Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
5 Tips for Increased Dorm Room Privacy
5 Tips for Increased Dorm Room Privacy
Moving into a dorm room for the first time is exciting, but it can also be a little scary. If you’ve never had to share a bedroom in the past, suddenly being forced to bunk with a total stranger can feel like a serious threat to your privacy. Colleges and universities do their best to match students up in friendly, or at least civil, roommate pairings, but sometimes their efforts are no help. If you feel like your dorm roommate is overstepping her bounds and ruining your privacy, here are five tips to get it back before it’s too late.
Rules for Sharing Items
Before you moved into the dorm you (hopefully) had a conversation
with your new roommate about who was going to bring what. One of you was
bringing a TV while the other was bringing a printer and so on. You may
have agreed that these items would be shared, but now your roommate has
decided that it’s also OK to share clothes, perfume and snacks.
Sometimes this sharing goes both ways and there isn’t a problem, but if
you feel like you’re getting taken advantage of and want to keep those
items private it’s time to talk to her about new rules for sharing. She
will likely understand and be fine with it, but even if she doesn’t you
need to lay down the law.
Utilize Free Space
Most dorm rooms are tiny. You need to do all you can to make use of
the space that you have. The best way to do this is to loft your bed and
put your desk and dresser underneath it. By taking advantage of this
extra space you can feel a little less packed in with your roommate and
all her stuff. This separation can lead to an increased feeling of
privacy, even if you are only adding a few extra feet.
Set Rules for Friends
One thing that roommates never really talk about is setting solid
rules for when friends can, or cannot, come or sleep over. Many
roommates fear that by asking that their roommate’s boyfriend not sleep
over on weekends they are being a bad friend or some kind of prude.
Neither of these notions is true. While your roommate may be unhappy
that her boyfriend isn’t able to stay over, if you are feeling
uncomfortable with the situation you aren’t being a villain, you have
every right to want to keep outsiders from invading your space. Your
roommate will understand.
Use Passwords
This may seem a little extreme, but if you have private information
on your computer it is a good idea to use passwords to protect it
whether you have a nosey roommate or not. By password protecting your
computer you are protecting yourself against more than just your
roommate reading your private emails; you also may be protecting your
bank information if someone you don’t know gets a chance to use your
computer. Take the time to password protect everything that you can.
Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Outside Help
If the privacy situation with roommate doesn’t improve after speaking
with her, don’t be afraid to approach your RA about the situation. In
general RAs aren’t disciplinarians, but older students who know what it
feels like to be in your shoes. Your RA will then schedule a meeting
between you and your roommate where you will be able to express your
feelings in a more formal setting. While it may feel like the exact same
conversation you’ve already had, the more formal setting and the
presence of the RA may really help to get your point across. Good luck!Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
100 Things Every Volleyball Player Should Know (cont.)
Here are the final 20! Highlighted are some of my most important!
"
81. Have light hands when you set and heavy hands when you block.
82. Never mix ice cream and bad food the night before a match.
83. If you’re playing in a match, never leave the bench to get a snack at the concession stand.
84. In a tournament, it’s okay to serve the guy who’s cramping.
85. See the hitter hit the ball.
86. In passing, left is right and right is wrong.
87. Remember that success in defense depends mostly on how badly you want to keep the ball off the ground.
88. If a shot’s working, keep hitting it until they stop it.
89. If you’re not a natural leaper, write down 35 inches when asked for your vertical jump and then call in sick the day they test you. Or do the “Explosive Leg Development” workout from the Boston Institute of Jump to add a few inches.
90. Start a volleyball t-shirt collection for fun, not profit.
91. Never tell anybody you “got game.” If you do, they’ll know it.
92. When there’s no other option, use your feet.
93. Don’t go to bed at 6 a.m. before a 9 a.m. beach tournament.
94. Respect the pecking order at your local court. Challenge into the court at your appropriate level.
95. If there is blood on the net and you’re missing the fingernail from your right pinkie, admit to your infraction.
96. If you travel to a beach tournament with a partner 10 inches shorter than you who doesn’t have any shots, bring a Boogie Board so you’ll have something to do in the afternoon.
97. Read “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” to give you perspective when your jump serving is failing.
98. If you’re 5’5” and can’t pass, have your dad become a booster at the school of your choice. In the meantime, read “How to Pass the Toughest Serves” so you can step up your game.
99. Pronouce Karch’s last name properly. Not KA-RALLY or KA-RYE but KEY-RYE.
100. Play for fun.
"
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren Sands
Read the whole list here:
http://www.volleywood.net/volleyball-features/music-style/100-things-every-volleyball-player-should-know/
This article originally posted on Volleyball Magazine (http://volleyballmag.com)
Friday, May 23, 2014
the top 100 Things Every Volleyball Player Should Know (Cont.)
I hope you are enjoying these! They are great for all players and all ages! Here are 61-80! Highlighted are some of my most important!
"
61. Always have a pump in the trunk of your car.
62. Hit your rainbow shot until it lands out of bounds.
63. In beach doubles, when in doubt , hit deep middle.
64. Never give an opponent an easy ball.
65. Don’t pay cash for an entry fee at a beach tournament until you’ve seen your draw.
66. When playing pickup, serve the stronger player for better practice.
67. Know that volleyball was invented in Holyoke, Massachusetts, not Manhattan Beach,
California.
68. When you’re losing 10-0, don’t settle for not being bageled. Think about coming back to win.
69. Face where you’re setting.
70. Read the block, then the hitter.
71. Have a shot for every set.
72. When filing out your player bio, add two inches to your height. Or round down, so they’ll be even more blown away when you stuff block them twice in a row.
73. Shoot the ball over if you can’t jump and hit.
74. Understand that if you’re player better than ever at age 45, you weren’t very good when you were 25.
75. Block the low, hard one.
76. Know where the endline is.
77. If your opponent is shorter than you, ask them if they think the net is high enough.
78. If the ball is higher than the top of the net, it’s hittable.
79. For lunch between games, skip the cheeseburger and go for a PowerBar. Or leafy greens, per Russ Marchewka’s recommendation.
80. On the beach, don’t get locked into playing one side; it limits your partner options."
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren
Read the whole list here:
http://www.volleywood.net/volleyball-features/music-style/100-things-every-volleyball-player-should-know/
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
the top 100 Things Every Volleyball Player Should Know (cont.)
Here are 41-60 ! Highlighted are some of my most important!
"
41. Know where the ball is.
42. Learn to spell Fonoimoana.
43. Don’t abandon volleyball for golf if you’re 6’3” and being hounded.
44. If you think you’re trying your hardest try a little harder.
45. When setting, always go back to the hitter who has just made an error.
46. Find a sunscreen that has titanium dioxide.
47. Don’t bet against the UCLA men’s team at the NCAA final four.
48. Never let your opponents see you check the height of the net.
49. Always think: The next contact is the most important of my life.
50. Set the block with your feet; block the ball with your hands.
51. If you’re the setter, know who’s hitting and who the blockers are.
52. Understand that if you can’t pass at the highest level, you can’t play at the highest level.
53. Miss long on your serve rather than short.
54. Never pepper within 20 feet of an ongoing game unless your ball control skills are impeccable.
55. Play more tournaments out of your area to meet other volleyball people.
56. For warm ups, do less peppering and more drills using the net.
57. Learn to play on the beach with sunglasses.
58. Remember that teams usually win when they serve and hit in.
59. If you’re a setter, learn to set from anywhere to anywhere.
60. Always have a volleyball in the trunk of your car."
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren Sands
Read the whole list here:
http://www.volleywood.net/volleyball-features/music-style/100-things-every-volleyball-player-should-know/
Friday, May 9, 2014
100 Things Every Volleyball Player Should Know (cont.)
100 Things Every Volleyball Player Should Know.
Here are 21-40! Highlighted are some of my most important!
21. Learn how to tape your own ankle.
22. Remember that the most expensive volleyball camp isn’t always the best.
23. Always set your best hitter on game point.
24. Talk during the play, not between plays.
25. Know that volleyball is life between contacts.
26. Maximize your strengths and attack your opponent’s weaknesses.
27. During arguments with the ref, avoid using the words “moron,” “idiot,” or “kook.” [Also avoid phrases that include the word “mother.”]
28. Serve in if you’re playing a weak team and go for it if you’re playing a strong team.
29. If you’re losing, making a change.
30. Never tip after you get blocked.
31. Check to make sure you’re wearing Speedos before you take off your boardshorts and run to
the water.
32. If you bring the wrong uniform to a tournament, tell your club coach you want to play libero.
33. Keep in mind that you play volleyball with your feet.
34. Always be stationary when you contact the ball.
35. Don’t waste three bucks renting the movie “Side Out.” [But rent it if you find it in the 99 cent
bin.] Better yet, write Netflix a letter saying you want it to be on “Watch Instantly.”
36. Dump the ball when you’re thinking clearly, not when you’re confused.
37. Take a look before you shoot.
38. Go beyond the ball with your arms when playing defense.
39. Don’t take a cortisone shot for your shoulder unless you’re playing for money.
40. If you’re getting most of the serves on the beach, don’t waste energy with jump serves.
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren
Read the whole list here:
http://www.volleywood.net/volleyball-features/music-style/100-things-every-volleyball-player-should-know/
Here are 21-40! Highlighted are some of my most important!
21. Learn how to tape your own ankle.
22. Remember that the most expensive volleyball camp isn’t always the best.
23. Always set your best hitter on game point.
24. Talk during the play, not between plays.
25. Know that volleyball is life between contacts.
26. Maximize your strengths and attack your opponent’s weaknesses.
27. During arguments with the ref, avoid using the words “moron,” “idiot,” or “kook.” [Also avoid phrases that include the word “mother.”]
28. Serve in if you’re playing a weak team and go for it if you’re playing a strong team.
29. If you’re losing, making a change.
30. Never tip after you get blocked.
31. Check to make sure you’re wearing Speedos before you take off your boardshorts and run to
the water.
32. If you bring the wrong uniform to a tournament, tell your club coach you want to play libero.
33. Keep in mind that you play volleyball with your feet.
34. Always be stationary when you contact the ball.
35. Don’t waste three bucks renting the movie “Side Out.” [But rent it if you find it in the 99 cent
bin.] Better yet, write Netflix a letter saying you want it to be on “Watch Instantly.”
36. Dump the ball when you’re thinking clearly, not when you’re confused.
37. Take a look before you shoot.
38. Go beyond the ball with your arms when playing defense.
39. Don’t take a cortisone shot for your shoulder unless you’re playing for money.
40. If you’re getting most of the serves on the beach, don’t waste energy with jump serves.
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren
Read the whole list here:
http://www.volleywood.net/volleyball-features/music-style/100-things-every-volleyball-player-should-know/
Thursday, May 1, 2014
100 Things Every Volleyball Player Should Know
Over the next few weeks, we will list the top 100 Things Every Volleyball Player Should Know.
