Preseason is for gaining confidence and finding weakness. That is exactly what happened this past week for the Indians. It was a total success as we competed with 2 of the best teams in the state of Florida. Both matches could have gone either way and our coaching staff is very pleased as we start the regular season on the road at Lakewood Ranch on Tuesday night @ 7 and we will return home on Thursday vs Bayshore HS. Our New Era has begun!!!! As we are not used to losing, Friday and Saturdays practice was extremely focused (and tough). If we had played easy or mediocre teams, we would be going into regular season blind and ignorant. Its not how good you are but how often you are good. Any team can have a good showing once in awhile but it is those teams that stand the test of time who are successful.
Also, veniceindianvolleyball.com will have a new look here in the next few days so keep checking back. I think you will like the new look!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Venice sweeps home opener!!!!!!
Venice def. Ft. Myers in 3 tonight 25-21, 25-23, 25-13. It was a classic Venice win with disciplined defense and passing, aggresive swinging, and a whole lot of guts. Both teams stayed very even the 1st 2 games until about 20 and then the Indians put it into high gear. The Wackos were out in full force which really sparked a lot of energy into the match. Looking forward to seeing a great crowd for the Championship on Thursday night at 7 against Berkeley Prep.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Big Sis/little sis program
To all freshmen and JV players:
Many years ago, Venice Volleyball was the first to launch the Big sister and little sister program. All players on the freshmen and JV teams will get a big sister from the Varsity team. This program is designed so our volleyball athletes support each other and help through the good times and the bad. A big sister is there to help talk through problems or may share in her victories as well. We want all of our athletes to feel part of our program and this is just one way to fulfill it. Not only does it help kids on the freshmen and jv teams but it helps promote leadership from the varsity players because leaders are not born but made. Your big sister will be announced the week of Aug. 25th
Many years ago, Venice Volleyball was the first to launch the Big sister and little sister program. All players on the freshmen and JV teams will get a big sister from the Varsity team. This program is designed so our volleyball athletes support each other and help through the good times and the bad. A big sister is there to help talk through problems or may share in her victories as well. We want all of our athletes to feel part of our program and this is just one way to fulfill it. Not only does it help kids on the freshmen and jv teams but it helps promote leadership from the varsity players because leaders are not born but made. Your big sister will be announced the week of Aug. 25th
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Fundraiser Tuesday August 26th
DELICIOUS Gold Rush BBQ Sandwich with 1 side , dessert and a drink
FOR ONLY $7.00
starts at 4:30 Location: Outside cafeteria eating area: next to gym parking lot.
212° - The Xtra Degree
FOR ONLY $7.00
starts at 4:30 Location: Outside cafeteria eating area: next to gym parking lot.
212° - The Xtra Degree
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Parent Meeting
There will be a Volleyball meeting for parents and players on Thursday, 8/21 at 7:30 PM. Please plan to attend.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
In the news
Many of our fans like to follow our VHS graduates as they excel on their college teams. Here are their college websites: (click on the player)
Lisa Hough
Nickie Halbert
Kaylee Ream
Casie Richards
Julie Howlett
Good luck to all of these girls. VHS is rooting for you! Also, Lisa Hough will be the captain for the Mountaineers this year.
*****After leading her Georgetown Hoyas in kills last year, Dana Dumas has decided to stay at the school but not play due to the fact that she has changed her major to Nursing which demands many hours and the two would just not work out.***********
Lisa Hough
Nickie Halbert
Kaylee Ream
Casie Richards
Julie Howlett
Good luck to all of these girls. VHS is rooting for you! Also, Lisa Hough will be the captain for the Mountaineers this year.
*****After leading her Georgetown Hoyas in kills last year, Dana Dumas has decided to stay at the school but not play due to the fact that she has changed her major to Nursing which demands many hours and the two would just not work out.***********
Monday, August 18, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
2- A -Days
Tryouts started Monday morning and by Monday afternoon the varsity team was suited in their 2008 practice gear ready for practices, team building exercises, and learning about this years theme. All week, the varsity team practiced 2 times a day with a typical practice lasting about 3 hours and then workouts with Vern followed one of those so as you can imagine, players are definitely fatigued. Most years, we train using part to whole theory starting with the basics and moving towards team drills and strategies towards the end of the 2nd week. This year because of a lot of newcomers, we are training whole to part. We showed them what the final product needs to look like and are going backwards from there. We are taking baby steps and making sure that no rock is left uncovered. It's important, as coaches, to learn from past years to improve the quality of our program and the last couple of years we have had a veteran team and with a veteran team you tend to move as quickly as possible through certain areas of mental preparedness to get to a higher level of play. This week in particular there are 3 things that need to be edged in their mind for us to be successful and we have not deterrred from that at all this week. Those 3 things are coming along and particularly at todays practice we felt like we had some breakthroughs as a team so hopefully we can continue to take some steps forward going into Friday and Saturdays practices. There are a few things that we have done this week that have been pretty beneficial as far as motivating individuals, building team unity, and taping practices. I know that I have not expanded on things in this blog and I will be pretty general throughout the course of the season because there are many opposing coaches who will read this and try to gain info to scout. I know because we get valuable info from other team's websites but lets keep that a secret.
