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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BIP’s Annual Global Challenge

photo credit // Wanderlust Travel Magazine

The 15th Annual Global Challenge will take place in Pula, Croatia on July 16 through July 19, 2019 for u18 and u23 teams from around the world. Pre tours will start July 10th.

The mission of the Global Challenge is to provide teams international playing experience and exposure. Past tournaments participants have included club and country federation teams from Slovenia, Russia, Romania, Germany, Bosnia, Montenegro, China, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Denmark and Puerto Rico, plus USA regional HP, youth national, junior national, and collegiate national teams.

Last year’s U17 division Global Challenge proved to be a volleyball showdown between Croatia’s Youth National Team and Slovenia’s Nova KBM Branik. In the U23 final match the USA College National Team toppled the Mountain West Conference All-Star Team.  To gain insights from players and coaches in attendance at last year’s tournament, be sure to watch these video interviews on our live blog.

In preparation for tournament play Pre-tours will take place throughout Europe between July 5th-8th. Opening ceremonies will take place on July 9th in  Pula, Croatia, a town marked by 3,000 year old Roman ruins including one of the last remaining fully intact Roman Colosseums in the world dating back to 68 AD. All teams, regardless of their nationality, stay in close quarters at the beach front Hotel Pula to encourage a cultural exchange between players and coaches.  The hotel is perfectly positioned within walking distance to both the competition arena and the crystal teal water of the Adriatic Sea.

Competitive international volleyball is what you get at the Global Challenge year after year.  If you’re a volleyball player, coach or fan who loves to travel, there’s no better place in the world to be in July than Pula, Croatia. For more tournament information and results, head over to the 2018 Global Challenge Tournament website here.

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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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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