Team Florida Wins Gold and Bronze at International Tournament
Eustis, FL (PRWEB) August 07, 2013 -- The Team Florida Indoor High Performance All-Stars made history in Ft. Lauderdale, FL at the 2013 USA High Performance (HP) Championships on July 23-27 as they captured not one, but two medals. The HP Championships showcased 111 teams from around the world, including teams from 9 other countries. Team Florida represented 7 of those 111 teams with 4 girls’ teams and 3 boys’ teams. The all-star teams were led by college and club coaches from around the state.
Girls' International Youth (GIY) (Final Record: 6-2) Head Coach - Brian Imperiale (Univ. of South Florida) 1st Asst - Brian Goodhind (Webber International Univ.) 2nd Asst - Lakisya Killingsworth (Delaware State Univ.)
Girls' National Youth (GNY) (Final Record: 6-3) Head Coach - Michelle Piantadosi (Eckerd College) 1st Asst - Travers Green (Florida International Univ.) 2nd Asst - Tony Cothron (Tampa United)
Girls' National Select (GNS) (Final Record: 8-0) Head Coach - Isaac Raphael (Bethune Cookman Univ.) 1st Asst – Bri Smith (Univ. of South Florida) 2nd Asst - Robby Baker (Naples Volleyball Assoc)
Girls' National Future-Select (GFS) (Final Record: 4-4) Head Coach - Flavia Siqueira (College of Central FL.) 1st Asst – Chris Taylor (Northwood University) 2nd Asst - John Babbitt (Club Storm)
Boys' International Youth (BIY) (Final Record: 5-3) Head Coach - Sergio Rios (Warner University) 1st Asst - Greg Villareal (Barry/Florida Wave) 2nd Asst - Ashley Schinzing (Orlando Gold)
Boys' National Youth (BNY) (Final Record: 4-4) Head Coach - Tom Snodgrass (Orlando Gold) 1st Asst - Ore Pablos (Wildfire VBC) 2nd Asst - Semei Tello, (UCF)
Boys' National Select (BNS) (Final Record: 5-3) Head Coach - Rob Holley (JJVA/Florida Wave) 1st Asst – Roger Peluso (Ransom Everglades) 2nd Asst - Jesus Montalvo (Marion County Jrs.)
The Girls’ National Select Team (GNS), led by Head Coach Isaac Raphael (Bethune-Cookman University), faced off against Southern California Regional Volleyball Association in the championship match. Team Florida GNS, touting an impressive undefeated record throughout the tournament, won the championship 25-15; 25-13; 21-25; 25-23. “This year’s Girls’ National Select team was truly a pleasure to coach,” said Head Coach Isaac Raphael. “Not only were the ladies talented, they were very coachable and eager to learn; probably one of the most passionate and energetic teams I have ever coached. The girls worked hard from the first practice to the last match and the team bought into the goal of winning gold early and did what they needed to achieve that goal. These athletes have a bright future in this awesome sport of volleyball, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a couple of future Olympians in the bunch. Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my Assistant Coaches, Bri Smith of USF and Robby Baker of Naples Volleyball Association; they were just phenomenal. I couldn’t ask for two better assistants. Together, we are extremely proud to bring the Gold Medal to the Florida Region!”
The Boys’ International Youth Team (BIY), with an overall record of 5-3, rallied to a third place finish in 5 sets versus Northern California Regional Volleyball Association Youth Red to capture the Bronze Medal. This marks the first time a medal has been won by any Team Florida boys’ team since their addition to the HP Program in 2007. Corey Marks, a setter for the BIY, is in his 5th and final year with Team Florida and had this to say about his experience with the HP Program, “Team Florida has been one of the best experiences and I have made so many lifelong friends and memories that I will never forget. Winning the bronze medal means so much to me and my teammates, especially those that have been with the program for so many years; it was the perfect way to transition into the next step of my volleyball career in college.” Teammates Stash Kiersnowski, a 6’3” Opposite from Lake Mary, FL, and Christian Malias, a 6’3” Outside Hitter from Orlando, FL, both made the All-Tournament Team for the Boys’ International Youth Division.
