Wrap up, by Alex Gbur

The team before a match

Our trip to Italy was very exciting and challenging. We did a lot of walking on top of playing some great volleyball teams. Being the only team there to represent America was a lot to take in, not too many 17 and 18 year old girls have the opportunity to travel to a foreign land and represent where they come from. When we first got to Pordenone, Italy it was a little difficult doing things the Italian way, but the more you did them the more natural it came. The hardest thing was getting on a different sleep schedule.

 

Playing different teams definitely opened my eyes to knew ways, but not only on the court. We lost to some very good teams, but we never stopped trying. We didn't have much practice time together but the more we played the better we looked, and team chemistry was never a problem. After our friendly matches we had dinner with the opposing team. The first team was a little younger than most of us but I think we had the most fun with them. We tried to have conversations, but our Italian is not very good, we took pictures, and traded t-shirts. We even traded Facebook and email information with them. We got to see how things really were in Italy, not just what the average tourist saw. You could say we got the "best of both worlds."

 

The three days of our tournament took place in Falconara, but outside of volleyball we saw some very cool places, with a variety of gorgeous views. In Italy we went to the cities of Venice, Belluno, and Rome. There is a private country, the Republic of San Marino, which is a little country inside of Italy that we also got the chance to visit. It was amazing waking up to something so beautiful like the Apennine or Dolomiti Mountains, or the Adriatic Sea. But, perhaps some of the most beautiful sites in Italy were the churches. The architecture was extraordinary! Overall we got to see some of the world's most beautiful and treasured historical sites; Such as San Marco, the Holy House of Loreto, and the Vatican.

 

This trip was a once in a life time experience. Thanks to the support from our coaches, parents, and especially one another as teammates, made this experience unforgettable. Friendships and memories were made that will last and be cherished forever.

Editor's note:  Sorry about the lack of updates.  We were without an internet connection for the last couple of days.  

More pictures at http://gallery.me.com/joshua.pickard#100104 and at http://gallery.me.com/joshua.pickard/100112

Day 8, by Jessie Manwaring

The team on the Spanish Steps in Rome

Today we spent the whole day in Rome.  It was absolutely beautiful.  I toured the city with Libby, Logan, Rachel, Josh and Jodi.  First we walked to Palatine Hill, the ruins of the palaces of Augustus (63 BC – 14), Tiberius (42 BC – 37) and Domitian (51 – 96), all were emperors of Rome (I looked it up J).  The architecture of the buildings was astonishing.  From then we went to the Colosseum and it was huge.  We could see the chambers that would have been under the main floor.  We took a short walk to the Senate.  From there we ventured into a really cool cat sanctuary and Logan was attacked by a cat.  Then we went to Vatican City and sat in St. Peter’s Square.  (The Pope was too busy to come out and hang out with us.)  Then we went to the Trevi Fountain and walked to the Pantheon, a temple built to celebrate all gods.  The whole city was breathtaking and it was a great day to go.  It is something we will remember forever.  

More pictures at http://gallery.me.com/joshua.pickard#100104 and at http://gallery.me.com/joshua.pickard/100112

Day 7, by Haley Nofziger

Team after Closing Ceremonies

Today we played our last game of volleyball. We worked hard and had our ups and downs, but in the end, we were happy that we had the chance to play volleyball here in Italy. After we played, we headed back to the hotel and got ready and ate. We took some time in a mall, which was pretty cool, but it seemed a little small. But of course, the best part of the trip was there in the mall. Gelato!!!!! :) Afterwards, we headed to the Closing Ceremony. We watched the championship volleyball game. It was between the Italians and Serbians and the Serbians won. They had a HUGE GIANT!! Ha, okay, maybe not THAT big, but she made me look like shrimp. It was fun watching them play. After their match, we all lined up and walked out onto the court. Of course, USA was first, and we sat right in the middle. It was a long ceremony but it was a great experience. It was kinda like the Olympics. Afterwards, we headed to ROMA!!!!! It was a long bus ride. About 4 hours. We stopped at a pizzera and the pizza was DELICIOUS!!! I had myself a whole pizza about! We slept a while, then arrived in Roma. Our hotel... drum roll pleaseeeee........ it was a camp for those training for the Olympics. Talk about AMAZING!! Our rooms looked like dorms and Logan and I roomed together, and we found the best thing America carries......ICE!!! :) Lets just say, we went to bed happy.

More pictures at http://gallery.me.com/joshua.pickard#100104 and at http://gallery.me.com/joshua.pickard/100112

Day 6, by Rachel Ferguson

Today was our second day of the tournament.  We lost a tough match to another Italian team. Although we hate losing, we are learning to work together better as a team so hopefully our last match tomorrow will be our best and also result in a win for us. After our match today we came back to our hotel for lunch and some rest time before going out for the rest of the day. First we took a very scenic route through the mountains, to head to a beach. Although it was colder, and the water was FREEZING we had fun walking along the beach and skipping rocks. They didnt have sand on their beach, they just had smaller pebbles and rocks. Then we went to Loreto for a couple of hours, it is a very religious city. They have one of the three Black Marys in the entire world. The church was incredible to look at with amazing artwork and sculptures. On our bus ride back to the hotel we stopped at a winery and got a tour of how they produce the wine and then were able to sample some. Once back at the hotel we were able to eat the food provided for us or go to a seafood restaurant. Being by the seaside is so nice, and everything in Italy is so relaxing and beautiful. We are looking forward to finishing up our tournament and heading to Rome|

Day 5, by Megan Weissenberger

Today we woke up in the early morning and enjoyed some breakfast provided from the hotel. They dont eat normal breakfast like us americans. We had desserts and basically bread. Then at 9:30 we headed off to our very first game against ATA Fin Travel. Unfortunately we weren't playing too well and lost the game. Then we came back to the hotel for lunch and a quick nap. Shortly after we left for our next game against Edilcost. Beth Ann and Caroline were left behind :( We did much better our second game and won one of them. Then we went to sight see around downtown Falconara for about and hour and a half and did some more shopping! We came back for dinner at 8 and had the same pasta we've had for the past two days! Now we get the rest of the night to relax and hang out! More pictures at http://gallery.me.com/joshua.pickard#100104

Day 4, by Amanda Yerke

Today we woke up early and took a five hour bus ride to the Republic of San Marino. It was a beautiful area high in the Apennine Mountains. We discovered our first castle, which was quite a site. We spent the day touring the small republic- which was filled with shopping and gelato (our favorite part of Italy!) Everybody seemed to find something to take home. After another hour bus ride to Falconara we had dinner in our hotel, where we met the Serbian volleyball team. The majority of the girls were taller then Jessie and I, which scared us to say the least. The tournament starts tomorrow and we are excited to finally start competing.

More pictures at http://gallery.me.com/joshua.pickard#100104 I have a lot of pictures to put up, but the hotel internet is a little interesting here. I will post them as soon as I can. -Josh

Day 3, by Libby Dachenhaus

The team after dinner at the gym

View of Belluno from the gym parking lot

Today, like every other day, was an adventure. After eating breakfast, we were allowed to wonder the streets of Pordenone. I have never walked so much in my life as I have on this trip. Although the streets were busy they were not near as crowded as they were when we arrived on Sunday. We shopped and ate gelato and pizza like we do every day. In Italy, it is custom for shops to close for about an hour and a half around midday, so they can get lunch. We gathered together again around three and got on the bus. The hour and a half bus ride to Belluno didnt seem long at all because of the beautiful scenery. The Dolomiti mountain range was one of the coolest things I have seen thus far on our trip. Once we got off the bus, we went up four sets of escalators to the city at the top of one of the mountains. The buildings were just as beautiful as they were in Venice and it was nice to walk around the city. After the traditional team picture in front of a random building, we went back down the mountainside to the brightly colored sports center. The team we played was monsterous. I feared for my face, but I dug some hard hit balls. Dinner was an experience in itself as we ate alongside the Italian team. We have improved so much as a team in comparison to yesterday and our previous practices. I look forward to seeing how we start off in the tournament and am excited for more late night gelato-ing. I dont ever want to come home! 
ps we survived the earthquake...dont worry.

More pictures at http://gallery.me.com/joshua.pickard#100104

Day 2, by Logan Riker

Premier with A.P.D.C Chions at dinner after the scrimmage

Monday, April 6th. Pordenone and Venice Italy!

Today we woke up and headed to the train station, to take the train to Venice. It was about an hour and a half trip into Venice and we all took the opportunity to get the extra sleep! Once we got there we broke up into smaller groups to tour around. Venice has incredible architecture and is just all around an amazing city to be in. There were lots of little local shops to go in as well as big name designers like Hermes and Gucci. Once we took the train back from Venice, we went to our scrimmage against A.P.D.C Chions. The scrimmage helped us to work together and start to play more as a team. After our 'friendly match' we went to dinner at La Perla for dinner with the opposing team. They were so fun to talk to and helped us learn more about Italian Customs. We are bonding great as a team and loving the time we have here! We are spending the night again in Pordenone tonight.

oh, and p.s. there was an earthquake somewhere in Italy last night, but not to worry, we are all okay! Rumor is they could feel it where our hotel is though! :0

More pictures at http://gallery.me.com/joshua.pickard#100104

Day 1, by Alexa Ansell

We got on the plane at 6:00 p.m..  It was an 8-hour flight. A long, boring, sleepless 8-hour flight.  The food on the plane was decent and the service was great.

I really enjoyed the movies on the plane.  Germany was boring.  Everyone slept.  We all arrived in Italy at about 2 p.m..  Italy is beautiful.  Practice went really well.  We are bonding as a team. We went out to an authentic Italian restaurant.  Dinner was different.  I really enjoyed the experience.  Gelato is phenomenal.  Definitely the best part.  

Note from Josh:  I am attempting to compile the pictures I take on my site as well.  I have it set up for the kids and parents to be able to upload their photos as well.  It is my hope that we can have all of the pictures taken on one site for everyone to enjoy.  Here is what we have so far.  http://gallery.me.com/joshua.pickard#100104

In case anyone speaks Italian, here is the flyer for the Tournament.

Check Back Often!

Thanks for taking a look at our blog.  Each player will have a day that they will post a little bit about what we did that day.  Remember to check each day to see how the trip is going.

Team list is posted

We recently found out the teams that we will compete against in the tournament.  Check out the list below.

U18s

ATA Fin Travel

Conero & Ponterosso

San Dona'

Monteschiavo Jesi

Premier 18's

Selexione de Belgrado (Serbia)

Fonteromaeur

Bulli E Pupe

Premier Goes to Italy

Premier Volleyball Cub will be represented with a U18s team to compete in an international in Italy in April.  The team will depart on April 4, returning on 13 while representing Premier/USA in an elite level tournament located outside of Venice.  The team will spend a few days training and site seeing in Venice, and then compete in Falconara from April 9-12th.  After the tournament is complete, the team will have a day to site see in Rome before returning to the States.  Please join us in wishing the team the best of luck representing our club and country.

TEAM ROSTER

Amanda Yerke

Libby Dachenhaus

Haley Nofziger

Rachel Ferguson

Jessie Manwaring

Megan Weissenberger

Alex Gbur

Alexa Ansell

Logan Riker

Coach: Jodi Schramm

Coach: Josh Pickard