Prague, Czech Republic; Budapest, Hungary; Maribor, Slovenia; Rejika, Croatia; Innsbruck, Austria; Munich, Germany


Roster:

Cory Solomon, Bring It Promotions: Head of Delegation
Jirka Honzik, Bring It Promotions

Ali Carey, Sonoma State University
Carlie Price, University of Portland
Janelle Ruen, Eastern Washington University
Monica Lynch, Eastern Washington University
Margaret Vakasausau, University of Hawaii
Jennifer Carey, University of Hawaii
Susan Clements, Georgetown University
Stacy Pillard, Concordia University

The June tour consisted of only eight players, Cory Solomon and Jirka Honzik. It was a new idea for us this year as all the players on tour could not make any of the exposure tours during the academic year. Most European teams are not around in June so it promised to be a very interesting tour.

It all started in Prague, where for two days, Tomas (the assistant coach for Olymp Praha) trained both his team and the American players. It was a very unique opportunity to have the Americans mixed with the Czech players for two very long and hard trainings. As someone who has brought many Americans to Prague in the past, it was great to see the Czech players mix so freely with the Americans and play volleyball together. Also, two top German team trainers made the trip to Prague to look at the American players and the Czech players. Monica Lynch, from the University of Eastern Washington, was offered a contract in Germany the second night of the tour.

After three days in Prague we headed to Budapest, Hungary to train and practice against players from Vassa, one of the top teams in Budapest. As we did in Prague, we mixed the teams and trained and practiced. It was a great experience to watch both the Americans and the Hungarians try to communicate and work together as a team. This was really good because when you decide to play in Europe you have to be able to adapt to many different teammates from around the world.

After Budapest the tour arrived in Maribor Slovenia. In Maribor we played against Team Benidikt where two Americans, Brook Coulter and Brooke Rundle, played last year. Margaret set for the Benikik team as they were looking for a setter next season. I was very impressed with Margaret as she just took control of the Slovenian team and ran the offense. BIP beat Team Benidik despite Margaret’s efforts.

From Maribor we headed to the coast to play in Rejika, Croatia. We played against a young club team where Heather Olmstead and Katie Sherwood played last season. It was actually the first time all the Americans played together and we won in four. One coach from Slovenia and one coach from Croatia were at the match to watch the players and Margaret was offered a contract after the match to play with one of the top teams in Croatia.

From Croatia we headed for Innsbruck, Austria to play against VC Tirol. Monica played with the Innsbruck team and I think it gave her a chance to see what its really going to be like as the only American on her future team in Germany. After the match Monica left on the train to visit Chemitz, Germany, the team that offered her contract on the second night of the tour. The next day we all played beach volleyball in Innsbruck.

I really liked many of the things that went on during the June tour. Due to the fact that all the European teams where not currently training, it allowed us to mix teams, Americans with Europeans, and to have the players trained by European coaches. This proved to be very beneficial as I think the players on the tour really understood what it means to play in Europe.