18s Finish JO Tournament

#1 posting 6.30.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

JO NATIONALS
Here are the standings after Sunday
The 18s have concluded play
OPEN
TCA CA 3rd Degree won the tournament
10th place: MN Select 5-4, 16-18
17th place: M1 5-3, 17-14
18th place: Northern Lights 4-4, 18-15
AMERICAN
SW MN Juniors 4-5, 13-12
MN North 4-6, 9-14
M1 Navy 3-6, 8-12
MN Select 2 2-7, 5-16

17s
OPEN
Northern Light 2-2, 8-7
NATIONAL
M1 4-1, 8-2
MN Select 3-2, 7-4
AMERICAN
Northern Lights 2 3-2, 7-6
MN Select 2 2-3, 4-6
M1 Navy 1-4, 5-8
YME Sting 0-5, 0-10

13s
NATIONAL
MN Select 3-5, 8-10
AMERICAN
Lady Lakers 2-6, 4-14

12s
AMERICAN
Mabel-Canton Jrs 3-5, 8-11

Today the 12s and 13s finish play today, the 15s begin play. Here are the Minnesota connections.
OPEN: M1
NATIONAL: MN Select, Northern Lights
AMERICAN: MN Select 2, Northern Lights 2, Omeja

OLYMPICS
Former Gopher Lindsey Berg had 30 assists as the US National team beat Poland in the Grand Prix at Wroclaw, Poland. From the Honolulu Advertiser.

Next up: tomorrow

Minnesota 17s Strong at JO Tournament

#1 posting 6.29.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

JO NATIONALS
Here are the standings after Saturday
18s
OPEN
MN Select 4-3, 12-14
Northern Lights 3-3, 14-11
M1 3-3, 11-13
AMERICAN
SW MN Jrs 4-4, 12-10
M1 Navy 3-5, 7-10
MN North 3-5, 7-11
MN Select 2 2-6, 4-14

17s
OPEN
Northern Lights 2-0, 6-1
NATIONAL
M1 2-0, 4-0
MN Select 2-0, 4-0
AMERICAN
Northern Lights 2 2-0, 4-2
M1 Navy 1-1, 2-2
MN Select 0-2, 0-4
YME 0-2, 0-4

13s
NATIONAL
MN Select 2-3, 5-6
AMERICAN
Lady Lakers 1-4, 2-9

12s
AMERICAN
Mabel-Canton Jr. 2-3, 6-7

LAST WEEK
Spring Grove won the Star of the North 16C tournament last week in St. Paul. From the Spring Grove Herald.

COACHING NEWS
Blackduck is advertising for a head girls volleyball coach.

Next up: tomorrow

17s Open Play in JO Nationals

#1 posting 6.28.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

JO NATIONALS
Here are the standings after two days
team, match w-l, games w-l
18s
Open Division
Northern Lights 3-1, 11-5
MN Select 2-2, 6-10
M1 is 1-3, 5-9
American Division
SW MN Juniors 3-2, 8-5
M1 Navy 1-4, 3-8
MN North 1-4, 3-8
MN Select 2 1-4, 2-9

13
National
MN Select 2-1, 4-2
American
Lady Lakers 0-3, 0-6

12
American
Mabel Canton Jrs. 1-2, 4-5

The 17s open tournament play today. Here are the Minnesota teams
Open: Northern Lights
National: M1, MN Select
American: M1 Navy; MN Select 2, Northern Lights 2, YME Sting

OLYMPIC HOPES
The Gopher volleyball website looks at Nicole Branagh in her olympic quest on the beach.

REFS
Marquette volleyball coach Patti Rolf will be a referee this weekend in Green Bay in a match featuring the United States and Finland.

Next up: tomorrow

MN Select 18s 2-0 in Dallas

#1 posting 6.27.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

JUNIOR OLYMPIC RESULTS
Here is how the 18u teams fared in Dallas yesterday at the JO National tournament.
OPEN DIVISION
team, matches w-l, games w-l
MN Select 2-0 6-4
Northern Lights 1-1, 5-4
M1 0-2, 1-6
AMERICAN DIVISION
SW MN Juniors 2-1, 5-3
M1 Navy 0-3, 1-6
MN North 0-3, 0-6
MN Select 2 0-3, 0-6

The 13s begin play today with National team: (MN Select) and American Team: (Lady Lakers)

The 12s begin play today with American team (Mabel-Canton Jrs).

There are no open divisions at the 13s and 12s.