Here are 1-20! Highlighted are some of my most important!
"1. Practice like you want to play.
2. When you’re playing defense or approaching to hit, remember that you have more time than you think.
3. Turn off your cell phone when you play.
4. Forget the last play and get ready for the next.
5. Know the name of the sport’s founder, including his middle initial: William G. Morgan.
6. Serve the front court passer.
7. Know where the sidelines are.
8. Make sure you own any ball you kick in frustration.
9. Stay positive if you shank a pass into the bleachers. But don’t giggle.
10. Never tip a bad set.
11. Keep you love for the sport by not over-training.
12. Never make the same mistake twice.
13. When playing coed, use total discretion when choosing teams.
14. Keep your eyes open at all times.
15. Don’t act surprised when you roof somebody.
16. Don’t bring a fake ID to a Master’s tournament.
17. Hit your cut shot until they touch it with both arms.
18. Look for an off-speed shot behind a three-person block.
19. Play with the attitude that every ball is coming to you.
20. If someone is struggling to pass your serve, stay on them."
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren Sands
Read the whole list here:
http://www.volleywood.net/volleyball-features/music-style/100-things-every-volleyball-player-should-know/
Here are 1-20! Highlighted are some of my most important!
"1. Practice like you want to play.
2. When you’re playing defense or approaching to hit, remember that you have more time than you think.
3. Turn off your cell phone when you play.
4. Forget the last play and get ready for the next.
5. Know the name of the sport’s founder, including his middle initial: William G. Morgan.
6. Serve the front court passer.
7. Know where the sidelines are.
8. Make sure you own any ball you kick in frustration.
9. Stay positive if you shank a pass into the bleachers. But don’t giggle.
10. Never tip a bad set.
11. Keep you love for the sport by not over-training.
12. Never make the same mistake twice.
13. When playing coed, use total discretion when choosing teams.
14. Keep your eyes open at all times.
15. Don’t act surprised when you roof somebody.
16. Don’t bring a fake ID to a Master’s tournament.
17. Hit your cut shot until they touch it with both arms.
18. Look for an off-speed shot behind a three-person block.
19. Play with the attitude that every ball is coming to you.
20. If someone is struggling to pass your serve, stay on them."
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren Sands
Read the whole list here:
http://www.volleywood.net/volleyball-features/music-style/100-things-every-volleyball-player-should-know/
Friday, February 28, 2014
7 Things Every Athlete Should Know About College Financial Aid
"Applying for college financial aid is one of the few things in life that may be even more confusing and complicated than taxes. It involves getting together loads of financial information, learning an alphabet soup of acronyms, and understanding how the financial aid system works.
Athletes that are ready to compete at the college level may be too busy with homework, practice, camps, and workouts to sit down for hours and study every last detail of the financial aid process. But to give yourself the best chance of using athletics to pay for your education and get ahead in life, it is crucial that you have at least a basic understanding of how financial aid works.
That’s why we’ve assembled this handy guide of 7 essential things about the financial aid process and how to get the best possible package to help pay for your education.
1. Good Academics Create Financial Aid Opportunities
A tiny, select group of athletes gets a full ride to college through an athletic scholarship alone (more on this later). But don’t count on it – even if you’re great, it’s unlikely. The better your GPA and standardized test scores, the more financial aid opportunities will be available to you in college. Some may be from the university, some may be from the state, your high school, or even nonprofit organizations. But no matter where you’re looking for scholarships, you’ll have the best chance if your academics are solid. Any scholarship you can’t apply for because you’re not academically qualified is money you threw out the window – don’t do it!
2. Know your EFC
EFC is one of those alphabet soup acronyms we were just talking about. It stands for “expected family contribution,” meaning the amount of money the Department of Education expects your family to pay towards your education. It is determined using a complex formula involving your family’s income and many of their tax details. You can read more about it by clicking here. Make sure to identify any tax exemptions and other financial details that your family qualified for, so you can get the most accurate EFC. If your family has an accountant or financial advisor, you may want to discuss this with them.
3. Complete Your FAFSA on Time
The FAFSA is another mess of letters – it stands for “Free Application for Federal Student Aid.” Your school will not be able to issue you any financial aid if you do not turn one in. This is another form that you’ll need tax information to fill out – make sure to have your parents’ taxes on hand before you sit down to do your FAFSA. You may also qualify for additional aid based on your FAFSA. Click here to read more about it.
4. Ask the Coaches About Aid in Advance
Once you know that a coach is interested in you, don’t be afraid to ask him or her directly about aid. Financial aid is one of the biggest tools that coaches have to bring student-athletes into their programs, and a coach can be a big help in both navigating the college financial aid jungle and in finding more sources of aid you may not have even known were there. The further in advance you ask, the better – money and scholarships can (and do) run out, so there’s an advantage to thinking ahead.
5. Know Whether Your Sport is Head Count or Equivalency
When it comes to financial aid, there are two types of college sports: “head count” sports, and “equivalency” or “olympic” sports. Head count sports tend to be the ones that generate revenue and you’re more likely to see on TV: in Division I, the head count sports are basketball and football for men, and basketball, tennis, volleyball and gymnastics for women. All other sports are equivalency in Division I – other divisions may have different rules for what is a head count sport and which is an equivalency sport (click here to read more about the differences).
