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