Today we lost our first match in 3 😦 We went to opening ceremonies and as we anxiously waited for them to start, we took over the hallway with our dance-off. We had fun with the Youth Red team and the boys team. The drummers at opening ceremonies were so loud but awesome. Now we are chilling at Maggie Moo’s for some ICE CREAM!
See ya later alligator
From the youth white hp ncva team
Day 2, our first match against new Zealand, after losing the first set we came back and won in 4. Opening ceremonies were later that night and while waiting in line NCVA showed our team spirit by playing a club wide game of “down by the banks” followed by a girls versus boys team dance off. After being welcomed to Iowa by the mayor and an awesome drum performance the tournament was officially open.
Jake Getz
Day 1. Arrive in Iowa from the long flight from California. Got luggage and got in our swagged out dodge vans to get a bite to eat at burger king then went across the street to reach our hotel for a quick change of clothes and the departed for our practice at the convention center. Following the good practice we left to find snacks, water, and our animal spirits. It was a success. After our inner spirits were obtained we went to PF Changs for dinner. Arrived back at the hotel at 10:30 to rest up for our first match tomorrow. Wish us luck!
David Parker
Today is our first day in Des Moines, Iowa. When we got off the airplane, we saw a sign that said, “Welcome USA Volleyball High Performance Championships”. It was exciting for our team because we felt so special. We noticed that it was a lot hotter than California. So we hurried to our vans to go to the hotel.
Once we checked into the hotel, we got ready to go to the convention center for practice. At the convention center there were a lot of different teams from all over such as Chile. We are excited for the week ahead! (:
Whitney=0 and Chase
Howdy Iowa! We had a dandy first day here in good ole Des Moines. Our spirits are as high as the 104 degree weather. After a short practice, we headed over to Z’Mariks for some grub. We only await our three teammates stuck in the Dallas airport. Too bad they missed out on the delicious Mac n cheese. Later, we’ll take a dip in the swimming pool. Well, it’s time for us to skidattle; we have A hard day’s work ahead of us tomorrow. Over and out!
Sayonara from Joyce, Paige, Anissa, Kristin, Emily, and Rachel
Ciao Bella,
We are currently driving through the Italian country side each of us stareing outside the window gazing at the beautiful farmland which is surprisingly reminiscent to me of the central valley. After an incredible week of volleyball, hustling around making new friends, enjoying new foreign foods, getting lost in ancient cities, these bus rides become exactly what our tired bodies need. Rest. They provide time to reflect, and we have a lot to reflect upon considering the past several days.
Probably the one the coolest aspects of the tournament was the fact that the teams were all booked in the same hotel, which meant that opponents shared meals together and roomed next door to each other. This set up cultivated an environment which relationships could quickly develop. It was great, because communication between teams was inescapable, it was just unclear how clear the communication would be. The players had to interact outside the matches. Of course, everyone struggle with the language barrier, but when verbal communication failed animated body language was greatly enhanced to converse with one another. Whenever I wanted to ask a non-English speaker if they won, I would simply signal a thumbs up and thumbs down. I would typically receive an answer by a nod or a shake of the head followed by the number of set that we’re played in the game.
Though the tournament ended last night with closing ceremony, it seemed like it just began. The global challenge volleyball tournament began with a diversity of nationalities, but ended with a unified body of friends due to the common language of volleyball shared by all the athletes.
What we received could not have transpired through a typical tourist trip involving traveling to various historic landmarks.volleyball became the medium through which American teenage girls shared life with European teen age girls; which some had never spoke with an American before! Blocks, kills, and digs were shared amongst opponents during the match, while laughs, passions, and cultures were being exchanged between new friends throughout the week.
Ciao, Todd
When in Italy do as they do, use the bidai, just kidding wouldn’t know how anyway.
Finishing the trip with an enchanting evening in Venezia (Venice for you non travelers)? Started with a short bus ride from our hotel then instructions on where to meet for the ride home, then the shopping could begin as we work our way to San Marco Square to meet up with the other teams for a group picture.
We were there but the group was not in the same spot, so we got a team photo.
At this time I wanted to thank all of the adults (parents) as they were all good sports ( when I got them lost, I mean confused) after the movie and for the whole trip in general.
And yes it was tough at times but they were real troopers all the way through.
We are meeting at 10:30pm to catch the bus back to the hotel as the team has a 6:50am flight home.
Well it is hard to believe that this is over today, we played the local team OK Pula.
We ended the tournament in a battle for 3rd place we started a little slow and they jumped out in front and never looked back in the first game. The second game we started better and then their serving killed us, they as a team have a crazy good jump float serve that moves all over the place and some times it just dies just when you are ready to move back.
We lost in 2 to place 4th in the Istra division, this is our highest finish since the tournament moved to Pula.
Jade Fachin is our selection for the all tournament team.
The Russian Jr National team plays the Slovenian Jr National team for the championship
After the last match is the awards ceremonies where all of the teams are recognized for how they did in the event.
Below is our team being honored for 4th place in the Istra division
And here is a couple of shots of our All Tournament player “Jade Fachin” good job Jade!!!!
NCVA High Performance 