March 2012 Inside HP

M ARCH 2012

Inside hp

Boys’ USAV Indoor High Performance Tryouts – Competing for the Highest Level!

By Collin Powers, Indoor High Performance Dept.

What common characteristic do all collegiate and national team volleyball coaches look for in young players? The answer is “the ability to compete.” Coaches can’t fully predict which players in the coming years will demonstrate a robust work ethic and a dedication to growing into the best player they possibly can become. But they do know that a “competitive” player will tackle challenges head on and won’t back down when the going gets tough.

USAV/ NYHOFF

And on the path to greatness, the going usually gets tough.

No place offers a better venue to reveal your competitive spirit than a USA Volleyball High Performance tryout. And the 2012 USAV Boys’ Indoor High Performance Tryouts have been a vibrant display of the spirit contained in our nation’s youth volleyball players. This year, over 1,150 players from across the United States battled and competed for positions in USAV Boys’ Indoor High Performance programs and maybe even the chance to represent their country on the U.S. Boys’ Youth National Indoor Team or Men’s Junior National Indoor Team.

Boys’ indoor HP Tryout results postings are scheduled to be posted on the USA Volleyball website (www.usavolleyball.org) this week. Due to a full revamping of the United States Olympic Committee website (which serves as the host for the USA Volleyball website) that is scheduled for the same week, this date could be pushed back. If any such delays do occur, they will be noted on the USA Volleyball site, with a rescheduled notification date.

USAV Indoor High Performance Tryouts and summer programs are formatted around four age groups: Future Select, Select, Youth and Junior. In each of these age groups, tryout participants are evaluated against all other players in their position and age group, based on skill, athleticism, volleyball IQ and future potential. Invitations to Indoor HP programs and program levels are then made based on these evaluations.

In the Men’s Junior age group, the top 19 players from across the country will be invited to participate on the squad of the 2012 U.S. Men’s Junior National Indoor Training Team that will be led by head coach Pete Hanson of the Ohio State University. That squad will be trimmed to a final roster of 12 players who will compete in the 2012 NORCECA Men’s Junior Continental Championships, to be held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center at Colorado Springs in late August. That tournament serves as a qualification tournament for the team’s participation in the 2013 FIVB Volleyball Men’s Junior World Championship. Coach Hanson will be assisted by coaches Jay Hosack of Penn State University and Jonah Carson of the University of the Pacific.

The next group of 24 Junior age group players from tryouts will be invited to participate in the Men’s Junior A2 Indoor Program, head coached by Bill Ferguson of the University of Southern California. Those players will train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center toward the end of the training block for the U.S. Men’s Junior National Indoor Team, providing scrimmage and competition opportunities for both squads of players. Coach Ferguson will be assisted by coaches Jeremy Price of Grand Canyon University and Dave Hunt of Pepperdine University.

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REGION HP SPOTLIGHT: CHESAPEAKE REGION What can you tell me about the Chesapeake Region of USA Volleyball?

The Chesapeake Region (CHRVA) spans a variety of geographical and cultural variances. From the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains to the thriving metropolis of Washington DC, the Chesapeake Region is truly one of the most interesting areas in the country. Delaware, Maryland, Washington DC, Northern Virginia and small pockets of West Virginia comprise the Chesapeake region. Ten years ago, junior volleyball was in its infancy in the region. At that time, the population of junior volleyball players was 1,000-1,500. Tournaments were scarce and teams had to travel hours to get to the nearest competition. Since then, our junior population has approximately tripled. Several clubs have invested in large venues where they offer multi-court tournaments on a consistent basis.

At the heart of the Chesapeake Region is a very transient area where the majority of the general population is either in government, the military or in a technical trade. If you become tired of the hustle and bustle of the “inside the Beltway” life, just drive an hour west to experience the rolling hills of the Shenandoah, or south where you can experience some very beautiful scenery and good ole southern hospitality. Or take a quick trip to the Eastern Shore and enjoy the water.

Can you give me a brief history of Chesapeake High Performance?

The Chesapeake Region’s High Performance program started in 2004. However, in that year, nothing really got off the ground in terms of fielding a team. The program was basically in its exploratory form - testing the waters to see the best way to proceed forward. At this time, the program was seeking to obtain backing and support from the Region’s board members. The Region was very supportive of the requests and gave the go-ahead to form a team for the next season.