FLOOD HELP
Wisconsin volleyball coach Pete Waite helped out with sandbagging in the recent flooding in the Wisconsin town of Newville and blogs about the experience.

OLYMPICS
As stated before former Gophers Lindsey Berg and Cassie Busse are on the preliminary Beijing Olympic roster. Now the Gopher site looks at the two.

Next up: tomorrow, I hope. I will be out of town. If I can't get connected it will be Sunday.

Star of the North Results, St. Thomas' Italy Trip

#2 posting 6.26.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

STAR OF THE NORTH
Worthington Prairie Fire beat Ada-Borup in the Star of the North 18c tournament last weekend. Worthington was the #3 seed in the tournament.

In the 18ab tournament FM Select, the #5 seed, beat Faribault Red.

JCC Juniors won the 16ab Tournament over Minneota JO.

In the 16c bracket Spring Grove beat Prairie Fire.

ITALY TRIP
St. Thomas has returned from their Italy trip. They played and beat two club teams during their tour.

Next up: tomorrow

JO Starts Today, MN West 5, Leadership

#1 posting 6.26.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

JO NATIONAL TOURNAMENT
The JO National tournament kicks off today in Dallas, Texas with the 18s taking the stage first.
M1, MN Select, and Northern Lights will play in the Open division.
MN North, M1-Navy, MN Select 2, SW MN Juniors will play in the American Division.

MN WEST FIVE
MN West has signed five players for the fall season.
Kiah Vik, George-Little Rock, Iowa, DS
Amanda Murray, Hanson, South Dakota
Elly Schmitz, Round Lake-Brewster
Ally Rotert, Worthington, MH
Rachel Pavelko, Worthington, DS
From the Worthington Daily Globe.

Natalie Thomas of Champlin Park will be headed to UM Morris to play volleyball and basketball.

COACHING NEWS
Annie Adamczak-Glavan is the new volleyball coach at St. Louis Park. Adamczak played high school ball at Moose Lake and collegiate ball at Nebraska.

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Katelyn Horihan, of the 2009 class, has been named female athlete of the year at Mabel-Canton. From the News Record.

LEADERSHIP
John Thomas of About.com writes about leadership on the volleyball court. He uses "he" in the descriptions, but obviously in applies to "shes" too.

Next up: tomorrow.

Olympic Dreams, Summer on the Beach

#1 posting 6.25.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

COLLEGE DECISIONS
Jes Rients of Waterville-Elysian-Morristown is headed to Luther to play volleyball. From the Waseca County News.
Rients is the 66th player overall from the 2008 class to make a college decision. She is the 13th known to go to D3.

BIG 10 NEWS
The national champion Penn State volleyball teams visited the White House yesterday.

The Wisconsin Badgers spend the summer on the beach.

The Indiana Hoosiers have 8 newcomers to their squad this fall and they have a Q&A with each.

Illinois has released their 2008 schedule. They travel to Minnesota on Saturday, November 8.

OLYMPICS
There are two former Gophers on the preliminary Olympic roster--setter Lindsey Berg, and right side Cassie Busse. Scroll down to the end.
Berg is making the trip to Poland in the second week of the Grand Prix. Here is the Press release.

Next up: tomorrow

Braegelmann Honored

#1 posting 6.24.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

BRAEGELMANN GETS HONOR
Vicky Braegelmann of UM Duluth picked up her D2 female athlete of the year yesterday at Columbia University in New York. From the Duluth News Tribune. Plus video and an interview from KBJR.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Marie Godwin (Chaska) has been selected as the Midwest Region representative to the NCAA D3 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

ACADEMICS
Ohio has been awarded the NCAA Public Recognition Award as one of only 41 collegiate women's volleyball teams to post multi-year Academic Progress Rate scores in the top 10 percent of all squads across the nation.

Next up: tomorrow

Former Gophers Shine

#1 posting 6.23.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

PARIS BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Misti May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh won the Paris Grand Slam Sunday. On their way to the finals they beat former Gopher Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs in the semifinals. B&Y finished in 3rd beating the Chinese duo of Tian Jia and Wang Jie. From USA Volleyball.

US WOMEN BEAT JAPAN IN 5
The US Women's team beat Japan in five in the World Grand Prix. The Americans trailed 2-1 before mounting a rally. They took game five 15-13. Former Gopher setter Lindsey Berg is captain. Berg had 26 running and 88 still sets (according to the stats). Again from USA Volleyball.

