News

Western New York Boys Volleyball Honor Roll
Wednesday December 28, 2011
By Mary Jo Monnin

Boys volleyball honor roll

ALL-WNY TEAM 
(chosen by WNY coaches)

Pos. Player School Yr. Fast Fact

(Eden VBC Players highlighted in RED)

OP, Drew Durni, Frontier, 12: Repeat pick, three-year starter, 94 average, .665 hitting percentage, 300 kills, unstoppable vs. McQuaid.

S, Matt Taylor, Frontier, 12: Second team last year, team co-MVP, has visited Penn State, MVP of Hamburg Tourney, setter with 700 assists.

OH, Nick Smalter, Frontier, 12: Repeat pick, MVP of Clarence tourney, made 3 all-tourney teams, .384 hitting percentage, 94 average, three-year starter.

OH, Dave Jepson, Canisius, 11: Player of Year in Monsignor Martin Association, had 30 kills in win over Frontier, made 3 all-tourney teams.

OH, Matt McCormick, Orchard Park, 12: Second team last year, MVP of Orchard Park Tourney, 90 average, 18 kills vs. St. Joe's, also excels in basketball.

OH, Lucas Wolanin, Lancaster, 12: Had 545 kills to end career as school record holder for most in a career with 1,100, second team last year, 90 average.

S, Billy Pinter, Lake Shore, 11: Team MVP, averaged 40.3 assists per match, had 51 aces, 90 average, All-Tourney at OP, 55 assists vs. Hamburg.

L, Trey Cimorelli, Orchard Park, 11: Libero with 667 digs giving him 1,268 in his career, All-Tourney at Orchard Park, 97 average, 28 digs vs. Lockport.

SECOND TEAM (underclassman where indicated): Jack Fleming (Canisius), Eric Moscato (Hamburg), Ryan Joslyn-11 (Lake Shore), Eric Simoncelli (Hamburg), Robert Heary (St. Joe's), Tom Scheck (Frontier), Curtis Monin (Lancaster), Dalton Crowe (Eden).

WNY COACH OF THE YEAR: John Coyle (Lake Shore).



ECIC I

FIRST TEAM

Pos. Player School Yr.

S, Kevin Donohue, Orchard Park, 11

MH, Justice Rogers, Orchard Park, 12

OH, Tyler Eagleton, Orchard Park, 11

OH, Elliot Louisos, Clarence, 12

S, Andy Nagel, Lancaster, 12

OH, Dave Spengler, Lancaster, 12

L, Jake Gleason, Frontier, 9

MB, Kevin Hannon, Frontier, 12

SECOND TEAM: Shaun O'Brien-11 (West Seneca West), C.J. Peterson (Lancaster), Jon Kuberka (Clarence), Kenny Dudkowski-11 (Orchard Park), Matt Monaco-9 (Frontier), Steve Czuczman (Orchard Park), Jake Beckman (Lancaster), Tyler Penberthy-11 (Wmsv. North).



ECIC II

FIRST TEAM

Pos. Player School Yr.

MH, Ryan Spears, Lake Shore, 11

OH, Connor Govenettio, Lake Shore, 11

RS, Matt Birt, Hamburg, 12

OH, Conor Krolikowski, Hamburg, 11

OH, Max Schwarz, Wmsv. East, 12

S, Tom Styn, Wmsv. East, 12

MH, Brian Kraus, Wmsv. South, 12

OH, Mackenzie Spencer, Starpoint, 12

SECOND TEAM: Nick Burbige (Lake Shore), Austin Van Slycke (Lake Shore), Mitch Shafer (Hamburg), Josh Babcock (Hamburg), James Purkiss-11 (Wmsv. East), Tom Wisnewski-11 (Wmsv. East), Anthony Podgorzak-11 (Wmsv. South), Calvin Crosby-11 (Starpoint).

ECIC III

FIRST TEAM

Pos. Player School Yr.

OH, Kyle Acker, Eden, 12

MH, Cody Smith, Eden, 12

MH, Ryan Vondell, Eden, 11

OH, Alex Webster, Holland, 12

OH, Tom Mellody, Amherst, 12

S, Jesse Summa-Dowd, Amherst, 12

OH, Matt Loos, Maryvale, 12

OH, Ed Kerber, Cheektowaga, 11

SECOND TEAM: Declan Pierce-8 (Eden), Bobby Blodgett (Eden), Josh Kreeger (East Aurora), Evan Thielman (Amherst), Kevin Kelley-11 (Maryvale), Anthony Delano (Cheektowaga), Trevor Leach (Holland), Alex Turecki-11 (Amherst).

NIAGARA FRONTIER

FIRST TEAM

Pos. Player School Yr.

OH, Nathan Schneider, Lockport, 12

RS, Diantre Cullens, Lockport, 12

OH, Jon Voyzey, Grand Island, 12

MH, Chris Brownschidle, Grand Island, 12

OH, Jack Hagerty, Nia.-Wheatfield, 12

MH, Will Cruz, N. Tonawanda, 12

MH, Nick DeMartile, Lockport, 12

SECOND TEAM: Kyle Patterson-11 (Kenmore East), Drake DeJesus-11 (Kenmore East), Collin McMahon-11 (Grand Island), Joe Kelly-10 (Niagara-Wheatfield), Joe Piotrowski-10 (North Tonawanda), Adam Heftka-11 (Grand Island), Ryan Giles (Lockport).

THIRD TEAM: Tim Kelly (Kenmore West), Scott Lachut (Kenmore West), Mike Crawford-11 (Kenmore East), Mike Dobmeier (Niagara Falls), Brock Tetreault-10 (Grand Island), Adam Brodfuehrer (North Tonawanda), Aaron Quast (Lockport).

MSGR. MARTIN ASSOC.

Player of the Year: David Jepson-11 (Canisius)

FIRST TEAM

Pos. Player School Yr.

OH, Christopher Busha, St. Francis, 12

OH, Brett Cawthorn, St. Francis, 12

MB, Russell Fiorella, Canisius, 12

S, Jack Fleming, Canisius, 12

L, Joe Hacherl, St. Joe's, 12

OH, Robert Heary, St. Joe's, 12

MB, Peter McKelvey, Canisius, 12

SECOND TEAM: CANISIUS: Alec Cowe. ST. JOE'S: Jack Heary. ST. FRANCIS: Nate Chichocki, Matt Smith. ST. MARY'S: Jack Denz, Jamison Powell, Frank Sardinia.

mmonnin@buffnews.com 

Frontier Finishes Strong
Wednesday December 28, 2011
By Mary Jo Monnin

It isn't easy to go out on top following a season-ending loss, but Frontier may have pulled it off.