I would like to welcome our new freshmen coach this season, Lori Sandburg. Lori played at VHS and was a freshmen setter on my very 1st team at Venice. She is one of only a handful of players to play all 4 years on the varsity team. As a freshmen, she saw our team win the school's 1st ever District Championship defeating 13 time defending champion, Pt. Charlotte HS who was a powerhouse in the state at that time. Her competiveness continued and as a senior, she set our team to the school's 1st ever berth in the Final 4 and finished State Runner up to undefeated and #3 team in the nation, Clearwater HS, so Lori has seen it all. She went on to gain a volleyball scholarship at Valdosta State Univ. in Georgia as a setter. She is now back and we know that she will do a great job as the Frosh coach. Lori is extremely energetic and always has a smile on her face. She is eager to get started and I know her team will be exciting to watch this season.
I would like to welcome our new freshmen coach this season, Lori Sandburg. Lori played at VHS and was a freshmen setter on my very 1st team at Venice. She is one of only a handful of players to play all 4 years on the varsity team. As a freshmen, she saw our team win the school's 1st ever District Championship defeating 13 time defending champion, Pt. Charlotte HS who was a powerhouse in the state at that time. Her competiveness continued and as a senior, she set our team to the school's 1st ever berth in the Final 4 and finished State Runner up to undefeated and #3 team in the nation, Clearwater HS, so Lori has seen it all. She went on to gain a volleyball scholarship at Valdosta State Univ. in Georgia as a setter. She is now back and we know that she will do a great job as the Frosh coach. Lori is extremely energetic and always has a smile on her face. She is eager to get started and I know her team will be exciting to watch this season.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
JV and Freshmen Teams
JV:
Ashley Keith * Heather Parrish * Bianca Echtler * Abby Carlson
Morgan Henderson * Hannah Revels * Mary Dodge * Lyndsey Cantees
Aubrey Court * Angela Jewett * Brittany Ryan * Julie Cessna
Cassie Wright * Kelsey McNamee
Freshmen:
Naomi Skopec * Caroline Cassidy * Brooke Shipps * MacKenzie Stewart
Catie Pinkerton * Gena Murphy * Sammie Kasmirski * Ciara Schaefer
Sarah Benderson * Julianna Burns * Kelsey Breda
JV has practice tomorrow from 11:00-12:45. Freshmen are practicing from 5:30-7:30.
Congrats!
Ashley Keith * Heather Parrish * Bianca Echtler * Abby Carlson
Morgan Henderson * Hannah Revels * Mary Dodge * Lyndsey Cantees
Aubrey Court * Angela Jewett * Brittany Ryan * Julie Cessna
Cassie Wright * Kelsey McNamee
Freshmen:
Naomi Skopec * Caroline Cassidy * Brooke Shipps * MacKenzie Stewart
Catie Pinkerton * Gena Murphy * Sammie Kasmirski * Ciara Schaefer
Sarah Benderson * Julianna Burns * Kelsey Breda
JV has practice tomorrow from 11:00-12:45. Freshmen are practicing from 5:30-7:30.
Congrats!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Varsity Roster
Katie Paschke * Dorothy Rahal * *Jillian Allen * Taylor Capasso
Emily Daniels * Brittany Burrows * Kelly McManus
Whitney Steranko * Jessica Costanzo * Payton Herschberger
Autumn Duyn * Morgan Shattuck
Emily Daniels * Brittany Burrows * Kelly McManus
Whitney Steranko * Jessica Costanzo * Payton Herschberger
Autumn Duyn * Morgan Shattuck
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Volleyball Eve
'Twas the Night Before Volleyball by Brian Wheatley (2008)
'Twas the night before Volleyball, when all through the TeePee not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse( well maybe a rat). The Championship banners were hung by the raftors with care,in hopes that a new State Championship would soon would be there.
The coaches and players were nestled all snug in their beds,while visions of the Berkeley Prep Buccaneers were in their heads.And Coach Peters in her pajamas, and Coach Lanham on the couch, and Coach Batt wearing a hat had just settled the offense we would run for a long season's run.
When out on the road there arose such a clatter,I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.Away to the window I flew like a flash,tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen weight room, the lustre of midday to objects below,when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,but big yellow buses and volleyball players who were scared of their next defeat.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,I knew in a moment it must be our district opponents. More rapid then eagles, each team came to the Tee Pee and the reporters Perry and Tripp have to write in the paper that The Indians had them beat. Their names in sinc shouted by Wheatley's Wackos who called them by name: Now Lakewood Ranch! Now Bayshore Bruins!, Now North Port Bobcats and Charlotte Tarpons! On, Manatee Hurricanes, On Souteast Seminoles, Port Charlotte Pirates and all other teams who have been banned (like Buccholtz). Back to your buses! Back to your school! Now dash away!, Dash away! Dash away all!
