Badger Region Teams Happy to Host

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

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (July 26, 2010) – The athletes from the Badger Region are thrilled to have the 2010 USA Volleyball High Performance Championships in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., from July 26-30.

The tournament had opening serve Monday morning and Jenni Fassbender (Kaukauna, Wis.), a member of the Badger Region High Performance Girls’ Youth Team for two years, appreciated having her family and friends in the stands at the opening match.

“Last year in Ft. Lauderdale, not all of the parents and families were able to come,” Fassbender said. “It’s nice to have a big crowd and support system this year. It gives us some publicity, which is great because no one thinks of Wisconsin as a volleyball state.”

Kaitlyn Hastings (New Berlin, Wis.) has also participated in the HP Championships for two years and is excited to have both international and national teams competing in her home state.

“It is a once in a lifetime type of thing,” Hastings said. “We are always traveling and playing everywhere else, and it’s an amazing experience to have countries and other places come to our home territory. It puts us on the map for volleyball.”

Copyrighted by: USA Volleyball A Badger Region USAV High Performance Boys' Youth National Team in a huddle during a match on July 26.

On the boys’ side of the Badger Region, Matt Klingspohn (Milwaukee, Wis.) and Kyle Rohde (Brookfield, Wis.) are two tournament participants who are also pleased to bring the event to Wisconsin.

“A lot of people don’t pay attention to Wisconsin volleyball,” Rohde said. “The hot spots are typically California and Florida. It’s a great way for people to see how much volleyball is really growing in the Midwest.”

Klingspohn and Rohde played for USA Volleyball High Performance teams the first two years that they participated in the USAV High Performance Championships. This year, they are pleased to be representing their Badger Region.

“It means a lot to me to play for my region,” Rohde said. “The representation factor is more focused and it’s awesome to be playing in this facility since normally only girls’ tournaments are held in this area of Wisconsin. It’s a nice facility.”

“We normally come in to nationals and are looked at as an underdog team,” Klingspohn said. “With this opportunity to host a tournament, it boosts morale and lets us come in with the mentality to prove what we have.”

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, USAV High Performance