Beach Volleyball in a Northern State, Gopher Sunday Tournament

#1 posting 4.17.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

BEACH VOLLEYBALL
The 2008 Collegiate Nationals event in San Diego is more than just volleyball. The event will have flowboarding, a music fest and new this year an eating contest. The volleyball is the only event with NCAA players.

Wisconsin is headed to the event and are getting ready for the sand by bringing the beach inside.

SPRING TOURNAMENT
Marquette is prepping for their appearance at the Gopher Spring tournament this Sunday. It is free and open to the public. Action starts with the Gophers vs Marquette at 8:30 am at the Sports Pavilion. North Dakota State and Iowa State are the other two teams involved in the event.

Next up: tomorrow

Gopher Signings, Washington State Bound

#1 posting 4.16.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SIGNINGS
Here is the Gopher press release on the latest two signings--Jessica Granquist of Blaine and Pamela Luiz of Limeira, Brazil by way of Frank Phillips College (a 2 year school in Texas).

COACHING
Here is the official press release from South Dakota State on Andrew Palileo's resignation. He is leaving for Washington State. The Sioux Falls Argus Leader explains why Washington State is a good fit for Palileo.

Also Brian Lamppa is leaving the University of South Dakota. Assistant coach Kevin Marquis will be the interim coach.

Kingsland High School in Spring Valley, MN has a head volleyball coaching position open.

LAST WEEKEND
We posted this before, but now the Gophers have added a few more stats to last weekends 2-1 tournament experience down at Iowa State. Brook Dieter had 39 kills and Hailey Cowles 36 more.

Ohio State was 4-0 last weekend to win the Purdue tournament. They only lost one game as they swept three matches.

AROUND THE BIG 10
Indiana has been spending time bonding this spring.

Purdue will be involved with the Great Lakes Center /Sports Performance Collegiate Spring Tournament this weekend. Here are the 24 teams involved: Purdue, Albany, Virginia, DePaul, Georgia Tech, Illinois-Chicago, Illinois State, Indiana State, Iowa, Kansas State, Kent State, Louisville, LSU, Marshall, Maryland, Miami (Ohio), Michigan State, North Carolina, Northwestern, Ohio, Saint Louis, South Carolina, UConn, and Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Next up: tomorrow

South Dakota State and South Dakota Jobs Open

#1 posting 4.15.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

COACHING NEWS
South Dakota State and South Dakota will both be looking for new head volleyball coaches. SDSU's Andrew Palileo has accepted the job at Washington State and USD head coach Brian Lamppa will join him in as an assistant. From the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

Illinois State assistant volleyball coach Chris Gaskill is following new Iowa head coach Sharon Dingman to Iowa City. From the Daily Iowan.

VERBAL
Sheboygan Christian, WI junior Liz Egerer has made a verbal to Michigan State. Egerer is a 6-1 OH. From the Sheboygan Press.

SPRING EVENTS
Iowa State finished 2-1 in their event last weekend. Their only loss was to Minnesota. ISU travels to Minnesota for the Gophers spring event on Sunday.

Illinois is done with their spring schedule and now are getting ready for a trip to Italy and Slovenia.

St. Thomas scrimmaged their alumni and beat them in five on Saturday.

ST. PAUL ATHENA WINNERS
This banquet will be held on Wednesday at the Prom Center in Oakdale. These are the volleyball players being honored:
Ali Vandercook, Henry Sibley
Jennifer Annoni, Hill-Murray
Lindsey Weaver, Lakeville North
Amanda May, Randolph
Cynthia Caughey, St. Bernard's
Megan Howard, St. Paul Central
Jamie Kasal, St. Paul Johnson
Courtney Kranz, Visitation
For a full list of names check here, and here.

Next up: tomorrow

USA Volleyball Coaching Staff

#1 posting 4.14.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

COACHING NEWS
USA Volleyball has announced coaching staffs junior national and youth national teams. Former Ohio State Coach Jim Stone is the head youth coach.

