Questions Withhttp://www.volleyball.com/questions/BlogRSS.aspVolleyball.comengabLibrary RSS Component v1.0Fri, 16 May 2008 07:43:47 GMTAshley Ivyhttp://www.volleyball.com/blogs/default.aspx?mode=blog&id=13&yearnum=2008&monthnum=5vballphil@hotmail.com (Christine Phillips)
20 Questions With AVP Star
 
Ashley, her mom, and older sister, Laura
 
•    Did you have a volleyball star that you looked up to when you were young?

Nobody famous, just the person I still look up to, my older sister Laura Ivy who played volleyball for Texas State.

•    Where did you attend HS? Where did you play club?

I attended Arlington Lamar High School in Arlington, TX (GO VIKES!!!). I played club for Mid Cities (now Texas Advantage VBC) for 4 years and North Dallas Juniors for 2 years.

•    Did you play beach growing up in Dallas? Was there a beach scene at the time?

Nope, never even attempted beach until after college.  There were a couple of bars that had sand courts in Dallas, but I did not discover those until after I was 21.

•    Any favorite HS or club memories?

That would definitely have to be playing with my sister, Laura, when I was a freshman and she was s senior.  We went from being rivals to best friends.  She protected me and supported me.  She could have been annoyed that she had to play with her bratty little sister, but instead she considered it an honor and helped me to become a better volleyball player and a better person.

 
 
•    Where did you attend college? Did you get a scholarship?

I attended Stanford University on a full volleyball scholarship.

 
•    What were some of your favorite drills for practice? Individual drills? Team practices?

My favorite type of drill is a wash drill, which is basically game like action with a different type of scoring system.  My favorite wash drill would have to be baseball; it applies baseball scoring system or runs and outs to volleyball.

 
•    You have your Bachelor’s & Master’s in Earth Systems/Marine Chemistry. What did you want to do with those degrees?

At first I wanted to "Save the World", but now I want to coach and teach at the high school level whenever I decide to grow up and end my career on the beach. But for now I am going to be a big kid playing in an oversize sandbox.

 
                                                                                                                                                                                                 photo by Gonzalesphoto.com
 
•    You were a NCAA national champion in college. What are some of your memories from those experiences?

What I remember the most was being down 24-29 to Nebraska in game 1 of the semi-final. I went back to jump serve knowing that any error would mean game over.  Luckily for me my team was amazing, we came back to win 31-29 which set us in cruise control, we went on to sweep Nebraska 3-0 and do the same against Long Beach in the finals.

•    After college what were your options? Europe? AVP?

I had all the usual options after college from Europe, Puerto Rico, National Team, to the AVP, but I was driven in a different direction and was accepted to grad school at Stanford. So I retired from volleyball and continued my education only to pursue beach after grad school.

•    What are your thoughts on the evolution of the indoor game?

I think it is a completely different game, but the changes are good because it is allowing the game to develop with the more athletic people that play.  Rally score, first contact doubles, and the Libero have allowed the game to go to the next level to have longer and better rallies.

•    What are your thoughts on the growth of the Collegiate Beach Championships?

I think the growth is good, but I would like to see every college sending teams to compete.  It would be even better if beach volleyball was adapted as a NCAA sport.  The same athletes compete for indoor and outdoor track in college, so why not the same athletes for indoor and beach volleyball.

•    What year did you start your professional career?

2005 when I was in Austin, TX.

 
•    Why do you think you have accomplished so much as a player?

A lot has to do with the support I receive from friends and family the rest has to do with my individual drive to be successful at whatever I attempt.  If at first you don’t succeed try, try again.
 
•    What are some of your favorite memories from the 2007 AVP season? Over the years?

My favorite memory was finally breaking into the top 8, after 11 ninths it was a milestone to finish higher.  I can only hope that this is the start to many more great finishes on tour.

 
•    You also coach a couple teams at Southern CA Volleyball Club. How do you juggle your time between the tour and the teams?

 
Coaching is my passion, I don’t consider it a second job, so it seems to fit into my schedule without trying.  It also helps to have incredible assistant coaches and an understanding club director.
 
•    What is some advise that you were given in the past?

I don’t know about advice but I lived by the words, Conceive It, Believe It, Achieve It.
 
 
•    What advise would you give college volleyball players looking to get into the professional beach volleyball world?

Just know that is does not happen over night, is takes hard work and dedication.  Start playing as soon as possible because the more experience you have the further you will go.

•    What is some advice you can provide high school players looking to continue their volleyball career in college?

I suggest finding a college that fits your academic needs and social surrounding.  Volleyball will be a huge part of your life in college but remember to choose your college for other reasons other than sports.

•    What are some of your core values as an athlete, a coach, and a person?

One value that always seems to come up over and over again is Discipline.  In every aspect of your life you must be disciplined if you want to succeed.  That can be from studying your opponents, to pushing your self in the gym, to being on time, or to taking care of your body.  Everyone is faced with temptation; it is the ones that have good discipline that can continue to achieve and do great things.

•    Who are your current sponsors?
 
I currently do not have any sponsors so if you are interested in getting involved with the AVP, don't be afraid to look my way!
 
 
Links to Check Out:
 





]]>http://www.volleyball.com/blogs/default.aspx?mode=blog&id=13&yearnum=2008&monthnum=5Mon, 5 May 2008 00:00:00 GMTKeao Burdinehttp://www.volleyball.com/blogs/default.aspx?mode=blog&id=12&yearnum=2008&monthnum=4vballphil@hotmail.com (Christine Phillips)20 Questions with AVP Star/Indoor Star
Keao Burdine
 
Photo by Ken Delgado
 

•    When did you start playing volleyball?

I started playing for the Park & Rec at 7 and club when I was 8.

•    Did you have a volleyball star that you looked up to?

I always loved watching Misty May-Treanor play when I was growing up.
 
•    Where did you attend HS? Where did you play club?

I attended La Habra High School. I played club for Fusion for 8 years and Diggers (no longer around) for 3 years.

•    Any favorite HS or club memories?
Here is a funny memory. Back in the club days a couple of us used to steal food from the Spoilers VBC (no longer around) tent because they always had bomb grub. The 7-layer bean dip was the best. Haha, their parents would just spoil them with good food and we were only allowed to eat healthy during tournaments. Sometimes our parents would only allow us to have pb & j sandwiches between matches so we wouldn’t get "weighed" down. But we were growing girls who needed some substance, so we could always count on the spoilers to come through for us. Wink wink.
 
photo by USC Sports Information

 
•    Where did you attend college? Did you get a scholarship?

I played volleyball and was on scholarship at USC.

•    What were some of your favorite drills for practice? Individual drills? Team practices?

Honestly, I always hated indoor practice, but the best drills were always the ones that incorporated some fun. For example, queen of the court, 2 on 2 and dodge ball.

•    You were a 2 time national champion in college. What are some of your memories from those experiences?

Winning the first national championship was the most fulfilling moment in my career thus far. After working so hard for my team, my family and the school, it was just an amazing experience to know that all that hard work had paid off. Also, spending time with my best friends is probably what I miss the most. We used to have so much fun even off the court just goofing around and being stupid.
 

•    After college what were your options? Europe? AVP?

My options were to play overseas and play on the AVP. It was a hard transition to the beach at first because you have to start from nothing unless someone picks you up. So I had to play in qualifiers for a couple years to get going. I also played in Puerto Rico for 2 seasons and now I’m playing in Turkey.

•    What are your thoughts on the evolution of the indoor game?

The indoor game has changed so much from when I started, but with the current rules I cant really imagine it any other way. I couldn’t imagine going back to the sideout game because those games could last forever. Now that its rally scoring you can judge how long a match may take. That was not the case with the sideout game. You could never do that because both teams could go back and forth forever. I once played in a 5-game match in high school that lasted 4 hours and I could never imagine playing a 4-hour match now. There’s no way my body would hold up to that.

•    What are your thoughts on the growth of the Collegiate Beach Championships?

I think the collegiate beach championships are a great idea. I wish they would’ve had it when I was in college. It’s a great stepping-stone for the beach game. The more youth and collegiate beach involvement will only benefit the game as a whole. Getting kids involved in the game is a great way to feed into the AVP and the international game as well. And plus its fun to see the different colleges compete against each other.
                                                                                                                                                                                                       photo by USC Sports Information
 
•    What year did you start your professional career?

I started my first year at Puerto Rico in 2006 and also played my first full season on the AVP in 2006.

•    What have you learned since you started playing professional ball?

I think if anything, I‘ve learned how to be patient. I‘m already a pretty mellow person, but I’ve had some challenges in my career and the thing that has really kept my head on straight is the key to be patient. Be patient with my skills and the decisions of others who you’re involved with because you cant always control everything around you.

•    Have you had the opportunity to coach people now?

I’m not really the coaching type. I’m more of a person who goes out and gets things done, but I have helped out my parents a little here and there with their high school and club teams over the years. I love working with little kids because they’re so eager to learn and they’re just so cute.
 
 

•    What are some of your favorite memories from the 2007 AVP season?

My last tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio was probably the best tournament to date. Britt and I finished our overall best as a team and took 5th. We just played really well all weekend and it seemed like we had come a long way from the beginning of the season, so that sense of improvement was a good feeling.

•    What are some of your favorite memories from your indoor Turkish team?

Well considering I’ve only been here a month there isn’t much to go by. It’s been fun getting to know the people out here. Learning the language has been difficult because it’s unlike any other language. Our team is really solid so were hoping to finish really well. We’re #1 in the league right now and if we continue to play well we should have the opportunity to finish as champions.

