We thought we'd update the Magnolia Lady Bulldogs volleyball fans with some volleyball news and with an on-going list of MHS Lady Bulldogs athletes who've qualified for the USAV Junior Olympic Championships to be played in Atlanta, Georgia in July. The ladies deserve special recognition for their hard work and outstanding play as the training (along with the ensuing competition) keeps the ladies' fundamental skills sharp through the 2006-2007 high school training and play in the early fall season.
The United States Volleyball Association (USVA) is the host of this national event and National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of volleyball in the United States and is recognized by the Federation International de Volleyball (FIVB) along with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) . USAV is the sanctioning body for the top competitive girls volleyball program in the country. Houston is in the Lone Star Region, which is one of the largest and most competitive in the country, but just one of approximately 35 regions in the United States. There are over 30 private clubs in the Houston area which are typically- a 'mix' of local, regional or national teams depending on the competitive level of the team.
Club teams must qualify during sanctioned 'Qualifier' tournaments each season in order to participate in this national event. The top teams vie for bids to the annual National Junior Olympic Championships where a National Champion will be crowned for each age group. In short, the 'best-of-the-best' have got to "have it all together" as they rise to the top, win-place-or-show, just to earn a bid to get there!
All of our (Magnolia) ladies are in the Lone Star Region and may play at different clubs. There is an OPEN Division which, as the name implies: is open to the most qualified, elite and/or gifted teams nationally, and CLUB Division (comprised of two subdivisions: NATIONAL and AMERICAN) which is generally regarded as the next-best division. That's not to say however, that a NATIONAL or AMERICAN division team can't or hasn't defeated a qualified OPEN team during the season - actually, it happens all the time! The kicker to this really is: the experience of playing against top-level competition, traveling and playing in different cities and facilities while under the glare of a national spotlight - is invaluable, and prepares the ladies in so many areas for what lies ahead.
Well, we'll start the list rolling now, and as you review the list and see that a MAGNOLIA LADY BULLDOG has NOT been listed - please email: tsm0921@sbcglobal.net and we'll add her to the list.
Name..........................Club........................Division
1. Michele Williams....Willowbrook 16 ASICS.........American
2. Alicia Shaffer........Willowbrook 16 ASICS.........American
3. Hannah Fort..........Texas Tornados 17 NIKE......American
Congratulations also goes out to Alicia Shaffer for being selected to the 2006 USAV High Performance (HP) development training team. Only the top 30% of all HP tryout participants are fortunate enough to make this team whose most elite players train during a 5 day camp in July (after Alicia returns from JO's) in Austin, Tx.
WAY TO GO, ALICIA!!! ... GOOD LUCK LADIES!!