In 2005, the region held its first tryouts with the goal of fielding two teams - one at the youngest age group and one at the next higher level. Slightly more than a handful of athletes attended the tryout and a decision was made to field only one team at the Youth level. Needless to say, the Region’s first experience at this national venue was an eye-opener. Lots of learning for both the athletes and the administration. Nonetheless, this experience laid the groundwork for some of the more successful Chesapeake Region teams that were to follow.

In 2006, we had a more robust tryout. Instead of two tryouts, we had three. Instead of a minimal number of coaches helping, we had several. As a result of this tryout we were more successful in fielding two teams, Select and Youth. The event that year was in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and both teams really enjoyed the trip. This was the first year that the Chesapeake region fielded a Select team, and we were very pleased by finishing in the middle of the pack.

Each year since then, we were able to field a team in both the Select and Youth divisions. Performance of the teams varied through the years. However in 2010, our Youth team managed to finish atop its division. Based on that success, the tryout numbers at the 2011 tryouts doubled. We hope to build on those numbers to field interestingly stronger teams and build a stronger program for the future.

What is the format for the Chesapeake HP Program?

The Chesapeake program has had at least two tryouts each year. The tryouts are single day events lasting approximately three hours each. Several area coaches from various levels are asked to come and assist with running drills and give input on selections. For a couple of years, the tryouts were held in conjunction with the major tournaments in the region. In particular, the Northeast Qualifier in Baltimore and the Presidents' Day Capitol Hill classic in Washington DC. We have chosen to

CHRVA

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abandon that option since the tryouts were at the end of the tournament and people simply wanted to go home after being in the gym for three days. Having tryouts at a later date has actually worked out better since the tryouts are closer to the actual selections and people can plan their lives more realistically.

Is your program making use of any of the available mateCHRVA rials through USA Volleyball HP ?

Our coaches have attended several of the training programs provided by the USA Volleyball Indoor HP staff in Colorado Springs. They bring back with them the direction and skills offered by the USA clinics so that those techniques can be used as one of the many tools in our program. Several of our tryouts have also been based on the National High Performance tryout plans. In addition to not reinventing the proverbial wheel, the athletes and coaches who are involved with both the National and Regional programs are presented with a consistent measure of skill assessment.

What teams do you plan on sending to HP Championships?

As has been the tradition for the last several years, the Chesapeake Region plans on sending a Select and a Youth team to the Championships. However, there is a very strong possibility that we will be sending our first boys team, as well.

What is the cost structure for the athletes' participation?

Our participants’ cost has fluctuated over the years. The main reason is the cost for travel. The travel to Fort Lauderdale, Florida was much less expensive than travel to Tucson, Arizona. As a result, the cost has varied over the years from $600 to $900 for participants depending on location and other factors such as the number of teams. Last year participants cost was $800 and we hope to maintain that fee for the upcoming year.

What are some of the biggest benefits to having a Region HP program?

Not all kids make it to the big leagues of being selected for a USA Team or camp. The Region Program is a wonderful way to give players, who ordinarily would not have the opportunity, exposure to competition at a national level. It also gives the opportunity to a player, who missed or did not attend a national tryout, the possibility of being discovered at the High Performance Championships. Having a Regional program also bolsters the skill level within the region. All levels participate at tryouts, and even if they don't make a team, this is at least one or two more opportunities for players to play with, and learn from, other players and other coaches.

What are you most looking forward to about the HP Championships being in Iowa this year?

Iowa! I am sure that several of Chesapeake's attendees will never have been to the true Midwest. One of the values of travel sports is that it brings people together. Many of the Chesapeake team members will be from big cities in the mid-Atlantic region. What a great opportunity to explore a new area of the country and in the process, hopefully make new friends!

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HP ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: NIKOLA ANTONIJEVIC Hometown/ club/ high school: Buffalo Grove, Illinois/ Adversity VBC/ Stevenson High School Position: Middle Blocker Height/ block touch/ jump touch: 6’9”/ 10'10"/ 11'6" Favorite Warm-Up Song: I have a pre-game playlist to get me pumped up for my games will all kinds of music.

FIVB

Scorer or Line Judging? Why? I prefer to keep score. It allows me to follow the stats to see how each player is doing.

If you could meet any Olympian, who would it be and why? Vladimir and Nikola Grbic are some of the players I look up to.

Other sports/activities/hobbies: I grew up playing soccer. My father was a professional soccer player in former Yugoslavia. I intended to follow in my father’s foot steps as was my brother. I just continued to grow so in high school I started to play volleyball. I love it.

Are you from a "volleyball family"? Do any of your family members play collegiate or professional sports? I come from a soccer family. My father played professional soccer in former Yugoslavia. My older brother played in college and now plays professionally in Europe. My aunt played professional hand ball in both former Yugoslavia and Austria. She competed in two Olympic Games.

Who was the most influential person in helping you to develop as a volleyball player? My first club coach, Ed Wrather, was the most influential person in developing me as a volleyball player. He instilled the love of the game for me. He built the foundation on which I learned how to play volleyball. I will never forget him.

What part of your background best prepared you for playing at an elite level? Clearly I can say that playing soccer my entire life has prepared me to play volleyball. I feel I have an advantage from a speed, agility and endurance perspective. Few players my height can move as quickly as I can and I attribute this to my many years of soccer practice.

What USAV HP Programs have you been involved in? Are these different from other programs you have been involved in? If so, what makes them different? I have been honored to be part of several USAV programs: February 2009-Tried out first time for HP—selected for SA1 camp in Florida USAV July 2009- participated in SA1 camp in Florida December 2009- selected and participated in Boys’ Holiday Camp in California April 2010- selected for Boys’ Youth National team and participated in NORCECA Continental Championships USA won silver medal at NORCECA and qualified for 2011 FIVB Boys’ Youth World Championship July 2010- selected to participate in Youth A2 Camp/ HP Championships in Wisconsin Dells, WI December 2010- selected to participate in Boys’ Holiday National Camp in California February 2011- tried out for HP- Selected for Boys’ Youth National Training Team in Colorado Springs August 2011- selected for Boys’ Youth National team –placed 11th in the 2011 FIVB Boys’ Youth World Championship What is the happiest moment in your volleyball career? Clearly the happiest moment in my volleyball career was representing my country in the FIVB World Championship in Argentina. There is nothing like the feel of wearing the Red, White and Blue, holding your hand over your heart and listening to our National Anthem. It’s awesome.

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HP ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: ANDIE SHELTON Hometown/ club/ high school: Stockton, CA/ Delta Valley/ Ripon Christian School Position: Setter Height/ block touch/ jump touch: 5’9” / 9’2”/ 9’6” Favorite Warm-Up Song: Waka Waka (This time for Africa) By Shakira Scorer or Line Judging? Why?: Line Judging, because I like to have fun with the flags and pretend I’m a pro lines person.

"Gotta have" snack between matches at a tourney: Goldfish, they are my power food.

If you could meet any Olympian, who would it be and why? Misty May-Treanor because she is the setter I’d like to become someday. I like playing beach, too.

Other sports/activities/hobbies: Volleyball, volleyball and, oh yeah, volleyball. But I do like to watch my brother Tyson play lacrosse and I love to read. I think if I had the time, I’d like to surf or paddle board. It’s so much fun.

SHELTON

When did you start playing volleyball? When I was 4 days old, my parents had a club they (CJV) started in Charlotte, NC, and they took me there when I was four days old and I never left. I started club when I was 11.

Are you from a "volleyball family"? Do any of your family members play collegiate or professional sports? Yes, both my mom and dad coach volleyball and my dad has been coaching for more than 30 years. My mom coaches and played volleyball, basketball and softball in college. She coached my 13, 14 and 15 team at Delta and now my dad coaches my 16s team.

Who was the most influential person in helping you to develop as a volleyball player? Besides my parents, Paul Duchesne and Richard Chan.

What part of your background best prepared you for playing at an elite level? Always being able to play at a high level. I have always had good teams that keep us at levels that always challenge us. Playing good competition every time you get on the court makes you work harder at practice, and having good teammates make you practice hard all the time.

What USAV HP Programs have you been involved in? Are these different from other programs you have been involved in? If so, what makes them different? Yes, I was in the USAV HP Girls’ Select A1 in 2010 and 2011 and the Holiday Camp in 2011. Yes, more competitive and intense and you are surrounded by the best players in your age group.

What is the happiest moment in your volleyball career? Winning the USAV GJNC 14 Open National Championships in 2010 and being selected to play in the USAV HP Program.

SHELTON

Do you want to play volleyball collegiately and/or professionally? Do you strive to represent the USA one day as an Olympian? Yes, yes and yes. Playing in college is something I have always wanted. Playing professionally in Europe is something I daydream about on a regular basis. As far as the Olympics, and representing my country, it would be an amazing accomplishment and something anyone playing volleyball strive for.

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WHEN WE’RE NOT COACHING FOR USA VOLLEYBALL HP…

WHAT SOME OF OUR 2011 GIRLS’ CAMP AT GREENSBORO COACHES ARE UP TO Which program(s) did you coach this summer for USA Indoor High Performance?

Jeff Billington (JB)- Just worked with the Indoor HP Summer Camp in Greensboro.

Trevor Hewitt (TH)- Just the Greensboro Camp in 2011.

Kelly Kavanaugh (KK)- After working with an awesome group of coaches and players at the Greensboro Camp, I had the opportunity to be a volunteer assistant for YNT training at the USAV Indoor HP Championships. This was by far one of the best learning experiences of my coaching career and I appreciate the opportunity to work with some of the best of the best!

Khalilah Pitt (KP)- I did not coach anything else for USA Indoor HP. I worked several camps for Gold Medal Squared and I usually help out my good friend at Brevard College.

Blaine Tendler (BT)- Head Coach of Hempstead-GYTC/GYDC/GSTC and Head Coach for the Women’s Junior Continental team John Titus (JT)- I coached the Greensboro Camp as well as our regional Indoor High Performance team for GEVA. I worked with Ashley Legerretta during the HP Championships on the bench of our Select team.

Khalilah Pitt Are you currently coaching for a club or school? If so, which one?

JB- Coaching at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke TH-I coach at Page High School in Greensboro; I run Sportsplex Volleyball Club; and I coach for Blaine Tendler at Piedmont Volleyball Club.

KK- I am currently a volunteer assistant with the University of Alaska, Anchorage. Before becoming a Seawolf, I was the Head Coach at Chugiak High School from 2008 through 2011 and the Director of Alaska ICE Volleyball for the past three seasons.

BT- I coach volleyball full time, run my club, work USA HP camps, do private lessons/camps and help at my wife's college camp. I also try to consult for Kelly Kavanaugh our region HP and am an Impact Instructor within our region.

JT- I coach at Parsippany High School in Parsippany, New Jersey. As well as, Atlantic Valley Volleyball Club out of Westfield, New Jersey.

Do you have a career outside of coaching? What do you do?

JB- I teach at UNCP as well and also run my own volleyball camps Billington Volleyball, LLC TH-Sort of...I am the Volleyball Director at the Greensboro Sportsplex, which is owned and operated under the Parks & Recreation Department of the City of Greensboro. I do volleyball all day, everyday.

KK- I teach 7th grade math at Mirror Lake Middle School. I’m in my 19th year of teaching and I still fit right in with the 7th graders : ) KP-Yes, I'm the Senior Membership & Wellness Director for the Johnston YMCA in Charlotte. I also provide leadership for our sports department and we host many USAV juniors tournaments.

BT- I run Piedmont Mizuno VBC and coach the 17s team.

JT-I do, I am an 8th grade teacher at Copeland Middle School of Rockaway, New Jersey where I love teaching Social Studies.

Trevor Hewitt

What is your most valued item on your desk or in your office? What is its significance?

JB- My diplomas. If I did not graduate from college, I would not be in the profession that I love today.

TH-I have pictures of a lot of our athletes that have gone on to play college ball at various levels, of the high school and club teams that I have coached and a couple other posters. I also like my volleyball that has been signed by (Continued on page 7)

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Misty May and Kerri Walsh.

KK- The most valued item on my desk would have to be a”#1 Dad” keychain given to me on Father’s Day by my two girls when they were in elementary school. As busy as things can get with teaching and coaching, I’m reminded that my first, and most important job, is to be the best father I can be – then I can work on making the “Top 50 Coaches Over 50” KP-I have a coin with a four leaf clover on it. It was given to me by a co-worker and symbolizes my union to the holy trinity, God, Son & Holy Spirit. At the YMCA, we live by the Christian principles of faith, respect, caring, honesty and responsibility. The clover helps me remember my part in delivering the Y's mission daily.

John Titus BT- I have a personalized photo from my favorite player I ever coached. She wrote a special note on it. I also have a gold medal from winning a national championship.

JT-A picture of my mother sits on my night stand next to my bed. In times of need and in times Kelly Kavanaugh of joy I still find time for a little reflective conversation. She keeps me grounded, and at the same time has instilled the values in me to keep pursuing my dreams even after her passing.

What are your hobbies?

JB- Golf, volleyball, projects around the house, and music.

TH- I love to get out and ride my motorcycle. Destination isn't important. Just get out and go where the road takes me. It clears my head and gives me an opportunity to get away from volleyball for a little bit.

KK-I have been climbing, hiking, biking, paddling and skiing throughout Alaska since I was 12 years old and it will always be part of what I do.

KP-Volleyball, of course! Bible study; spending time with friends & family; cooking; and playing with my dog BT- watching movies, wine tasting with my wife, hanging with my cats (they're very calming for me) Trevor Hewitt JT-Reading, chess and of course playing volleyball.

How did you get involved with volleyball?

JB- I began playing volleyball in high school. We had a season of about six weeks (between basketball and baseball seasons. The weather in upstate New York was usually not conducive to outdoor activities in late February and early March so we had a boys’ volleyball team.

TH-I started playing when I was 15 at our neighborhood pool. We had an un-level grass court that we turned into dirt by the end of that summer. The next school year, a new teacher at our high school started a boys’ club team (non-varisty activity, not a JNC travel team) in the spring and my high school competed with about 7 other schools that formed club teams. I played on the team for two Trevor Hewitt years until I graduated, then began coaching with my high school my sophomore year in college.

KK-I started playing volleyball my freshman year at North Pocono High School and continued through my first year of college when I put volleyball on hold to pursue other passions. Twenty years later, I was asked to help coach the 130+ girls that show up for middle school tryouts, and I’ve been hooked ever since!

KP-I started playing at age 14 in high school and club. I started coaching in 1999 and was given the opportunity to coach at the club level. I've been doing it ever since!

BT-I started playing in 9th grade to earn points toward an athletic achieve award at school.

JT-My high school gym teacher Dave DeNure told me it might be something I should try. He was right, but I didn't actually listen to him until I was a sophomore in college.

What is your all-time favorite movie and why?

JB- “The Field of Dreams” I believe in building a program from the ground up. Thoughout the 7ALL PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY RESPECTIVE COACH

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movie there is this whisper of “If you build it, they will come.”

TH-Hmm, very good question. Probably Mallrats. Or Supertroopers. So many good quotes, and I have seen each over 50 times.

KK- I’d have to say that “Stand and Deliver” is my all time favorite movie. It’s an “oldie,” but one worth showing to 7th grade math students from Alaska. Each time I show the movie we are inspired by Jamie Escalante’s dedication and determination to help disadvantage students strive to become the best they can be.

KP-”The Color Purple”, there are so many relationship lessons mixed into the history of that time period. Family was an Blaine Tendler important theme of that movie as well and family is important to me.

BT- “With Honors” because I love the message to look beyond the obvious (don't judge a book by it's cover), “Love Actually” is my feel good movie and “Pirates of the Caribbean” are my fun/humor movies JT-”Dead Poet Society”, "Carpe Diem”, if you don't know it go watch it now!

What is your #1 goal you would like to achieve in 2012?

JB- Continue to honestly assess my weaknesses and strengths to become a better coach. My #1 goal is to work on better communication with my stuKhalilah Pitt dent-athletes. With this technologically driven age we live in I need to become more open to communicating on facebook, twitter etc….

TH-I just want to keep growing volleyball in the State of North Carolina, sharing my love for the game with any athlete that comes through my door.