The big difference for athletes: head count athletes get full scholarships. Athletes in equivalency sports may only get partial scholarships. It’s important to create additional financial aid opportunities for yourself, no matter what sport you play (what counts as a “full” scholarship can vary from school to school) – so you should know what kind of scholarships your sport offers as you go forward in the process. You can also talk to the coach about what options they have when it comes to distributing scholarships, how their scholarships are distributed, how many athletes are graduating, whether they can offer you more aid in the future, and so on.
6. Examine and Appeal Your SAR
Congratulations – you’ve gotten to the last of the big college financial aid acronyms! SAR stands for “student aid report.” It’s the document that your school’s financial aid office will create once they’ve processed your FAFSA and the financial aid you qualify for. It is a summary of all the financial aid the school offers you. Often – especially for athletes – you can find some additional aid if you “appeal” your SAR, especially if your coach is helping you with the process. Go through your SAR carefully and make sure you are not missing out on any scholarships that you qualify for – it’s worth double-checking, because this can be worth thousands of additional dollars towards your education.
7. Athletes aren’t limited to “athletic” scholarships
Finally, even if you are getting an athletic scholarship, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your eyes open for other kinds! This is especially important if you are only receiving a partial scholarship, or if you are playing at a division level that does not offer formal athletic scholarships. Athletes can receive need-based, merit-based (academic), or third-party scholarships (from veterans’ organizations, community service groups, unions… the list goes on and on). Qualifying for these scholarships is part of why academic success is so important. You can ask your high school counselor’s office, or use a website like fastweb.com to find lots of scholarships you may be eligible for.
Learning these facts and securing your financial aid accordingly can help save you and your family a lot of money. The financial assistance for your education is one of the most important advantages that sports can bring you in college – make the most of it!"
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren Sands
Friday, January 31, 2014
Calling College Coaches
"Calling coaches can be one of the most intimidating aspects of a student-athletes recruiting process, but it can also be one of the most important. If you are interested in a school, it is vital that you be in contact with the coach. A coach is never going to invite someone to be part of their team if they’ve never heard their voice.
It is okay to have initial contact with a coach through email, as long as you progress towards phone calls. Coaches want to speak with you on the phone so they can get to know you better. Remember that you can call a coach at any time, but coaches have strict rules placed upon them by the NCAA depending on what year in high school you are.
Before you call a coach, you must prepare. First, you need to research the school you plan to call. You should learn some background information on the school and program so you will be comfortable talking with the coach and answering their questions. Second, you should write down a list of questions that you plan to ask the coach.
As a good rule, plan to ask only 2-4 questions per conversation; coaches are extremely busy and if the interest level is mutual, you will have plenty of future conversations to get all of your questions answered. Lastly, you should have at least a couple of practice phone calls to a coach. A good way to practice is to role play with a teammate, family member or coach.
Always remember to be enthusiastic when speaking with coaches so they will want to have future conversations with you. The most important thing to remember is that they are just like any other adult. They are aware that it is difficult for a high school student to pick up the phone and call them and they will respect you more for it. Prepare yourself as best you can and just be yourself!"
Have a great day & good luck to our teams competing this weekend!!
Sincerely,
Lauren Sands
From: If You’re Aren’t Calling Coaches, You are Behind the Competition Posted by Kerry Brown on Jan 10, 2014 in Coach Communication http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2014/01/10/if-youre-arent-calling-coaches-you-are-behind-the-competition/#comments
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
5 Packing Tips for #WednesdayWisdom
As we move into traveling season, here are some great tips!
"We reached out to Shawna-Lei Santos (So., Libero) of St. John’s, and University of Texas student-athletes Sarah Palmer (Sr., Libero) and Molly McCage (So., MB) to get their tips on packing as part of our #WednesdayWisdom campaign.
Shawna-Lei has traveled internationally with us as a member of A2 High Performance program. If you’re planning on going out of the country, pay heed to her advice.
Sarah and Molly are only part of a volleyball dynasty that has gone to the NCAA Tournament the past 10-consecutive years. Brilliant athletes on the court, they’ve got packing down to an art so much so it’s mostly an afterthought.
1. WHAT MAKES IT IN THE SUITCASE FOR THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
“Basics, basics, basics. Only travel with the things you really need –
gear, practice clothes, game jersey, pajamas and toiletries. It really
helps to travel light for the longer trips.” - Sarah
“It’s not hard to pack for long trips since our team is big on matching. We have a ‘fashion captain’ who texts us ahead of time to determine what to wear and when we need to match. From there I make a checklist for myself to plan everything out and then I go over the list again to make sure I have everything.” Who is the fashion captain this year? “Megan Futch this year and we select a new one each season.” – Molly
If you’re a fan attending one of the NCAA Tournament matches (buy those tickets soon!) this advice still rings true. Pack light and save that extra room to bring home mementos after your team wins the big one!
2. PACKING FOR A TRIP THAT COULD SPAN MULTIPLE CITIES
“It’s all about mixing and matching. When I go shopping for casual clothes, I actually think of all the traveling I do. I lean toward more basic, versatile clothing. I have a lot of gray, white and black layering pieces for the places with colder climates.” - Molly
“I am someone who checks the weather app on my phone every morning. For the times that we travel to other cities, I usually look up the weather in advance to know if I need to bring warm clothes or not.” – Sarah
Play it safe. If there is a possibility of going to multiple cities without a stop at home, make sure you have warm-weather clothing and cold-weather gear like a jacket. If you think you’ve packed too much, make sure the jacket gets to stay in the bag. You can always do laundry at the hotel for your everyday attire.
