Opening Weekend in the PAC 10

What makes competing in the PAC 10 so hard, is the level of competition is so high. It forces coaches and athletes to stay on task for a long period of time. Which isn't easy and the consequences for not, are rather brutal.

In the most recent AVCA Top 25 Poll all 10 PAC 10 schools are receiving votes - with 7 schools in the Top 25 Poll. That's quite a feat. It also means the margin of victory is so small. In reflecting upon last weekends performance I was reminded of the following quote -

When I tend to think of the awesome consequences of little things, I tend to think there are no little things.

There is much for us to learn, even if we have come a long way. Here's a link to the ASU State Press covering our weekend against the Southern California schools.

Quote and Articles

We begin PAC 10 play this evening against an extremely talented UCLA team - a description that could be used to describe every team in the PAC 10. So our quote for this week -

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only though experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved.

A couple of articles -

• Canadian team experience boosts sophomore

• Volleyball ready for Pac-10 play

So long non-conference

Tomorrow we begin life in the PAC 10 Conference, where quite simply - life changes. The margin for error is extremely low and the quality of play is equally high. It is a conference filled with outstanding coaches, and even better athletes. I love it.

But before the we start on the PAC 10, I'd like to talk about what we learnt

during the non-conference schedule. We're currently 10 and 2, which is our best

start since 1993. It certainly isn't our most competitive schedule, but it did allow us all to learn a considerable amount about our team. Of note:

• that good over time is much better than being great every now and again,
• playing on the road is hard, but we're each our strongest resource in overcoming the challenge
• we shouldn't be afraid to compete,
• that to compete in the present, not in the past or the future
• the present rally/point is the most important one and thats where we need to keep our head.

These are tough lessons - ones that will serve us well heading into the PAC 10 Conference and beyond. We are a young team with a young coaching staff. But we are a program committed to daily improvement - "each day we get a little bit better."

Our program acknowledges, while individual performances are nice, they are not recognized without the play of the entire team. With that said, we acknowledge the performance of the following all tournament selections:

Paige Mittelstaedt

Utah Classic, ASU Sheraton Classic, Montana Invitational.

Sarah Reaves

ASU Sheraton Classic, Montana Invitational and New Hampshire

Sofie Schlagintweit

ASU Sheraton Classic (MVP) and New Hampshire

Sarah Johnson

New Hampshire.

Quotes

Each week of practice we've had a theme. To reinforce that theme, on the white board is written a quote.

Week 1

"Begin with the END in Mind"

Week 2

"Every action we take, everything we do is either a victory or defeat in the struggle to become what we want to be"

Week 3

"The vision of things to be done may come a long time before a way of doing them becomes clear, but woe to him who distrusts the vision."

Week 4

"You se things and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were, and I say, 'Why Not?''

Week 5

"There is no single defining action, no grand program, no one killer innovation, no solitary lucky break, no miracle moment. Rather, the process resembled relentless pushing...building momentum until a point of breakthough and beyond."

And this week? For the first time in the careers of our juniors and seniors, ASU came back from being down 0-2 to win in 5. So our quote -

"FATE saves a warrior when their couage endures."

The ASU State Press - Season Outlook

Here's a link to The State Press article on our season and the Alumni Game:

The State Press

Christy Nore-Davies: Hall of Fame

Christy is an Alumni of our program. In 2002 she was inducted into the ASU Hall of Fame. This past week, Christy was inducted into the Arizona High School Hall of Fame. Both are remarkable accomplishments.

You can read more about Christy and her athletic accomplishments by clicking on the following links:

Arizona High School Hall of Fame

Arizona Republic Article

Alumni Match - Aug. 22nd

At the conclusion of our Free Clinic, our program hosted our Alumni in what we hope is annual event - our Alumni Match.

Our booster club had our attendance for the match at around 250. Which is a great start for us and this event. The Alumni Team was coached by Patti Snyder-Park. The current coaching staff at ASU is now 1-1 all time against Patti. This year ASU won: 25-14, 25-19 and 25-17.

My first Spring coaching at ASU, our team was drilled by the Alumni. So I'm glad we evened the record last Saturday evening.

In all, it was a great informal event. Informal, in that our athletes and staff were able to interact with many of our Alumni who not all played, but came in support of the program. From my perspective, it was another opportunity to evaluate our program and depth chart. There is something extremely beneficial playing against someone other than ourselves.

