Volleyball is definitely one of my biggest passions. I started playing when I was in 8th grade, and I haven't stopped yet. I'm not as good as I'd like to be, but I think part of the reason for that is that I really don't get to play too often. I loved playing in high school... even though my team sucked, and we had a losing record all 4 years of my career. But it was fun, and it gave me something to do to stay out of trouble.
I don't follow college too much (except OU, of course), but I did my practicum with OU's varsity volleyball team the last two seasons and had a ball with it!! However, I prefer the AVP (pro beach). The AVP has the best players around, and most of the members played in college and on olympic indoor teams. One of those people is Karch Kiraly... The God of Beach Volleyball... King of the Beach. I'm just amazed at how many people have actually never heard of Karch. I think what first made him stand out was his pink hat, and he's worn a pink hat in competition for a LONG time now. He and Kent Steffes used to rule, but then Kent got hurt, and Karch hooked up with Adam Johnson. (I promise I'll have pics soon!) Now, Karch and AJ are the team to beat, and they even took the gold medal in the Olympics in 96 in Atlanta :)
I had the GREAT honor of getting to see most of my favorite players last June in Cleveland, OH!! My mom got me tickets for my 21st birthday, and I spent the 2 days after my birthday in perfect AWE of these volleyball greats. Most of the pictures on this page came from my own camera at this event. Unfortunately, it rained most of the first day, but the 2nd day was absolutely beautifully sunny, and boy did my skin tell that same tale!! I got to meet almost every player who was in Cleveland, along with a tank top with the autographs of everyone I met! By far the most awesome sports experience of my life!!!!!!!
The Man (Karch Kiraly)
The other great volleyball player I really admire and think it is one of the best to play the game is Sinjin Smith!! He used to be my favorite, and he's still phenomenal! I really enjoyed watching him play, and he was the reason I got into volleyball in the first place. So, I guess in a way, I have Sinjin to thank. *shrug* I was totally amazed when I saw him in Cleveland because he and Ricci Luyties originally weren't slated to play, but my cousin (Robbie - who went both days with me) and I ended up talking to him for about half an hour on the first day when we got "stuck" in the players' tent (ON ACCIDENT!!) during one of the rainy periods. *whew* was *I* excited!