Next up: Tomorrow morning

Gopher Signing & Spring, SDSU Coach on the Move?

#1 posting 4.13.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

GOPHER SIGNING
The Gophers received this week signed NLIs from Jessica Granquist of Blaine and Pamela Luiz of Frank Phillips College in Texas.

Luiz was a first team NJCAA Division 1 All-American in 2007 and a second team AA as a freshman. Luiz is a 5-11 right-side hitter from Limeira, Brazil.

That makes four for the 2008 signing class: Alex Blatt (S) from Illinois, Ariana Filho (MB) from Colorado, Granquist, and Luiz

SPRING EVENTS
Minnesota was 2-1 Saturday at Iowa State beating the hosts and Northern Iowa, but falling to Creighton.

Ohio dropped two to host Dayton and Louisville yesterday.

COACHING NEWS?
South Dakota State volleyball coach Andrew Palileo is one of the ten remaining candidates for the head coaching position at Florida Gulf Coast. SDSU won the Summit League and made it to the NCAA tournament this season. From KSFY in Sioux Falls.

Next up: tomorrow

Schmit Signs, Iowa State Event, Badgers on the Beach

#1 posting 4.12.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SIGNING
Samantha Schmit, of Fairmount-Campbell-Tintah, has signed a letter of intent to play for the North Dakota State College of Science volleyball team in 2008. NDSCS is in Wahpeton. From the Wahpeton Daily News.

SPRING TOURNAMENT
Iowa State is hosting a four team event today with Minnesota, Creighton and Northern Iowa. The event starts at 10 am and the final matches take place at 1:30 pm.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Wisconsin will be taking part of the 2008 Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship in San Diego, Calif. on Sunday, April 20. The event will be broadcast on CBS on May 25. (Don't ask me why it needs to be delayed a full month). Nikki Klingsporn of Tartan will be one of the Badgers taking part.

Next up: Tomorrow

West, East, North, and South

#1 posting 4.11.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

COACHING NEWS
Mankato West has an opening for girls volleyball coach.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT RESULTS
Here is the Marquette version of events from the Wednesday contest with Wisconsin. (the East)

JO VOLLEYBALL
Minnesota North volleyball team is making a major impact. The 16u team won the Rochester tournament and finished 3rd in the President's Day event in the Twin Cities. From the Pine Journal.
I have added a link for East End Juniors and MN North in the JO links on the right.

SIGNING
Rachel Hockaday a 6-0 outside from Decatur, Ill. (Maroa-Forsyth) has signed with Iowa State. She is the 5th player headed to the Cyclones next season. (the South)

Next up: tomorrow

Smed, Schuster Sign, Klingsporn Steps Up

#1 posting 4.10.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

VERBALS/SIGNINGS
Annika Smed of Albert Lea has signed with North Dakota. Smed is a 6-0 outside hitter. North Dakota is transitioning to D1 this year. From the Albert Lea Tribune.

Tia Schuster of Our Redeemer's in Minot, North Dakota will play volleyball next season at Augsburg. From the Minot Daily News.

STEPPING UP
Wisconsin's Nikki Klingsporn will be taking over at setter for the Badgers after a redshirt season. Klingsporn was Minnesota's Miss Volleyball in 2005 when she finished her high school career at Tartan. Badger Coach Pete Waite evaluates her talents. From the Badger Herald.

The Badgers beat Marquette last night taking four of the five games.

Wisconsin's Brittney Dolgner will be competing in the 2008 Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship in San Diego on April 20.

BANKRUPTCY
The Michigan High School Athletic Association may file for bankruptcy. This results from the volleyball /girls basketball season switch lawsuit. Before the volleyball season was in the winter making it hard to compete in the JO events around the country. The MHSAA's bill is $7.4 million. From the Holland Sentinel

Next up: tomorrow

Spring Events, Qualifier News, Texas Transfer

#1 posting 4.9.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SPRING EVENTS
Marquette is hosting Wisconsin today at 6 pm. No admission charge.

