| Written by Eric Schulze, Head Coach Club Fusion 18 Black |
| Tuesday, 07 April 2009 |
Club Fusion 18 Black's adventure include a day in Paris, France.
The story of the last three weeks in the season of Club Fusion 18 Black, coached by Eric Schulze, who is also the web designer of PrepVolleyball.com.
Over the years I've had the privilege of coaching some of the best players in the country at Club Fusion while coaching our top 18s team. I've had many teams that have made an impact on my life and can only hope that I've had some impact on theirs. I've reached a point in my life that every year the decision to coach gets more and more difficult. With two young daughters and a wonderful wife that is supportive to a fault, I did not think I would come back this year. In fact, if I am being totally honest I didn't want to. I didn't think I wanted to coach this team. I didn't know if I wanted to coach these players. It seemed like the opportune time to get out for a while. I had a tremendous connection to my team last year and didn't know any of these kids other than their reputations. I just didn't know if I had enough in the tank to invest into a new team. As the season approached, I still had the itch, but I still didn't know if I wanted to take on this team. All the negatives I had heard about them were probably scaring me off. Maybe I would coach a younger age. As our coaching roster took form, I reluctantly made the decision to take 18 Black. It might have been the best volleyball decision I have ever made.
You see, this team has grown on me. This group, especially the seniors, was misunderstood. They had never reached the expectations that were thrown on them in the past. Many, including me, had them tabbed as underachievers. That simply isn't the case. Maybe they were missing a piece or two. Maybe they needed a swift kick in the backside. Maybe an up and coming assistant coach who could relate to them was the key. Maybe it is all that and more. Whatever the case may be, these kids are hungry and have shown a desire to train and compete that would rival any team I have ever coached. But that isn't the end of the story. It is just the beginning.
This isn't just a story of a talented volleyball team progressing through their season. This is a story about a group of kids that is hungry for success. This is a story of wonderful kids with bright futures who have committed to a common goal. This is a story that confirms that it is truly all about the journey. So far, I have thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Week One
This story begins just about three weeks ago. We were going into our final week of Great Lake Power League. We were sitting 1st in the standings and had a chance to do something that these kids probably never thought was possible. We had a chance to win arguably the strongest power league in the country. If it is not the best, few would argue that it certainly rivals those at the top. On Saturday, we took care of business and put ourselves in position for a run at Sunday. I thought we needed to at least win our first match on Sunday to at least ensure a tie. I believed this was a double points weekend. I sent the kids home asking them to get prepared for the challenge. I had no doubt that they would be.
There was a problem, though. I was mistaken. It was not a double points weekend. Joe Jablonski from Sports Performance asked me before I left on Saturday if I wanted the champion t-shirts then. I laughed at what I assumed was his sarcasm. I figured he was sandbagging as we were matched up against his 18 Elite squad on Sunday morning. It wasn't until later in the day that I texted him to call me and explain what he meant. Joe confirmed what I hoped was true. Our two wins on Saturday had locked up the GLPL championship. I was truly excited. Not for me. For these kids.
When Sunday came, I was greeted at the Great Lakes Center with congratulations from several coaches and spectators. I was nervous that my team had found out. I contemplated not telling them so that they wouldn't let down against SPVB 18 Elite. Then I realized, that simply wouldn't happen with this group. They love playing too much. I pulled the team into a huddle before the match and told them the news. I won't be able to put into the words the looks on the player's faces. I think a few of them were even fighting off tears. You see, these kids are special. They are different from other teams I have had. This meant everything to them.
As expected they played a terrific match against SPVB 18 Elite falling just short in a five game thriller. The loss evened the series between the two talented teams at two matches a piece on the season. The girls came back in the following match with a spirited win against Munciana 18-1 which seemed only right for this group. After many pictures and congratulatory hugs, I pulled them in and reminded them that we had practice the next night and to remind their parents of the meeting on Wednesday. The meeting was our final preparation for our trip. The girls faces lit up again. We were getting prepared for our team trip to Europe.
Week TWO
For the last two seasons, I have had the pleasure of taking my team overseas to play. The first year was a tournament in Russia. Last year, we did a tour with Bring It Promotions. Both trips were amazing in their own way. The precedent has been set that we will offer this opportunity to any 18 Black team in the future. I didn't know if this would be a good year for it, given the economy and the overall cost of the trip. After a meeting early in the season, the parents and players decided to go.
Like most teams the ability of each of the families to afford the trip varies from family to family. Some had no problem and others had to raise the money. We have offered fundraising opportunities, but frankly I just don't have to time to organize them and the families haven't been pushing the issue.
I can summarize the trip in one word - amazing. Not the sights or the cities or the fact that I tried to ski in the Alps (I stress the word 'tried'). These kids were amazing. I have never had a trip go so well. We pushed them hard. Five countries in eleven days. Most days began at 7am and ended at midnight with very little downtime in between. I assumed they would start to complain, get crabby, something. Again, I was wrong. As we stood at the train station in Paris on the final night waiting to go back to the hotel the girls were still joking around and goofing off - as a team. We had just flown in from Prague, got on the train, walked for nearly eight hours straight after ten days of the same type of schedule and they still loved being around each other. It was unbelievable.
I asked the players to write on certain topics, which they did and did well. The following is different accounts of the trip from the players' perspective. I think it will give you a little insight into the type of kids they are and how they perceived their time together.
Remember, this is only week two of our journey. Be sure to read on after this to see how things wrapped up.
OUR TOUR OF EUROPE ==========================================
Italy: Pordenone, Venice and Belluno
by Stephanie Holthus, Junior, Outside Hitter (Northwestern University)
Our adventure first began in Italy, where we were able to visit three different cities: Pordenone, Venice, and Belluno. Our hotel for our stay in Italy was located in Pordenone. The city was filled with cobblestone streets and gorgeous buildings, but the best part was definitely the food! The gelato and pizza was extremely delicious! The second day we traveled to Venice. Because the city is sinking, it is all interconnected with bridges. The bridges are filled with different vendors, so we were able to buy different souvenirs! Also, there were a ton of different men going around illegally selling "chookie chookies" (a balloon filled with sand and creepy eyes glued on). In Venice, we were also able to visit a couple historical places such as the Church of San Marco, and the Rialto Bridge. Later that night we went to go see a professional women's volleyball match! We watched Vicenza play Bergamo. Bergamo, who is second in the Italian league, dominated the match and took the win. There are many differences in how the Europeans play. The biggest thing we noticed - Europeans do not make unforced errors. With this being said, the game was basically error free on both sides! From the hitting, to the passing, it was all flawless!
Belluno, Italy was the first city that 18 Black played in. It was set in the foothills of the Alps.
The final city we visited in Italy was Belluno. The bus ride there was filled with gorgeous scenery of the Alps. Walking around Belluno was a lot of fun! It must have been extremely obvious that we were foreigners because everywhere we went people were staring at us. It must not be everyday that Italians see a whole a bunch of six foot tall girls waking by. It was also in Belluno that we had our first match against the Italian team. We ended up winning 2 of the 4 games, and afterwards we ate dinner with the team. Even though the players ranged from ages 16 to 21, we were able to relate to each other extremely well. Come to find out, we listen to a lot of the same music and watch the same TV shows. All in all, our adventures in Italy was an excellent start to our trip!
Austria: Innsbruck
by Sondra Parys, Senior, Outside Hitter (University of Toledo)
Italy was a great way to start off our trip. After three days, it was time to move to our next stop. We arose bright and early the next morning for a long train ride to Innsbruck, Austria. During our time on the train, we spent our time sleeping and taking in the beautiful views of the Alps. Once we arrived in Innsburck, I think the first thing we noticed was the change in weather. It was a little colder, and definitely different to see some snow. We then arrived at the Hotel Charolette, where we checked in and slowly made it up to our floors. Sense the elevator fit about one girl and her luggage, majority of us used our muscles to climb some stairs. After that workout it was off to sightsee Innsbruck. We split into group as we toured through the city. We visited the famous Golden Box, the St. Jacobs Church, and more. Personally the St. Jacob’s church, was the most beautiful church I have ever been in, and I think most of the girls would agree. While touring the town, we all got in some good souvenir shopping and Austrian food. Right away we saw that Austria was a breath taking country, and being surrounded by snow capped mountains and colorful buildings was something we could get used to. After a long day of travel and sightseeing, it was time to play our match. From the low ceiling, strange floor, and different ball, it was an overall new experience. After winning two of the four games and eating an authentic Austrian dinner, it felt good to get some rest.
Innsbruck was a beautiful city in the Alps.
After a hectic first 4 days of our European trip, we finally got to catch up on our rest Wednesday morning. We all eventually woke up, ate breakfast, and got our plans ready for the day. While our coaches and a few parents were brave enough to go skiing in the Alps, it left us a day to explore Innsbruck even more. We then split up again into two groups. One of the groups decided to trek up a huge hill to get an even greater view of the city. While me and the other girls caught a tram into town to get some lunch where we had to put our German skills to the test. Thankfully Steph was there to help us out. We then carried on with our day with more sightseeing and shopping. After a nice relaxing day in this wonderful country, it was time for more volleyball. We played the same team as the night before, and looked better as we got more comfortable with all the changes. A great way to end our time in Austria, was with one more authentic dinner. I can speak for all the girls that we thoroughly enjoyed the meal. All in all, those two days in Austria were everything we could have asked for. Beautiful sights to see, amazing food, challenging volleyball, and an overall once in a lifetime experience.
Germany: Munich
by Taylor Brauneis, Junior, Setter (University of Louisville)
On Thursday, March 26 we awoke at 6am in Innsbruck, Austria and headed to the train station for a short two hour journey to Munich, Germany. Little did we know the emotional roller coaster the day would be for all of us. Once we arrived in Munich we checked into the “cozy” Hotel Imperial, where we unpacked quickly and left for infamous World War II Nazi concentration camp, Dachau. It was a sight for all to see. The moment we walked through the gates into Dachau all the previous feelings of hunger and exhaustion from our early start immediately disappeared. Experiencing Dachau was all at once heartbreaking, fascinating, depressing and enlightening. It will be an experience that none of us will soon forget.
The Dachau Concentration Camp was one of the most poignant places we visited while in Europe.
After leaving Dachau, we headed back to the city of Munich to grab a quick bite to eat at the local bakery and tour the rest of the city. We split up into groups, and my group went to see the beautiful St. Josephs church. We only had an hour and a half to sightsee so we all said a quick prayer at the church and then headed down the main strip to do some shopping. All the stores were very familiar to us (same as in the US) which was very surprising so we only stopped at the authentic Bavarian stores. After the short amount of time we had in the city we had to head back to the hotel and take a quick nap before playing against the Club Munich volleyball team (A D1 caliber team). We Played well, winning 2 out of the 4 games. After the match we made a quick change into street clothes and got ready for another late night dinner at the very "German" Hofbrauhaus. We dined on delicious pork knuckles (authentic German fare!) and had some great team bonding. We then headed back to the hotel after another very long, interesting and meaningful day.
Czech Republic: YNT Training Facility and Prague
by Julie Jeziorowski, Junior, Libero (uncommitted)
18 Black inside the Prague Castle.
I haven't really experienced the true feeling of history until I saw Prague. Prague is literally like no other city I have ever seen. The century old towers rise high to make an intricate sky line. One the first day upon our arrival we lugged ourselves off the train, in which we had been on for almost six hours, carried our bags and got our first real breathe of fresh air in Prague. We traveled to a cute suburb of Prague to a sports center which our hosts were the Youth National Team for the Czech Republic. The food was different, the dorms were cozy and the players were amazing. It was all good fun and I was lucky to see my family who drove down from Poland to watch me play!
The next day we went to the center of Prague were we stayed at a quaint hotel called Verona House literally steps from the famous Charles Bridge. On Saturday Eric, being the kind coach that he is, let the whole team go clubbing! It was a night that we will never forget! We all enjoyed seeing Stephanie (Holthus) really let loose and show off her dance moves. The following day we woke up at the crack of dawn to go to mass at a centuries old cathedral. The climb up the stairs to reach the cathedral was very joyous (sense the sarcasm). After mass, we were allowed to get a taste of Prague on our own. My favorite part of the city was the old streets and buildings. We all could agree that Sam Thrower's favorite part was the food in Prague. As a team we walked through the streets of Prague, did a little shopping and a little looking around. Few of us girls were lucky to touch the golden cross on the Charles Bridge and make a wish. The golden cross being a location that has a legend behind it where if you touch the gold with your left hand, your wish will come true. That night our guide Jirca took us to a small homey restaurant where he usually go with his friends to eat and enjoy himself. The food was amazing, totally filling and it just kept coming. Later that night the team really drew close together to talk about our trip, our goals and other things that totally brought us closer together. By dawn the only thing that lay ahead was Paris and even though that was exciting, as a team we were all sad to blow a kiss goodbye to Prague.
France: Paris
by Meg Zasada, Senior, DS (uncommitted)
Our day in Paris, France was one to remember. All of the girls can agree it was one of the most exciting of the 11 days. We started off flying from our previous spot of Prauge, Czech Republic to Paris. As soon as we got off the flight we dropped our bags in the hotel and hit the streets of gorgeous Paris. We started the day of sightseeing with Nortre Dame. It surprised us with its size and with how beautiful the building is and the grounds around it. We then moved on to the expansive sights of the Louvre. Unfortunately our day was packed so we didn't have time to go inside, but the outside was enough. Just like Notre Dame the grounds around it were impressive. The Louvre then lead us to Arc De Triumph. There was much to do on the path to the Arc, with shops and delicious food, but nothing was as amazing as being able to stand on top of the Arc and see the entire city of Paris. We could have stood up there for hours, the view was that incredible. After a quick but delicious meal at a small restaurant, we made our last stop at the Eifel Tower. Words can't describe how intricate the structure is. It towered over us as we stood at the bottom in awe. Just as we were walking away it lit up like a diamond. It looked as if it was sparkling. Thousands of white lights flashed up and down it to create the perfect finale to the best day and an amazing trip. We definitely saved the best for last!
We didn't have time to go inside the Lourve, but it was still an amazing place to see.
Traveling and Spending Money ==============================
by Kelsey Hoefer, Senior, Outside Hitter (Towson University)
Planes, trains, and automobiles. In our trip to Europe, we spent quite a bit of time traveling whether it be flying, driving, or riding trains. We started our travel by leaving O'Hare Airport at 6:30pm on a Friday. We flew threw the night for 9 hours. We watched movies from a pretty wide selection Air France provided us with, listened to music, ate, and slept. We finally stretched our legs in European land in Paris, France. But not for long. After going through customs, we caught another flight into Venice, Italy. After a little drive on a bus provided by Bring It Promotions, we reached our first destination in Pordenone. The team did a very nice job adjusting to the 6 hour time difference right away.
When traveling to each country, we traveled by train. Most of the travel was done through the Alps. It was a beautiful and convenient way to travel through Europe. The rides lasted from 2 hours to 7 hours. During this down time, some girls played cards and talked, some listened to music, and others attempted to catch up on some sleep. It was pretty hard getting comfortable on the trains. While on the train rides, it was cool to see the differences of each country right before our eyes. Always being on the run really helped us with our time management skills. It was a great experience for the team to live on the go. We saw a lot this way and it was definitely worth it!!!
Before we left for our trip, we were aware of the currency exchange. In Italy, Austria, Germany, and France we used the Euro. But in the Czech Republic we used the Czech Crown (Corona). Their form of money was more than our American dollar, so everything over there was more expensive. While we were over there we were each given 10 Euro a day. This paid for our lunch/snack for the day. Then we would save up our loose change and extra cash for other things such as gelato or souvenirs. It was great to see the way the Europeans live and experience spending money in a different currency.
THE FOOD =====================================================
by Sam Thrower, Senior, Middle Blocker (Indiana University)
18 Black joins tour guide Jirca for a meal at a pub in the Czech Republic.
[Note: I had no idea that Sam ate the way she did and loved food the way she does. It became the running joke throughout the trip. In fact, one of our favorite team pictures from the trip captures Sam chewing on something in Paris. It was a no brainer to have Sam write about the cultural cuisines.]
On our trip to Europe there were many grand and exciting things to see, from the maze-like streets of Italy to the stunning view of the Eiffel tower. However, of all the beautiful and historic things we had the chance to experience, none of them surpassed the one thing in Europe that I was most looking forward to...the food. Despite popular beliefs, there is so much more to European food than pizza and pasta. Although it was the best pizza and pasta I have ever had, the excitement doesn't stop there. Europe has their own special kind of ice cream which they like to call Gelato. For most of us, besides Steph, it was the first time we had heard of it. Soon after our first time trying it, Gelato stops became a three-times-a-day ritual. Don't let the creamy goodness fool you; it's actually a lot healthier than American ice cream. Germany is also now my top city on the list of places to eat pastries. Everywhere we went there was Tiramisu, chocolate cake with raspberries, and other delicious pastries I can't pronounce. Aside from the deserts, Europe had the one thing that Meg and I were looking forward to the whole trip. Although it's name continues to be unknown, it's the best sandwich you'll ever have in your life. Bursting with flavor, it generally consists of fresh mozzarella and tomatoes on a panini, sometimes accompanied by fresh basil and our personal favorite...pesto. Once we finally found one with pesto in Germany, the trip was declared a success. The last dish I will discuss was found in the small town of Austria. The traditional dish called Wiener Schnitzel was another personal favorite. It is made of veal coated in breadcrumbs and fried served with a cranberry sauce. Only in Austria, the name schnitzel is actually protected by law. This means that if the dish is made with pork instead of veal, it is a crime to call it Wiener Schnitzel. Overall, I think we would all agree that the trip was not only an eye-opener to the different kinds of culture, architecture, and history, but more importantly, to the cuisine of Europe. It will be missed.
COMING TOGETHER: TEAM BONDING =============================
by Molly Turk, Senior, Setter/RS (University of Northern Iowa)
Eleven long, eventful days off togetherness was plenty of team bonding time. For any ordinary team, somewhere within the duration of the trip, problems would arise due to the enormous amount of time being spent together. Our team surely proved to be anything but ordinary, after displaying such positive attitudes towards one another for the entire trip.
This voyage was important in many aspects of the relationship we now share with each other on and off the court. Before the trip, were simply teammates who got along well. Through the time spent rooming together, exploring unfamiliar territories, trying new and exciting meals, experiencing cultural changes and so much more, we transformed the relationship of being teammates into becoming genuine friends. We are now linked together by things we learned we have in common, over dozens of conversations throughout the trip. We are not only connected by the fact that we all love volleyball. We learned a little more about each other and with that knowledge came a new found respect.
One might ask how being more familiar with each other off the court would factor into our performance on the court. I believe that because we now have a new respect for one another, we will utilize that on as well as off the court. With all ten of us on board, trusting each other, working together as close friends as well as teammates, it will make our goals that much easier to accomplish in the end.
THE VOLLEYBALL ==============================================
A Player's Perspective
by Erin Johnson, Senior, Middle Blocker (University of Illinois)
The volleyball part of our trip started off in Belluno, Italy where we played Top Team Belluno. The girls ranged in age from 16 to 22. They were a very talented team with a lot of depth. Due to it being our first match in Europe, there were a lot of things to get used to, especially the ball. We played with the ball used in the Olympics and found out pretty quickly that it was very different than the ones we use here. It was much harder and dimpled, which caused the float and trajectory to be completely different. Let's just say that if you didn't wrist the ball enough when you were hitting, you'd hit the back wall. After getting our first match under our belts, we moved on to Austria where we played VC Tirol.
We played this team twice, however we only played their full starting line-up one of the times. They have a few girls who are 15, but most of them were our age and a little older. Their were even a few girls from America so it was nice to be able to talk to them about what their experience has been like. Although by this time we were used to the ball, we were still adjusting to the style of play in Europe. The overall difference is that they play with a much slower, higher offense, but what makes them most successful is how few errors they make. We learned that playing steady teams who really limit the amount of errors they make can be frustrating, but it helped us to learn how to find a way to score.
After Austria we moved on to Munich to play Lohoff. All these girls were older than us by a few years and they were our toughest competition of the trip. The team was very dynamic and had a couple heavy hitters who gave us a struggle. Nonetheless, we capitalized on the opportunities we were given and took a few games from them.
During the trip our plans changed slightly and we moved on to Prague a bit early to take advantage of the opportunity to play the Czech Republic's Youth National Team. These girls were all 16 and 17 and had a lot of talent. They ran a slightly faster offense and we were excited to help them prepare for a big upcoming tournament. We played this team twice also, and were very thankful that we got the chance to play them.
Most of our matches took place at night, around 8 o'clock. This meant we really had to dig deep in order to find enough energy to play after a long day of sightseeing. Its not like we had it rough- we were sightseeing in Europe! But after four hours of sleep, a five hour train ride, six hours of walking up and down hills, and climbing millions of stairs, we were all pretty exhausted at the end of the day. This trip presented a challenge that we all had to learn to overcome, and although sometimes the fatigue got to us, we really worked hard and learned a lot about each other as people and as teammates. Were all looking forward to the the chemistry we created on our trip to help us improve our game on the court. This was the opportunity of a lifetime and the things we learned about each other will no doubt make us a better team.
A Coach's Perspective
by Eric Schulze, Head Coach
Many have asked me how we played. It is a fair question. We are a volleyball team and people want to know about the volleyball. It only makes sense. The problem is that I really don't know how to answer the question. I'm not sure you can play well on this sort of tour. I'm not sure you know if you are playing well. These are different opponents, in many cases older. The ball is different. The gyms are different. The game is different.
The European style of play, at least that of the teams I have had the chance to see the last couple of years is certainly different. It is a higher game predicated on the pin players. I can count on one hand the number of decent middles I remember seeing. The teams we faced served and passed very well. One thing that really stood out is the fact that they don't beat themselves. They play a more disciplined game that does not see many unforced errors. I think many American teams will beat themselves. We don't take care of the ball nearly as well. I would say that we were as talented as any team we faced. Probably more talented in most cases. However, we lost more games than we won and that was directly related to the number of errors we would make in those losses. The Europeans on the other hand played steady and consistent each time out.
Every gym we played in had a hardwood floor that would be comparable to the "spare" gym at most high schools in the States. The floors were slippery and didn't look like they had been waxed in years. The ball was the Mikasa FIVB ball that was used in the Olympics last summer. It was different to say the least. It floated differently and seemed almost lighter than the Molten ball we use here in the States. As I mentioned, the opponents were different. We played several pro level teams with players ranging from 16-38 years of age. In most cases, the experience factor was certainly on their side.
Finally, let's be honest. How can you play your best when you spend 12 hours sight seeing and walking around these cities? You would never do that if you were preparing to play your best match. The kids, to their credit, never complained and never made an excuse, but I could see it. They didn't have their legs. They made uncharacteristic mistakes.
So why do the trip if you cannot be successful on the court? Why bother? Well, I happen to believe that there is more to building a championship caliber team than the volleyball on the court. Championship teams have a chemistry and a bond that is different - special. When you have only seven months to put a brand new group together and make that chemistry happen you have to find something different. Also, for many of these kids this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Sometimes the journey is more important than the destination.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE =======================================
A Parent's Perspective
by Lynne Turk (mother of Molly Turk)
Traveling to Europe with my daughter and the daughters of my friends has proved to be one of the most impactful events in my life, of late. Observing this group of girls experience these old world cities and cultures was truly a gift. The wonder they experienced and challenges they overcame was amazing. At the end of our tour, these girls who sometimes have difficulty locating a knee pad, blue jersey or whistle, were able to navigate subways, trams, train stations and language barriers with ease. They moved through the streets of Europe as a unit, borrowing and sharing anything necessary that was forgotten. As wheels fell off fifty pound suitcases, they all pitched in to help their teammate or conquer hundreds of stairs. They became a colony of ants, working together for success, ready to take on anything.
As a larva must struggle to escape its cocoon and become a butterfly, so it is with, Fusion 18 Black. They have struggled to become strong, fully develop as a team and trust each other for everything. Our European extravaganza has provided the glue, to make this team incredibly connected, not only for the remainder of this season, which will come all too quickly, but for the rest of their lives.
As to the expense of this trip:
Gelato in Venice --1.30 Euros
Cashmere scarves in Prague --200 Czech crowns
11 days in Europe with my daughter ---Priceless.
A Coach's Perspective
by Lindsey Johnson, Assistant Coach
A trip to Europe with your volleyball team can go many different ways. This was a lot of the girls’ ‘firsts.’ First time overseas, first time away from family that long, first time not having mom or dad around to depend on, really just a first time for them to be held responsible in an everyday setting that most of them will be experiencing next year in college. From a coach’s standpoint I don’t think it could have gone any better, minus maybe Molly receiving a concussion early in the trip.
With our five-country tour we did a great deal of sight seeing, and saw most of the main points of interest in each city we stayed. Observing the girls in these settings with just their friends was amazing. You think of doing these things with your families on a vacation, not with your teammates on a volleyball focused trip. They were given a few hours everyday to themselves to do whatever they wanted in those cities, and were encouraged to really explore, see the sights, and interact with the culture. We had our concerns about them possibly being a little more interested in the local boys or shopping, but they proved us wrong. To listen to their stories from their time and then look at their memorable pictures they took together was priceless. Even hours and days later they were still telling stories and reliving their experiences with each other with big smiles on their faces. Those are memories and inside jokes that only that group of girls will be able to share with each other.
Over the course of a 10-day trip, you would expect a group of 17 and 18 year olds to become disgruntled, homesick, or become cliquish. But everyday Eric and I noticed that after our long hours of traveling, sight seeing, and playing, they never stopped making each other laugh with stories or even just playing silly little games.
They went over as a group, they traveled as a group, they experienced as a group, and they remained a group and that is what impressed me the most. They weren’t just a group of Fusion players, but a great group of friends as well.
A Player's Perspective
by Kristen Haggenjos, Senior, Outside Hitter (Loyola University)
Embarking on a journey to Europe was so exciting for everyone, but I know a lot of us didn't know what to expect. What Bring It Promotions and Eric managed to put together was everything we could have asked for and more! We played top-notch volleyball, ate delicious ethnic food, saw the best sights, and certainly learned a thing or two about independence. With most of us going off to college next year, this trip gave us insight into what it's like being responsible for all you have and making worthwhile decisions. Each and every girl opened up and brought something to the table, and that's another reason why things worked so well between 10 very different females on the trip.
The European experience was enlightening, fun, educational, productive, and truly eye-opening for everyone. Everything we experienced, from the volleyball to the culture changes to the long, hard travel days, has taught us valuable lessons and even more about ourselves. The success of the trip isn't necessarily decided by how many wins and losses we had, but by the interactions and unforgettable times that were experienced. Constantly being around the same people for eleven days can often be a struggle, but there was never a point when we wanted to get away from each other and be alone. Every member of the 18 Black team, as well as the parents, and the coaches, Eric and Lindsey, contributed so much to the significance of the trip. It would not have been the same if one person was not a part of this experience.
The pictures, stories, souvenirs, and postcards may all depict what happened on this European adventure, but no one but us will ever truly understand the impact and importance it had on us. This special opportunity we were given is something that everyone is so thankful for and will never forget. The laughs, tears, jokes, and even blood spilled (Taylor's nose eventually stopped bleeding) were all so crucial in creating such a memorable time. This trip to Italy, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, and France has changed us as people in a positive way, and as a whole, has changed the dynamic of the word "team". Fusion 18 Black is no longer a team, but a family.
Week Three
We returned to the states on Tuesday, the 31st, at 12:30 noon. We were all exhausted. Don't get me wrong. We weren't asking for any sympathy. We knew how fortunate we were to have the opportunity to do what we did. But, the reality was that we were all dragging and felt like we could sleep for two days straight. But for many of the kids it was back to school the next day.
I would have loved to give the kids the rest of the week off, but we had another important tournament in just three days. The Spring Classic hosted by 1st Alliance began on Friday. I scheduled a practice for Wednesday night. I wasn't sure what they would have. I assumed that they would be a shell of themselves. After all, the kids are only human. Once again, I was wrong. The kids had a great practice culminating with a nice finish scrimmaging our very tough 17s team.
The kids had Thursday away from volleyball, but returned to the court on Friday evening to begin the Spring Classic. The kids started off with two nice wins against Sky High 18 Black and 1st Alliance 18 Silver, a team that had beat us in their previous meeting. I saw the fatigue starting to set in though. Erin Johnson, my captain, was having a hard time catching her breath. Most of the girls were simply not playing with the energy that they normally would. I wasn't sure how it would affect us.
Saturday proved to be an easier day as we swept Invasion 18 Black, Sky High 17 Black, and 1st Alliance 17 Silver. I played with a lot of different line-ups to attempt to give kids a break and get them off their feet. 1st Alliance 17 Silver was our final match and the kids played their best match to that point in the tournament.
It was clear from the outset on Sunday that we were in trouble. During warm-ups we were struggling. Our match-up was the worst one possible. Our 18 White team was our opponent to advance to the Gold playoffs. 18 White knows us well and is well coached by a 3-time JUCO national champion in Ron Sweet. If there was ever a time for a let down, this was it. 18 White jumped all over us in Game 1 and never let up. We tried to fight back, but in the end 18 White just had all the answers and defeated us 21-25. In Game 2, I didn't have to say a word. As I approached the huddle after turning in the line-up, I heard Erin letting her teammates know that we were not going to lose. She told them to find something extra and give it. No excuses, we had to win. 18 White jumped out again early in Game 2 and it looked like we were simply going to get beat. But, Johnson and her teammates put their money where their mouth was. They started picking up their intensity. Julie Jeziorowski started to make some unbelievable plays from her libero position to spark us defensively. We fought to a tough 25-23 victory. In Game 3, Stephanie Holthus and Johnson and took over. A 15-7 victory moved us on to the finals.
In the finals, we ran into another very familiar opponent. Our 17 Black team had just upset 1st Alliance 18 Silver in the semi-finals and was playing great volleyball. Could the kids pull out one more win? When I looked the kids, I knew they were struggling. They were quiet and clearly fatigued. Boy, did it show. 17 Black pounded us in Game 1 15-25. It was a straight whipping. I turned to Lindsey and told her that I thought they just didn't have enough left. But, it retrospect I think the kids were simply measuring their opponent in Game 1. I think they needed to understand what they were going to have to find inside themselves to beat their opponent. I'm sure they were hoping that 17 Black would maybe play scared or lay down for us. That would have been the easy way to go. They realized that wasn't going to happen. Behind some stellar offensive play from Sondra Parys and Molly Turk, my girls found another gear in Game 2. We needed the effort as Johnson and Holthus were struggling early on. Jeziorowski simply didn't allow a ball to hit the floor and we kept on fighting. We took Game 2 25-18 setting up a 3rd game for the championship. Despite the early struggles, Holthus and Johnson do what they always do. They found a way. The two used their strong offensive games and solid play at the net to keep the game close. Near the end of the game I turned to Kelsey Hoefer, an outside hitter fighting to return from a serious ankle injury. She still cannot jump effectively, but she is a rock of a kid. She hadn't played a single point up to that point in the tournament. She came off the bench to serve four straight balls and break open a close game. Hoefer's mental toughness was indicative of the entire team. We simply were going to find a way. We finished off the 17 Black team with a 15-12 win and a tournament championship.
The girls were wiped. Gassed. Done. Molly commented that she simply wanted to lay down right there and go to sleep. The last three weeks had been the most exhilarating and exhausting of their volleyball careers. Great Lakes Power League champions, 11 day volleyball tour to Europe and Spring Classic champions. They had every reason to fall apart or make excuses. They refused to do it. They stayed together and leaned on each other. They learned about themselves and each other. They truly became a team.
I've never been more proud of a group. Sunday was the guttiest performance I've ever seen from one of my teams in my twelve years coaching. They accepted the challenge and reached their goal. These kids learned how much they are capable of when they learn to count on each other. It is one of the most valuable lessons in life to learn. The thing I am most proud of is that they did it on their own. They didn't need me or anyone else to tell them what they needed to do. They just needed each other. The self-confidence and self-awareness that they have gained will be invaluable going forward. After the pictures and one last team huddle for the day, I dismissed the players after telling them they had the next week off. They earned it. As I watched them walk away, I realized this might be that team. The team that every coach hopes they get just once in their career.
You see, I didn't want these players or this team at the beginning of the season. Now, I hope that they never leave.
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