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Spring Sign-ups Now Available On-line
Walk! Don’t Run to Your Computer and get your child on a volleyball team in the United States Youth Volleyball League close to your home TODAY. That is correct. Spring Registration is now available to all of those ‘volley-wonder’ children ages 7-14 years old. It’s easy, it’s fun and it is supervised and taught by knowledgeable volleyball people.
You have probably noticed that our age divisions have been expanded to include 7 year olds. Any child who will turn 7 in the year 2007 is eligible to play in the spring league. The new age divisions are 7-9, 10-11, and 12-14. This change allows an even greater opportunity for youth participation.
Click here to sign-up online now!
Can’t register on line? Don’t worry; your site director will have player registration forms available for those playing in the league at this time. See your site director for further information. |
UC Irvine Men’s Volleyball Visits USYVL
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October 28, 2006
The top-ranked NCAA Division I UC Irvine Men’s Volleyball Team made an appearance at Acorn Park in Aliso Viejo this past Saturday. All-Americans Jayson Jablonsky, Matt Webber, and Brian Thornton joined with teammates Taylor Wilson, Nick Spittle, Anthony Spittle and Assistant Coach David Kniffin, a former USYVL Site Clinician.
“For me, this was an opportunity to stay involved in something I really believe in,” said Kniffin. “I think it was an eye opener for both parties. The kids got to see a level of volleyball that most of them didn’t even know existed. And our guys got a reminder of why they started playing this game—it’s a good time.”
Coach Kniffin introduced the players and narrated their actions as they demonstrated the various skills taught by the Youth Volleyball League.
“It’s great for [the kids] to see what it looks like when it all comes together,” said one Clinician. “This is what they needed to see.”
After a brief skills demonstration, the Irvine squad took time to dialogue with participants and volunteers. Topics ranged from the technical aspects of the game, to inquiries into the players’ histories with the sport. In response to such questions regarding scholarship, high school, and collegiate opportunities, the players offered the youthful participants a glimpse of the road ahead, should they choose to pursue volleyball beyond the USYVL.
The collegiate level remains the highest level of play available to indoor volleyball enthusiasts of the United States since there are currently no professional indoor leagues. All of the National Team members have either played or currently play in college. And, as Kniffin stated, “You can’t get to that level without school.”
Brian Thornton, senior setter from San Juan Capistrano, acknowledged that balancing the academic and athletic work load of the student-athlete requires effort. There are only so many hours in a day. But Thornton, like so many others who have received honors as Big West Scholar Athletes, provide evidence and inspiration that it can be done.
UC Irvine begins their season in January with two weekend matches against the University of Hawaii on the 12 th and 13 th, in the Bren Events Center at the University of California at Irvine. USYVL participants aged 14 and under get in free when they wear their uniform to any regular season home game. Visit the UC Irvine Men’s Volleyball website for more information and game dates: www.mvball.uci.edu |
Interested in Making a Difference?
…Get Involved with the USYVL
Look at This! Your donation of time or money can make a difference in the lives of children in your community:
- Volunteer at your local site
- Make a donation
- Sponsor a child
Donate at One of the Following Levels:
Platinum Level Donation - Tax deductible donation of $1,000 Donations at this level receive a gold ball autographed by USA Volleyball Olympians
Gold Level Donation - Tax deductible donation of $500 Donations at this level a gear bag and a USYVL sweatshirt
Silver Level Donation - Tax deductible donation of $250 Donations at this level receive a USYVL volleyball bag and sweatshirt
Bronze Level Donation -Tax deductible donation of $100 Donations at this level receive a USYVL Sweatshirt
Join the USYVL Above the Net Club -Individuals and businesses who wish to make a monetary or other substantial donation exceeding $1,000 should contact the USYVL.
CLICK HERE to Make a Donation at Any of the Above Levels
Sponsor a Child...
You can sponsor a financial aid scholarship for a deserving young player. This can be made in your name, someone you wish to dedicate it to or it may be an anonymous donation. This is a notable way to make a difference in the future of a youth for a reasonable amount of money. [Click here] |
Volunteer with the USYVL in Your Community
Make a difference coaching not only your children but also other talented children from your community. Feel the tremendous satisfaction knowing you are setting the foundation for many of these kids to play ball at higher levels of competition in the future. If organization is more suited to your skills, becoming involved in a site commission as a Site Director, Schedule Administrator, Coaching Administrator, or Sponsorship Administrator may be a great way to use your talents, enjoy working with the future greats of volleyball and helping in your community. Call us now to let us know if there is a volunteer position which interests you. We may be reached at 1-888-988-7985 or at USYVL@aol.com |
Advertise with the USYVL
Want to advertise on our Volleyball Nets nationally or locally? This is a smart way to have continuous and obvious impact on a desirable demographic. Remember not only players, coaches, and parents will see those practices and games, they will also be seen by anyone visiting the park. [click here]
Cool merchandise ? …but no place to distribute samples. Get your product to the present and future buying population. Let us help you to help us in a win-win situation. Call us now to find a great partnership in advertising through the USYVL. |
| Faces of the USYVL National Office |
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Randy Sapoznik
USYVL Executive Director
Randy is the founder of the USYVL and an avid volleyball player. Nine years ago he left a job at a Sporting Goods Manufacturer in Colorado to start a youth volleyball program. Originally from Chatsworth, California he returned to Southern California to establish what has turned into the premier youth volleyball program in the nation. The growth rate of the United States Youth Volleyball League has been both rewarding and challenging in that all new programs require extra funding, considerable time commitment, better communications and a stronger and talented central office. |
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Haps: Randy, there is a lot going on at USYVL but everyone really wants to know something more about the brains behind the concept of youth volleyball leagues. You ready?
Haps: How did you come up with the idea of USYVL?
Randy: I didn’t… Gary Laird, who worked for Side Out (a clothing Company) came up with the idea. Unfortunately he passed away before he was able to realize his original idea.
Haps: What is your greatest challenge in keeping up with the growth of USYVL?
Randy: Finding enough volunteer coaches and site directors.
Haps: Who is the most inspirational person in your life?
Randy: My dad.
Haps: What is the best thing about your job at USYVL?
Randy: Watching the kids play volleyball with smiles on their faces.
Haps: On the lighter side, what is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Randy: Water ski, surf and snow ski; all in the same day.
Haps: If you had a gift certificate of $1,000 to one restaurant and you had one month to use it, which restaurant would you choose and would you need help to use it up?
Randy: Al Gilato and I would not need help using it.
Haps: Randy, we are going to play a game called top five serves. I give you a word or phrase you give me your top five in that category.
Beach Volleyball players? Misty May, Karch Kiraly, Todd Rogers, Mike Lambert, Kerri Walsh
Current TV shows? Law & Order, Grey’s Anatomy, CSI, Deadliest catch, World series of Poker
Restaurants in So. Cal? Al Gelato, Del Mar Fish Market, C & O Trattoria, MoMo Sushi, California Chicken Cafe
Vacation Spots? Maui , Canada, Alaska, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe
Pro athletes Besides Volleyball? Roger Federer, Lebron James, Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam, Michele Wee |
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Veronica Sanchez
USYVL Director of Development
Veronica has been with the USYVL since day two. She substituted for a coach at the first day of practice and has been with the program since then. Veronica has engineered many of the policies, trained a ton of coaches, clinicians and site directors and she has developed many new sites. She has been an integral part of the USYVL and much of the success and growth of USYVL can be attributed to her goal of having a professional and responsive youth volleyball program. |
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Haps: Veronica, there is a lot going on at USYVL but everyone really wants to know is who is your all-time favorite male volleyball player.
Veronica: Hands down it is Randy Stoklos.
Haps: Do you have any brothers and sisters?
Veronica: Yes. I have four brothers and one sister and they nag me constantly.
Haps: What is your coolest hobby?
Veronica: Yoga.
Haps: What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Veronica: I am afraid of water so the craziest thing I have done is to Jet Ski. I also ran the L.A. Marathon.
Haps: What is the best thing about your job at USYVL?
Veronica: I get to see kids grow up playing volleyball. It is cool to know I made a major contribution in their association with volleyball.
Haps: What is your favorite restaurant and what is your favorite dish there?
Veronica: Crazy Fish……the Dragon Roll.
Haps: Veronica, we are going to play a game called quick digs. I give you two things from which to choose you choose the one you like best. Ready?
Haps: Girl’s night out or day at the beach?
