Badger Duo Kicks off the USAV GJNC

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

ATLANTA (June 25, 2011)- Mati Ardis and Maddie Erlandson, both of Milwaukee, Wis., sang the United States national anthem and kicked off the first day of the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta which is being held from June 25-July 4.

Both Ardis and Erlandson, members of the Girls’ 14 West Allis Lightning volleyball club team that is playing in the National division, felt honored to represent their team and to also start off the USA Volleyball event.

“Singing the national anthem this morning was very exciting,” Ardis said. “It was very rewarding and was a huge honor. Our team asks us to sing for them all of the time, and our coaches asked us to sing the national anthem to kick off the event and we were happy to do it.”

“I feel very fortunate to have been selected to help kick off the Girls’ Junior National Championships,” Erlandson said. “It was a very big honor and I felt a lot of pride.”

Erlandson felt some nerves this morning singing in front of the large crowd, but appreciated the privilege.

“I was very nervous to sing, we have been practicing a lot within the last couple of weeks,” Erlandson said. “It was a whole new situation because it wasn’t just in front of my team or in my room. I got to sing in front of so many people and I really enjoyed it.”

The Badger duo sings in the school choir and has sung the national anthem at some local events in Milwaukee together.

“We sing together in the school choir at St. Gregory the Great Middle School and we have sung at some soccer games and some other athletic events,” Erlandson said.

Today was Ardis’ second time singing the national anthem a USA Volleyball event. Two years ago, she opened the Badger Region Championships.

Ardis and Erlandson helped their team to a victory today and underwent two losses, but they are feeling upbeat about the rest of the tournament.

“We won one match out of three today and we are planning to win the rest!”

For USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships results, click here. For more information on the tournament, visit usavolleyball.org/events/4873/page/10331.

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Tags: 2011 Girls' Junior National Championships, USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships