Athletes at GJNC Share Best Volleyball Tips

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

ATLANTA (July 2, 2011) – USA Volleyball posed the question of the day – “What is the best volleyball advice that you have been told by a coach?” - to 10 players in the event taking place June 25 to July 4 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Brittany Howard (Los Alton, Calif.), a participant on Vision 18 Gold in the 18 Open Division: “The best advice is to always think positively, to trust your teammates and to just breathe. If we can do that, then we can play at our best.”

Mikayla Shippy (Pueblo, Colo.), a member of Colorado Jrs17Kevin competing in the 17 National Division: “You’ve worked too hard to make it where you are today, so don’t give up now.”

Erin Bognar (St. Louis, Mo.), a participant on STL CYC 16 Green playing in the 16 Open Division: “My coach reminds me to relax and to play smart. He also says to go for every ball and to not hold anything back.”

Sydney Svec (Lincoln, Neb.), a player for Nebraska Elite 17 Edge competing in the 17 American Division: “You won’t always be playing volleyball, so enjoy it and live it up.”

Olivia Brand (Springfield, Ill.), a member of Springfield 18Blue competing in the 18 National Division: “It’s easy, just put it where they aren’t.”

Maggie Speaks (Camden, S.C.), a member of Magnum 16 Mizuno competing in the 16 National Division: “You’re going to get worse before you get better. Adjusting technique sometimes takes time to set it, but in the long run you will be better off. My coach also always tells us to have swagger on the court.”

Jamie Francona (Boston, Mass.), a player for SMASH 17’s competing in the 17 National Division: “If you’re going to make a mistake, make a physical mistake and not a mental mistake. It is important to shake off points against you. In terms of technique, always watch the arm swing and not the ball when blocking.”

Kortney Kurtz (Elgin, Ill.), a member of Top Flight 18 Theta participating in the 18 American Division: “Always play one point at a time. Each point is over when the whistle blows, so just always be ready for the next one.”

Sarah Black (Amarillo, Texas), a participant on Amarillo Juniors 18 Cardinal competing in the 18 National Division: “Take one point at a time. Keep relaxed and your focus in front of you because when you get crazy, the team gets crazy.”

Mikayla Bax (Lincoln, Neb.), a player for Lincoln Magic Wasabi participating in the 16 American Division: “Never have a bad attitude or it will affect the whole team. Also, always stay low when passing no matter where the ball is.”

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

All USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships gold-medal matches will be video streamed live at http://usavolleyball.org/live. All USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships medal matches except 13 Club will be streamed and accessed through the same URL.

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.

USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships Results

12 National: Gold- Borinquen Coqui 12-1F; Silver- ASICS MAVS 12 Blue; Bronze- Wave 12 Casey (Southern California) and MadFrog 12s Lewellen (North Texas)
12 American: Gold - Starlings-Monrovia 12 (Southern California); Silver – Victory 12 Elite (North Texas); Bronze – Alamo 12 Kaepa (Lone Star) and Laguna Beach 12 Gaido (Southern California)
13 National: Gold - Borinquen Coquir 13-1F (Puerto Rico); Silver - ASICS MAVS 13 Blue (Heart of America); Bronze - Madfrog 13s NAT STEF (North Texas) and Nebraska Elite 13 Thunder (Great Plains)
13 American: Gold - Club West 13- National (Southern California); Silver - Xtreme 13 Black (Lone Star); Bronze – Seal Beach 13-Tony (Southern California) and Premier 13 Gold (Great Plains)
14 Open: Gold – Cleveland Volleyball Company 14 Black (Ohio Valley); Silver – Mizuno Long Beach 14 Rockstar (Southern California); Bronze – OVA 14 Asics (Florida) and Nebraska Elite 14 Mayhem (Great Plains)
14 National: Gold – Team Piko 14 Ho’omau (Aloha); Silver – Coast 14-1 Luis (Southern California); Bronze – Iowa Rockets (Iowa) and Backswamp 14 Orwig (Ohio Valley)
14 American: Gold – Texas Image 14 Mizuno (North Texas); Silver – Sunshine 14 South Bay (Southern California); Bronze – Pinellas Heat 14 Elite (Florida) and Woodlands Wave 14UA (Lone Star)
15 Open: Gold - Northern Lights 15-1 (North Country); Silver - TAV 15 VB Rags Black (North Texas); Bronze – City Beach 15 Black (Northern California) and Woodlands Wave 15UA (Lone Star)
15 National: Gold – Blackswamp 15 Oberst (Ohio Valley); Silver - Miami Elite Blue 15 (Florida); Bronze- Ultimate G15 Gold (Great Lakes) and ASICS MAVS 15 Molten (Heart of America)
15 American: Gold – AZ Sky 15 Magic (Arizona); Silver – Iowa Rockets 15R (Iowa); Bronze - Cincy Classics 15 Red (Ohio Valley) and River City Juniors 151 (Great Plains)
16 Open: Finals on July 4
16 National: Finals on July 4
16 American: Finals on July 4
17 Open: Gold- Austin Junior Volleyball 17 Mizuno (Lonestar); Silver- A5 Mizuno 171 Heidi (Southern); Bronze- Club Red 17 Mizuno (Arizona) and Invasion 17-Black (Heart of America)
17 National: Gold- Orange County 17Blue (Southern California); Silver- Northern Lights 17-2 (Northern); Bronze- Alliance 17 Mizuno (Southern) and Iowa Rockets 17R (Iowa)
17 American: Gold- Instinct 17 Tigers N (North Texas); Silver- NorthShore Wood (Ohio Valley); Bronze- Alamo 17 Kaepa (Lonestar) and Nebraska Elite 17 Edge (Great Plains)
18 Open: Finals on July 3
18 National: Finals on July 3
18 American: Finals on July 3

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