KK- I want to become an assistant coach at the college level, the first coach selected into the “Top 50 Over 50,” and continue to grow my experience with USAV. KP-I would like to strengthen my relationship with the Indoor HP program in my region and become an IMPACT trainer.

BT-go with USA as an assistant coach with our YNT or JNT to NORCECA's JT- I want the challenge of coaching at the next level, I want to break into the college game.

Jeff Billington

Tell us something about you that most people don’t know.

JB- I was a five-sport athlete in high school.

TH-I love to take naps.

KK-I took the Marrakesh Express from Tangiers to Marrekesh in Morroco, climbed the highest peak in North Africa, and ate too many figs on

the way back to Spain.

KP-I was a cheerleader in middle school!

BT-I don't enjoy speaking in front of groups JT-I have four sisters, and yes it was painful, but I love them all!

Blaine Tendler

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HP COACH SPOTLIGHT: LINDSEY DEVINE 2011 USAV HP Programs Coached: Head Coach for the Girls’ Youth Continental Team IMPACT certified CAP I certified What led you to become a coach? Two reasons: My college coach pushed me every day and expected me to be a better player and person and that impacted who I am today. The ability to have an opportunity to work with people and possibly have a small impact on their lives inspires me every day.

What is the best thing about being a coach? The fight, the will and the desire that I see in players’ eyes to achieve a common goal of winning.

What has been the biggest influence in your career? People who don’t value or see how significant the career of coaching...I love that challenge.

What do you do in your free time? Ha, what free time?

What is your coaching philosophy? A program must establish a culture of excellence and it must start from the top down.

Clear expectations must be set out for players to be held accountable. Players must see how committed I am and how passionate I am about their success. Together, all people who are connected to the program must understand the importance of communication, value the importance of hard work and expect greatness from each other.

What are your personal career goals? Play in the NCAA championship rounds and coach an A1 team in the Indoor HP pipeline.

What does the future hold for you - any exciting plans, developments? Currently, I have gone back to school to get my masters in sports marketing.

What is the hardest thing you ever had to do as a coach? Tell a player that her father had passed away while traveling to come see her play for senior weekend.

What are you most proud of as a coach? When players thank you for their opportunities and when players get into coaching because they say that you had an impact in their lives .

What are some important lessons learned? With today’s use of technology and social networking, in order to relate and understand and even communicate with players, I must work towards being part of this way to communicate with this generation. Coaching has brought discipline, time management and organization to my life. I have had the opportunity to meet great people and work with passionate coaches who inspire me to a better coach.

How would your players describe you as a coach? A direct coach who pushes them to be better as people and as volleyball players. Why be mediocre when you can be great? A coach who cares about them off them the court.

How would your players describe one of your practices? Organized and tough.

Players always know what the purpose or the objective is behind each drill.

Do you have any pet peeves? People who crack their knuckles, rude or degrading comments.

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HP COACH SPOTLIGHT: ROBERT RIOS 2011 USAV HP Programs Coached: High Performance Championships; HP A3 Camps IMPACT certified CAP II What led you to become a coach? I am a very passionate person and always have been. I do not think I was ever very athletic as a young person but I was able to achieve success as an athlete through desire, hard work and an ability to make sense of the game quickly. Those attributes and a separated shoulder in my senior year of college as a college club player led to my discovery of coaching.

What is the best thing about being a coach? I think this answer has changed over the course of coaching 20 years. Initially, I thought the best thing was winning or maybe proving that I could win against better teams or coaches I respected. I think very recently I have received the most joy from seeing teams and individuals I work with improve and excel.

What has been the biggest influence in your career? My junior water polo coach, Tom MacAbee, was able to take my limited skills and help me see how I could help the team succeed. That, and I saw the sacrifices my parents made for me to play sports or participate in extracurricular activities. I want to help every athlete we work with see how he/she can really help others succeed and in the process elevate himself/herself. And, I want our athletes and their families to receive value for their investment.

What or who has been most inspiring to you, either personally or professionally? Dave Nichols (Florida Golf Coast University) hired me as a very young man. He has remained a lifelong friend and his zeal for the game is contagious. My father continues his service to his community through his work in religious education. His work to deliver hope and sense of service to others serves as a daily inspiration.

What is your coaching philosophy? “Intelligence & Intensity”…thank you Coach Nichols. Let’s know what we ought to do and let’s have a coordinated, concentrated purpose in each scenario.

