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.