Bring It Live

Global Challenge

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Let the Games Begin

Global Challenge 2018 Opening Ceremonies

As nationals are winding down and summer is heating up, volleyball teams from all over the world are making their way to Pula, Croatia for the start of BIP’s 14th annual Global Challenge. The United States will be represented by U17 and U23 select teams from all over the country including the USA College National Team and the Mountain West Conference All-Star Team. International competition will include Junior National and club teams from 9 different countries: Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, England, China, Sweden and Finland. [Read more…] about Let the Games Begin

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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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Lost and found: Pieces of the Heart

When I returned home from my first volleyball tour to Nicaragua in 2013, I told my parents that I left pieces of my heart in many places. That initial self-realization continues to ring true the more I travel internationally.

I had the unique opportunity to start my overseas travel experience in 2011, when I was just 16 years old. I was asked to play in the 7th Annual Global Challenge by my club volleyball coach at the time, BIP Midwest coach Eric Schulze. I could not have been more excited. I, along with 3 of my club teammates, traveled to Rome, Vatican City, Florence, Venice, Italy and Pula, Croatia. Before this trip, I had never been outside of the United States. This 2011 tour in particular was exciting for multiple reasons. One: I was going to major cities in Europe, places I only thought I would see in my school textbooks. Two: This was the first time I was exposed to playing highly competitive, international volleyball. Three: This was the first volleyball trip and tournament that I played in since tearing my ACL.

In 2012, my club volleyball team decided to travel to Europe for two weeks in May. We visited Milan, Italy, Munich, Germany, Prague, Czech Republic, and Innsbruck, Austria. This trip was special because my teammates were seniors in high school. These girls were my sisters and best friends for past 5 years of my life. Most of the team was moving on to college after this trip. We were able to make so many lifetime memories; memories that we still talk about today. [Read more…] about Lost and found: Pieces of the Heart

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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.