3. CARRY-ON 101
“We are usually told to pack our game-day gear in our carry-on because you never know when you could lose your bag.” – Sarah
“I
always pack my game-day stuff in my carry-on on the way there. I’ve
heard too many stories about people losing their luggage and not being
able to play.” - Molly
“I always carry my uniform in my carry-on because there was a trip when my checked bag got lost when traveling to a tournament. I was about 12 or 13 years old, but luckily my dad put my jersey in my carry-on along with my other necessities. My checked bag came in a day or two later and that would have been too late for my tournament. Without my dad packing my jerseys I would not have been able to play in that tournament. Moral of the story: always carry your volleyball necessities when traveling, no matter what. If you don't have your volleyball gear, you won't be able to play and that is much worse than losing your bag.” -Shawna
We’re partial to packing game-day items in the carry-on. Athletes prep weeks, months and years for events. Why leave playing up to chance if your bag makes it to your destination. No one wants to watch the NCAA Championship with the star sitting on the bench because she doesn’t have a uniform or shoes.
4. WHEN NOT KILLING VOLLEYBALLS, LEARN TO KILL TIME
“I ALWAYS bring my laptop to kill time, so I can catch up on all my shows on Hulu. I also bring books to do homework.” – Sarah
“I like to listen to music or watch my favorite TV shows on Netflix.” Favorite things to watch? “Vampire Diaries, Grey’s Anatomy and even Glee.” – Shawna
If you’re not the type that likes to explore the city think about packing something to entertain you between matches and practice. Something as small as a deck of cards or apps on your phone could lead to hours of fun.
5. WORST THING YOU EVER FORGOT TO PACK
“Extra knee pads come in handy when competing in long tournaments in case it gets a bit wet from that day of playing. Febreze/body spray will always keep you and your gear smelling nice. Glasses of course will help when you’re not wearing contacts, it’s healthy to let your eyes breathe.” - Shawna
Bringing spares of things make a trip a little more comfortable. Items for hygiene, like Febreze, make it more comfortable for those around you.
WHAT MAKES OR BREAKS A TRIP FOR YOU
“Bringing local snacks from Hawai’I definitely gives me a little energy and joy. I really enjoy Li Hing gummy bears and worms.” – Shawna
“Some of the mandatory things I always bring on trips are my IPod and Beats headphones. Listening to my music before games is a must.” What’s on your playlist now? “Watch Out For This by Major Lazer, Work Remix by A$AP Ferg, Dreams and Nightmares by Meek Mill.” – Sarah
“I definitely always need to bring my ChapStick. One trip to Iowa State I forgot to bring my face lotion. It was terrible. I always make sure I have my ChapStick and face lotion for when I travel. Traveling is just not easy on my skin!” - Molly"
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren
"We reached out to Shawna-Lei Santos (So., Libero) of St. John’s, and University of Texas student-athletes Sarah Palmer (Sr., Libero) and Molly McCage (So., MB) to get their tips on packing as part of our #WednesdayWisdom campaign.
Shawna-Lei has traveled internationally with us as a member of A2 High Performance program. If you’re planning on going out of the country, pay heed to her advice.
Sarah and Molly are only part of a volleyball dynasty that has gone to the NCAA Tournament the past 10-consecutive years. Brilliant athletes on the court, they’ve got packing down to an art so much so it’s mostly an afterthought.
1. WHAT MAKES IT IN THE SUITCASE FOR THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
“Basics, basics, basics. Only travel with the things you really need –
gear, practice clothes, game jersey, pajamas and toiletries. It really
helps to travel light for the longer trips.” - Sarah“It’s not hard to pack for long trips since our team is big on matching. We have a ‘fashion captain’ who texts us ahead of time to determine what to wear and when we need to match. From there I make a checklist for myself to plan everything out and then I go over the list again to make sure I have everything.” Who is the fashion captain this year? “Megan Futch this year and we select a new one each season.” – Molly
If you’re a fan attending one of the NCAA Tournament matches (buy those tickets soon!) this advice still rings true. Pack light and save that extra room to bring home mementos after your team wins the big one!
2. PACKING FOR A TRIP THAT COULD SPAN MULTIPLE CITIES
“It’s all about mixing and matching. When I go shopping for casual clothes, I actually think of all the traveling I do. I lean toward more basic, versatile clothing. I have a lot of gray, white and black layering pieces for the places with colder climates.” - Molly
“I am someone who checks the weather app on my phone every morning. For the times that we travel to other cities, I usually look up the weather in advance to know if I need to bring warm clothes or not.” – Sarah
Play it safe. If there is a possibility of going to multiple cities without a stop at home, make sure you have warm-weather clothing and cold-weather gear like a jacket. If you think you’ve packed too much, make sure the jacket gets to stay in the bag. You can always do laundry at the hotel for your everyday attire.
3. CARRY-ON 101
“We are usually told to pack our game-day gear in our carry-on because you never know when you could lose your bag.” – Sarah
“I
always pack my game-day stuff in my carry-on on the way there. I’ve
heard too many stories about people losing their luggage and not being
able to play.” - Molly“I always carry my uniform in my carry-on because there was a trip when my checked bag got lost when traveling to a tournament. I was about 12 or 13 years old, but luckily my dad put my jersey in my carry-on along with my other necessities. My checked bag came in a day or two later and that would have been too late for my tournament. Without my dad packing my jerseys I would not have been able to play in that tournament. Moral of the story: always carry your volleyball necessities when traveling, no matter what. If you don't have your volleyball gear, you won't be able to play and that is much worse than losing your bag.” -Shawna
We’re partial to packing game-day items in the carry-on. Athletes prep weeks, months and years for events. Why leave playing up to chance if your bag makes it to your destination. No one wants to watch the NCAA Championship with the star sitting on the bench because she doesn’t have a uniform or shoes.
4. WHEN NOT KILLING VOLLEYBALLS, LEARN TO KILL TIME
“I ALWAYS bring my laptop to kill time, so I can catch up on all my shows on Hulu. I also bring books to do homework.” – Sarah
“I like to listen to music or watch my favorite TV shows on Netflix.” Favorite things to watch? “Vampire Diaries, Grey’s Anatomy and even Glee.” – Shawna
If you’re not the type that likes to explore the city think about packing something to entertain you between matches and practice. Something as small as a deck of cards or apps on your phone could lead to hours of fun.
5. WORST THING YOU EVER FORGOT TO PACK
“Extra knee pads come in handy when competing in long tournaments in case it gets a bit wet from that day of playing. Febreze/body spray will always keep you and your gear smelling nice. Glasses of course will help when you’re not wearing contacts, it’s healthy to let your eyes breathe.” - Shawna
Bringing spares of things make a trip a little more comfortable. Items for hygiene, like Febreze, make it more comfortable for those around you.
WHAT MAKES OR BREAKS A TRIP FOR YOU
“Bringing local snacks from Hawai’I definitely gives me a little energy and joy. I really enjoy Li Hing gummy bears and worms.” – Shawna
“Some of the mandatory things I always bring on trips are my IPod and Beats headphones. Listening to my music before games is a must.” What’s on your playlist now? “Watch Out For This by Major Lazer, Work Remix by A$AP Ferg, Dreams and Nightmares by Meek Mill.” – Sarah
“I definitely always need to bring my ChapStick. One trip to Iowa State I forgot to bring my face lotion. It was terrible. I always make sure I have my ChapStick and face lotion for when I travel. Traveling is just not easy on my skin!” - Molly"
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren
This and more great tips from http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2013/December/04/Five-packing-tips-from-NCAA-student-athletes
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
2014 Indoor High Performance Tryout Schedule
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 10, 2013) – USA Volleyball Indoor High Performance (HP) has more than 50 tryout opportunities for youth volleyball players to become a part of 2014 U.S. Youth and Junior National Teams and other HP training and competition programs.
"USA Volleyball High Performance programs serve as the athlete pipeline to our Men’s and Women’s National Teams and the path to the podium for Team USA," USA Volleyball Director of Indoor High Performance Collin Powers said. "We encourage all young athletes to find the time in their busy schedule to attend a High Performance tryout and to pit their skill and athleticism against the other top players in their position from across the country. It’s the effort and striving that are important, both for the sport and for the individual."
USA Volleyball High Performance tryouts are the direct entry into the HP athlete pipeline. Athletes interested in participating in any USAV HP Program in a given year must attend a tryout during that year. Players try out by age division and position while being evaluated by USAV HP coaches on all skills pertinent to that position, athleticism and future potential.
The HP schedule includes 14 tryouts confirmed for boys from Jan. 5 to March 15 with three other sites pending final approval. On the girls’ side, the HP tryout schedule includes 33 options for girls from Feb. 14 to April 25 with dates for Anaheim and Grand Rapids, Mich., to be announced.
Age groups for HP Girls’ include: Junior (born in 1996 or 1997); Youth (born in 1998 or 1999); Select (born in 2000 or 2001); and Future Select (born in 2002 or after). For a listing of programs for girls, click here. Age groups for HP Boys’ include: Junior (born in 1995 or 1996); Youth (born in 1997 or 1998); Select (born in 1999 or 2000); and Future Select (born in 2001 or after). For a listing of programs for boys, click here.
Players wishing to try out need to register online for the tryout in which he or she is interested, following all the registration prompts and paying the $65 tryout fee early online registration fee with a credit card. Online early registration for tryouts closes at 6 a.m. Mountain Time seven days prior to the day of the tryout. After that, tryout participants will need to register on-site for the full price of $100.
To register for specific girls’ tryouts, click here. To register for specific boys’ tryouts, click here.
All athletes trying out for USAV HP must be USA Volleyball members and provide proof of membership or are required to pay a $5 one-time event membership fee in addition to their registration fee. This fee covers mandatory insurance for the duration of the tryout.
USA Volleyball High Performance Girls’ Tryout Schedule (all times local)
Date: City / Venue / Time
Feb. 14: Omaha, Neb. / CenturyLink Center / 4-8 p.m.
Feb. 14: San Mateo, Calif. / San Mateo Event Center / 4-8 p.m.
March 1: Vernon Hills, Ill. / Adversity Volleyball Club / 4-8 p.m.