The Falcons saw one of their most successful seasons come to a close after a four-game defeat to eventual state champion McQuaid in the Far West Regionals.

"It was the highest level of volleyball I've ever been involved with. Both teams left it out on the court," said Frontier coach Bill Faust. "It was incredible to be a part of it."

Making the ride possible were seniors Drew Durni, Matt Taylor and Nick Smalter, who were all recently named to the 2011 All-Western New York team.

The state championships in boys volleyball are in their second year, with Section VI yet to send a representative.

"Section V and VI are both super powers, and now with the format, it is what it is, we have to play each other to move on, and if you survive that challenge, you might be looking at a state title like McQuaid," said Faust.

Frontier finished the season 29-4 having defended its Section VI Class A title. The Falcons also won the Clarence and Hamburg tournaments. Faust said an early-season loss to Canisius gave his team some focus.

The 29th annual ALL-WNY team was chosen by a panel of area coaches. The eight-player first team includes five seniors and three juniors. Teams with multiple picks were Frontier with three and Orchard Park with two. It's the 11th year in a row Orchard Park has had at least one first-teamer.

Repeat picks are both from Frontier: Durni and Smalter.

John Coyle of Lake Shore was named the WNY Coach of the Year by his peers. The Eagles knocked off Hamburg to win Class B, its first Section VI title since 1995. Two-time defending champion Eden lost in four games to Williamsville South in the Class B quarterfinals.

Three of Lake Shore's 17 wins, against four losses, came at the expense of Hamburg, its ECIC II rival. Two of the three matches went five games. Lake Shore also took Orchard Park to five games before losing.

Even dozen for Canisius

Canisius is represented on All-WNY by junior Dave Jepson. He was named the Monsignor Martin Association Player of the Year after leading the Crusaders to their 12th consecutive playoff title. Jepson had 18 kills and five aces in the final against St. Francis.

Canisius won all its league matches in three games this season. Canisius' 21-4 record includes a win over No. 1 ranked Frontier in an atmosphere described as "electric" by coach Tom Weislo.

Russell Fiorella, Jack Fleming and Peter McKelvey had All-Catholic seasons for the Crusaders.

Around the nets

ECIC titles went to teams all finishing 12-0 as Frontier won ECIC I, Lake Shore won ECIC II and Eden won ECIC III. ... Grand Island and Lockport both finished 11-1 to share the Niagara Frontier League title. St. Mary's won the Grand Island and North Tonawanda Tournaments. ... In the final WNY Coaches Poll, Frontier was voted No. 1 with seven first-place votes, Canisius was No. 2 with three. ... Durni of Frontier was named the Section VI recipient of the state-sponsored sportsmanship award. ... Section VI had four teams ranked among the top 10 in the state academically. Sweet Home was No. 3 (96.6 collective average), Lake Shore was No. 5 (95.0), Lockport was No. 7 (94.9) and Hamburg was No. 10 (94.6).

Skoric's deadly spike
February 2011
By anjaalexa

Video

Are You Coachable?
A Little Humility Goes A Long Way
Wednesday February 2, 2011
By Beverly Oden

Whether you are just learning the sport or playing at the highest levels, you should always be striving to improve. While you can get better on your own by continuing to play and watch others, the most efficient method of improvement involves coaching.

A coach can provide that outside analysis of your form and your tendencies that can be difficult for you to recognize yourself. In order to benefit from that coach's knowledge you don't just need to have a coach, you need to be coachable. 

Coachability is a trait that comes easier for some than for others. If you want to make a positive contribution to your team, heed the advice of your coaches. Those who are hoping to play volleyball in college should pay special attention to coachability. College coaches and recruiters will be watching you not only to see how well you play the game, but your temperament, your adaptability and how you respond to criticism. 

If you're wondering if you're coachable, take a look at the three pillars of coachability and ask yourself if you are a coach's dream or a coach's nightmare.

You may think you're pretty good at this sport of yours already. You may even be right about that. But regardless of your skill level, you should always be striving to get better. In order to consistently improve, you must take seriously the first pillar of coachabilty - the ability to listen.

If your coach tells you that you are doing something wrong or less efficiently than you should, you need to be able to take that in. Don't take offense or let it get under your skin. It is your coach's job to give you advice, it is your job to take it. 

It could be that you think you know more than your coach does, which sometimes is the case and can complicate things. Even if it is the case, it doesn't mean your coach is wrong about everything. He still has a better vantage point than you and can see things you can't. It doesn't matter if you think he's wrong or that you don't think you're doing what he says you are. Your best bet is to let someone help you so put your ego aside for a moment and consider the information coming your way. 

Listening is not only for practice. You also need to listen during games. Coaches want to see that you can stick to the game plan even if you don't agree. They want to see you run the play that was called and serve the areas they decided upon. If you refuse to do that, you may very well be uncoachable.

Being a good listener also means not talking back. If you have questions about the advice, ask them, but coaches want to be able to give you pointers without getting lip about how you know that already or how you disagree with the assessment. If you have issues with authority you may need to take a deep breath, bite your lip and continue forward, taking the new advice in the spirit it was offered - as an attempt to help you.

One of the toughest things to do is to get out of your comfort zone. Perhaps you've had the same passing form since you can remember and it has worked well for you. But one day your coach comes along and tells you to change it up. How do you respond?

The second pillar of coachability is the willingness to try new things. You have to be able to at least momentarily trust your coach's judgment and implement her tips. There are always going to be new schools of thought on how to best execute the fundamental skills of volleyball. Some will become the prevailing wisdom while others will come and go. But there is no way to know if there is a better way out there if you're unwilling to try things out.

You also have to give the new method a chance. Your body is accustomed to doing things the way it always has. Chances are that when you try it a new way, you'll get worse before you get better. Be willing to try the new method for an extended period of time to see if it is indeed better than what you were doing before. If you determine it is not, you can always go back to your old ways.

