Garden Empire Volleyball Association

Academy 16-1

Hey! My name is Samantha Lukralle I play for the 16-1’s team at The Island Volleyball Academy. All of our practice and hard work finally paid off, and his past summer our team won the Junior Olympic Bid Tournament, at Stony brook University. The trip was going to be expensive as we knew from the start, but we were lucky enough to have great team parents to help us raise money! We did a car wash and sold raffles! We got to Minnesota in the early afternoon and settled into our pent house suites. The next morning we had the afternoon pool, it was nice to be able to wake up a little bit later then usual. My room that night decided to bake brownies and cookies! We spent the 4th of july watching fireworks from the parking lot of our hotel room. We also found a place to go bowling! Our team got to the Center and braced ourselves for a long afternoon of intense volleyball! As I walked into the gym I was amazed at all of the courts and different teams. It was so loud in the gym that you couldn’t even hear yourself think. The entire experience was very overwhelming. Being able to play at Nationals was the chance of a life time! The higher the level of the team we played the more we improved as a team! We had a rough start but I think that in the end we learned so much from our coaches and playing at a higher level, they pushed us all season and now I know why! The competition was incredible, and before each match we exchanged gifts with our opponents! Some of the gifts were little decks of cards, pins, Cd’s, key chains and bracelets. One of the biggest things I noticed were all of the college scouts walking around! There were scouts from some of the top schools in the nation, such as Nebraska, Pepperdine and UCLA. In the convention center there was so much food! They had dippin’ dots and a regular ice cream stand, tropical smoothie and places to get hot dogs and hamburgers. The store was also set up inside the gym. They had such a variety of sweatshirts and tee’s. They had a mizuno booth set up as well where I got new sneakers! As a player when I stepped onto the court it felt a rush like I have never felt before! It was amazing how playing the sport I love could give me a chance to compete against the top players in the nation! Getting to meet people from all over and talking with them was an experience in itself! There aren’t too many places where you can be standing next to someone from Texas, Ohio, and California all at the same time! One of our coaches was born in Minnesota and so after a long week of playing, we all got together at his sister’s house for a barbeque! Our team had become a family, a unit! And no matter where we go in life I know that we’ll take a little piece of each other everywhere.

Downstate 15 Kaepa at Nationals

N'Jameh Phillip-Roberson

The 2007 Junior Olympic Nationals was a great experience that I enjoyed very much. At first I was excited but nervous more than ever. Being the new one on the team was a little hard but everyone made me feel excepted. The plan ride to and from Minnesota was ok and the hotel was also very professional.

I expected the teams for nationals to be hard and challenging and that is what they were. Even though we didn't win any games I felt we all did a great job and that we also could have won some of the games we played. During the games I did have some challenges but overall the coaches pushed me and the team. I want to thank each coach that was there because they were all encouraging of each of us and me personally.

After games and working out I had an outstanding time at the mall and in my hotel room. Spending more time with the girls was really fun and I think that we all connected. All in all, I thought the experience at the Junior Olympic Nationals was a thrilling trip and a great learning experience.

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Nationals this year was a great experience and I am glad that I was able to participate in it. The city of Minneapolis was really nice and there was a lot to do when we were not playing. The Convention Center was a really nice playing site. The competition was tough and it was fun to play and watch some of the best teams in the country. The hotel was nice yet a bit far from the convention center. Socially, it was great to be able to spend time with the team in such a great place. Again, it was a great experience and a lot of fun.

Sincerely,
Nicole Carbone

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My experience at nationals
By: Nora Rugova

Nationals was one of the most memorable experiences that I have encountered in my life. I enjoyed waking up everyday that I was there and knowing that I was going to go up against a team that we would have to push every point for in order to win the match. Before every match I felt like I had butterflies in my stomach. I was both extremely excited to play but at the same time very nervous because I didn’t know what the other team was going to be like and what they were going to bring to the court. Walking in to the gym everyday made me feel great and I loved hearing the noises of lots of volleyball players playing the sport I love.

I loved traveling on a plane with my team. It was the first time we had flown together and it was really exciting. It was also tons of fun because of all our inside jokes with each other. The city of Minneapolis was beautiful and I loved the mall of America. I will never forget it and all the stores and even the little amusement park with all the rides in it! It was really a great place with a lot of things to do. I remember that was all my team wanted to do during down time, was go to the mall of America!

My most memorable experience at nationals would definitely be watching the 15 national finals and watching Tampa Bay, which was the team that ended up winning nationals. It was so great because I knew that we could compete with Tampa because they were one of the first matches we played and we gave them a run for their money. That had to be one of the best feelings in the world!

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Jessica Fles: My experience at nationals was an amazing one. When my team came in first place at the regional and bid tournaments and it was one of the best feelings in the world. We were then off to nationals. When we got to Minnesota I was not nervous, but as soon as we stepped into the gym and saw girls that were 6 inches taller then me I began to get butterflies in my stomach. As soon as I stepped in the court I had an immediate adrenaline rush and I was ready to play my best. Although we didnt win much, I still had an amazing time and I will always remember my experience at the Junior National Olympics.

Long Island Fury 17’s

To Long Island FURY 17’s, goal setting is an important part of the season. And at the beginning of each season, qualifying for the Junior Olympics was always top on the list. In their third year of playing together, this year appeared to be “the year.” Years of development were to finally pay off as the team would come together and play to their potential. And it was just that.

Our experience at Nationals was not storybook, however. Various illnesses interrupted our progress, but still, we were Minneapolis-bound. As you read some of the player-written entries below, I ask that you notice the common theme: Nationals has inspired these girls to raise the level of their game and realize the importance of strenuous practices. They have learned to become true students of the game, and as their coach, I am prouder of nothing more.

Shona St. Angelo, setter: Going to the Junior Olympics was, and will always be, one of the most rewarding opportunities of my life. I will always remember the feeling of excitement we had as a team after we won the bid, and then the butterflies in my stomach before the first match of Nationals. The whole trip went so fast and I just can’t believe it’s already over. I feel so lucky to be able to play on such a talented team and I enjoyed sharing this experience with everyone. I just want to thank my team and our coaches for making this season one of the highlights of my volleyball career. Our trip to Minneapolis is definitely one I will never forget.

Christina Fabiochi, outside hitter: In the very beginning of our season, we all set goals. Aside from personal ones, we made a team goal of making it to nationals. My nationals experience started when we accomplished our goal and won the bid tournament. With our season extended a few extra weeks, we all worked hard at practice to get ready. I didn't know what to expect to see in Minneapolis, except for some really good teams, and I was excited to be playing some of the best in the country. Winning some matches would have definitely made my experience better...because no one likes to lose. But the experience was still an amazing one, and I'm so happy that we had the opportunity to go to Minneapolis this summer and compete in the Junior Olympics.

Amy Bavosa, right-side hitter: My experience at Nationals was definitely a huge eye opener. The first game we played, my nerves took over because I couldn't believe I was playing at the Junior Olympics with all the best girls from around the country; I was intimidated by the girls who were towering over me. However, after the shock wore off, I took it as an opportunity to up my level of play. Not only did I push myself to play at a higher level, but I saw the other competition out there – the girls I would realistically be competing with for a spot on a college team. Playing these other teams may have made us wish we worked a little bit harder in our own practices, but I know we were all determined to play our hardest, trying to make a name for Long Island FURY. Although we didn't place as well as we would have liked (or receive any good gifts in exchange for our T shirts), the experience at Nationals showed me another level of volleyball, and made me want to work that much harder to improve myself.

Lydia Tarr, middle-blocker: Going to nationals was such a great experience. I was honored to be a part of the 2007 Junior Olympics. Our team worked very hard to achieving this goal, and we deserved to be there. Even though we only won one game, it was still a blast to be there. Our team got to see what recruiters are looking for and also see what we can become in the near future. I would love to attend the 2008 Junior Olympics.

Jackie Aldrich, setter: Although we did not win, seeing what other teams around the country can do pushed me to want to play better. I think now we know what we have to do if we want to be the best. And, I think it really helped our team bond. Altogether I think that this tournament showed us that even though in local tournament we might not always have to play our hardest to win, if we want to be the best and compete with the best we have to give it our all, all the time. It was a very good experience no matter what the outcome.

Kelley Kostuk, middle blocker: Going to the Jr Olympics was one of the greatest experiences I will ever have. I learned so much just by being there and playing against some of the best teams in the country. I think JO's brought a lot of us closer, but also separated some of us. I wouldn’t have wanted to share that experience with any other team, or any other coaches. We got to watch two of the best teams in the country play, and just by watching that I think it taught all of us about how working together, and getting along on the court can get you so far. I loved the experience, and hopefully we’ll be there next year!!!

Patawe Simms, middle blocker: I had a great time at Nationals; it was definitely a good experience for me and my team. The competition was very tough. Going to Nationals and even preparing for it made my team stronger. We all improved individually and came together to reach the same goal. We didn't do as well as we expected to but we learned to play volleyball at a whole new level.

LIVBC 15s

This is the first year my son, Robert, participated in volleyball at the club level with LIVBC. We really did not know what to expect from a team with such ambitious goals. All of the traveling involved seemed a bit daunting. The prospect of competing on a national level posed a big challenge.

I have to say that our experience with the team this year was excellent. If one of the main goals of sport is to help develop character, then this year was certainly a success. The boys, over the course of the season, took one of the teams they considered main rivals and made them the team they became most friendly with. When competition leads to camaraderie between rivals, you know something good is happening.

Meeting and competing with boys from all around the country was also great. My son, a libero, became acquainted with the libero from a California team while they were sitting together watching a match during some off time. They decided to trade jerseys at the end of the competition. It was nice to see the boys learn that, although there might be regional differences among the teams, the common interest in sport makes those differences just a sidelight to the boys’ commonality. I know that the boys look forward to seeing some of the guys from other teams at future competitions.

The best result of the season was the forging of true friendships. Traveling, eating and competing together, our boys have really become a team. They support each other at difficult times and certainly celebrate together in their victories. The team members hail from different parts of Long Island. They come from very diverse backgrounds; yet these differences never seem to be part of the team dynamic. What is important is whether you are the best outside hitter, middle or setter that you can be.

This year Rob and the boys have won some, lost some, choked, pulled some out, swam in the Pacific, chilled in Milwaukee, had Cokes in Atlanta, forged a team, learned and matured.

Thank you.

LIVBC 16s

Wow! What else can we say? My son and I participated in the JO's this year in Georgia and we were extremely impressed. I was the coach for LIVBC's 16's and my son played on the team. This was our first experience in the JO's and we can't wait to find out where they will be held next year so we can make our reservations!

The tournament was organized, efficient, and the computers were a fantastic way to keep you informed up to the minute on everything that was going on. The whole atmosphere was different from any other tournament during the year. Hearing the National Anthem being sung and walking onto the court and waving to the crowd was exhilarating! It really made the players feel like they were part of something very special. It was definitely a step above any other competition we've been to. Finishing in the bronze in the open division was a wonderful accomplishment for our team.

One of the great aspects of the tournament was meeting up with all of the coaches and players you see throughout the season and competing against them, cheering for them when you're off, and just plain talking volleyball; training methods, strategies etc. Also, the referees were terrific. All of our matches were on time, well called, and the refs were complementary of our players and coaches attitudes and abilities.

My son enjoyed seeing all of the players he had spoken with and formed friendships with throughout the season. He enjoyed staying around after we were finished to watch some of the elite teams play each other. It was impressive. However, his favorite part of the entire experience was the trading of the uniforms. He would wait by the court of the team he wanted to trade with, so if that team lost, he could strike up a deal! He was very excited to get three of the very hot items- Balboa Bay and two of the teams from Puerto Rico!

We are very grateful to have been a part of the 2007 JO's and are looking forward to an even better finish with next years team.

Sincerely,
Stacie and Thomas Wixted

LIVBC 17-1

There were many great experiences this year for the LIVBC 17-1’s volleyball team at the Junior Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia in addition to placing tied for 11th. The players have a great time just “hanging out” with each other for a weekend, whether playing volleyball or playing cards, we all have fun together.

The Junior Olympics is the Superbowl of volleyball - the time for players to come together as a team and play the best you can and the hardest you can until you can’t play anymore. We play through bruises and scrapes, skin rips and exhaustion. All that considered, we play hard and win or lose, have fun.

One example of this that occurred at the Junior Olympics this year in Atlanta, Georgia is playing Chinese poker which is always a great time and a great way to fill the time until or after the tournament. We would play for hours and make new rules every once in a while. For example, instead of saying pass (meaning you can’t beat the card), we would sing. Little things like that make our team so great, no matter what tournament we're playing.

Whatever happens, even though we didn’t start the tournament with our ranking as high as we expected, or that despite playing great we didn’t place as highly as we should have, we stay as a team, we stay as friends.

Thank you to LIVBC for the great coaching and to GEVA for allowing us the experience of the 2007 Junior Olympics.

Hayden Clasper
LIVBC 17-1s

LIVBC 17-2

VOLLEYBALL JUNIOR OLYMPICS
JULY 7 TO 11, 2007
ATLANTA, GEORGIA

This was our first year attending the Junior Olympics with the LIVBC team and it was an amazing experience. We have only positive feedback as the whole event was so well planned and well executed.

First of all, our administrators gave us complete and informative directions and made wonderful arrangements at the Marriott Residence Inns. Our stay there was lovely. It is kept so clean, was located in a perfect area and had a great set up for families. Then the trip into Atlanta was not as bad as we expected it to be and the World Congress Center was just awesome!

Being our first time, we were not certain what to expect. So, we were quite amazed at the size and scope of the competition. When we were not playing, it was a lot of fun to see the other teams (uniforms, cheers, funny hairdos, etc.). There were plenty of places for the boys to get food, which is needed constantly by boys this age and size. The center was beautiful to walk around and explore both inside and out.

The most amazing thing, however, was how smoothly everything was run. The set up and timing was so well-planned and executed, even to having the computers on sight so we could always keep track of our teams’ standings. The final day trading shirts was one of the funniest times of all and we all now have shirts to remember the great time we had: some bought, and some bartered!

Peter Mayer, LIVBC 17-2
Peggy & Tom Mayer

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