On Saturday Purdue will host a 9 team tournament.

The Gopher Volleyball team will host their annual spring tournament on Sunday, April 20, 2008 in the Sports Pavilion. The schedule is as follows:
8:30-9:50 Marquette vs. Minnesota
10-11:20 Iowa State vs. NDSU
11:30-12:50 Marquette vs. Iowa State
12:50-1:20 Break
1:40-3 Minnesota vs. NDSU
3:10-4:30 Marquette vs. NDSU
4:40-6 Minnesota vs. Iowa State
Admission is FREE

QUALIFIER
The Northern Lights Qualifier will be charging admission this year for the first time. $6/day/person or a three day pass at $15/person. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Convention Center. Purchasing online will cost an extra $1.50 per ticket. For more information check out the Northern Lights site.

RUMORAMA
The Gophers are rumored to be signing a Texas JUCO player today.

SEASON WRAP
Alexandria's season is reviewed in the Alexandria Echo Press. Maggie Snyder was named the Cardinals MVP.

ATHENA WINNER
Jennifer Annoni of Hill-Murray is that school's Athena winner for 2008. Annoni lettered three years in volleyball. From the White Bear Press.

Next up: tomorrow (unless news breaks)

Gaffen Verbals

#2 posting 4.8.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

GAFFEN VERBALS
Tia Gaffen of Wayzata has made a verbal to California. The 6-2 Middle originally verballed Georgia Tech in the fall, and decommitted.

Gaffen is the fifth Minnesota High School player in the 2009 class to verbal a D1 school.

next up: tomorrow morning

Iowa State, Ohio State Sweep; No to Rochester

#1 posting 4.8.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SPRING TOURNAMENTS
At the Northern Iowa spring volleyball tournament last weekend, Iowa State swept the other three Iowa schools. This Saturday ISU hosts Minnesota, Creighton and Northern Iowa.

Ohio State swept the competition at the Indianapolis volleyball tournament last weekend. It was the first time out with new coach Geoff Carlston.


NO BONDS
The National Volleyball Center in Rochester is one of the projects hit by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty's veto pen. From the StarTribune.

Next up: tomorrow

Assistants Other Lives, Plyometrics

#1 posting 4.7.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

THE LIVES OF ASSISTANTS
Henry Assistant coach Rich Jackson is a police officer in Minneapolis. His main duty is housing inspector. With many empty, foreclosed houses he is busy. Here is a recent example found on KARE 11.

GET THE JUMP ON PLYOMETRICS
I found this in the Hagerstown, Maryland Herald-Mail about how to improving your jumping with plyometrics.

next up: tomorrow

A Gopher in China, Nebraska Spring

#1 posting 4.6.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

NATIONAL TEAM
Team USA was 5-3 in China. Former Gopher Cassie Busse is a member of Team USA.

SPRING EXHIBITIONS
Nebraska split two games in Denver beating New Mexico, but falling to Colorado State yesterday. From the Lincoln Journal Star.

Next up: Tomorrow

Illinois Set, Qualifier Coming

#1 posting 4.5.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

ALL SET
Illinois is experimenting with three setters. They are running a modified 6-2.

COMING UP
The Northern Lights Qualifier will take place on April 19-21.

Next up: Tomorrow

Three Spring Events, New Drake Coach

#1 posting 4.4.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SPRING TOURNAMENTS
Northern Iowa is hosting an all Iowa volleyball event this weekend. Joining them will be Drake, Iowa and Iowa State. The event starts at 10 am on Saturday.

Further afield North Carolina hosts and event with Tennessee and USAV All Stars. They get an earlier start on Saturday---8 am. Briana Eskola of Columbia Heights is a libero for UNC.