You never know what you will be asked to do in the course of a volleyball match. No matter the situation, you need to be able to roll with the punches for the good of your team. The third pillar that a coach is looking for in a dream player is the ability to adapt to change. 

There may be an injury on your team that forces you to move to the Outside Hitter position even though you haven't played there in months. One of your teammates may just be playing poorly and force a change in the lineup that leaves you hitting off of a setter you're unfamiliar with. Your team may just need a fresh look and you may be placed on the bench even though you've been holding your own out there.

Especially if your team is losing, a coach may try several different strategies in practice and in matches. There may not be a reason you can understand for why things have changed or why you've been singled out. Don't concern yourself with these things and while you're at it, don't sulk, don't complain, don't roll your eyes and don't panic. 

During a match, trust that your coach is doing what she feels is best for the team at that moment. Your coach may end up being wrong about the new direction and you can calmly discuss that with them when you have a chance. But in the heat of battle, your focus should be on helping your team win and in most cases that means sticking with the game plan as it evolves. 

Doing your own thing or going against your coach's call can put you at odds with your teammates as well as your coaches and it shows recruiters that you're trouble. Remember that you are being evaluated at all times so always strive to be coachable and you will benefit in the long run.

Long Beach Rises to No. 2
Wednesday February 2, 2011
By Beverly Oden

The biggest moves in the AVCA polls this week took place at the top. Long Beach State moves up three spots to No. 2 after beating previous No. 2 Stanford in three sets. Stanford started off strong in the match, but gave up strings of points including an eight-point run in the third. Long Beach won that set 25-13 to finish the Cardinal off. Stanford drops to No. 4 in the poll.

No. 3 BYU made quick work of No. 7 UCI, beating them twice in three sets. UCI looked outmatched at times as BYU served and blocked at a much higher level. Pepperdine is on a five-match losing streak after two more losses to UCLA and UCSB over the weekend. They fell three spots to No. 11 in the poll. Pacific entered the top 15 for the first time since 2007 after a 3-0 victory over CSUN.

Good Timing for USAV Growth
Wednesday February 2, 2011
By Beverly Oden

Take it as a good sign for the sport that USA Volleyball managed to grow during 2010 despite the state of the economy and the fall of pro beach volleyball.

Somebody over there is doing something right because USAV added over 17,000 new members last year. This year the governing body will be able to expand the budget by $2 million and hire to fill new positions.

With the USAV's entry into the world of beach volleyball events planned for this summer and with the Olympics growing ever closer, this is great news for all involved. Add this tidbit to the FIVB's news of record investment in development and it appears that the state of the volleyball union is strong.

AVCA Division I-II Men's Coaches Top 15 Poll #4: January 31, 2011 

Others Receiving Votes and appearing on two or more ballots: Lewis 16; George Mason 8; Saint Francis 3; Loyola-Chicago 2 

One team mentioned on only one ballot for a total of three combined points 

Dropped Out: Loyola-Chicago 12 

Next poll: February 7, 2011 

Poll conducted and distributed by the AVCA

USAV to Hold Beach CAP in Southern Cal
B.J. Hoeptner Evans January 31, 2011

B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: bj.evans@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 31, 2011) – USA Volleyball will host a Beach Coaching Accreditation Level I (BCAP) course on Feb. 12-13 at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. 

This beach-specific course will include on-court and in-classroom hands-on learning with an accent on the uniqueness of the beach game.

The emphasis of Beach CAP I is on teaching the skills of the beach game. Sessions include but are not limited to practicum in Teaching the Fundamental Skills, Motor Skill Learning Theory, Coaching Principles/Foundations, Developing the Coaching Philosophy, Ethics and Athlete Safeguards, Drill Design, Practice Preparation and Execution, and Basic Offensive/Defensive/Serve-Receive Organization Systems.

This course is open to all levels of coaches and is recommended for current or future club, NCAA, and professional level beach/sand coaches. BCAP Level I certification or higher will be a requirement to coach in USAV sanctioned camps, clinics and other programs.

The BCAP course will be led by Ali Wood Lamberson, USAV Director of Beach Programs and 15-year veteran of the AVP and FIVB tours; Jon Aharoni, USAV Coordinator of Beach Programs and Head Coach of the United States’ FIVB Youth World Champions; and Don Burroughs, Ohio Valley Region Education Director and IMPACT Master Instructor.

Successful completion of the BCAP course will result in a national certification. Please click here to register: USAV Beach CAP Course.

For additional information please contact the USAV Education Department at cap@usav.org or 719-228-6800.

Prerequisite: The USAV Beach IMPACT course is required as a pre-requisite to BCAP. If you have not completed the Beach IMPACT course, a Beach IMPACT webinar will be held Feb. 9-10 at 6-8:30 p.m. PT nightly.

Please click here to register for the Beach IMPACT on-line course.

All other requirements for certification apply: USAV Background Screen on file, CAP Coaching Code of Ethics on file, Drill and Coaching Philosophy submission, completion of online test after the course is attended, and others as explained at the conclusion of the course. If you have questions, please contact the USAV Education Department (cap@usav.org) before registering for this course!

U.S. Men's Update: A Fall to Fifth
B.J. Hoeptner Evans January 20, 2011

B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: bj.evans@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 20, 2011) – A change in the FIVB rankings has dropped the U.S. Men’s National Team ranking from third to fifth.

According to the FIVB, “The changes come after the reduction of percentage points in continental championships (100 percent to 50 percent) and from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games (75 percent to 50 percent).”

Brazil and Russia remain in first and second, respectively. Serbia has moved up to third and Cuba has moved up to fourth.

To view the full FIVB men’s rankings, click here.

Reid Priddy hits against Russia
during the 2008 Olympic Games

RUSSIA

Three U.S. Men’s National Team members will take part in this weekend’s All-Star volleyball match for top players from the Super League, on Jan. 22 in Kemerovo, Russia.

In the past, Russia has had its best Russian players face the international stars competing in the Super League. This year, it has divided the players into East and West teams.

Outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.), who plays for league-leading Zenit Kazan, will play for Team West. Opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii), who plays for Ural Ufa, and setter Kevin Hansen (Newport Beach, Calif.), who plays for Fakel Novy Urengoy, will both play for Team East.

U.S. middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) and setter Lloy Ball (Fort Wayne, Ind.) were both invited to play, but will use the time to rest for the second half of the season.

In last weekend’s Super League matches, Kazan defeated Ufa, 25-20, 25-12, 25-17 on Jan. 16. Priddy scored 13 points on 10 kills (0.64 hitting percentage) and three blocks. He also had eight receptions, 75 percent positive and 13 percent excellent. Ball started all three sets for Kazan, scoring one point on a block and setting the team to a 0.48 hitting percentage.

Kazan is in second place in the league while Ufa sits in 11th.

To view photos from the match, including a group of Kazan fans who are still fans of former Kazan player Clay Stanley, click here.

Hansen and Novy Urengoy also won last weekend, defeating Lokomotiv Belogorie, 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-13). Hansen played as a substitute in the second and third sets and scored one point on one kill. Novy Urengoy is in sixth place in the league while Belogorie is in fourth.

To view photos from the match, click here.

ITALY

U.S. outside hitter Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill.) and his Italian Serie A league team Acqua Paradiso Monza Brianza got back on the winning track with a 25-22, 25-23, 25-20 victory over U.S. middle blocker Max Holt (Cincinnati, Ohio) and his visiting team Copra Morpho Piacenza on Jan. 16.

Rooney was the second-leading scorer for his team with 10 points on nine kills (0.39 hitting percentage) and one block. He was credited with 12 receptions, 50 percent positive and 17 percent excellent. Holt had one point on one kill for visiting Copra.

In a Cup of Italy match on Jan. 19, Rooney and Monza Brianza lost to Itas Diatec Trentino, 25-27, 25-16, 25-19. Rooney scored five points on four kills and one block. He was credited with 22 receptions, 45 percent positive and 18 percent excellent.

U.S. outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) led his team Tonno Callipo Vibo Valentia with 20 points, but it wasn’t enough as host Vibo Valentia fell to Lube Banca Marche Macerata, 3-2 (21-25, 25-19, 25-13, 23-25, 15-9) on Jan. 16.

Anderson scored on 17 kills (0.33 hitting percentage) and three blocks. Anderson was also credited with 33 receptions, 64 percent positive and 39 percent excellent.

A few days later in Cup of Italy action on Jan. 19, Anderson again led his team with 19 points but Vibo Valentia again fell to Lube Banca Marche Macerata, 3-1 (25-27, 25-17, 25-17, 25-20). Anderson scored on 18 kills (0.47 hitting percentage) and one block. Anderson was credited with 24 receptions, 46 percent positive and 25 percent excellent.

U.S. outside hitter Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.) was one of two leading scorers for Marmi Lanza Verona as it defeated M. Roma Volley, 26-24, 25-22, 25-23 on Jan. 16. Lotman scored 12 points on 11 kills (0.43 hitting percentage) and one ace. He was credited with 20 receptions, 80 percent positive and 60 percent excellent.

Lotman’s teammate, U.S. middle blocker Theo Brunner (Ridgefield, Conn.), scored nine points on nine kills (0.69 hitting percentage).

GREECE

Olympiacos, the Greek league team of U.S. outside hitter Jayson Jablonsky (Yorba Linda, Calif.), got a big victory over Panathinaikos on Jan. 16.

Olympiacos, which is in sixth place in the league, defeated Panathinaikos, the second-place team, 3-2 (25-21, 23-25, 23-25, 26-24, 15-11). Jablonsky started all five sets and scored 12 points on 11 kills (0.41 hitting percentage) and one block. He was credited with 23 receptions, 52 percent positive and 26 percent excellent.

To view some photos of Jablonsky in action, click here.

U.S. opposite Will Price (Gaithersburg, Md.) led all scorers with 17 points as GS Lamia defeated Aris, 3-1 (25-22, 18-25, 25-19, 25-19) on Jan. 15. Price scored on 15 kills (0.44 hitting percentage), one block and one ace. GS Lamia is in fourth place in the league.

PAOK and U.S. setter Jonathan Winder (Irvine, Calif.) took a 3-2 (25-18, 22-25, 25-27, 25-23, 15-13) victory over A.O. Kifisias on Jan. 16. Winder started all five sets and scored four points on one kill, one block and two aces. He set the team to a 0.35 hitting percentage. PAOK is in third place in the league.

League-leading Iraklis swept Ethnikos Alexandroupolis, 26-24, 25-19, 25-20 on Jan. 16. U.S. opposite Brook Billings (Santa Barbara, Calif.) was one of the scoring leaders with 12 points on five kills (0.71 hitting percentage), six blocks and one ace. U.S. outside hitter Ryan Owens (Evanston, Ill.) started only the first set and scored three points on two kills and one block.

POLAND

U.S. middle blocker Ryan Millar (Alpine, Calif.) and Asseco Resovia Rzeszów beat Delecta Bydgoszcz, 3-1 (22-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-23) on Jan. 18. Millar started all four sets and scored 10 points on seven kills (0.60 hitting percentage) and three blocks. Resovia Rzeszów is in second place in the league.

In Cup of Poland action on Jan. 19, Resovia Rzeszów defeated AZS Politechnika Warszawska, 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 25-23).

KOREA

Evan Patak (Pleasanton, Calif.) and his Korean league team Korean Air continue to lead the league despite losing two out of their last three matches.

On Jan. 16, KAL fell to Woori, 3-2 (25-19, 25-17, 23-25, 18-25, 15-10). Patak led his team with 15 points on 13 kills and two aces.

On Jan. 18, KAL came back to beat LIG, 25-21, 27-25, 25-18. Patak was one of KAL’s scoring leaders with 19 points on 17 kills, one block and one ace.

On Jan. 20, Samsung topped KAL, 25-21, 25-23, 25-20. Patak led his team with 17 points on 16 kills and one ace.

GERMANY

U.S. outside hitter Scott Touzinsky (St. Louis, Mo.) and his German league team SCC Berlin defeated Gotha, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 on Jan. 19. Touzinsky scored nine points on six kills (0.67 hitting percentage), one block and two aces. SCC Berlin is in third place in the league.

BRAZIL

U.S. middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) and his Brazilian league team Vivo/Minas fell to Volta Redonda, 25-16, 25-23, 25-16 on Jan. 15. Holmes scored seven points on two kills and five blocks. Vivo/Minas is in sixth place in the league.

SPAIN

U.S. middle blocker David Smith (Saugus, Calif.) and Unicaja Almeria continue to lead the league following a 3-1 (25-23, 25-16, 23-25, 25-22) victory over FC Barcelona on Jan. 15.

