Bring It Live

Brooke Rundle

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MVP Recaps Lessons Learned from International Play

The U.S. Collegiate National Team-Europe swept the 13th European Global Challenge title, with a 6-0 overall record beating out teams from Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and the Czech Republic. The CNT captured the gold medal match against the Mountain West Conference All Star team in a 3-0 upset (25-15, 25-15, 25-13).

The Collegiate National Team was led by Outside hitter Courtney Schwan from the University of Washington. Schwan was named most valuable player of the tournament in the U23 division. We interviewed Schwan after the championship match to recap her lessons learned from her first experience of international competition. Watch the full interview below. [Read more…] about MVP Recaps Lessons Learned from International Play

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Deitre Collins-Parker Explains the Value of International Experience

The Mountain West Conference All-Star team finished runner up to the US College National Team at the 13th Global Challenge in Pula, Croatia July of 2017. To advance to the finals, the Mountain West All-Stars beat out top teams from Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. The squad was lead by head coach Deitre Collins-Parker,.

Deitre is no stranger to international play. In fact, it would be difficult to find a more qualified coach for the occasion. As a member of the 1988 Olympic team and an alternate for the 1992 Olympic team, she’s played in over 130 international volleyball matches.

During her college career in the United States, she was awarded two-time national collegiate player of the year.  She’s an AVCA Hall of Fame member and the head coach of San Diego State University Lady Aztecs.

Before the U23 finals of her second Global Challenge appearance, Deitre Collins-Parker explained why playing internationally can teach players how to improve their all around game. Watch the full interview below and read more interviews and reflections from the Global Challenge. [Read more…] about Deitre Collins-Parker Explains the Value of International Experience

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Global Challenge Veteran Molly Alvey Returns to Coach CNT

photo credit // Melanie Gorter

Molly Alvey, the Head Coach of the University of Cincinnati volleyball women’s volleyball team was named to the coaching staff of this year’s College National Team for competition in Europe at the Global Challenge. During the team’s pre-tour in Maribor, Slovenia, we interviewed her to get her perspective on the advantage of getting international playing experience.

Alvey points out that the tough serving from European teams and overall level of international competition is excellent preparation for American players as they head back into their college seasons this fall.

Watch the full interview below as Alvey highlights the differences between US and International volleyball. You can also check tournament results and watch matches of this year’s College National Team on the Global Challenge website. [Read more…] about Global Challenge Veteran Molly Alvey Returns to Coach CNT

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Nicki Holmes Named to Coaching Staff of College National Team for Global Challenge

College National Volleyball Team
photo credit // Melanie Gorter

In preparation for this year’s 13th annual European Global Challenge, we sat down with Nicki Holmes, NC State Women’s Volleyball Assistant Coach at the Dras Center in Maribor, Slovenia. The team was just wrapping up a friendly match against  Nova KBM u23 which they won 3 sets to 1.

Coach Holmes was named to the coaching staff of USA Volleyball’s College National Team which is preparing to compete in the U23 division of the Global Challenge in Pula, Croatia on July 11th – 14th, 2017.  In the interview below, Coach Holmes reflects on NC State’s recent 12 day trip to Italy,  “It was a great cultural experience for the girls and it was great team bonding. It will help us a lot in the fall.”

Watch the complete interview below. You can also check tournament results and watch matches of this year’s College National Team on the Global Challenge website. [Read more…] about Nicki Holmes Named to Coaching Staff of College National Team for Global Challenge

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2017 Global Challenge

It’s our favorite time of year… the 13th annual European Global Challenge will return to Pula, Croatia on July 11th – 14th, 2017 to host u17 and u22 divisions from around the world.

We’ve got 10 teams from the US currently on pre-tours in Europe. The USA Volleyball College National Team is warming up for the tournament at the Dras Center in Maribor, Slovenia with matches against federation teams from Slovenia and the Czech Republic. Meanwhile the Mountain West Conference All Star team is in Budapest, Hungary preparing for the Global Challenge with friendly matches against the Hungary Junior National Team and Senior National Teams.

On July 10th the tournament will kick off with an opening ceremony for all international teams at Pula’s town center near the edge of the Adriatic Sea. Competition starts July 11th. You’ll find complete team rosters and schedule updates on the tournament website here.  And if you’re tuning in from afar, you’ll be able to live stream matches here.

 

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Manos Unidas

photo credit // Jeff Rhude

Manos Unidas is a cooperative for adults with disabilities in San Juan del Sur. The program was founded by Bastin Vrancken and Brooke Rundle and currently funded by donations received through the Casa Llanta Fund.  The cooperative meets on weekdays in the San Juan del Sur library to congregate, learn and produce products. Manos Unidas translates to “hands together” which signifies the culture of teamwork and togetherness within the cooperative.   [Read more…] about Manos Unidas