Veronica: Day at the beach.
Haps: Bachelor or Deal or No Deal?
Veronica: Deal or No Deal.
Haps: Sunday brunch or AVP on Tevo?
Veronica: Sunday Brunch.
Haps: Halloween or New Years Eve?
Veronica: Halloween.
Haps: Morning Newspaper or Morning coffee?
Veronica: Morning Coffee.
Haps: Good cookies or good cake?
Veronica: Good cake.
Haps: Indoor Volleyball or Beach Volleyball?
Veronica: Beach.
Haps: Sunday Brunch or AVP on TV?
Veronica: Sunday Brunch. |
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Sharon Kelsey
USYVL Administrative Assistant
Sharon has been with the USYVL for three years and has witnessed the tremendous growth of USYVL, the leagues’ move to larger offices, a conversion to USYVL online, and the direct shipping of Volleyballs to the players, just to name a few of the very progressive changes of the United States Youth Volleyball Leagues. I sat down with Sharon to find out some of her favorite things. |
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Haps: There is a lot going on at USYVL but everyone wants to know who you want to win Dancing with the Stars…Jerry Springer?
Sharon : Jerry Springer is not my favorite. He is very entertaining but not a dancer. But Mario is an excellent dancer.
Haps: Do you have any pets?
Sharon : Yes I have a spoiled Teacup Chihuahua named Lola.
Haps: What is your coolest hobby?
Sharon : Traveling.
Haps: What is your favorite type of book?
Sharon : Thrillers.
Haps: What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Sharon : I skied down a black diamond slope although it was inadvertent.
Haps: What is the best thing about your job at USYVL?
Sharon : Casual atmosphere and variety of job tasks.
Haps: What is your favorite restaurant and what is your favorite dish there?
Sharon : P.F.Changs….Mopo Tofu.
Haps: Sharon , we are going to play a game called quick digs. I give you two words or phrases; you choose the one you like best. Ready?
Haps: Kobe or Shaq?
Sharon : Kobe.
Haps: I pod or Tevo?
Sharon : Tevo.
Haps: CSI or Law and Order?
Sharon : CSI.
Haps: Starbucks or Jamba Juice?
Sharon : Starbucks
Haps: The beach or the mountains?
Sharon : The Beach.
Haps: Newspaper or Magazine?
Sharon : Magazine.
Haps: Good book or good movie?
Sharon : A good movie. |
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Virgil Redding
Shipping & Warehouse
Virgil has been with the USYVL for 4 years and has overseen the shipping & receiving of volleyball nets, player’s uniforms, volleyballs and flyers distribution. Although Virgil is a master in multi-tasking, he has seen these jobs explode into multiple employee tasks. Virgil has been a key component in making the transition of the USYVL from a local youth league to a national youth league through effective organization, efficient production, and great ball control (he makes sure every child gets a volleyball). |
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Haps : Virgil, there is a lot going on at USYVL but everyone really wants to know something more about the Virgil scene. You ready?
Haps: What is more difficult to keep track of Volleyballs or Uniforms?
Virgil: Uniforms ….there are more of them.
Haps : What keeps you the busiest printing and mailing Flyers or receiving volleyball nets from manufacturers then shipping the nets to the sites?
Virgil: Flyers.
Haps: Is spring or fall your favorite season?
Virgil: Fall.
Haps: What is the best thing about your job at USYVL?
Virgil: The friendly people….plus it gets me out of the house.
Haps: Who do you consider to be heroes in our world?
Virgil: The guys who are fighting in Iraq.
Haps: On the lighter side what is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Virgil: Start my own business.
Haps: Virgil, we are going to play a game called big hits. I give you a word or phrase you tell me if the hit is in or out. Ready?
(Haps) USC
Virgil: Out
(Haps) CSI
Virgil: In
(Haps) UCLA
Virgil: In
(Haps) The Bachelorette
Virgil: Out
(Haps) Desperate Housewives
Virgil: Out
(Haps) Eating out
Virgil: In
(Haps) Sunday Golf
Virgil: Out
(Haps) Sunday Football
Virgil: In
(Haps) Disneyland
Virgil: Out
(Haps) Halloween
Virgil: Out
(Haps) Doing Dishes
Virgil: In
(Haps) Gardening
Virgil: In |
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