Next up: tomorrow

4Ms: Marvelous, Marathons, Manual, Marquette

#1 posting 6.22.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

BREAKDOWN VOLLEYBALL BOOKS
I received my copy of the first Breakdown volleyball book. It has 272 pages jammed packed with information. Every school in the state has a capsule. It has 2007 recaps, and previews of the upcoming 2008 season. The top teams listed for each class this year: A: Bethlehem Academy; AA: Jordan; AAA: Chaska. It also lists preseason all state teams and players to watch. It is a marvelous resource and record. True volleyball fans will eat it up.

BRAEGELMANN AND MARATHON'S
Vicky Braegelmann, the D2 female athlete of the year, ran in the Bjorklund half marathon yesterday during the Grandma's marathon event in Duluth. She was one of several UM Duluth volleyball players that participated.

NATIONAL A2 CAMP
Alexa Manuel, the 6-8 opposite from Eden Prairie, will be in Tucson, Arizona July 17-27 for the National A2 Camp.

TRIPLEFEST
Marquette hosted their Triplefest yesterday. Money raised goes to breast cancer awareness and and locker room renovation.

Next up: tomorrow

More AAU All Tournament, Kalvik Resigns

#1 posting 6.21.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

COACHING NEWS
Minneapolis Roosevelt is looking for a new coach. Jill Kalvik has resigned after two season to pursue options available at the collegiate level.

ALL TOURNAMNET
Two Gopher recruits, Ashley Saupaia of Northern Lights 18-1 and Mia Tabberson of Munciana 18-1 Samurai were named to the 18 Open All Tournament team at the AAU National tournament. Saupaia (Bloomington Kennedy) is a 2008 recruit, Tabberson is a 2009 recruit.

Megan Plourde of NL 18-1 was also named to the all-tournament team. Plourde (Somerset, WI) is headed to Colorado State this fall.

TWO FOR THE WHITE HOUSE
The Penn State champion volleyball teams--women and men---will travel to the White House on June 24 "NCAA Championship Day" to meet with President Bush.

Next up: tomorrow morning

Northern Lights 16-1 and 16-2 Champs

#1 posting 6.20.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

AAU NATIONALS: NORTHERN LIGHTS 16s CHAMPS TWICE
The Northern Lights took home two first place trophies in the AAU Nationals.
The 16-1s won the Open division and the 16-2s took the title in the Club Division.
They weren't the only trophy winners. The 18-1s and 18-3s took third in their divisions.
13 different players earned All American honors including 16-1 players
Tori Dixon, Molly Kreklow and MVP Ashley Wittman.
For the 16-2 the All Americans include: Paige Peterson, Christine Bielski, and MVP Elly Braaten.

JO TEAMS
It was the second season for Spring Grove JO teams. Their 14u team won the Caledonia tournament. From the Spring Grove Herald.

FEATURE
Emma Jaynes of St. Benedict has a feature in the St. Cloud Times. Jaynes played her high school volleyball at Hibbing.

BADGERS IN SUMMER
The Wisconsin Badgers will be on a Madison TV segment on their summer.

WALK FOR VOLLEYBALL
Marquette will host their 6th annual Triplefest (a 3 on 3 tournament) this weekend including a walk for volleyball.

next up: tomorrow

Classic in the Dells, Six Northern Lights Going for Gold

#1 posting 6.19.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

PREPVOLLEYBALL.COM CLASSIC
Club Fusion 18 Black beat MN Select 18-1 in the Prepvolleyball.com Classic championship match at Wisconsin Dells 25-27, 28-26, 27-25. The final game was first to 15 win by two. It was one of the most exciting games of JO VB on record. After beating Fusion Black earlier in the tourney, MN Select met Fusion Black again in the Championship. Fusion Black is rated 4th in the country by PrepVolleyball.

Megan Carlson of M1 18-1 went down with an ankle injury in the semi-final match vs. Club Fusion 18 Black.
M-1 18-1’s took third.

AWARDS
From the M1 program Megan Carlson was named best passer and Kelsey Brandl was named best blocker.
From the Minnesota Select team Jess Menden was named all around best setter, Taylor Fieldsted was given the spirit award and Katherine Harms was given the all around best player award for the tourney.

AAU NATIONALS
Northern Lights will have six teams playing for the gold today in the AAU Nationals.

FOUR NCW PLAYERS DECIDE
Norman County West has four player that will continue their volleyball career next season in college.
Krystal Maroney, 5-6 DS, Concordia Moorhead
Jenna Guttormson, 5-11 MH, Valley City State
Amanda Hennen, 5-5 DS, North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton
Jessica Vanderplaats, 5-6 S, Northland Community & Technical College, Thief River Falls

COACHING
Former LeCenter volleyball coach Scott Bernard was rehired as girls basketball and track coach at LeCenter which prompted a resignation from a school board member. He was blocked from volleyball earlier in the year. From the Mankato Free Press.

SCHEDULE
Penn State has released their fall schedule. They will face 11 teams that played in the NCAA tournament last year. They face the Gophers at the Pavilion on Saturday, October 11.

Next up: tomorrow

Northern Lights Seven, Carlson an Alternate

#1 posting 6.18.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

AAU NATIONALS
The Northern Lights 16-1 team is still undefeated in Orlando at the AAU Nationals. Northern Lights has seven teams still in the hunt for gold medals.

NATIONAL TEAM
Ariel Carlson of Alexandria is an alternate on the U.S. Women’s Junior National A2 volleyball team and is one of 36 athletes invited to train in the USA Volleyball Women’s Junior A1 in Colorado Springs.

COLLEGE DECISIONS
MH Cailin Timm of New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva is headed to St. Thomas. From the Waseca County News.

Next up: tomorrow

Northern Lights Shine in AAU Nationals

#1 posting 6.17.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

AAU NATIONALS
The Northern Lights program has eleven of their teams involved in the AAU Nationals in Florida. The 16-1, 17-1, 17-2 all went 3-0 yesterday.

COLLEGE SCHEDULE
High Point has released their fall schedule. MH Stephanie Wallin of Armstrong is on the High Point roster.

next up: tomorrow

World Grand Prix

#1 posting 6.16.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

GRAND PRIX
The United States is involved in the FIVB World Grand Prix tournament starting next weekend in Japan. The Americans are in pool H in Taipei along with Italy, Poland, and Turkey.

next up: tomorrow

Brazil Tops Americans

#1 posting 6.15.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

US NATIONAL TEAM LOSES TO BRAZIL
Brazil beat the US National Team 4-1 (both squads agreed to play a five game series to elvaluate talent). Former Gopher Lindsey Berg was the setter in game two which the Americans lost 25-20. Also on the squad is former Gopher Cassie Busse.

Next up: tomorrow

Illinois' European Trip, McDonald of Northfield

#1 posting 6.14.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

TRIPS
Illinois was 9-1 on their recent European trip.

AWARDS
Setter Katie McDonald of Northfield was named the Raider's athlete of the year. She does a Q&A with the Northfield News.

Next up: tomorrow

Gopher Schedule, More Braegelman

#1 posting 6.13.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

FALL SCHEDULE
The Gophers have released their fall schedule. Minnesota will host two tournaments this year with the Diet Coke Classic on September 12-14. The next weekend they will host the Gopher Invitational. Their first home Big 10 game is against Northwestern on September 26.

AWARDS
Here is the Duluth News Tribune article on Vicky Braegelman and her upcoming NCAA D2 Female Athlete of the year award. Here is the UMD Press Release.

ARENA UPDATE
Iowa's Hawkeye Carver Arena will undergo renovations.

COLLEGE DECISIONS
Brittany Schreader of JWP will play volleyball for Bethany Lutheran College.

POLICE BLOTTER
Jane Passa, the NDSCS Athletic Director and volleyball coach, has been sentenced for drunken driving. From the Grand Forks Herald.

BOOK SALE
If you haven't noticed, you can order the Breakdown's volleyball book now. See the link (with photo) on the right.

next up: tomorrow.

South Dakota Hires

#1 posting 6.12.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SOUTH DAKOTA HIRES
Matt Houk has been named the new volleyball coach at South Dakota. Houk has been an assistant at UW Green Bay and UW Milwaukee.

MORE COACHING NEWS
Lisa Bicknese has been hired at Kingsland. From the Spring Valley Tribune.

Rob Wolter has been hired as interim volleyball coach at UW Parkside. He had been an assistant there and also at South Dakota State, MSU Mankato, and Winona State.

AWARDS
Vicky Braegelman will receive the NCAA D2 female athlete of the year award on June 23 in New York. Braegleman played her high school ball at Albany and her college ball at UM Duluth. From the St. Cloud Times.

TOURNAMENTS
Minnesota North is off to the nationals JO tournaments in Dallas. The 18s and 14s qualified. From the Pine Journal.

SCHEDULE
Denver has released their schedule. Kresson Vreeman of Central Christian is on the Denver roster.

Next up: tomorrow