Ohio hosts an event with Marshall, Wheeling Jesuit, Wittenberg attending. They start at 10 am.

COACHING NEWS
Phil McDaniel will be the new coach at Drake. McDaniel was an assistant at South Dakota State last season. From the Des Moines Register.

FIRST BALL
Here are photos of the Twins first ball ceremony honoring the D2 National champs Concordia St. Paul.

North Dakota's Spring, Breakdown Volleyball Book

#1 posting 4.3.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SPRING VOLLEYBALL
North Dakota went 4-0 last weekend at St. Cloud State in their preparation for D1 volleyball this coming fall.

BREAKDOWN VOLLEYBALL BOOK
This fall the Breakdown will be putting out the first volleyball preview book. Here is a letter. I know some teams are in transition between coaches. Maybe an interested person at each school should make sure their team is covered. It would be a drag if your school is left out. Here is the letter from the publishers.

If you have not yet submitted your team's information for The BREAKDOWN's first annual volleyball preview, we encourage you to do so soon. Your team will not want to be left out of this publication! We need your information to make it the most comprehensive book on the sport, or as we like to call it, "the encyclopedia of Minnesota high school volleyball."

You may have received our first email or our mailer, but if you have misplaced the information let us know and we can resend the materials. Or else you can just visit our website and work though the online submission form at:
http://www.mnsportspreview.com/pages/forms/2008/SelectSport.asp

We need your help to make our book the most comprehensive we can by submitting your team and player information for the upcoming season by our April 1st deadline. Thanks again for your time, and we look forward to hearing from you.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please email (breakdown.editor@gmail.com) or call (763-258-3116).

Tim Kolehmainen, Editor
The BREAKDOWN
www.mnsportspreview.com

Get your school's information in there.

next up: tomorrow.

Seeding the State, Spring Trips

#1 posting 4.2.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

SEEDING THE STATE
The MSHSL approved the seeding of the state volleyball tournament. The top four teams will be seeded in all three classes. Seeding had wide approval when I had the poll question up last fall.

ITALY TRIP
Brittany Stamer of Hutchinson traveled to Italy with Northern Lights on a trip of a lifetime. From the Hutchinson Leader.

SPRING SCHEDULE
Ohio State was 2-2-1 at Chicago last weekend. It was the first time out with new coach Geoff Carlston.

Purdue will be at Indianapolis this weekend.

FIRST BALL
The D2 National champs Concordia St. Paul volleyball team threw out the first ball for the Minnesota Twins' second game.

Next up: tomorrow

Indianapolis Invitational

#1 posting 4.1.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

INDIANAPOLIS INVITATIONAL
Indiana will be one of 8 teams at the Indianapolis Collegiate Invitational this weekend. The event starts at 9 am. The other teams involved include: Pool A: Albany, Dayton, Indiana and Pittsburgh while Pool B is made up of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Purdue and Valparaiso.

COACHING NEWS
Dave Moody has resigned as head volleyball coach at Dickinson State. From the Bismarck Tribune.

Next up: Tomorrow

Braun Verbals

#1 posting 3.31.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

BRAUN VERBALS

Amy Braun of Lakeville North, a three time Minnesota All State Selection and 2007 PrepVolleyball.com High School All American (HHM) has committed to the UNI Panthers and Head Coach Bobbi Petersen. Amy is a 5-10 Junior OH and plays with Mizuno Minnesota One Volleyball Club 18-1's team.

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Braun was also named player of the year in the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2007.

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Braun is the 4th player from the 2009 Minnesota class to verbal a D1 school.

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Next up: Tomorrow

#1 in Women & Men

#1 posting 3.30.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

DID YOU KNOW?
Penn State won the women's NCAA D1 volleyball title, and now the men (yes they have a volleyball program there) are #1 in the country with a 24-1 record after beating Ball State in a sweep. Looking at their schedule the only other Big 10 team is Ohio.

next up: tomorrow