Smith scored eight points on six kills (0.50 hitting percentage), one block and one ace.

FRANCE

U.S. setter Brian Thornton (San Clemente, Calif.) and his French B league team Chaumont defeated PI-Robinson, 25-22, 25-18, 25-16 on Jan. 15.

Thornton scored one point on an ace and set the team to a 0.61 kill percentage.

Feldman finishes a banner season
Updated: January 12, 2011, 7:49 PM 


When Heather Feldman attended Eden’s volleyball camp as a fifth-grader, she saw a banner in the gym commemorating Ashley DoEpp being named the Gatorade New York Volleyball Player of the Year.

“I saw her banner up in the gym, and I was like, ‘Wow, she must be really good, I want to be that good some day,’ ” said Feldman.

After being part of four state championships in five years, winning the MVP of this year’s ClassBstate tournament and being named to the All- Western New York first team for the second straight year, the Eden senior is that good. Feldman achieved that banner-worthy accomplishment this year. She is the first player from Eden to earn the honor since DoEpp won it in 2001 and 2002.

“To think that my banner is going to go in the school and inspire other kids to work harder,” Feldman said, “it’s surreal.”

Feldman is a 5-foot-9 setter whose all-around play and leadership helped drive Eden to a 48-2-1 record and its eighth state title this season. She recorded 1,367 assists, 455 digs and 108 service aces in her career and will play on scholarship at Division I Gardner- Webb in North Carolina next year.

The Gatorade award also recognizes high standards of academic achievement and character on and off the court. Feldman maintained an Aplus average while also volunteering at area nursing homes and with the Big Sister/Little Sister program.

The All-Western New York team, which included four state championship players and includes nine players who have signed with or who are being recurited by Division I programs, was selected by a panel of coaches in cooperation with The News.


Pierce to Penn State

Kendall Pierce passed up a scholarship offer from Syracuse to commit as a junior to attend Penn State—which said it will take her as a walk-on. That’s four-time reigning national champion Penn State, which won its latest title last Saturday.

“It will definitely be a challenge, every day, every practice, every minute of it,” said Pierce, “but that’s what I’m excited to do, play at the highest level and go for it every day.

“I’ve grown up playing at the highest levels with my uncle [Eden coach Stephen Pierce] and my dad [Eden boys coach Robert Pierce, who starred at Penn State] teaching me and playing at Eden, and I’ve always been inspired growing up watching Penn State.”

There is a possibility that Pierce could be able to earn a scholarship later on. “Nothing is guaranteed,” she said, “but they’ve definitely shown rewards to those who work hard.”

Around the courts

• The eighth state title by Eden extended its state record total of championships, a record it established last year by breaking a tie with six-time champion Sweet Home( 1990-95). This year’s title was a state-record seventh as head coach for 18-year coach Stephen Pierce; that broke a tie with Sweet Home coach Sally Kus, who Pierce has cited as a mentor.

• With Eden (Class B), Falconer (C) and Randolph (D) all winning state titles, it made for Section VI’s most successful year at the state championships since winning three in 2006 when Lancaster (AA), Eden (B) and Randolph (D) won.

In the 21 years that the state tournament has been held since 1990, only once—in 2003—did Section VI fail to win a state title, thanks in large part to the success of Sweet Home, Eden and three-time Class AA champ North Tonawanda (1997-99). Since 2004, the year the state expanded from four to five classes, Section VI has won 13 of the 35 state championships.

• Marah Maycock earned state championship MVP honors for Randolph, which is what older brother Mike did last year. Mike, a senior quarterback who hadn’t been asked to throw a pass nearly all postseason, had a great state final at the Carrier Dome to earn MVP honors as Randolph won the ClassDfootball title.

“You know you’re always talking, and now you have something to say back to him so he doesn’t have the one-up on you anymore,” said Maycock.

Marah returns next year, as does younger sister McKenna, an eighth-grader who earned second-team CCAA II honors. That’s good news for the Randolph athletic program—where their mom, Robin Maycock, is the athletic director and girls volleyball coach.

• Nikki Attea, a junior at Williamsville North, said that the instate options of the University at Buffalo, Syracuse and Cornell are currently at the top of a long list of colleges who have been recruiting her, including Maryland, Boston College, Miami, N. C. State and Duke.

• Sacred Heart lost twice in the regular season to the powerful St. Mary’s program each of the past two years, but both seasons ended with the Sharks beating the seven-time regular season champion Lancers in the Monsignor Martin championships.

“In the championship match we got some good revenge to show them we weren’t the same team from the regular season,” said Litwin.

• City Honors won its 25th straight Buffalo Public Schools championship this year—again without losing a game all season. Natalie Southard earned second-team All-Western New York honors while the All-High team included a total of 14 Centaurs, six first-teamers, four second-teamers and four honorable mentions.



kmcshea@buffnews.com

Determined teen loses fight
Updated: December 24, 2010, 6:55 PM 


Meghan Redenbach, who lost her battle with cancer this morning, made it to every Royalton-Hartland volleyball game she could this season.

When her body was healthy enough, even while it was battling cancer and dealing with chemotherapy, she played.

When she was able to be on the bench, the 15-year-old sophomore became another assistant coach. On one occasion this season, she was not exactly pleased with what she was watching.

"I didn't bust out of the hospital for you guys to be playing like this!" she yelled.

That was classic Meghan, according to Roy-Hart coach Bill Holahan, who watched her battle back from two surgeries to take the floor for the Rams this past season.

"When she wasn't able to play she would watch, and if people weren't giving 100 percent, it would bug the heck out of her," he said. "You have to think that time was so precious for her, and for someone not to take advantage of every single second."

Meghan died at 6:15 a.m. today in Roswell Park Cancer Institute, where she battlled a malignant tumor in her ovaries. The fibrosarcoma is a form of ovarian cancer so rare that only 30 cases have been documented -- and only one in a child -- according to what doctors have told her parents.

"She just has incredible courage and determination and the ability to fight through things," Holahan said prior to Meghan's death. "Anyone who has come into contact with her has fallen in love with her and her courage."

Last year, a joint effort by New Era Cap Co. and Roswell Park chose Meghan as one of three cancer patients whose story -- and baseball cap design -- would represent the New Era New Hope campaign.