As morning grew near and the crowds had gone home, the players were met with an obstacle so they ran to their safe haven called the gym. With the office full of new uniforms (they are sweet looking too) and new equipment await, Vern Gambetta was there telling then that Good was not good enough and there was more to be done.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the gym floor diving and sprawling of each player. As I drew in my head and was turning around,down the floor came alumni carrying a torch to hand it over.
They were dressed all in green, from their head to their feet,and their clothes were all tarnished with wrinkles and spots. A bundle of names that Coach Wheatley had written had flung on his back,and he looked like an Auburn grad just opening his pack.
His eyes--how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,and the hairs on his chest was as white as the snow.The stump of a whisle he held tight in his teeth,and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.He had a broad face but with a six pack too ,that kinda looked like a wash board and a practice plan all crumpled up .
He was a great looking guy (don't laugh), a right jolly young coach,and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself. A wink of his eye and a twist of his head soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,and filled all the spirit bags, then turned with a jerk.And blowing his whistle,and giving a nod, out the TeePee he rose.
He sprang to his Durango, to his team gave a whistle,And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Volleyball to all, and to all a good night!" Good luck at Tryouts. New poll will start next week so get the last few votes in quickly.
'Twas the night before Volleyball, when all through the TeePee not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse( well maybe a rat). The Championship banners were hung by the raftors with care,in hopes that a new State Championship would soon would be there.
The coaches and players were nestled all snug in their beds,while visions of the Berkeley Prep Buccaneers were in their heads.And Coach Peters in her pajamas, and Coach Lanham on the couch, and Coach Batt wearing a hat had just settled the offense we would run for a long season's run.
When out on the road there arose such a clatter,I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.Away to the window I flew like a flash,tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen weight room, the lustre of midday to objects below,when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,but big yellow buses and volleyball players who were scared of their next defeat.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,I knew in a moment it must be our district opponents. More rapid then eagles, each team came to the Tee Pee and the reporters Perry and Tripp have to write in the paper that The Indians had them beat. Their names in sinc shouted by Wheatley's Wackos who called them by name: Now Lakewood Ranch! Now Bayshore Bruins!, Now North Port Bobcats and Charlotte Tarpons! On, Manatee Hurricanes, On Souteast Seminoles, Port Charlotte Pirates and all other teams who have been banned (like Buccholtz). Back to your buses! Back to your school! Now dash away!, Dash away! Dash away all!
As morning grew near and the crowds had gone home, the players were met with an obstacle so they ran to their safe haven called the gym. With the office full of new uniforms (they are sweet looking too) and new equipment await, Vern Gambetta was there telling then that Good was not good enough and there was more to be done.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the gym floor diving and sprawling of each player. As I drew in my head and was turning around,down the floor came alumni carrying a torch to hand it over.
They were dressed all in green, from their head to their feet,and their clothes were all tarnished with wrinkles and spots. A bundle of names that Coach Wheatley had written had flung on his back,and he looked like an Auburn grad just opening his pack.
His eyes--how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,and the hairs on his chest was as white as the snow.The stump of a whisle he held tight in his teeth,and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.He had a broad face but with a six pack too ,that kinda looked like a wash board and a practice plan all crumpled up .
He was a great looking guy (don't laugh), a right jolly young coach,and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself. A wink of his eye and a twist of his head soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,and filled all the spirit bags, then turned with a jerk.And blowing his whistle,and giving a nod, out the TeePee he rose.
He sprang to his Durango, to his team gave a whistle,And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Volleyball to all, and to all a good night!" Good luck at Tryouts. New poll will start next week so get the last few votes in quickly.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Alumni make it 4 straight........
Last night, at the annual alumni match, we had yet another nail biter as the VHS alum won 16-14 in the fifth game. The alumni were a little upset with their throw back uniforms and came out smokin to win the first 2 games pretty handidly 25-17, 25-16. The green team came back to tie it up with scores of 25-21 and 25-23 but in the end it came down to Kaylee Ream who hit the right corner to seal the deal. I want to thank the alum who showed their support; Ann Ross '85, Briana Sandburg '95, Lori Sandburg '98, Danielle Durham '05, Kaylee Ream '08, Casie Richards '08, Julie Howlett '08, Shannon Ryan '99, Jackie Ryan '95, Margeaux Sinibaldi '04, Lisa Capasso '81, Chris Burrows '89, Ashley Graf '07, and Natalie Gaudreau '07. Also, I want to thank our line judges, Kurt Durham and Ray sinibaldi, our scorekeeper, Aubrey Court and all of the spectators who came out to observe. Looking forward to another great VHS volleyball season. Tryouts start Monday, Aug. 11. Keep checking back as pictures of the game will soon be uploaded.
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