•    What is some advise that you were given in the past?
If you work your hardest you can’t be disappointed by the results. As long as you give it your all there’s nothing else you can do, but hope for the best.
 
photo by Ken Delgado
 
•    What advise would you give college volleyball players looking to get into the professional beach volleyball world?

The transition from indoor to beach is one that is very difficult and challenging. Beach is much more challenging mentally than indoor in the fact that you have to learn to correct yourself most of the time. Unless, of course, your working with a coach. It’s easier for them to see things as they’re watching you, but you have to learn to be patient with yourself if you’re not working with coach. If you can take positive feedback then listening to your partner is a huge part of the game as well. As long as there’s good communication between partners its easier to correct yourself and improve on your game at all times.

•    What is some advice you can provide high school players looking to continue their volleyball career in college?

One thing that I would advise kids who are looking to play in college is to learn how to time manage. Lots of times you have to go from school to practice and then home only to study for the next day of classes, and then do it all over again. Sometimes having a social life is very important when you are going through a routine like that because it allows you to not have to think about the demanding physical and mental challenges. Once you get to college its even harder because you’re traveling and on the road a lot and so time management is something that’s very important.
 
 
•    Who are your current sponsors?

Unfortunately I don’t have any current sponsors, but I’m working on it.


 
Links to Check Out:
Keao's AVP Bio
Keao's BVD Bio



]]>http://www.volleyball.com/blogs/default.aspx?mode=blog&id=12&yearnum=2008&monthnum=4Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMTJoe Wortmannhttp://www.volleyball.com/blogs/default.aspx?mode=blog&id=11&yearnum=2008&monthnum=4vballphil@hotmail.com (Christine Phillips)20 Questions with University of Pacific
Head Men’s Coach Joe Wortmann
 

photo by UOP
Sports Information 
 
•   When did you start playing volleyball?

 I started playing volleyball in high school.

•    Where did you attend college? Did you play volleyball? 

I went to Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. I actually played baseball in college.

•    Did you have an athlete that you looked up to growing up?

I grew up admiring some old timers like Jerry West of the Lakers, Ozzie Smith of the Cardinals and of course Karch Kiraly.

•    Why did you enter the coaching profession? 

I love competition.  I love teaching and I love that it’s a GAME.

•    Did you hold any another job profession before you were a coach?

Too many to count.  Most importantly, I was a math teacher at the Jr High and High School level.  I also was the director of a home for the International Federation, L’Arche in Victoria, Canada.  L’Arche is a world wide community which welcomes people with mental handicaps.

•    Have you ever coached a club team? If yes, who and when? 

I started coaching girls club teams in So Cal and then in Nor Cal.

•    Did you have a coaching mentor? If yes, who?                                                                                                   

John Dunning hired me here at Pacific and I was fortunate to be on his staff for five years.

•    What are some of your core values for your team? 

Honesty, compassion, work ethic.

•    What are some of your favorite drills for practice? Individual drills? Team Drills? 

Full team drills, 6 vs 6, with certain game situation parameters are the ones that transfer the best to match play.

•    The coaching profession is a hard profession to have longevity in. What is your advice on longevity?

I have a wonderful family.  I am at a great university and I love that I coach. All three help in this area.

•    What are some of your favorite memories from over the years?
Graduating my players.  Seeing my players grow, in every sense.  Beating UCLA at home.                                                                                                                                                                                                                photo by UOP Sports Information
 
 
•    What is the hardest aspect of going into the every season? 

Going into to the season is the easiest part.  There is always hope, freshness and great team spirit.

•    What are your thoughts on the evolution of the indoor game?

 I love that the athletes are getting bigger, stronger and can jump so high.  I marvel at the athleticism and beauty of the game.

•    As a spectator of the game, do you have any changes to the game you would recommend? 

No
 
•    What are your thoughts on the beach game? The Collegiate Beach Championships?

 It’s a fun and exciting life style game. 

•    What advise would you give college volleyball players looking to get into the coaching world? 

Remember the golden rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated. 

•    What is some advise you can provide high school players looking to continue their volleyball career in college? 

Study, study and study.  Put yourself the best academic position you can to give yourself the most opportunities.

•    As a college coach/recruiter, do you prefer emails or letters? VHS/DVD, or Online videos? Phone calls? 

I prefer e-mails. DVD’s are great and online videos are my second choice.

•    What is one thing you would want someone to ask you??

Coach, what is the most important thing in becoming a great teammate and leader on a team?
 
 
Links To Check Out
UOP
UOP Men's Volleyball




]]>http://www.volleyball.com/blogs/default.aspx?mode=blog&id=11&yearnum=2008&monthnum=4Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT