Game, Set…Start - USAV Boys' Jr. Nationals Underway

Becky Murdy
Assistant, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: becky.murdy@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 29, 2011) - At 7:40 a.m. Alexis and Courtney Simmons stood in front of 300-plus boys’ volleyball players, parents and fans to sing the Star Spangled Banner kicking off the 2011 USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships (BJNC) at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis. The event continues through July 6. 

“We will probably be singing every morning,” Alexis said of the morning tradition starting off every day of the USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships. “Either both of us or one of us will be here.” 

Before all attendees stood to salute the flag on Wednesday, the crowds were already   making their way around the Minneapolis Convention Center. Teams began lining up outside the four double doors at 6:45 a.m. for an 8 a.m. start.   

A total of 59 18 Club and 36 18 Open teams, along with the 12 Club and 13 Club teams, took action Wednesday in round-robin pool play. The number of bodies inside the convention center will quickly increase as the remaining age-divisions trickle in day-by-day.

The BJNC will have 392 of the best junior boys’ teams from across the country with 4,500-plus athletes, coaches and officials in attendance at the height of the tournament. The event has five Open Division titles at each age group between 14 and 18. In addition, seven Club Division titles will be contested in the 12-year-old category through under-18.

“At this level the talent is so high and the games get harder and harder,” said St. Louis HP 18-Gold Head Coach Mike Lotz. “We are just playing one game at a time and focusing as much as we can on what we are doing in a particular moment.”

Lotz and his St. Louis HP team tallied a 3-0 record in the first day of competition securing them a good position in Thursday’s play.

“Having fun is the most important,” Lotz said. “But the kids want to do well so they continue to work hard to ensure that they all take care of business.  

Before the teams took the courts the Simmons sisters sang in perfect unison welcoming the 18 Open and 12s and 13s teams in the morning wave at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

“It was a lot of fun,” Courtney said. “It is still nerve-wracking though, my knees shake every time.”

Photo: Copyrighted by USAV/Becky Murdy Alexis (left) and Courtney (right) pose right after single the National Anthem. Courtney, 21, has been singing at events since eighth grade, ranging from high school volleyball matches to college and church functions. Joined by her sister Alexis, 15, the duo got their first taste of many at the 2011 event. 

The Simmons sisters were asked to sing by a family-friend and USAV Independent Contractor, Marlo Siron, for the second consecutive year. Siron is also the technical coordinator at the Sacred Heart Catholic School.

Through the BJNC, the girls get to celebrate their love for singing as well as for the sport of volleyball. They both enjoy being a part of the tournament and greatly appreciate the ability to watch the matches in all divisions. 

“It’s fun to be able be at this tournament together,” Courtney said. “I did it last year too, and am excited to have Alexis do this with me this year.”

Courtney performed with her other sister last year and due to a schedule conflict, she was unable to attend. The duet marked just the second time Alexis was able to sing the National Anthem with her sister.

There will be a lot more singing and volleyball in the coming days in Minneapolis and athletes, coaches, fans and family members couldn’t be more excited. If day one is any indication of how the tournament will go it can be ensured that the competition will be high and the atmosphere will be electrifying.

For up-to-date results and upcoming schedules for the USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior national Championships, click here. 

All 14-18 division medal matches will be video streamed live at http://usavolleyball.org/live. The first medal match will take place Friday, July 1, with the 12s-club teams.

Visit www.usavolleyball.org and become a fan of USA Volleyball's Facebook page for all the latest news. Fans are encouraged to share their family-friendly pictures on the USA Volleyball Facebook page.

2011 USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships Results
 12 Club: Finals on July 1
13 Club: Finals on July 2
14 Open: Finals on July 3
14 Club: Finals on July 3
15 Open: Finals on July 4
15 Club: Finals on July 4
16 Open: Finals on July 5
16 Club: Finals on July 5
17 Open: Finals on July 6
17 Club: Finals on July 6
18 Open: Finals on July 2
18 Club: Finals on July 2

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