Throwback Thursday: Champions Photo Edition

All we like to do is WIN!

Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Lauren

Wellness Wednesday  

[Mystery box]

Today's mystery box is…….

One of my favorite motivational quotes!

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
― Muhammad Ali  

Nothing fuels me more than telling me that I can’t do something. That it’s impossible. “You can’t block you are too short!" Any time I hear that word I’m actually thankful for that person who just said it. Because that person just gave me enough motivation to do it anyways. 

Whenever someone tells you that it’s impossible, laugh in their face and prove them wrong. Whether it’s on the court, at work or at school. Do not let anyone stop you from your full potential.

You can be anything. You can do anything


Have a great day!

Sincerely, 

Leslie Faust

Wellness Wednesday 

Bosu Ball

[Get moving]

You know what piece of exercise equipment that I am falling in love with?

The Bosu ball!

  

This piece of equipment is great for challenging you balance and range of motion equaling a killer core work out. Nothing beats that!

The other great thing about it is how versatile it is. It is really fun to get creative with it! Push up, planks, bridges, squats, sit ups and the list goes on and on.

Now if we were to flip the Bosu ball over so the black is facing up and the blue is on the ground. Try going into a push up position with your hands on the black plastic handles. Now do a push up. See how much harder that was? That’s because not only were you doing a push up but you were challenging your balance. And when your balance is challenged your core is challenged.

If you are looking to tone your stomach this is a great for that. Because getting that toned six pack isn't always about doing sit ups, it’s also about challenging your balance! 

Have a great day!

Sincerely, 

Leslie Faust

Coach Spotlight: Coach Kierra

Coach Kierra

Favorite Movie: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

 

Favorite Song: Someone like You by Adele

 

Favorite Superhero: Mighty Mouse

 

Favorite Vacation Spot: Hilton Head Resorts

 

Favorite Volleyball Memory (as a player): Winning Regionals and moving forward to the Sweet Sixteen National Tournament in Toledo, OH

 

Favorite Volleyball Memory (as a coach): Watching the confidence level improve, thus improving the way my girls play

 

Favorite Book: Bridge to Terabithia 

 

If you were stranded on a beach what 5 items would you bring? Tent, volleyball lol, music, non perishable food and my husband 

 

We are so excited to welcome Kierra to our staff this season!

Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Lauren

Recruiting Needs: Class of 2014, Div 1 Schools, IV

Hi All,

We hope that you are having a wonderful day! Below are some D1 Schools still looking for players for the 2014 season! Make sure to sign up for our blog updates via email as we will be adding more weekly!

College: Towson University (http://www.towson.edu) Division: NCAA Division 1 Location: Towson, MARYLAND Contact: Don Metil, 410-905-4325 2014 Needs: OH, primary S/R passing responsibilities, 6R, ability to termintae while maintaining high hitting eff. A.T. 9'8" or higher

College: UNC Wilmington (http://www.uncwsports.com) Division: NCAA Division 1 Location: Wilmington, NORTH CAROLINA Contact: Amy Bambenek, 910-962-3242 2014 Needs: 2014 MB - Scholarship available 2014 RS - Scholarship available Academic Minimums: 3.4+ GPA, 23 ACT, 1100 SAT Athletic Minimums: 6'0+, Approach Touch 9'10+

College: University of Arizona (http://www.arizonawildcats.com/) Division: NCAA Division 1 Location: Tucson, ARIZONA Contact: Steve Walker, 520-621-2136 2014 Needs: Left Side Hitter Right Side Hitter

College: University of Central Arkansas (http://ucasports.com/) Division: NCAA Division 1 Location: Conway, ARKANSAS Contact: David McFatrich, 501-499-1718 2014 Needs: 2014 MB, RS, OH

College: University of Denver (http://www.du.edu) Division: NCAA Division 1 Location: Denver, COLORADO Contact: Todd Nelson, 303-871-3889 2014 Needs: We will have 3 scholarships available and will be looking to add Middle Hitter, Outside Hitter, And best possible pin attacker Positional requirements Outside Hitter Height minimum 5’10” App Jump Touch min. 9’9” Club Experience min. 2 years, competing at a National, Open Level Middle Hitter Height minimum 6’0” App Jump Touch min. 10’0” Club Experience min. 2 years, competing at a National, Open Level

College: University of Denver (http://http://www.denverpioneers.com) Division: NCAA Division 1 Location: Denver, COLORADO Contact: Tom Hogan, 303-829-2482 2014 Needs: In 2014 we will scholarship a setter, a middle and an OH/OP.

College: University of Houston (http://www.uhcourgars.com) Division: NCAA Division 1 Location: Houston, TEXAS Contact: Jenny Andrew, 7132545437 2014 Needs: Outside hitter: six rotation player, good ball control, good blocking skills, ability to terminate, ability to find the court in out-of-system plays, prefer 9'10" + approach touch, etc. Setter: Offensive-minded, efficient and smart feet, able to run a smart and fast offense, vocal and hard-working leader, manage a team, prefer 9'8" + approach touch, etc. Middle: dynamic, efficient and smart feet, quick laterally, able to hit off one and two feet, quick off the ground, vocal leader at the net, prefer 9'10" + approach touch, etc.

College: University of Montana (http://www.gogriz.com) Division: NCAA Division 1 Location: Missoula, MONTANA Contact: Gina Schmidt, 406-529-1582 2014 Needs: Scholarship openings for an outside hitter and middle blocker.

Have a great day!

Sincerely, 

Lauren Sands

Please Note: this list may not be up to date as the status changes daily!  Thanks to Prep Sports for the helpful information!

Wellness Wednesday 

Clean Eating

[Food is Fuel]  

Have y’all ever heard of the new buzzword “clean eating”?

No it is not cleaning your food a certain way, or a crazy fad diet.

Think of it more as a life style. It’s a way of eating food in its most natural state. Avoiding processed food, foods with lots of preservatives and add in, and food with high levels of unhealthy fats. 

I started eating clean after I had my daughter about 2 years ago. I noticed such a difference in my body. Not only did I lose weight but, I felt GREAT! I slept better, performed better in my work out, lowered my cholesterol, my skin cleared up, and had way more energy. Isn't that great? Just by making simple and easy changes in the way I ate. I think the easiest way to start is slowly, that way you’ll stick to it. So start by cutting out soda, than fast food, than fatty meats. After you start making those first few changes trust me you’ll want to change the rest.

This is how I eat clean! Remember there isn't a true definition of eating clean, so do your own research and find out why you’re choosing to not eat it anymore. Look up some of the ingredients on that soda can. Why they aren't good for you? and are all those ingredients really toxic chemicals for your body? If you become passionate about it you’ll find it a lot easier to change.

1  

1           1. Unrefined Whole grains, get the seediest bread you can find.

2           2. Wild caught Fish, Organic lean meats (turkey, white meat chicken,)

3           3. Water not soda or juice

             4.  Organic local fruits and vegetables lots and lots of them

             5.   Steaming, grilling, and baking. Making healthier choices in how to cook the items

6           6.   Making healthier choices in what oils to cook with  like coconut oil. No more vegetable oil! or                       canola!

             7. Eating health fats like nuts and avocado 

8           8.  Using fresh grown herbs to add flavor to your food instead of sauces.

9           9.  Cook your own food! That way you know what’s in it. 

1          10.  Eat nothing with a long list of ingredients (this means reading the labels!)

If you not sure what organic is or where to find it than listen up. Organic foods have certain regulations they need to meet. For example, humanly raised, what the animal consumes, and what their living environment is. The USDA makes sure that all the meats and vegetables meet those standards. Once they do, they put their stamp of approval on it. So on every product there will be a green USDA organic sticker on it. Just look for that sticker when your shopping.

I want to challenge everyone to research some of this information I just gave you. Either about organic foods, why soda is bad for you, or what the benefits are from coconut oil. Find something that sparked your interest and find out more!  

Have a great day!

Sincerely, 

Leslie Faust

Throwback Thursday: Picture Edition

Team Dinner

1st Place

Southern Dream Champions

Can't believe some of this team will be 18's this season!

Lunch break

Kudzu Power Champions

Undefeated at Nationals

One of the many 1st place wins for our 13's and 14's

Starting off the season as Dream champions!

Have a great day!

Sincerely, 

Lauren

Wellness Wednesdays

1. Good for your heart

[Why exercise]    

Last week I Gave you 15 reason why exercising is awesome. And I told you that each of the following months I would dive into each benefit of exercise and explain the science behind them.  

Heart disease and stroke are the two leading causes of death in the United States. (Source: CDC) Living a sedentary life style can put you at risk for heart disease. But just by walking 30 minutes a day 5 days a week you decrease your chance of disease by 20-30 percent.  

When you exercise over time your body’s ability to transport and use oxygen improves. You’ll actually notice that daily activities are easier like walking up stairs. Another thing that studies have shown is that exercise improves the blood vessels ability open up in response to hormones or exercise. 

Research has shown that if everyone where to meet the daily exercise requirement there would be a 30%-40% reduction cardiovascular events.  That’s a huge percent! Just by walking.  

All these big words really mean is that when you exercise your heart and blood vessels function better. When this happens you have less chance of heart disease. And if you don’t have a heart disease (like high blood pressure) your chance of having a heart attack decreases. Simple!

So let’s all remember do get our weekly recommended amount of exercise in this week to keep our hearts strong and healthy. J

(source http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/107/1/e2.full)

Have a great day!

Sincerely, 

Leslie Faust