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July 29, 2008

Varsity/JV: Team Kickoff Party

As you all know, the Team Kickoff Party is scheduled for Sunday, August 3rd at 6:30 p.m.

This year, Norma Pylant (Ginny's mom), has graciously volunteered to host the party. We will share dinner together, have some time to hang out, and of course, go over some of the details for the season. Please plan to bring at least one parent, and BRING YOUR CALENDARS!!! I am sure the team moms may want to do some coordination with regard to bringing refreshments and scheduling help at the matches, so knowing your schedule will be helpful for pulling this off. Also, the pool will be open for use, so if you want to bring your suit and jump in, feel free to do so!

The Pylants live in Crystal Hills, which is the neighborhood directly across from Athens Academy. Their address is 1271 Wild Azalea Lane. Travelling from Spartan Lane, you would take a left onto 441 South. Take your first right onto Wild Azalea Lane and travel towards the back of the neighborhood. The Pylant home is on the right. Should you have questions about directions, please email Nikki Chester.

Last but not least, Margaret Liedberg is helping to coordinate the food for Sunday. She is contacting everyone via email with food assignments. If for some reason you do not know what you are scheduled to bring, please be in contact with her via email.

Look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday!


Tryout Information

Tryout Information and Requirements:

2008 Varsity/JV Volleyball Tryouts will be held on Monday, August 4th and Tuesday, August 5th.
Practice times:
August 4th - 8:30 am – 11:00 am
2:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m.
August 5th - 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
For the morning session on August 5th, we will meet at the Spartan Track for our timed mile.
Teams will be selected by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5th.

A complete practice calendar for the month of August is available for download under Varsity Practice Schedule and JV Practice Schedule. These times are relatively set. There are only a couple of foreseeable changes. First, if the A/C is not installed as scheduled, we may move afternoon practices to evening practices. Second, we do not have the finalized pre-planning schedule. Once it is determined, we may need to change some practice times for the week of August 11th.

You may download the August calendar here as well.
Download file

As was explained at our spring meeting, serious volleyball athletes should be lifting weights 2-3x per week, jump training 3x per week and doing some sort of conditioning (varying short and long distances) 3x per week in preparation for volleyball tryouts and volleyball season workouts.
Examples of Conditioning:
• Long distance running: Each athlete will run a timed mile during tryouts. It should be your goal to make the designated times below:
o JV (9th and 10th graders) – 9:00 minutes
o Varsity (11th and 12th graders) – 8:15 minutes
(FYI – the winner of the GHSA 5A girls track meet in the mile finished with a time of 5:02)
If you do not meet these benchmark goals, it DOES NOT mean that you cannot make the team. At the same time, you should take this timed run seriously. Most people cannot make these times without consistent practice.
• Sprints: Each athlete will run sprints during tryouts. Layout will be as follows:
o 50 Yard Sprints – 3 sets of 8 sprints. 40 seconds will be given for each sprint (for example, it takes 8-10 seconds to run the first 50 yards; the remaining time is for recovery prior to the start of the second sprint). Four minutes of rest are given between sets. Again, this workout is tough unless it is practiced ahead of time. I suggest practicing in the early mornings or late evenings to avoid the heat . . . and have some water on hand as well.
• Abdominal Work: Each of you will be responsible for doing 3 sets of 50 abdominal crunches. It is important to have a strong core to be a great volleyball player.
Attending to the LADY SPARTAN summer workouts will put you on pace to be in great shape.

Remember, establishing a workout regimen at a young age positively affects your exercise patterns for life. Not only will you become your best at volleyball, but you will also maintain healthy hearts, bone density, and muscular strength (muscle burns fat you know). Plus, research repeatedly shows that exercise decreases the likelihood of psychological or emotional problems for women later in life!!!!

Varsity: August Practice Schedule

Please download the following file for the August Varsity Practice Schedule. For the most part, it is the same as the JV Practice Schedule. Please note that all information in BLACK FONT pertains to both Varsity and JV.

All information in GREEN FONT pertains to the Varsity Team ONLY, and all information in SILVER FONT pertains to the JV Team ONLY.

An updated calendar for September will be available later this month. To obtain the Varsity or JV match schedule, please consult the general athletic calendar. If you have questions, please email Nikki Chester.

Download file

JV: Practice Schedule

Please download the following file for the August Varsity Practice Schedule. For the most part, it is the same as the JV Practice Schedule. Please note that all information in BLACK FONT pertains to both Varsity and JV.

All information in GREEN FONT pertains to the Varsity Team ONLY, and all information in SILVER FONT pertains to the JV Team ONLY.

An updated calendar for September will be available later this month. To obtain the Varsity or JV match schedule, please consult the general athletic calendar. If you have questions, please email Nikki Chester.

Download file

July 19, 2008

Varsity & JV: Emory Volleyball Camp

Well, it is that time already!!!!!

We will be leaving for Emory Volleyball Camp on Monday, July 21, 2008. Please report to the Spartan Center turn-around at 9:15 a.m. to load the travel bus. We will depart at 9:30 a.m. for Atlanta.

We will stop at a Chick-Fil-A close to Emory for lunch prior to camp check-in, so please bring some spending money for lunch and also for any extras you may need at camp.

If you have not paid the balance of your camp monies, you will need to bring a check for $270.00 made payable to Emory Volleyball.

Check-out is around NOON on Thursday, so we will hopefully return to school between 2:00 - 2:30 p.m. on Thursday.

You should have received an email from Jenny McDowell, Emory's Head Volleyball Coach, but I am attaching it here just in case.

Download file

Also, you may download our itinerary for the week as well:

Download file


For additional questions, please contact me via email.

July 13, 2008

North Oconee High School Referee Clinic

Attention all rising 9-12 graders:

The North Oconee High School Referee Clinic is TOMORROW!!!!

We are scheduled to play both Monday, July 14th and Tuesday, July 15th against other teams in our geographical area. It should be great fun. I have a list of players that have told me they are coming, but if you are available and have not contacted me, feel free to come on out anyway!!!!

If you would like to see the schedule for both evenings, please download the following document:

Download file

On Monday, you need to report to the North Oconee gym at 5:20 p.m. if you did not pick up a uniform from me today. If you already have your uniform, please arrive by 5:30p.m.

On Tuesday, you will need to arrive at the gym at 4:30 p.m.

Finally, I am still looking for parent volunteers to line judge and score keep our matches. Training for both will be offered at the clinic, so it is a good chance to practice without pressure. As you know, we are responsible throughout the season for both line judges and scorekeepers. We rely on parents to help us with these tasks throughout the year. So, thanks in advance for your willingness to help out.

See you all tomorrow!