What is the hardest thing you ever had to do as a coach? I think there is something inside people that become coaches that is fulfilled by the competition, the winning and losing, and being in the foreground. I think the hardest thing for me was/is learning to separate those personal needs from the best parts of what I can share with athletes. It returns to the concept of doing my job so I can elevate the others.

What are you most proud of as a coach? I have participated in some small way in the lives of thousands of young men and women in a positive way and, I hope, honored the work of so many that have given so generously to me.

What are some important lessons learned? Being right isn’t all it’s purported to be. Being wrong, especially about an athlete, can be a wonderful blessing.

How would your players describe one of your practices? On-time, organized, purposeful, sweaty, tiring, non-stop, challenging Do you have any pet peeves? Being late, being out of communication regarding being late or missing, and I greatly dislike when a player uses confusion as an excuse to take time off in practice.

Describe some of your most important career accomplishments.

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QUICK NOTES March HP Trivia Question USA Volleyball moved into a new building this month. What is their new mailing address?

Send a self addressed stamped 9x13 envelope ($1.05) and the Region Services Department will send you a USAV Resource CD at no charge. The CD contains the science and research of our sport, for working with youth, junior, Paralympic, Special Olympic and beach volleyball programs for all players, their coaches and their parents.

Click here to read John Kessel’s latest blog on the “Evolution of the Pepper.”

Tiebreaker: How many people currently work in that building?

Send your answers to indoorhp@usav.org by April 16th. Winners will be randomly chosen from all correct entries.

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For the Boys’ Youth age group, the top 19 players will be invited to participate on the 2012 U.S. Boys’ Youth National Indoor Team that will be led by head coach Dan Friend of Lewis University. The squad will be invited to attend a second tryout in Southern California in order to trim the squad to a roster of 12 players who will compete in the 2012 NORCECA Boys’ Youth Continental Championship to be held in Tijuana, Mexico. The tournament serves as a qualification tournament for that team’s participation in 2013 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ Youth World Championship. Coach Friend will be assisted by Colin McMillan of Penn State University and Jonah Carson of the University of the Pacific.

USAV/ NYHOFF

Five of the top USA Programs in the Youth and Select age groups will train in Des Moines, Iowa, and compete in HP’s flagship event – USA Volleyball Indoor High Performance Championships. Athletes selected for the USA Youth Indoor A2, Youth Indoor Continental, Select Indoor A1, Select Indoor A2 and Select Indoor Continental Team programs will all share this training and competition program under one of the best coaching staffs ever assembled in Indoor High Performance. The Select age group programs will be run by Select Indoor Program head coach Ken Shibuya of Stanford University; and the Youth age group programs will be overseen by Youth Program head coach Kevin Moore of Juniata College.

The Future Select Indoor A1 athletes will be invited to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 15 – 19.

The High Performance Indoor A3 and Training Camp programs will be run at the same three sites as last year: Long Beach State University in Long Beach, Calif.; SPIRE Sports Complex in Geneva, Ohio; and Adversity VBC in Vernon Hills, Ill. These three locations proved to be excellent venues for training and player development last year, and the coaching staffs will once again be phenomenal.

Please contact Indoor High Performance if you have any questions at indoorhp@usav.org.

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Describe some of your most important career accomplishments.

Team earning the regular season championship title with a perfect 10-0 record 12 All-conference players 1 All American selection 1 Freshman Player of the Year AVCA Team Academic Award Working in the pipeline with High Performance Head Coach for the Continental Team at the HP Championships What book is a must-read for all coaches? For players?

Coaches – anything by Coach K, Summit or Wooden Players – same as above plus Mind Gym by David Casstevens and Jeff Janssen’s The Team Captain’s Leadership Manual Do you have any advice to offer parents? Be an encourager but talk real to your kids. Teach them early about the importance of communication, commitment, saying thank you and being honest individuals.

What’s the best advice you could give to someone getting into coaching? Learn to be patient. Never think that any job is beneath you. Work hard even when you don’t think people are watching.

How do you define success? Success is when a player says thank you for all you did for me. Success is the coming together of individual players but playing as one team.

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My very first high school boys team, Campolindo High School (Moraga, CA), completed their regular season undefeated.

Nicole Branagh was a a wiry, basketball player at Miramonte High School (Orinda, CA) when I convinced her to try volleyball and helped nudge her along the volleyball path.

My first season at UC Berkeley with the men’s club team, head coach Dave Nichols couldn’t travel during the regular season because of his commitments to the women’s indoor pro league that had started. I took our men’s team to play in the Rutgers Golden Dome Classic at the invitation of friend Ron Larsen. Our team beat Rutgers and Ron in five sets and we hit 1.000 in the fifth set. I learned a lot that night…

My first year as head coach of Holy Names College we split with Dominican, winning in five sets at their school, earning a share of the conference championship and I was fortunate to be named coach of the year.

A few years ago, our program became the first team from Nevada to earn a bid to the Open Division at the Junior Nationals thanks to our remarkable athletes.

What book is a must-read for all coaches? Terry Pettit, “Talent and the Secret Life of Teams” For players? Just READ…develop your mind, exercise the discipline required to read What’s the best advice you could give to someone getting into coaching?

Ask for help and remember to keep learning. When teaching IMPACT, I ask the participants how many of them ask that their athletes to give them “100% effort for the time they will be practicing” or some version of this theme. It is usually unanimous that every coach asks for this level of commitment. Then I ask, “how much time to spend preparing and planning practice?” Faces usually flush a bit with embarrassment. If we are going to ask our athletes to work hard, then we as coaches should be putting in as much effort in preparation of practice.

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RECRUITING CORNER The 2012 recruiting season is quickly coming to a close so it's time to evaluate where you stand in your recruiting process. Read below to learn if you are ahead or behind, and what you need to do in order to get back on track!

Am I Ahead Or Behind In The Recruiting Process?

Seniors - At this point, you should be actively communicating with 5-7 programs. If you are just starting out, you have absolutely no time to waste. You MUST take advantage of the March / April tournaments! IMMEDIATELY send out messages to all the coaches on your list. Focus on NCAA Division II and III, NAIA and NJCAA schools.

Most NCAA Division I programs are done recruiting the 2012 class.

Juniors - At this point you should have already introduced yourself to all the programs on your target list. It's important to send a follow up message to each coach inviting them to see you play in person BEFORE each major recruiting tournament. You should also be inquiring about coming on an unofficial visit. Your messages should link to a highlight and / or skills video. If you have not reached out to coaches, you are falling behind and you need to get your information and video in front of coaches ASAP! Sophomores - At this point you should be introducing yourself to all the coaches on your target list. If you have not developed your target list, now is the time! Think about location, size of school, academic selectivity and division when putting together your target list of schools. Your messages should also link to a highlight reel and / or skills video.

Freshmen - It's never too early to start reaching out to coaches. Send an introductory message and work on capturing match footage over the coarse of this season. You are going to need it!

How Can VolleyballRecruits.net Help Get Me Back On Track?

EVERY college program in the country is a registered user of VolleyballRecruits.net, and members can easily send their profile and video to any coach in the country in a matter of minutes. See Demo.

Their team of video experts are standing by to turn your un-edited footage into a coach-catching highlight reel and / or skills video. In 7 business days, players will have a completed video uploaded to their player profile. See examples here!

High Performance athletes receive $50 off each Recruiting Package by using the promotion code "HP2012" at checkout!

Good luck, Amanda Millard Director of VolleyballRecruits.net Phone: 303-929-8587 Email: Amanda@VolleyballRecruits.net Check out a demo of VolleyballRecruits.net in action here: http://screencast.com/t/voH0urjY5h

USAV 13

INDOOR HP DIRECTORY Collin Powers Senior Manager Collin.Powers@usav.org

Tom Pingel Senior Director Tom.Pingel@usav.org

Adrienne Edwards Manager Adrienne.Edwards@usav.org

Heath Hoke Manager Heath.Hoke@usav.org

Rick Mischka Coordinator Rick.Mischka@usav.org

Denise Sheldon Coordinator Denise.Sheldon@usav.org

Monica Sedillo Assistant Monica.Sedillo@usav.org

Contact Us (719) 228-6800 (phone) (719) 228-6899 (fax) indoorhp@usav.org 14