Ready! Go! Circular volleyball

MONSTER BLOCK!

WW Jrs U16 team

Learning to hit, and Olivia getting into her tossing duties!

This past Monday marked the first of five Spring Youth Clinics, where we are working with 4th, 5th and 6th graders to teach them volleyball, and get them playing the game we love!

The net is low, the balls are light and soft and we are primarily focusing on the super duper fun skills of HITTING and BLOCKING.   What else??

Walla Walla Juniors U16's are pitching in as helping coaches, the Whitman team is out in force, and we had 22 very excited and enthusiastic new volleyball players in the gym for about an hour and a half.

We are playing a game called "Circular volleyball" used to teach very young players the flow and pace of the game.  You get to catch the first contact and run to be the setter/tosser, then your partner gets to hit and someone else gets to BLOCK and the point is getting them moving and playing and figuring out how to get their feet to the ball.  

There was a lot of laughing and fun in the gym last Monday, and we have 4 more to go!

Spring means community service!

Making sure the games are good to go!

In early March the team volunteered their time to help with the Walla Walla Children's Forum, as they hosted Dr. John Medina, an author and authority on pediatric brain development.  Dr. Medina spoke to the greater Walla Walla community at St. Marks church.  The team showed up, and pitched in to set-up the room---hauling tables and chairs----and then went to work as part of the group working to entertain and watch about 40-50 kids ranging from babies to 12 year olds!  It was non-stop for a couple of hours, as we fed them pizza, and kept them busy with craft stations, some wild shenanigans at the pool table, and a rousing ping pong game.  The younger kid's area was a bit more calm, but required some expert soothing of some young ones finding it harder to be separated from their parents than others.  
Dr. Medina, who is associated with the University of Washington School of Medicine, spoke to this crowd, and then whisked off to speak on campus to another audience.  The following day he made a presentation before a packed Cordiner Hall to every teacher and employee in the WW school district, who made an unprecedented move and closed school for the day so these professionals could take advantage of Dr. Medina's expertise.  It was a good opportunity for our athletes to get out into the wider community and volunteer their time.  This month we're all going out for a campus-wide service day---stream restoration is on the calendar I believe.

workin on some speedy feet and agility!

the challenge is on!

We have a tie for the high-flying, jump touch reaching Queen of the court!  Carrie and Rachel C are fingertip to fingertip at 9'7.  We'll see who wins this one at the end of Spring season.  Competition on!

jumpin and runnin

The team had a inspiring Friday speed and agility workout!  Great energy in the gym---helped along by the music I think.  We measured verticals to see how good we can get this Spring.  Coach Cato (W soccer) helped us out with some challenging ladder work.  Much of the team is on the fan bus up to Whitworth for tonight's Men's Basketball NWC Championship final!!  GO WHITTIES

Inspiration from among our own....

The men and women's basketball teams at Whitman are having very strong, incredibly exciting, season-ending runs!  The campus is buzzing, the athletic department is floating about 3 feet off the ground, and the athletes are inspired!

The women beat Whitworth last night in a commanding fashion to stay in the hunt for a play-off spot in the NWC.

The men took out Whitworth in one of the most exciting sporting events I've ever seen live!  Whitworth was undefeated in 35 NWC games---undefeated this season, AND ranked #1 in DIII men's basketball nationally.  It took every last second---but in the last 5:41 Whitman came from a 16 point deficit and won!!

We are living the example of hard work paying off---committing to your dream, and going after it.  Extra hours in the gym, staying focused on the right things, and playing with heart and desire.  Love it!!

Supporting the Women and Men's basketball teams!