Meghan wrote:

"I guess the saying, 'You never know how strong you are until strength is your only option,' is really true. People have said it is amazing how I can do all this and stay so positive. I strongly believe that I am doing what any other person would be doing if they were in my position.

"Being diagnosed has opened my eyes to everything in life. I have never really appreciated my friends and family as much as I do now. If it weren't for them, I am not sure I would have gotten as far as I have. Every day I tell myself, 'Just another day. No matter what, I will make it to tomorrow. Even if I fight all day. I'll make it.'"

Monday night, Roy-Hart senior Bridget Shanahan, Meghan's best friend and teammate, was part of a photo honoring the All-Western New York girls volleyball team at the Buffalo Niagara Court Center in West Seneca. She left Meghan's bedside to bring Meghan's Roy-Hart and Niagara Frontier Volleyball Club jerseys, which were held up during the photo as a tribute.

"We would have a game, and even though it would be hard for her to get there, she would still be there," Shanahan said. "The atmosphere would completely change when she would step on the court. It was unlike anything else. The whole crowd would cheer, and she wouldn't even have to do anything.

"It's hard to see someone you love so much be in so much pain. It's indescribable. You're sitting there, and you can't do anything about it. There's not much you can say. It's terrible."

On Monday, NFVB players streamed in and out of the BNCC office to sign a quilt, complete with volleyball patterns and pictures of Meghan. The quilt was crafted by Sue Haefner, the aunt of Roy-Hart player Molly Murphy, along with a friend, Jenine Morningdove.

"We all are praying for her and give her our best wishes, and it's the entire club," said Heather Feldman, a member of Eden's state championship team and one of hundreds of members of NFVB. "She has so many fans here, that she's made through volleyball, and she's an inspiration to all of us."

Meghan initially was diagnosed Dec. 12, 2008, midway through her eighth-grade year and after a successful junior varsity volleyball season, as well as a day after she tried out for the Niagara Frontier Volleyball Club team. Later that year, Meghan returned to Roy-Hart, where Holahan was her eighth-grade history teacher.

"You wouldn't believe the number of days she attended," he said. "She'd drag herself there. Sometimes, because of her treatments, she couldn't stay awake, or she'd be loopy -- but she just wanted to go to school and be a normal kid."

More persuasion

By her freshman year, she had another impressive year on junior varsity and earned a call-up to the varsity for the playoffs. At every step, Holahan was astounded by her "innate ability to lead" and her lack of bashfulness in talking to older players. At the end of the season, she did some more persuasion -- she would need another surgery, but she talked doctors into holding off until the end of volleyball.

"She told doctors, 'You're not going to cut me open now because I've got a couple of games left,'" Holahan recalled.

The Roy-Hart community rallied behind Meghan and her family -- parents Mike and Nancy and older brother Nick -- with several fundraisers and by establishing Meghan's Fund (see meghansfund.org to donate).

Last summer, Meghan had returned to the court and attended several volleyball camps. She attended a camp at the University of Wyoming with Shanahan, who had verbally committed to play Division I volleyball at the school.

This season was shaping up to be a special one at Roy-Hart, a small school that doesn't see a Division I athlete every year. Meghan, at 5-7, was an accomplished setter, the focal point of a volleyball offense, and she had as close a connection with the 6-2 Shanahan on the court as she did off it. They were the ideal volleyball yin and yang, Meghan placing the ball in the perfect spot in the air, Bridget rising up to it and hammering it down.

This season was shaping up to as special at Roy-Hart, a small school that doesn't have a Division I athlete every year. At 5 feet, 7 inches, Meghan was an accomplished setter, the focal point of a volleyball offense, and she had as close a connection on the court as off with the 6-foot-2 Shanahan. They were the ideal volleyball yin and yang, Meghan placing the ball in the perfect spot in the air, Shanahan rising up to it and hammering it down.

Then, in August, the cancer came back.

"When it did return, rather than the typical 'Woe is me,' her first thought was that it was so untimely," Holahan recalls Meghan saying. " 'It's [Shanahan's] senior year.'"

The first thing she told her coach when he visited her that month in Roswell Park was, "Let's get ready by Albion." Roy-Hart's main rival in the Niagara-Orleans League would visit the Rams on Sept. 21.

"She's there flat on her back," Holahan said, "but she knew Albion was coming up, and she was not going to let her teammates down."

Meghan was able to get back on the court for that match -- won by Albion -- and Holahan got her into any match he could.

Meghan was able to get back on the court for that match, after a few practices -- and a minor adjustment to how those practices started out. "For the first couple of practices she was able to be there for," Holahan said, "the ball would get hit over to her, and she'd set it, and the kids would start clapping.

"Meg got mad: 'I'm not 12 years old!'" Holahan recalled with a laugh. "So we worked that out -- it just bugged Meghan that they were clapping after making a play."

Holahan got Meghan into any game she could.

"She was definitely hurting, but if she was well enough to attend the practice or the game, we were able to get her in," he said. "That was the theme of the year, to try and do whatever we can to get Meghan in.

"Everybody adapted to the situation. We spent a lot of time talking at practices, not as much time drilling this year. We all knew what was going on -- that was more important."

And once Meghan got on the court, her teammates knew where the ball was going.

"Everyone's mindset was completely different," Shanahan said. "It was so much bigger than a volleyball game, that we were a family, and to get her the ball was more than just a good pass."

Meghan had some highlight games, including a 12-assist performance Sept. 27 against Barker, but getting on the court was an accomplishment itself.

'She'd get right up'

She had lost weight, and her strength had been sapped. Holahan said the gym floor never seemed so hard as it was when Meghan went down during a play. Shanahan was vigilant about helping her friend up -- even if it came in the middle of a point.

"Just to see the fire in her eyes as soon as she would be down on the floor," Shanahan said, "I would try and help her up as much as I could. And she'd get right up and get the next ball."

More than a few plays were heartwarming and heart-rending at the same time.

"You'd be clapping with tears running down your face," said Caryn Shanahan, Bridget's mother.

The sports pages from Roy-Hart's 2010 volleyball season forever will read that the Rams lost both matches against Albion and that they fell to eventual state champion Falconer in the Section VI Class C semifinals -- another match in which Meghan was able to play.

But different kinds of victories brought different things to cheer.

At Roy-Hart's "Dig Teal" night to raise awareness for Meghan and ovarian cancer -- while the pink ribbon is associated with breast cancer, the teal ribbon is associated with ovarian -- featured teal balloons and teal cookies.

But no one knew if Meghan was going to be able to make it -- until, walking with difficulty, she showed up about 12 minutes before the match. That was the Rams' allotted time for their prematch warm-up, but instead teammates visited and took pictures with Meghan, who on this night was so ill she couldn't stay for all the action.

'Amazing speech'

On Senior Night, Meghan was on hand to present flowers to Shanahan during the pregame ceremony.

And two weeks ago, Meghan, as Caryn Shanahan put it, "busted out" of Roswell Park to get to Roy-Hart to attend "Teal Night" at a basketball game. Meghan drew another ovation as she entered in a wheelchair.

Like their season, Roy-Hart volleyball's awards banquet took on a different meaning this year. Shanahan delivered a speech that Holahan called "amazing." In it she said, "sometimes winning isn't the most important thing."

"Everything that I thought is totally different," Shanahan said just after Monday's photo was taken, still holding Meghan's jersey.

"It's not about just me, and of course, volleyball is an important part of my life, but, ... volleyball will bring me back to the old times when she could set me the ball, and I would slam it down," she said with a big smile, moments after wiping away some tears. "When I'm on the court, she'll be right there with me."

kmcshea@buffnews.comnull

All-Western New York Boys Volleyball Team
By Robert Pierce
December 24th, 2009

The All-Western New York boys volleyball team, as voted on by area coaches.

Please note all the players in RED have been a part of the Eden Mizuno VBC at some point! Pretty much half the kids in WNY on this list. Congrats to the teammates , parents and coaches who helped these player achieve this high honor!!

All-WNY Team
OH, Matt Meyer, Eden, 12
OH, Luke Klee, Canisius, 12
S, Adam Dings, Hamburg, 12
L, John Jepson, Canisius, 12
RH, Alex McColgin, Hamburg, 12
OH, Jonas Stalyga, Grand Island, 12
OH, Jake Breindel, Orchard Park, 12
RH, Trevor Barrett, Sweet Home, 12

Second Team
Kevin Brouillard-12 (Orchard Park), Dave Hill-11 (Clarence), Aaron Mycek-12 (St. Joe's), Troy Nowak-12 (Orchard Park), C.J. Coatsworth-11 (Canisius), Kyle Henry-12 (Niagara-Wheatfield), Mitch Johnson-11 (Hamburg), Steve Maxwell-12 (Sweet Home).

Coach of the Year: Brian Carroll (Hamburg)

ECIC I
First Team
Brandon Fischer, W.S. West, 12
Brandon Nemeti, Lancaster, 12
Tom Scheck, Frontier, 10
Peter Brady, Orchard Park, 11
Nick Mahoney, Clarence, 12
Eric Moscato, Hamburg, 10
Drew Durni, Frontier, 10
Ryan Weigel, Hamburg, 12

Second Team
Brian Schmid (Orchard Park), Andy Hubert (Orchard Park), Drake Kramer (Hamburg), Brian Toense (Hamburg), Tyler Loveless (Frontier), Lucas Wolanin (Lancaster), Jeremy Kuhn (Orchard Park), Matt Taylor (Frontier).

ECIC II
First Team
Corey Desiderio, Sweet Home, 12
Cody Stonish, Sweet Home, 12
Tom Pleto, Amherst, 12
Evan Redlinski, Iroquois, 12
Max DeNies, Iroquois, 12
Nick McDonough, Lake Shore, 11
Glenn Farrell, Lake Shore, 12
Pat Drexinger, Wmsv. South, 12

Second team
Justin McNess (Sweet Home), Billy Hyland (Sweet Home), Mike Burke (Amherst), Brent Pizzuto (Amherst), Chris Grabski (Iroquois), Sean Bellomo (Lake Shore), Kyle Benzing (Lake Shore), Nick Schuh (Wmsv. South).

ECIC III
First Team
Justin Waldorf, Eden, 11
Evan Laedke, Eden, 12
Dalton Crowe, Eden, 10
Ryan Carr, Cheektowaga, 12
Sean Walters, Cheektowaga, 12
Bryce Shepard, Maryvale, 12
Matt Dotterweich, East Aurora, 12
Tom Makin, Holland, 12

Second team
Ryan McCarthy (Eden), D.J. Vetter (Holland), Cory Knadel (Cheektowaga), Ryan McQuillan (Maryvale), Tim Converse (East Aurora), Aaron Balisteri (Cheektowaga), Steve Goedtel (Eden), Kyle Acker (Eden).

Niagara Frontier League
First Team
Sean Smith, Lockport, 12
Mike Kojsa, Lockport, 11
Kyle Henry, Niag.-Wheatfield, 12
Shawn Haseley, Niag.-Wheatfield, 12
Evan Bullard, Kenmore West, 12
Jonas Stalyga, Grand Island, 12
Tyler Hinneman, Grand Island, 11

Second Team
Steve Bzibziak-12 (North Tonawanda), Alex Keller-11 (KW), Kevin Shaffer-12 (Kenmore East), Ben Bowler-11 (KW), Kyle Shanley-12 (L), Clifford Jacobs-12 (N-W), John Oyer-11 (GI).

Third Team
Jeff Hess-12 (KE), Tim Drylewski-12 (Niagara Falls), Rich Engel-12 (KE), Ben Jackson-12 (L), Anthony Gabriele-12 (Lew-Port), Lucas Kowalczyk-11 (N-W), Andy Barton-11 (KW).

Monsignor Martin Association
First Team
L, Jason Clark, St. Joe's, 12
OH, Matthew Dyrek, St. Joe's, 12
MH, Thomas Escott, St. Joe's, 11
OH, Vincent Kazmierczak, St. Mary's, 12
MH, Daniel Muscarella, Canisius, 12
DS, Benjamin Schurr, Canisius, 12
OH, Nicholas Smalter, St. Francis, 10

Second team
CANISIUS: Christopher DeGrave-10. ST. FRANCIS: Brett Cawthorn-10, Cory Wells. ST. JOE'S: William O'Hare. ST. MARY'S: Jordan Warunek. CARDINAL O'HARA: Lucas Kelleher. TIMON-ST. JUDE: Michael Scarcello.

PSU volleyball makes history again
By Anna K. Clemmons
ESPN.com
December 20th, 2009

TAMPA, Fla. -- Penn State women's volleyball has followed a mantra this season: One game at a time. Despite the numbers, streaks and records the Nittany Lions have carried on their backs, they refused to focus beyond what lay immediately in front of them.

They entered the season's final match Saturday night as the NCAA tournament's No. 1 seed against 2-seeded Texas with much at stake: a 101-game win streak, an undefeated season, an elusive third consecutive national championship and a record 18 consecutive NCAA tournament victories. And for a while before a crowd of 12,087 inside the St. Pete Times Forum, it looked as though that all might end.

But records aren't created from nothing, and the Lions rallied from a two-set deficit to win their third consecutive national championship in five sets, 22-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-13.

Texas, the underdog that hadn't won a volleyball national championship since 1988, came out the more aggressive team, battling through long rallies, 11 tie scores and six lead changes to win the first set. Tournament MVP Destinee Hooker dominated the second set almost single-handedly, leading Texas to a two-set lead. Penn State hadn't lost a set by more than two points all season -- and had lost only six sets total before the tournament.

But then, Penn State coach Russ Rose affirmed why he's won more than 1,000 matches, and the Nittany Lions showed why they haven't lost since 2007. They became the more aggressive, controlled squad, as Blair Brown and Megan Hodge found holes in Texas' spread and forced the Longhorns into errors. Junior Cathy Quilico, the shortest Nittany Lion at 5-foot-1, dug out improbable balls on the back line. And Penn State battled back, taking the next two sets. 

In the decisive fifth set, with almost the entire crowd on its feet, the courtside ESPN cameraman telling his wire controller, "This really is exciting!" and an improbable 10 tie scores, a kill by Hodge gave Penn State the final set 15-13, and the Nittany Lions took the championship for their 102nd consecutive victory. They also became one of only three teams in NCAA women's volleyball history to claim four national titles. 

More records for the books, more streaks to continue and, as Penn State senior setter Alisha Glass said with a laugh after the match, "a lot of pressure for them next year, for sure."

But Saturday night was about winning an unprecedented third straight NCAA title.

"I blacked out; I was asking everyone after the match what happened on the last play, who got the winning point," Hodge said when asked how she felt in the seconds after victory -- a win sealed by her own play. "We've done a lot of silly things this season as a team as far as not stepping up, but tonight we fought. We knew we'd have to do that to win."

Initially, Penn State's fight looked as if it might not come. The team appeared flat-footed and without an answer to Hooker's relentless attack. The 6-4 senior outside hitter had 11 kills for 11 points in the second set alone.

"She had 34 kills, and she had 38 of 88 points," Rose said of Hooker. "I was disappointed we didn't do a better job getting the tip because you'd like to think that was something you could get. But as the players indicated, she hits from such a high contact point, and she kept going hard the whole time. … She did what we thought she'd do, but it's a team game, and we had some ideas of what we thought we needed to do to have success."

Between the second and third sets, Rose, who says he doesn't like to focus on stats, reminded his team of an important one: The last time it had been down two sets yet still won the match was against Texas on Sept. 8, 2006. (The last time the Lions were down 2-0 since was a three-set loss to Stanford in 2007.)

Texas' early tenacity still showed in the third set, but the Longhorns couldn't dominate or control the tempo the way they did in the first two. As Texas senior setter Ashley Engle said of the first two sets, "I think we were playing pretty perfect. I think we stunned Penn State; they definitely weren't playing their usual match. We knew coming out of the locker room that they were going to be on fire."

The Nittany Lions transformed Rose's motivation into action, emerging in the third with blocking power and several key shots by freshman Darcy Dorton and junior Arielle Wilson. Quilico dug out balls in the middle back, and suddenly, Penn State had a shot.

Junior libero Alyssa D'Errico, too, saved many Hooker shots from another marker in the kill column. 

"I think D'Errico doesn't get a lot of credit," Texas coach Jerritt Elliott said. "The kid's a fighter. She has a tremendous amount of passion, and she kind of willed them to get on the road to competing."

That determination carried over to the fourth set, which had nine tie scores and two lead changes before a Hodge kill gave the Nittany Lions the set. Hodge became just the fifth player in Division I history to be named first-team All-American four years in a row and also was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association's National Player of the Year for 2009. 

After Hodge's final kill, the entire team erupted into a circle of hugs, laughter and tears. Dorton held three fingers in the air as she hugged Hodge, reminding everyone present of the three consecutive titles claimed by Penn State, as Texas players and fans looked on, stunned.

These two teams had never met in the NCAA tournament, yet the matchup had been highly anticipated throughout much of the season. The fourth NCAA championship for Rose's career ties him for the most all time among Division I coaches with John Dunning (Pacific/Stanford) and Don Shaw (Stanford).

"It's something that you look back on and just think it is amazing," Glass said. "It has been amazing for us to be a part of it. This was our goal. This was what we wanted from the beginning of the season. We just would not let it go, so we are really happy that we came out here and got what we wanted."

Anna K. Clemmons is a writer for ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine.

Article

USA Volleyball to Host Men's Worlds Qualifier in Irvine
USA Volleyball July 23, 2009
B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
BJ.Evans@usav.org

ANAHEIM, Calif. (July 23, 2009) – USA Volleyball has announced that it will host the 2010 Men’s World Championship Qualification Tournament for NORCECA Pool F on Aug. 15-17 at the Bren Events Center on the campus of UC Irvine in Irvine, Calif.

Men’s volleyball teams from the United States, Panama, Guatemala and Dominican Republic will compete in the event. The 2010 World Championship will be held Sept. 24-Oct. 10, 2010, in Italy.

The World Championship qualifying process began around the world last December. From NORCECA, Puerto Rico has already qualified.

“Obviously it is very important for our team to qualify for the 2010 World Championship,” said U.S. Men’s Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.). “It will be great to compete in front of a truly home crowd in Southern California as we work to qualify.”

Tickets for the event will be $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12. Groups of 15 or more can get tickets for $8 each and an all-session pass is $25. Tickets are on sale now at the Bren Center box office at (949) 824-5000 or at TicketMaster.com.

Information about the Bren Center is available at www.bren.uci.edu.

More information about World Championship qualifying is available on the FIVB web site.