2008 VB4Y Junior Atlantic Beach Tour
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You can get a list of the winners and all of the AAU junior beach tournaments at www.aaubeach.org web site.
We plan to attend the AAU Virginia Regional's, AAU Eastern Regional's, AAU Florida Open, AAU Florida U16 Regional's, AAU Nationals, AAU American Challengers Cup, and the AAU Junior Olympics. Changes might be made do to last minute changes by the event coordinators and weather conditions.
The summer tour started off slow on the East Coast with Storms,unusual early HOT weather, and Smoke from area fires. But once we hit Florida it was in full swing.
Cocoa Beach, Florida
AAU East Coast Junior Beach Tour had a successful start with the Cocoa Beach Pier Juniors Open on Friday, June 19, 2008.
With players from all over including Hawaii, Florida, Pureto Rico, and our local Virginia Beach Player, Amanda Walker. Amanda was making her first appearance on the court since her injury to her leg in August of 2007. After 9 months off of a volleyball court she came back in full swing. Securing a Florida native for a partner, Amanda and her partner, Maggie Holbert took 8th for their first event of the season. Winning the 16 and under division was Camilla and Marla from Pureto Rico.
Siesta Keys, Florida
Our next stop was Siesta Keys, Florida. Ariel Walker, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, found a partner just before the close of registration for the 12 and under division. While Amanda Walker continued to play with Maggie Holbert from Florida. The Siesta Keys Qualifier had 4 divisions, 12's, 14's, 16's and 18's. The 18's were fighting for a bid to the "American Challengers Cup" which is held in Puerto Rico in late July, the 14's division were playing for a bid to the Best of the Beach" U14 championships held in Beverly Hills, California in August, while the U16 division was seeking a bid to the AAU Junior Olympics held in Michigan the end of July. U12 winners secure a solid ranking for position in the U12 division of the AAU National Championships in Hermosa Beach California in July. Ariel Walker and her native Floridian went undefeated to a first place victory playing 9 sets in the U12 division. Amanda Walker and her partner, Maggie Holbert placed third in the U16 division securing a spot in the AAU Junior Olympics.
Winners of the U16 Divisions above, advance to the
AAU Junior Olympic Games In Michigan July 28-31, 2008.
For a listing of all the winners in each division go to www.aaubeach.org
Above we have the U12 winners
Less than 15 minutes before the start of the tournament, a ten 10 years old from Virginia Beach (in the pink) picked up a local Florida 12 year old , (green t shirt), and played together to win the U12 division in undefeated games!
Congratulations to all of our 12 and under winners.
From courts to surf the players havea great time.
Carolina, Puerto Rico
Before we continued south to Puerto Rico the players took a break from Volleyball, but still hit the beach with surf boards in tow. The gentle constant surf in Florida was the perfect break from the hot sand courts. (check out the photo's below). As we boarded Air Trans for the 3hour flight to San Juan Puerto Rico, the players relaxed and geared up for their next journey on the courts.
We arrived around 1:30 pm and was met by Wilo Rosado, our host while in Pureto Rico. His family took us in and showed us the areas history before heading to the courts.
The Carolina Volleyball Festival has 10 divisions playing over a two day period. It's all bracket play, with double elimination. Adam Walker, 11 years old picked up a 10 year old partner from San Juan, Aluaro Rivera. This unexpected dual was a force to be reckoned with on the court. They went undefeated all the way to semi finals, taking third place out of 12 teams. Ariel Walker played with Victoria Sola from Guaynabo, in the U12 division. These girls played liked they were best friends, who knew their was a language barrier-making through the first day with 7-3 set record they lost on day two in their second match finishing 7th. Maggie Holbert and Amanda Walker continued their partnership in the U16 division. Not being seeded gave them a tough schedule. The first set did not look good, communication was not taking place and frustration started to sink this dual. Then out of no where the desire to win kicked in, and they fought their way through beating the number one seeded team, and working their way through the losers bracket to secure a fifth place finish. The PR Festival Events are tough, playing best 2 out of 3 sets for two days, with 12-24 teams in each age and gender bracket. The weather is hot, the days are long and the victory's are sweet!
Above, Wilo Rosado, our host, finds a partner, Victoria, for Ariel to play in the U12 division! And his wife, Pricilla and youngest daughter, Catalina, help Ariel understand the native language.
Solid passing by Adam and strong serving by Alvaro keep this dual going undefeated all day Saturday!
Adam, 11, gets in on the celebration with the U14 girls-
Ariel's serving proved to be a solid asset in their Victories. With less than 10 miss serves over a two day period!
Life long friends have been made along the way!
Consoling the boys is our host, Wilo Rosado, after going undefeated Saturday to losing in Semi finals was a tough lost for 10 year old Alvaro and 11 year old Adam. the boys finished in third place. A wonderful victory for one of the youngest teams in this event.
After a long day the U16 team takes a dip in the warm Caribbean Sea.
Before leaving Pureto Rico the players were invited to
EL CONQUISTADOR RESORT .
Rumor has it Michael Jordan owns one of these beautiful villas, and visits at least once a year.
We took a ferry to a small island run by the El Conquistador Resort.
From here we took a Hobbie Cat and Kayaks to another small beachy island.
It did not take long for the boys to discover the natives. From lizards, rabbits, chickens, hermit crabs and more...they were truly entertained. The girls stuck to swimming, sun bathing, and kayaking.
After our luxury visit to El Conquistador, the Caceres's family invited us for a farewell dinner. The players got to relax in their pool enjoy a home made Pureto Rican meal and played pool on the roof top. It was a beautiful ending to a wonderful trip to Pureto Rico!
We ended the first session of the VB4Y Junior Atlantic Beach Tour July 1, 2008. After visiting Virginia, Florida, and San Juan, Pureto Rico, the girls returned home to rest, visit family, and gear up for the second session. The girls meet many new friends, learned new skills on the volleyball court, and had a great time working hard and playing hard! |
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The second session of the VB4Y Junior Atlantic Beach Tour started with everyone meeting in San Diego California, July 8, 2008. Once we arrive at the airport we headed for the Holiday Inn Hotel in Mission Bay. After checking in to our rooms we were off to re-group, meet new faces and have a fun time at the San Deigo Sea World Park.
er takin