So thank to our loyal Alumni. Hope to see you all back on campus during the season, or at least November 1st for our 2nd Annual Tailgate Party before we play Washington.

Free Clinic

Prior to our Alumni Game, our staff and athletes held an informal free volleyball clinic. This is the first year we've held this clinic - so we really didn't know what to expect.

We had 40 athletes attend. Most, if not all, stayed for our alumni match. Which was a nice addition to our match.

Credit for the success of the clinic belongs to Jose (our Director of Operations) and Margie Giordano - who is a recent graduate of ASU Volleyball. Both of them did an outstanding job of running this event.

PDSD - Roadrunners

Cassandra Witherspoon is a volleyball coach. Not just any volleyball coach, but the volleyball coach at the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf. Last August she and her team came to watch one of our practices. Today, they not only observed practice, but gave our athletes an opportunity to help them with a couple of different skills.

Coach Witherspoon and her team are always welcome in our gym. Thanks for taking the time to share with us your talents. Go Roadrunners!!!

"Begin with the END in MIND"

On Sunday we started our season with a series of meetings:

• Team Meeting - talking about our operations and orienting our freshmen into our environment.
• Compliance Meeting - handling the necessary NCAA Paperwork.
• Equipment - handing out our practice equipment
• Photo's - working with our Sports Information Director to get head shots and a team picture.
• Welcome Dinner - a dinner for our team, parents and boosters.

The next day at 9am we had our first practice - which wasn't too bad. Later the same day, we had a much better practice. Our staff and athletes are focused on working hard each and every day we are in the gym. Our theme for this season - "begin with the end in mind."

Also, due to the generous support of our boosters and parents, our program is in possession of a golf cart. When our staff arrived on campus, we identified the need for us to transport recruits across campus on recruiting visits. Having our own golf cart enabled us the flexibility to conduct such tours at will. Brent pursued the logistics and yesterday it arrived. We're so excited about it we had to show you:

The Week Before the Week

Our team reports Sunday evening for a series of meetings, a photo shot and of most importance - get our equipment for the coming season. It's always a great day. I imagine every program begins their season in the same way.

There's always a nervous anticipation on the first day. The incoming freshmen are unsure of their place and try hard to adapt to a wildly different environment/culture than they are accustomed. The returning players, experienced by familiarity, are engaged in acquainting stories from the summer. Then at 9am Monday morning we go to work in the gym - each day a little better than the one before.

Yet this is the "week before the week" and much is going on in preparation. Systems are being refined, film is getting networked, player manuals are being revised, team travel is being confirmed, expectations are being set, our staff is constantly meeting to review our objectives, recruits are scheduling unofficial visits, coaches are scheduling recruiting home visits, locker room is being cleaned - all in anticipation of a fabulous 2009 season.

Sydney Donahue - Manhattan Beach Open

This is rather late, but July's been a busy month. Pat Donahue emailed me with news of Sydney's qualification into the main draw of the Manhattan Beach Open. This is quite an accomplishment. The AVP Press Release can be found HERE.

Where Did July Go - PART TWO

Summer Camps!

I've always enjoyed camp. Summer Camps are a big part of our program. They provide us an opportunity to interact with a large number of campers and it gives the campers a chance to work with our athletes and coaching staff. They are also a lot of work.

This was our first summer conducting camp in a manner more comfortable for our staff. I liked the format and instruction much better than last summer. Everything was better: from the coaching, the administrative process thru the logistics. We had our struggles with facilities, but that's camp.

Our speciality camp (setter, hitter or libero camp) became our most popular. Our staff worked hard to significantly upgrade this camp. It was a wonderful camp. Next summer we'll need to add an additional session to accomodate interest in this camp. Information on next's summers camps is already posted online at www.sundevilvolleyball.com.

For the first time in my career (and perhaps for ASU) we conducted a team camp. While facilities became a struggle, Team Camp was a success. I firmly believe this camp will only grow in popularity. The significance of Team Camp to our long term plans for ASU Volleyball can't be underestimated. Our staff was able to interact with several High School Coaches in the valley. It's another means for us to expose coaches/athletes to our program. The video below is from Team Camp, played in the new Weathrup Practice Facility on campus.

With the end of July our attention turns towards August - August 9th. That's the day our team reports back to campus. Practice starts Monday, August 10th at 9am in Wells Fargo Arena.

Where Did July Go - PART ONE

It the beginning of July I headed home from Miami, only to head back to Florida - Orlando to be specific. I was asked to help the USA National Team with their preparation for the 2010 World Championships in Japan. In order to qualify for the World Championship the team had to win the qualification tournament in Orlando against the Neatherlands Antilles, Costa Rico and Barbados. You can read about the tournament HERE.

In all, it was a wonderful experience. One I hope to be able to do again in the near future.

AVCA Team Academic Award

Academics are a big part of our program. So much, that we have priortized things as:

1. School (Academics)
2. Volleyball
3. Social.

Earlier today our program was recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) for our academic success during the 2008-09 Academic Year - a wonderful recognition for our team as they work to align themselves with our priorities.

You can read more about it HERE.

Recruiting, Canada and Miami Beach

I flew back from Miami early this morning. A brief re-cap on the week:

• Watched Sofie and Team Canada play the Dominican Republic. It had been quite sometime since I watched a volleyball match as a fan. Sofie played significant minutes in the later part of the 4 sets. Her jump serve was effective and had a big time block on the Dominican's best player.
• The scope of our recruiting efforts continues to overwhelem our staff. While I headed to Miami to watch the 15's, 16's, 17's and 18's divisions, Brent headed to the JVDA Nationals in Louisville. Upon Brent's return from the JVDA's, he recruited the Volleyball Festival in Phoenix. There is significant talent to be found at each tournament - with ever increasing competition for those players.
• While in Miami, I watched the USA Women's Team play Peru and Puerto Rico. Again, it's fun to watch a volleyball match as a fan. Both matches proved to be competitive and went as planned with the US winning both matches.
• Long days in the Miami Beach Convention Center, then USA Matches in the late evening, made for little sleep.
• One of 2010 recruits who has verbally committed to ASU played in the 17 Open Finals at JO's. Pretty remarkable feat given the competition in the 17 Open Division.
• July 1st - our staff can now call our 2010 recruits. Prior to July 1st they could call us, but we could never return the call.

Now the focus shifts to camp preparation. With a side trip to Orlando for the World Championship Qualification Tournament.

2009 ASU Volleyball Schedule

Our 2009 Scheudle has been posted. You can find it by clicking HERE

Enough about You

A good friend of our program, Dr. Murphy (Doc to his closest associates), recently sent me an article titled "Enough About You." It's a fascinating read. I found a copy online at the New York Times - just click HERE

Over the year and a half I've worked at ASU, Doc and I have had many enjoyable conversations about volleyball, athletes and group dynamics. Each time I have left feeling better about the direction of our program and a little smarter for the conversation.

Thanks Doc - for all you do to help volleyball at ASU.

2009 Women's Pan American Cup

Sofie text'd me earlier today. She just arrived in Miami or as she states "team Canada has touched down in Miami!"

Her schedule over the next few days:

June 26th - Brazil

June 27th - Dominican Republic

June 28th - Columbia

June 29th - Argentina

June 30th - Trinidad

I leave June 27th to recruit Junior Olympics in Miami. With any luck I will at the very least get to watch her match against the Dominican Republic. There is limited information on the tournament.

Live Scores - HERE

Sand Volleyball - OVERRIDE

Here's a link to the NCAA's Override of Sand Volleyball - NCAA Override

I've be making inroads to having Sand Volleyball be an NCAA Sport at ASU. I still feel our location and strong sand volleyball community in Phoenix, make this an easy addition. But there are a lot of unanswered questions about the sport. It will be interesting to see what happens next.

June, July...December

The end of June signifies the end of summer. I'll be heading to Miami for Junior Olympics later this month. Brent heads to the JDVA Nationals in Louisville. With the Volleyball Festival in Phoenix this summer, we'll be busy.

From there we roll into Camp - www.sundevilvolleyball.com. With an updated camp format and the addition of a Team Camp, I'm eager to interact with our campers. Our entire staff will be in the gym working with each camper. I enjoy summer camp.

At the end of our Spring Semester our staff challenged each of our athletes to play as much volleyball over the summer as possible. For some, like Sofie with Team Canada, it's quite easy. For others, it can be quite a challenge. But the summer is a defining time for our athletes. It's the time of the year where they are on their own. They can do as much or as little as they want. Whatever they choose to do over the summer, there will be a price paid in August when we start practice.

I recently received an email from the Director of the Student Rec. Center on Campus. He wrote because a number of our athletes had been turning up at the Rec. Center seeking gym space - something he had not witnessed before this summer. A number of local clubs have seen our athletes attend their practices. I can't help but smile.

Our schedule for 2009 is complete. I'll post a link once it's officially released on www.thesundevils.com.

FIVB Net Touches - New Rules

We played these new rules at Open Nationals this past May. It made for an interesting couple of days - the adjustment to a more liberal net call was hard for the athletes and officials.

Alaska - Midnight Sun

Last summer Brent and I travelled to Palmer, Alaska to conduct a volleyball camp for Diane and Ed Clawson. The Clawson's are wonderful people - people who do a wonderful job of providing volleyball opportunities for their community and beyond. I had a wonderful time at camp - we worked long hours, with great people and I think we help the Clawson's a little. I also got to see my first Moose.

This summer Brent headed up to run the Clawson's Volleyball Camp. While in Alaska, Brent was able to sepnd time with family and do a little fishing. I've included photo's because he's fishing in his Sun Devil's Hat.

A Sun Devil on the Beach

Sydney Donahue (Libero - ASU '08) is spending her summer working her way onto the AVP Regular Tour.  Sydney was an outstanding libero during her career at ASU - one of the best in the country.

Oh Canada!

Sofie Schlagintweit and Colette Meek (ASU '08) are training this summer with Team Canada. They played Peru this evening. I text'd Sofie and she's pleased with her performance to date. Said she's passing well.

Later this summer they will compete at the Pan American Cup in Miami, FL. Which happens to be the same time I'm there to recruit USAV Junior Nationals. So I'm hoping to get to watch Sofie and Colette.

There is something so very special - representing your country in international competition. Good luck this summer.

USA A2 Experience

This past May I spent 10 days coaching one of the USA A2 Teams in Minnesota. My team, USA Red went on to medal at USA Open Nationals.

I accepted the invitation to coach with a great deal of apprehension. 10 days was a long time to be away from home during a relatively quiet period in my calendar. However, I was able to work with an outstanding staff. They all went above and beyond to make the 10 days memorable for each of the athletes.

The athlete themselves made the experience for me. I had a blast working with each of them. In all, the experience served to aid me in being a better coach. So thanks USA Red for a great 10 days.

USA Volleyball Press Release
USA Volleyball Photo Gallery

PrepVolleyball.com Top 25

Earlier today, PrepVolleyball.com released its ranking of the 2009 Recruiting Class.  Our incoming 2009 class made the Top 25 - 

25. Arizona State: Ashley Kastl, 6-0 OH, Mountain Pointe (Phoenix AZ), Arizona Juniors; Erica Wilson, 6-1 MB, Fallbrook (CA), Coast 

Comment: The first recruiting class for the new coaching staff at Arizona State University reflects a new direction for the Sun Devils: relying on speed and athleticism to complete in the Pac-10. To that end, the most important new player in Tempe could be Cat Highmark, the scary fast setter who transferred to the Sun Devils after one year at Long Beach State.   Kastl, whose brother walked on to the Sun Devil football team, has grown into her position as a primary outside. Her range has improved, as has her comfort within a speed-oriented offense. She should fight for playing time created by the graduation of OH Margie Giordano. Wilson, the highest-rated freshman recruit in this group, joins the Sun Devils as a much-needed middle who can hit fast behind the setter. She’s sure to play a big part in the Sun Devils future. 

** The NCAA prohibits coaches from speak about athletes who have made a verbal commitment to their school, but are receiving no athletic based financial add (walk-on).

Much of the credit for this class belongs to our recruiting coordinator, Brent Aldridge.  Brent started his college coaching career at a small NAIA school in Kansas.  Soon after that, he moved to Northern Arizona University, then to the University of New Mexico.  I was fortunate to hire him away from UNM to serve as my assistant at BYU.  Upon accepting the position at ASU, it was clear I needed Brent's skills here in Tempe.  In the short time we've been Sun Devils, he's done a remarkable job upgrading our recruiting efforts.

The strength of any program lies in the loyalty of the coaching staff.  I've been fortunate to surround myself with an outstanding staff.  

Summer Camps

Our Summer Volleyball Camps are run in mid-July. We have worked hard to upgrade the format of each camp. The changes we've made will make for a much better camp experience.

For more camp information visit our camp web site - Sun Devil Volleyball Camps.