Different Strokes for Different Folks at GJNC

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

ATLANTA (June 28, 2011) - USA Volleyball posed the question of the day – “What does your team do to prepare for matches at the 2011 USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships?” - to 10 players and a coach participating in the event taking place June 25 to July 4 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Gabrielle Christie (Orland Park, Ill.), a participant on the ATTACK 13 Blue club team playing in the 13 American Division: “Our team does sit ups, push ups, wall jumps and the ‘pump it up’ cheer. We also eat just a snack before matches so that we don’t have a full stomach.”

Lily Johnson (St. Louis, Mo.), a member of the Rockwood Thunder 151 team playing in the 15 Open Division: “Our warm up activity is called the circle of fun. It is a lot like the game ‘Simon says.’ It helps us get our brains engaged and helps us work as a team before we hit the court.”

Madi Norblade (Papillion, Neb.), a player for the River City Juniors 141 team participating in the 14 American Division: “Our team does these silly jumping jacks where we get faster and faster with each one. We also make an effort to get the crowd involved by our clap momentum because it helps us get pumped up and also includes our fans.”

Savannah Clark (Gainesville Fla.), a participant on the Gainesville 15 Black team in the 15 National Division: “Our team likes to dance to this song called ‘The Interlude.’ A lot of people know of it and always turn their heads when we are dancing to it.”

Katie Weger (Whitehouse, N.J.), playing on the CJVA Red Vipers team competing in the 13 American Division: “We eat protein, stretch and doing dynamics before a match. In our dynamics, it includes lunges, shuffling, high knees along with other exercises.”

Molly Brown (Long Beach, Calif.), a participant on the Sunshine 14 South Bay in the 14 American Division: “We all eat energy bars called Cliff Block bars. We jump rope and do a dance called the Gigolo. It is a dance that keeps us moving and gets us excited to play. We do sprints and stretches, too."

Lauren Kelly (Long Beach, Calif.), a member of the Mizuno Long Beach 12 team competing in the 12 National Division: “We have been doing a team cheer before every match. We also had a funny experience this year with one of our players diving for the ball into the bleachers, so we have a joke about that in our cheer.”

Mallory Moench (Indianapolis, Ind.), a member on the Circle City 15 Black team competing in the 15 American Division: “My team gets focused before matches by listening to music and stretching in a circle. We do a defensive shuffle across the court to get our legs warmed up. I personally wear a special head band that protects my head since I have had three concussions this year.”

Allison Garetto (Joliet, Ill.) plays for the Uno Girls 14 Elite team in the 14 American Division: “The team does leap frog and dynamics together. After that we split up with our partners and do latter passing which involves short, medium and long passing. It helps us get warm and ready for competition.”

Katy Daly (Laguna Beach, Calif.), coach of the Laguna Beach 13 Katy team in the 13 National Division: “We have a mango for our mascot and our team touches it for good luck before we play.”

Maddy Mertz (Phoenix, Ariz.), on the AZ Sky 15 Magic team competing in the 15 American Division: “Our team does the Bernie flop! Basically we roll our shoulders backward - it is kind of like swimming out of water. We also eat sport beans and have a 5-hour energy drink.”

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

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