USAV High Performance Championships Opening Ceremonies Excite Teams

Candice Kasischke
Intern, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: candice.kasischke@usav.org

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (July 25, 2010) - The sounds of excited cheering and chanting teams filled the Wisconsin Dells Center on the complex of the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., on Sunday evening with 1,600 participants of the USA Volleyball High Performance Championships and their parents.

The gathering included a barbeque and opening ceremony put on by USA Volleyball for all of the teams to intermingle and meet one another to share in their anticipation for tournament play to begin July 25 at 8:30 a.m.

At the ceremony, USA Volleyball Managing Director of Indoor High Performance Tom Pingel announced each of the teams as they marched into the gym. The host Badger Region led the march and greeted each following team with high-fives. Each region had a banner or some sort of apparel to represent its USAV Region or particular team.

After all of the teams were recognized, a Wisconsin Army Duck came into the gym and served as a stage for the speakers.

Kendall Pierce (Eden, N.Y.) is a member of this year’s U.S. Girls’ Youth Continental Team and really enjoyed the taste of Wisconsin presented in the ceremonies.

“It was the third banquet that I attended for high performance, and it was great,” Pierce said. “It showcased things about Wisconsin like the Army ducks, bratwursts for dinner and the local high school marching band playing the national anthem. It was an awesome experience to eat, dance, laugh, take pictures.”

Former U.S. Women’s National Team member Tracy Stalls and Tom Hoff, captain of the 2008 U.S. Men’s Olympic gold-medal team, were the featured guests.

Melanie Wade (Palo Alto, Calif.), captain of the U.S. Girls’ Youth A2 Blue Team, felt that the speakers were inspirational and helped in preparing the team’s mindset for play.

“It was very exciting and was very inspirational listening to how they have developed through the years and improved their game,” Wade said. “They explained to us the value in playing for USA Volleyball and what it means to give your best to the sport. It is really exciting to begin play tomorrow. We have been training really hard. Getting on the court to compete will be awesome.”

For the USA High Performance Championships Web page on all releases for the brackets and results, click here: http://usavolleyball.org/volleyball-disciplines/high-performance-indoor/2010-usav-high-performance-championships.

For photos from the USA High Performance Championship by OSIR/Debbie Reber, click here: http://osireber.smugmug.com/USAV-HP-CHAMPIONSHIP.

Tags: USA High Performance Championships, USA Volleyball, USA Volleyball High Performance, USA Volleyball High Performance Championships