Christening Center Court at USAV Girls' Junior Nationals

Erin Campbell
Intern, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6864
E-Mail: erin.campbell@usav.org

RENO, Nev. (June 26, 2010) – Center court, court 28, at the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships in the Reno-Sparks Convention Center got it’s first scuff marks Saturday when Pocatello Elite 14 and Woodlands Wave 14 Black faced off at 8 a.m.

Center court is strategically placed between the two exhibition halls of play. It is lined by walls of bleachers on three sides that sky to the ceiling and the USA Volleyball backdrop on the open side. The close quarters make a single cheer sound like it’s been yelled through a mega phone.

“It gets you really pumped up because it’s so big and loud,” Woodlands outside hitter Courtney Quinn said.

The loud screams and the unique set up draws fans passing through to stop and watch. Everyone wants to see what’s going on at the championship court.

“It puts a kind of pressure on you,” Woodlands libero Kelly Quinn said. “It’s a good pressure though. Everyone is stopping to look at you. You want to prove you are the best. It’s an honor to play on center court and you want to show everyone you deserve to be there.”

“Initially, the emotion I could see from the girls’ was excitement,” Pocatello Head Coach Katie Edgson said. “It was just a different environment. The girls showed up to play.”

The isolation of the championship court allows players to narrow in their focus and play a different game of volleyball than the rest of the 47 courts in the venue allow.

“It’s a nice space to play,” Edgson said. “It’s not cramped and the players don’t have to worry about balls coming on the court or distractions from other courts like cheering or whistle blowing.”

Center court will host all of the championship matches from all 19 divisions and, as the tournament goes on, the echo from court 28 will resonate through the entire venue. The first gold-medal match will be played June 27 at 10 a.m. when the 14s Open Division finalists will compete for the title of champion.

Click here for the complete Schedule:

All Girls’ 12 Divisions: June 27-30


All Girls’ 13 Divisions: June 25-28


All Girls’ 14 Divisions: June 24-27


All Girls’ 15 Divisions: June 26-29


All Girls’ 16 Divisions: June 30- July 3


All Girls’ 17 Divisions: June 28- July 1


All Girls’ 18 Divisions: June 29- July 2

For more information on the USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships, click here. 

Tags: USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships