Penn State Scrimmage

As the girls walked through campus, bystanders gawked at the sight of huge, tree-like girls walking around taking in the history of West Point. That only meant one thing...Penn State volleyball team had arrived. The day was a success. On Saturday morning our girls and the Penn State team got together to run a few drills and get some tips from 3-Time Nationals Championship coach Russ Rose. It was a competitive morning filled with intense drills, hard hitting and all out defense. Penn State even got a tour of West Point. They got to see the dorms, classrooms, Cadet Chapel and ]even got to eat in the Mess Hall. Yummy.

Each team was impressed by the other. Our girls were humbled to have the chance to play with 3-Time National Champs and Penn State was humble to learn about what it takes to be a student-athlete at a place like West Point and the commitment our team has not only to volleyball but to their country.

All in all it was a great day, each team learning a lot about the other. An unforgettable Spring Tournament for sure! Now our team has two more practice to get ready for our last tournament at the University of Rhode Island. Bring on the challenge!

Penn State comes to West Point...

The Army volleyball program will offer a free youth clinic on Saturday, April 17, following its spring season practice session with three-time defending national champion Penn State (No big deal). The clinic is scheduled to run from 4-5 p.m. at Gillis Field House with registration beginning at 3:30 p.m. The Army-Penn State scrimmages, which begin with a 9-11:30 a.m. and session are now open to the public. Whooohoooo!!!

The Nittany Lions and Hall of Fame head coach Russ Rose will tour West Point and eat lunch at the Mess Hall in between sessions. The second scrimmage will take place in the afternoon with a target start time of 3 p.m. All scrimmages are open to the public and will take place at Gillis Field House.

Girls from the ages of 8-18 and with all skill levels are welcome to attend the clinic. One of the young, rising stars within the volleyball coaching world, reigning two-time Patriot League Coach of the Year Alma Kovaci and her assistants, Jeremy Sands and Julie Chester will run the clinic. They will be joined by players from the 2009 Patriot League Championship team.

Depending on skill level, clinic attendees will learn the basics of volleyball and/or improve existing volleyball skills, all while gaining exposure to a collegiate environment and hanging out with the Army Volleyball players.

To pre-register for the clinic, email Director of Marketing Elle Nichols at ellen.nichols@usma.edu or call the Army Marketing Office at 845-938-2294. Walk-up registrations will also be accepted the day of the clinic from 3:30-4 p.m.

Don't miss this chance! It should be a fun day down at Gillis!

If Not Now, When?

Friday the Army Volleyball team had the privilege to have lunch with Jack Jacobs. Army First Lieutenant Jack Jacobs was serving as an advisor to the South Vietnamese when he and his men came under devastating attack. Severely wounded, Jacobs took command and withdrew the unit, returning again and again to the site of the attack to rescue more men, saving the lives of a U.S. advisor and thirteen Allied soldiers. Colonel Jacobs received the nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor (Show in picture above, receiving a signed ball from one of our seniors Karyn Powell).

While eating lunch with the team he discussed stories of the Army, West Point or as he called it "The School of The United States of America" and his current job as a military analysis on TV. He was humorous, courteous and full of knowledge. It was certainly a treat for the volleyball team to have the honor of talking with such a great ambassador for the Army.

Other than that the girls had a morning lift and the afternoon off so they could start their Easter weekend off early. The weather here is perfect and this week the team is preparing to travel to Hofstra for their second spring tournament.

Until next time...

Recap...

Well this past weekend was filled with tons of volleyball. At the Spring Tournament that Army hosted they lost to Rhode Island, split with UConn and beat Temple and Marist. It was a good "starter" weekend considering we hadn't work on offense one bit.

Now the girls are back in the gym brushing up on some of the skills that lacked this weekend. It has been a rough week for our players. Not only is volleyball a focus for them right now but it is a "Thayer" week. For all of you who don't know what "Thayer" week is, it means it is a week from hell for school. Tests, tests and more tests. One on top of the other. Since it is such a tough school week the girls had Wednesday off to study and get tutoring. Hopefully it pays off!!

Julie returned from MEQ after watching some great volleyball. Indy was cold but it was buzzing with the hype of the Men's Final Four. Alma is lucky enough to have scored tickets to the Final Four and is headed there this weekend to watch some great basketball and hopefully an upset or two! (Go Butler, go!) Jeremy is off to Baltimore this weekend for the qualifier and some quality fun at the Inner Harbor.

Other than that, the weather is finally taking a turn for the better! It's starting to look like spring outside and the sun is shining! Can't complain.

Until next time...