The first regular season tournament of 2011 has been a source of
excitement and anticipation for the Memorial High School volleyball
team. Not only are the Lady Mustangs back together for another run,
they will spend the first week of their season in Hawaii.
Memorial left the mainland Aug. 7 to travel to the Ann Kang
Invitational in Honolulu. The tournament is scheduled for Aug.
11-13.
“I think it’s incredibly exciting,” senior outside hitter Ali
Smith said. “I’ve never been to Hawaii before so this is a great
opportunity for me. I’ve been playing volleyball for so long. You
get to travel all around, but I’ve never left the continental U.S.
I wouldn’t want to go with any other team. I feel like our team
gets along so well.”
A trip that has been developing since October has finally come
for the Lady Mustangs. Through fundraising, parent meetings, school
board approval and finalizing travel itinerary Memorial coach Beth
Gammill and the team were able to make it a reality.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Gammill said. “We went to Kauai five
years ago and it was a great experience. This is a special group of
kids. I just decided to do it again. It’s a lot of work behind the
scenes but it’s worth it.”
The Lady Mustangs took their varsity squad as well as the
juniors on the junior varsity to Honolulu, where they will play in
a 24-team tournament. Most competitors are from Hawaii or
California, with Austin St. Stephens Episcopal School the only
other Texas team.
“Taiwan’s going to be there,” Gammill said. “That’s exciting. I
hope we get to play them. I’m sure they’ll be good.”
The tournament will only be part of the experience for the Lady
Mustangs. They are scheduled for a mountain ropes course Aug. 8 and
will visit Pearl Harbor on Aug. 9.
Memorial begins pool play Aug. 11, taking on Newport Harbor and
Santa Monica of California and Kaiser of Hawaii. Round two of pool
play takes place Aug. 12 with bracket play commencing Aug. 13.
While the players are looking forward to facing different
competition an enjoyable part of the trip is being able to share
the experience.
“I think it’s a privilege to go to Hawaii with your team,”
senior outside hitter Claire Gundlach said. “It’s also an advantage
to spend a week with your team. You get to know them and trust
them, then you get to play your season.”
The Lady Mustangs will not have much time to rest upon their
return, playing at Langham Creek on Aug. 16 before co-hosting the
Spring Branch ISD Tournament Aug. 18-20. Fortunately much of the
team has experienced a varsity season.
“I have pretty much my whole starting team back,” Gammill said.
“We were so young last year. At one point we would have three
sophomores and a freshman out there on the floor.”
Memorial returns four members of the 2010 All-District 19-5A
team, including first-team selections Caroline Ciaccio (senior,
right side) and Carly Freels (junior, middle blocker). Smith and
senior setter Ellen Anderson made the 19-5A second team.
Such experience can only help as the team aims to better a 16-20
season that included their first year without playoffs since 1997.
Particularly after bonding in Hawaii the Lady Mustangs should also
have an advantage on some teams in terms of chemistry.
“It helps us because we’re all used to each other,” senior
defensive specialist Alexis Le said. “We worked well last year and
we’re going to be better this year.”
To follow the team at the Ann Kang Invitational visit
iolanigirlsvolleyball.org.
Article source: http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/memorial/sports/article_50ae4018-fe84-5f95-bb8c-46fa62c28ef1.html
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