March 2: Hilo, Hawaii / University of Hawaii-Hilo / 8 a.m. – Noon (Future Select and Select Only)
March 2: Hilo, Hawaii / University of Hawaii-Hilo / 1-5 p.m. (Youth and Junior Only)
March 7: Denver, Colo. / Denver Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
March 7: Raleigh, N.C. / Raleigh Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
March 8: Honolulu, Hawaii / Palama Gym / 8 a.m. – Noon (Future Select and Select Only)
March 8: Honolulu, Hawaii / Palama Gym / 12:30-4:30 p.m. (Youth and Junior Only)
March 13: Denver, Colo. / Denver Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
March 13: St. Louis, Mo. / America Center & Edward Jones Dome / 4-8 p.m.
March 14: Saratoga Springs, N.Y. / Saratoga Recreation Center / 5-9 p.m.
March 20: Indianapolis, Ind. / Indianapolis Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
March 21: Peekskill, N.Y. / Downstate Athletic Center / 4-8 p.m.
March 21: Tempe, Ariz. / Court One Facility / 4-8 p.m.
March 23: Spokane, Wash. / Spokane Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
March 23: Tempe, Ariz. / Court One Facility / 4-8 p.m.
March 24: Los Angeles, Calif. / Los Angeles Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
March 27: Los Angeles, Calif. / Los Angeles Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
March 27: Orlando, Fla. / Hall B of Orange County Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
March 27: Spokane, Wash. / Spokane Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
April 3: Atlanta, Ga. / World Congress Center / 4-8 p.m.
April 4: Kansas City, Mo. / Kansas City Convention Center Bartle Hall / 4-8 p.m.
April 10: Kansas City, Mo. / Kansas City Convention Center Bartle Hall / 4-8 p.m.
April 11: Philadelphia. Pa. / Pennsylvania Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
April 11: Dallas, Texas / Dallas Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
April 11: Reno, Nev. / Reno Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
April 17: Dallas, Texas / Dallas Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
April 17: Philadelphia, Pa. / Pennsylvania Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
April 17: Minneapolis, Minn. / Minneapolis Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
April 24: Minneapolis, Minn. / Minneapolis Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
April 24: Reno, Nev. / Reno Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
April 25: Portland, Ore. / Oregon Convention Center / 4-8 p.m.
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren Sands
Info From: http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2013/December/10/2013-HP-Indoor-Tryouts
Friday, January 17, 2014
Top 13 Storylines from 2013
A look back at the top read stories and posts from USA Volleyball on our website, Facebook and Twitter in 2013. Click HERE to download the Year of the Fan collage.
1. Misty announces her pregnancy Dec. 3 http://on.fb.me/1gsE6x5
2. Kerri leads a clinic in Colorado Springs Nov. 14 http://on.fb.me/1desrh0
3. Heather Erickson and USAV Sitting top China for the first time Dec. 26 http://on.fb.me/1kd2w2k
4. Destinee has a baby girl Dec. 12 http://on.fb.me/1cpH8gg
5. James Stuck is men’s sitting athlete of the year Dec. 24 http://on.fb.me/1bCEbJ3
6. Women get silver at FIVB Grand Champions Cup Nov. 17 http://on.fb.me/1a4JuFl
7. Stacy Sykora gives tips to be successful as an athlete Dec. 24 http://on.fb.me/KnbObS
8. NCAA Championship is Penn State vs. Wisconsin Dec. 19 http://on.fb.me/1hk2xzH
9. Misty and Kerri Olympic highlight photo gallery Dec. 5 http://on.fb.me/1cLNds7
10. Courtney Thompson shows setting skill work in a video Nov. 28 http://on.fb.me/1hk2K5L
11. Kerri is all-time record holder for tournament wins Oct. 27 http://on.fb.me/1cph8VH
12. Matt Anderson is the men’s indoor athlete of the year Dec. 16, 2013 http://on.fb.me/1bCEzr0
13. Matt Anderson hits 12’3’’ earlier this year Dec. 29 http://on.fb.me/1eZ2FV4
USAVOLLEYBALL.ORG
1. Misty announces her pregnancy Dec. 3 http://bit.ly/1g4kcHE
2. Skill videos by USAV http://bit.ly/JxjvMy
3. Don’t bully the passion out of greatness Dec. 2 http://bit.ly/1cLPiUN
4. Matt Anderson is men’s indoor athlete of the year Dec. 16 http://bit.ly/1hZhaG2
5. Karch Kiraly’s blog, one question all players should ask themselves http://bit.ly/1g4kIpj
6. Women are prepared for challenge Oct. 31 http://bit.ly/1a4LPQx
7. Sykora doesn’t keep secrets, she shares them July 25 http://bit.ly/1cpJRpX
8. Karch Kiraly’s blog, pass or fail http://bit.ly/JMFDSt
9. Glass and Banwarth earn honors Dec. 11 http://bit.ly/1hk5aBq
10. Men win NORCECA Championship Sept. 28 http://bit.ly/1ixtCzD
11. Karch Kiraly’s blog, 10 things I learned from playing in the Olympics http://bit.ly/KndZfr
12. Growing The Game Blog http://bit.ly/KlNMP8
13. Junior beach tour is biggest ever Dec. 10 http://bit.ly/1l5ps1C
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren Sands
Read On the USA website at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2014/January/03/Top-13-Storylines-from-2013
Monday, January 13, 2014
VolleyballRecruits.net
I will post different advice and sites that say they help with recruiting. I am not suggesting you use these I just want you to know what is out there and what advice they give!