This year marks the fourth time the HP Championships have been held in Florida since 2001. “It’s always a privilege to host the USA Indoor HP Championships in our home state,” said Steve Bishop, Executive Director and President of the Florida Region of USA Volleyball. “This tournament features the most elite junior athletes in the world and continues to uphold its outstanding reputation as being one of the top recruiting tournaments in the country, all while creating a lifetime of friendships - we believe this is what volleyball is all about here in Florida.”
GNS Roster
Alejandra Rodriguez Lopez, Libero (Doral, FL)
Ashlyn Roberts, Libero (Marianna, FL)
Bailey Williams, Outside Hitter (Royal Palm Beach, FL)
Bailey Johnson, Middle Blocker (Winter Springs, FL)
Christine Jarman, Outside Hitter (Boynton Beach, FL)
Gabby O’Connell, Middle Blocker (Gainesville, FL)
Jenna Culhan, Opposite (Boca Raton, FL)
Jenna Smith, Setter (Winter Springs, FL)
Mikayla Shields, Opposite (Orlando, FL)
Payton Caffrey, Outside Hitter (Chuluota, FL)
Samanntha Mueller, Setter (Gainesville, FL)
Sorrel Houghton, Middle Blocker (Osteen, FL)
Head Coach: Isaac Raphael (Bethune-Cookman University)
1st Asst. Coach: Bri Smith (University of South Florida)
2nd Asst. Coach: Robby Baker (Naples Volleyball Assocation)
BIY Roster
Amedeo Zanotti, Setter (Weston, FL)
Bret Rutledge, Opposite (Orlando, FL)
Casimir Kiersnowski, Outside Hitter (Lake Mary, FL)
Christian Malias, Outside Hitter (Orlando, FL)
Corey Marks, Setter (Southwest Ranches, FL)
Daniel Maurer, Middle Blocker (Oviedo, FL)
Edwin (Julian) Moses, Outside Hitter (Atlanta, GA)
Harrison Albert, Libero (Pembroke Pines, FL)
Johnny Gomez, Libero (Indialantic, FL)
John Sparkman, Middle Blocker (Naples, FL)
Kevin Vaz, Middle Blocker (Miami, FL)
Stanley Kiersnowski, Opposite (Lake Mary, FL)
Head Coach: Sergio Rios (Warner University)
1st Asst. Coach: Greg Villareal (Barry/Florida Wave)
2nd Asst. Coach: Ashley Schinzing (Orlando Gold)
About Team Florida Indoor HP All-Star Program:
The Team Florida Indoor HP All-Star program allows outstanding youth and junior volleyball athletes to play for college coaches and represent the Florida Region at an international volleyball tournament each year, called the USA High Performance Championships. The USA High Performance Championship is managed by USAV and runs under FIVB (Federation Internationale de Volleyball) protocols which governs and manages all forms of volleyball across the globe.
About Florida Region of USA Volleyball:
The Florida Region of USA Volleyball was established in 1982 to promote the sport of volleyball and to create competitive playing opportunities for volleyball enthusiasts throughout the State of Florida. The Florida Region is a member of USA Volleyball and currently serves over 12,500 adult and junior members. Additional information on the Florida Region can be found at: http://www.FloridaVolleyball.org
About USA Volleyball:
USA Volleyball is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of volleyball in the United States and is recognized by the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). Additional information on USA Volleyball can be found at: http://www.USAVolleyball.org
For additional information contact:
Krissy McKane, Marketing Coordinator
Florida Region of USA Volleyball, Inc.
15010 US Highway 441 - Eustis, FL 32726
T: 352-742-0080 F: 352-414-5304
E: Krissy(at)FloridaVolleyball(dot)org W: http://www.FloridaVolleyball.org
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KRISSY MCKANE, Florida Region of USA Volleyball, http://www.FloridaVolleyball.org, (352) 742-0080, [email protected]
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