Last modified on 09-14-2007.
Juniors: 2006 USAV Junior Olympics -- From Our Teams' Perspective
The following articles were submitted by various GEVA teams that participated at the 2006 Junior Olympics.Results for the Junior Olympics are available at http://usavolleyball.org/Juniors/06season.asp.
[2006 Adult Nationals Perspectives]
Wednesday started off with a breakfast at the hotel (okay food) followed by some swimming in the hotel pool. Although only a few of us swam, we all had a lot of fun, cooling down from the warm Atlanta weather. After swimming we all separated and got into our uniforms. We then walked to the CNN Center food court for lunch, passing the Centennial Olympic Park on our way. Which, I might add was beautiful. After lunch, it was time to play. We played 3 matches in the Congress Center that day. There was such a skill difference in the teams we play locally, as compared to the teams we were facing that day. These girls could hit, serve, pass, and block, like some of the teenagers I had seen play. We therefore, lost everything. But despite losing we still had fun. We then grabbed some dinner (food court again), and went to bed.
The next morning started with a great hotel breakfast, followed by a little shopping at the local "Underground" mall. We all got our faces painted, all saying ACADEMY down our right cheek. But we quickly then moved on to a trolley ride around the city. The ride was okay, we just sort of drove around. But finally, 3:00 rolled around and it was playing time again. This day our team really struggled to keep our hopes up. The teams were just so good, and we were just so out of it. Our biggest problem was getting over our mistakes and worrying about the next play. We went thought that day 0/3. Once again not winning a single match. Discouraged, our team grabbed some dinner (Don Juan Mexican restraint) and went to bed.
Friday morning we all woke up late. I suppose we were simply too exhausted to move because all we did that morning was eat, and watch TV ( World Cup Soccer ). Then we dressed and went to lunch once more at the CNN food court. Once we had all eaten, we walked to the Congress Center, eager to play. But much to our dismay, we didn't win a match again. We only played 2 teams. One of the teams we most defiantly should have won against, but we were just so out of sync. Everything was everywhere. So once again we went back to the hotel, and went to bed.
Saturday was the last day of Georgia for us. We got up, grabbed some brunch, and went straight for the Congress center. We only had one game for today. But if we won it, we would play again. So today was out last chance to win a match. And just our luck, we got put against one of the teams we had already played, and lost, against. But the first game started out okay. We did lose it, buy not by too much. Then we had the next game in the bag. We were up 20 15, and we thought for sure, we were gonna win it. But then, ball after ball after ball were thrown out of play by sloppy team work, bad serve receive and no communication. So finally we lost, 25 - 23. But at least we were close. So, we packed our bags, and drove to the airport. Where we caught a 6:30 flight back to NY.
The overall experience was great. We were challenged and learned a lot from the teams we went against. The Junior Olympics is defiantly something I will be aspiring for year after year. It was a great journey. Meghan Laffin
In addition to twice weekly practices, the team, and parents, spent many weekends through out May and June doing various fund raising activities to cover the cost. While it was a LOT of work, all of the girls said that they really enjoyed the extra social time spent together. Anticipation peaked as the end of June approached and our departure for Nationals got closer and closer.
Walking into the convention center for the first time is a lot like playing at one of the National Qualifiers, such as NEQ. The biggest difference is the overall level of the competition. Atlanta was hosting the very best teams from all across the nation, and it was a great feeling to know that we were included in that group! Our first match, against eventual 16 National Champion Dunes, was a quick awakening to just how GOOD the teams really were! Their setter was a 6'3" lefty that set for the Youth National Team and it seemed like most of the team was over 6 feet tall! While Dunes beat us pretty soundly, we were competitive with the other teams in the pool, even though we list all 5 matches. After going 0-7 through the first 2 rounds of pool play (including some matches the girls felt they could have won), we finally turned it on and won our final 3 matches to win our flight and bring home a plaque from Nationals! While we were waiting to play our last match, the whole team watched Dunes beat Asics Rainbow, from Hawaii, in an exciting 3 game finals for the 16 National division championship. All in all this was an experience that the players, and parents, will never forget!
The Junior Olympics was the perfect way to cap off an amazing season. Not only did it enable us to play and watch volleyball at a higher level, but also formed memories that will last a life time. This season started with a very special team goal; quantify for Nationals. Reaching this goal allowed both our skills on the court and off the court to greatly improve. The Junior Olympics allowed us to showcase all the skills we acquired throughout the year. I will never forget this experience. -Heather
I guess it began November 17 at Sleepy hollow high school, the first night of try-outs for the Downstate travel team. I played club volleyball for years, why was I so nervous? I knew a lot of the girls and of course there were faces I didn’t recognize. It didn’t take long before we realized that we had a special group of girls. All different, all driven, all striving for success! The journey took us from Philadelphia, Rochester, Columbus, Baltimore, Dallas, Penn State of course Deptford and ultimately to Atlanta. No one will say it was a smooth journey. But when we were on we were SAS. Atlanta was an amazing experience! As we all walked into that convention center a feeling of honor ran through our bodies. We went there thinking, knowing we had a tough task ahead of us. The first few days we played hard and came away short. Then we all came together as a team and worked together to achieve our goal of wining! We certainly ended on a high note! As the trip came to an end, we achieved our goal and then some. It was an experience that I will never forget! Thanks to my team! Thanks to our coaches, Joel and Leana. Watch out 17’s Downstate is coming! -Jessica
Junior Olympic Nationals was a great experience for me. When we got there it seemed as though every team had about 5 girls over 6 foot and we had our tallest at 5' 11". But that didn't matter because we had such a good time both on and off the court. Just from playing such good teams I feel like I learned a lot and even improved within that short time. It was also fun just watching the other games going on around our court. I'm really glad I got the opportunity to go to the J.O. Nationals. -Mariah
I Love Atlanta. That is how I felt the whole time I was there. We arrived in Atlanta very excited and not sure what to expect. I think the whole team was nervous. As we walked into the convention center the next day you could feel the excitement. As we made our way to our court we saw many teams that we knew. We met friends from all over and also made new friends. Being able to play against the best teams was fun and challenging. It was something I will never forget. I hope we get the chance to do it again. -Megan
My experience at nationals was definitely a moment I will never forget. When we walked into the convention center and when I heard the noise and the roar of the crowds, I literally got goose bumps and butterflies in my stomach. It was such an honor to be in that kind of presence. When we played all the different teams there it was so exciting and watching other teams too! When I watched the championship match of the 16's nationals I was like I cant believe I'm actually here with my team watching this match and, not to mention, we played the team who won the entire thing: Dunes. Basically, being there at nationals was an indescribable feeling, something I will always look back on and something I will never forget! -Rachel
George Cornish, Matthew Hirsch, and Tyler Liers all agreed that "although we started out feeling intimidated, our team quickly gathered momentum and played with a winning attitude". That winning attitude was an excellent way for our team’s accomplishment of winning the bronze. Team members John Schmid and Kevin Myhre knew that"winning the Bronze was not the only highlight of the JO's for our team. We also enjoyed having the opportunity to play against teams from California, Hawaii and especially Guam." Jon Maio, Mike Mckenna and Garrett Minyard all stated that "going back to JOs next year and meeting up with some of the teams we met this year would be sweet...Let's Go Guam!"
We finished our last practice without it really hitting us. I think it hit us all at different times. For me, it was when we stepped foot in the convention center. I looked around, wall to wall volleyball. For most kids, volleyball is more than just a sport, its part of our life. The Junior Olympics makes everything stop. While you play in the Junior Olympics, nothing else matters. You play with the most drive that you have ever played with. You represent your town, school, region, and state when you play, and most importantly, you’re a key part in a team that needs every player to work.
When returning from Minnesota this year I received mainly two questions; how did you do? And what was it like? The first question is easy, we won flight one this year. But the second question stumped me. You cannot describe the Junior Olympics. For me Volleyball is everything; I live and breathe volleyball. This applies for my whole team as well. We went to Minnesota to win, and play some first-class volleyball. Yes, we did stop at the Mall of America, and we did have fun after and before our play, but over the course of those four days, volleyball was always on our mind. It was four days away from reality and into volleyball.
Basically, the Junior Olympics this year was beyond description. Our team thanks everyone who helped put us there, and everyone who helped make the Junior Olympics possible this year. Our club directors were nothing short of amazing and USA volleyball made the 2006 Junior Olympics very memorable.
I speak for our whole team when I say that our coach this year left a mark on each and everyone of us. He pushed us to limits that we thought were not achievable, and made us play volleyball that we never thought we could play. He made our team form a bond so strong, that no other coach, parent, or kid can break. He showed us how to play the game of volleyball.
I know that I will never forget him, and that because of him, I am now not only a better volleyball player, but a better person. Even though our team did not win the gold medal, like we hoped, the 2006 Junior Olympics was an experience that we will never forget.
They fought with everything they had. They never gave up. Their team spirit and constant drive got them through what could have been viewed by many as a big disappointment. When I asked them if they would play in the open division again they all said "yes". The boys chose to learn from this experience. I know they will make the most of every minute of every practice next season to prepare for the 2007 Junior Olympics. I now have eleven more "inspirations" in my life!
It was a rough year for the 18's. This was the first year they played together as a team, and with all of their talent found it hard to put aside their egos and play as a unit. For some it was the first time they were playing on a club team or playing for LIVBC.
The 18's are a funny lot. They are almost men and still children. They are trying to assert themselves and want to be treated as an adult, but then again can't remember where they put their uniforms or gatorade. They were all trying to deal with being seniors, getting ready for college, dealing with leaving behind what they know and starting another phase in their road to independence that could determine how they live the rest of their lives.
Making the Open Division was a feat for them. They struggled through the season, having highs and a lot of lows. Some did not want to go into the Open Division, thinking they were not going to be able to play on that level, but decided they had nothing to lose and needed to see it through to the end. To everyone's surprise and delight, they came through and finished ahead of where they were seeded. They made it through all of the emotions and pulled together as a team.
After six years of being a part of something you enjoy it is hard to think of not having these wonderful people in your life anymore, but it gets into your blood and becomes a part of who you are, so I know I will be attending tournaments and will connect with these wonderful people far into the future.
In closing I have to thank all of the Directors and Coaches of LIVBC who dedicate their time and hearts to this sport, believing that what they are doing will better the lives of these boys and give them some of the tools that will allow them to succeed in life. Thank you all for all that you have done for my son and my family. It's been a great ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!