"Women's collegiate volleyball seasons are coming to an end and that means players of recruiting age need to be aggressive in getting on the radar. With most college coaches’ regular seasons concluding, it is important for players to begin constantly communicating with their “target list” of schools.
A target list is 20-50 colleges that a player is genuinely interested in athletically and academically.
Once you have your target list established, it is crucial to communicate with them frequently and with relevant information. Now that college coaches have their 2013 season behind them, they are putting their focus into the future seasons and the players that they need to complete their team.
Keep in mind that coaches are extremely busy and have a huge amount of players come across their desks each day. How do you stand apart? Have an athletic profile complete with contact information, volleyball information, stats, VIDEO, tournament schedule, test scores, transcript, etc. available for them to view. The idea is to have everything a college coach would need to know in one place in order for them to evaluate you appropriately and efficiently.
As you introduce yourself to coaches, you want to keep in mind that reaching out to them one time isn’t going to get you recruited. You need to be frequently touching base with your target list and updating them with important information; new video, higher test scores, athletic awards, higher jump touch, your travel schedule, etc. It is impossible for a coach to remember all of the players that they see. Instead, you need to take matters into your own hands and by consistent communication you will stay in the forefront of a coaches mind if you are a good fit.
VolleyballRecruits.net is a platform that can dramatically increase a player’s exposure in the college coaching community. With an internal database of every single college coach registered, analytics that track what coach viewed your profile and when, professional team of in house video editors, and a built in messaging system to manage your communication – VolleyballRecruits.net members are fully equipped. Have questions on how to get started? Call 303-800-9125 or email Stephanie@VolleyballRecruits.net."
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren
"Women's collegiate volleyball seasons are coming to an end and that means players of recruiting age need to be aggressive in getting on the radar. With most college coaches’ regular seasons concluding, it is important for players to begin constantly communicating with their “target list” of schools.
A target list is 20-50 colleges that a player is genuinely interested in athletically and academically.
Once you have your target list established, it is crucial to communicate with them frequently and with relevant information. Now that college coaches have their 2013 season behind them, they are putting their focus into the future seasons and the players that they need to complete their team.
Keep in mind that coaches are extremely busy and have a huge amount of players come across their desks each day. How do you stand apart? Have an athletic profile complete with contact information, volleyball information, stats, VIDEO, tournament schedule, test scores, transcript, etc. available for them to view. The idea is to have everything a college coach would need to know in one place in order for them to evaluate you appropriately and efficiently.
As you introduce yourself to coaches, you want to keep in mind that reaching out to them one time isn’t going to get you recruited. You need to be frequently touching base with your target list and updating them with important information; new video, higher test scores, athletic awards, higher jump touch, your travel schedule, etc. It is impossible for a coach to remember all of the players that they see. Instead, you need to take matters into your own hands and by consistent communication you will stay in the forefront of a coaches mind if you are a good fit.
VolleyballRecruits.net is a platform that can dramatically increase a player’s exposure in the college coaching community. With an internal database of every single college coach registered, analytics that track what coach viewed your profile and when, professional team of in house video editors, and a built in messaging system to manage your communication – VolleyballRecruits.net members are fully equipped. Have questions on how to get started? Call 303-800-9125 or email Stephanie@VolleyballRecruits.net."
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren
Friday, January 10, 2014
10 tips that will help you become a leader on the court.
1) Be a leader.
A setter should be high energy. It’s important that you learn how to give positive, constructive criticism. It’s crucial that you make your teammates feel comfortable. You should never be the most silent player in the gym.
2) Be the hardest worker on the team.
If there’s an opportunity to get more reps by setting during a passing drill or joining a defensive drill when an extra person is needed, do it.
3) Know your hitters and what sets they like to hit.
Learn what motivates them and develop a good relationship with them. One good way to bond with your hitters is to let them know that you’re comfortable receiving feedback from them. Having them say something is always better than having them say nothing. You need to be mentally strong and able to accept criticism.
4) Keep your hands high.
This is very important because the ball should be coming from the same position every time. Also, the blockers on the other side of the net will have a harder time reading where you are setting.
5) Make everyone around you better.
This is always a goal of mine. I was once told after a game that I make the players around me better. From then on, I decided that I would make an effort to do that every day.
6) Set from a consistent body position and hand position so you can be deceptive.
If you arch your back too much, the blockers will know you are setting back. And if you take the ball too far in front of you, the only place you can set is forward.
7) Have a good relationship with your coach since you are often looked at as the “coach on the floor.”
Always respect your coaches and try to become comfortable talking to them. Ask a lot of questions. Voice opinions. Share ideas. Just be sure you talk. The more you talk, the more comfortable you will be.
8) Constantly work on your hands.
You can never set too many balls, especially if you’re a beginning or intermediate setter. My sister and I used to set against the wall in our house all day long.
9) It’s rare that you’ll get a pass right to you, so work on your foot speed.
You can practice your footwork anywhere, and you don’t even need a ball. Turn on some music, and start moving. Setting is all about rhythm.
10) Play as much as you can!
Even if you’re not setting, just playing volleyball gives you a strong knowledge of the game and experience to build on. Growing up in Hawaii, my sister and I used to play in our back yard whenever we could, and we also played on the beach at the Outrigger Canoe Club. We’d compete against all the other kids on the “baby court.”
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren Sands
Originally published in VolleyballUSA, Winter 2009-10 issue.
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Wednesday, January 1, 2014
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