National team?

LB: I get asked this one a lot. We just competed at Asian Champs and finished 8th. We had a tough time against the top 8 teams, but it was a great experience. Our full time program shut down in 2005, and we only have 3 girls currently playing in Europe, quite a few in the States. Our team was selected this year after our National Championships, and it was young and inexperienced. But very very exciting. Its a new breed, a totally new program, we have a new coach, a new lot of very keen girls, who hope to stay together for a while. Thats they key, before Asian Champs we trained together for one week, tough gig. Our team is full of young, athletic, up and coming talent, and at 22 I was one of the more experienced players. So my expectations for the future, are very big. If we keep this group together and get more girls getting quality training, we will be a force. I intend on being around for a while, and bringing this team through, I think we can be big in Asia, and I would like to think have a chance at qualifying for the Olympics in 2012, and other major competitions. Its going to be tough, but you need to start somewhere, and this year was a good one.

VV: For a young 13-15 year old female player-name 5 conditioning exercises you recommend to do on her own to improve her leg strength and/or upperbody strength, core to prep her for her middle or high school or club volleyball team (bodyweight training or plyometrics and/or running)

LB: Five exercises...well core strength is so important. Young girls playing volleyball, in Aus at least, tend to neglect this, and coaches don't tend to focus on it. At 13-15, getting a good base of strength at that age is invaluable to further strength training in the future, and will help prevent a truckload of injuries. The other thing not worked on a lot is movement skills. A lot of girls can't run, and if you can't run, you probably aren't moving efficiently. Speed around the court is essential, and footwork is important for that. There are a lot of small agility drills and movement skills you can learn at that age that can improve this, they are pretty hard to explain written, and need to be taught well, so I will name 5 strength exercises i think are important to master at that age.

Single Leg body weight squats- Progressed from double leg, this is a great exercise for balance and strength. Body weight stuff might seem easy, but do ten of these and you will feel it the next day. It will build your strength and balance through your hips and legs, which ultimately leads to a better jump.

Single leg Bridges- get your butt involved. Girls neglect their bum. Which is a shame, because thats where your power comes from. This will activate and strengthen your glutes, a great core exercise.

Superman's- also called alternating leg and arm lifts. Good core exercise, strengthen the back, activates the bum, and adds a nice little bit of shoulder stability and retraction into it as well.

Rotator Cuff, External Rotation- Volleyballers use their shoulders so much. Serving and hitting uses medial rotation. So you train the opposite, as you do not want imbalances.. Grab a theraband, or a light weight, and do external rotation. Strengthening these muscles gives the shoulder the ability to slow the arm down better after the swing phase, as they work eccentrically there, and it will stop any imbalances and prevent any shoulder impingement or overuse injuries.

Planks, static holds- front, side, lifting arms or legs, there are so many different variations, but static holds are good for the abs and generally core stability, they are also a good testing point to see how your core is. You notice a lot of young girls pike when the do a front hold, indicating a lack of strength through the core region. You also notice a lot of girls shoulder blades 'wing' when doing a front hold, ie. the shoulder are rounded, not straight. this indicates weak upper back muscles, which are important, as I mentioned before we do a lot of work using the fron of our body, the back needs to be strong too. Side planks indicate strength of the obliques, and a lot of girls sag, strength in this area is vital in volleyballm just think of how much rotation you do when you spike.

So master these exercises young, and you will absolutely be laughing for the future, and have a great base for when you start some serious plyo's and weight training. These are essential exercises for established athletes as well, you can't neglect core work, and these five almost cover everything.

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Agata Mroz-Olszewska, Rest in Peace

Rest in peace, Agata Mroz-Olszewska

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Agata Mroz-Olszewska, a two-time women's European volleyball champion, died Wednesday. She was 26.

She died of an infection two weeks after a bone marrow transplant, said Alicja Chybicka, a doctor at the Bone Marrow Transplantation Clinic in Wroclaw.

Mroz was a member of Poland's European Championship-winning team in 2003 and '05. She ended her career in 2007 because of the progressing bone marrow illness.

Mroz-Olszewska gave birth to a healthy girl in April.

"Your volleyball season is about to start and I know you want to learn the secrets of how the pros play like they do.

Strengthen and improve your volleyball skills while playing for your high school and club team, now!

Learn early, what indoor and beach volleyball Olympians and professionals know about:

1. The importance of gaining muscle strength for injury prevention, gaining speed and increasing your vertical jump while training for volleyball,

2. Volleyball nutrition and

3. Mental conditioning and gaining confidence in yourself and your game, on and off the court."

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April Chapple is a columnist for USA Volleyball, the American Volleyball Coaches Association Coaching Volleyball magazine, a contributor to Active,.com/volleyball, and has authored numerous playing and coaching volleyball articles. Look for her upcoming ebook "How to Stop Serving Like a Wimp". She can be reached at april@volleyballvoices.com.