April


Kaminskas



Lamb

Posted 4/5/04

Fab 50!

Congratulations to Nikki Kaminskas and Dominique Lamb who made Volleyball Magazine’s “Fab 50” list, which recognizes outstanding high school volleyball players throughout the country.

Kaminskas, a senior at Flagstaff High School, currently is the middle blocker for the Arizona Foothills club team. She plans on attending Georgia Tech in the fall with a full-ride volleyball scholarship. She was recognized as first team-all region and honored as region MVP this past season.

Lamb is a senior at Chandler High School, and currently plays for the Arizona Juniors club team. She was named Fiesta Player of the Year last fall, and has signed with the University of Arizona in Tucson.

The Fab 50 also recognized Gilbert High School senior and outside hitter Jen Christian. She was chosen on the Arizona Republic's all-Arizona team last season, and received the award for Big School Volleyball Player of the Year. She headed to the University of Texas to play in December. (No picture available.)
 

Posted 4/9/04

Mittelstaedt Leads Arizona Juniors to National Division Bid

Arizona Juniors 18-1’s defeated Arizona Thunder 18-1 last week 25-19, 25-23 at the Arizona Region National Club Qualifier. AJ’s receives the bid for the National Division for the 2004 Girls Junior National Championships. Setter Rachel Mittelstaedt led AJ’s with 21 assists and 3 kills, unofficially, while teammates Dominique Lamb and Margie Giordano added 8 kills and 7 kills, respectively. “I thought the key was our game plan, a fast attack and spread the ball really helped,” said Mittelstaedt. AJ’s head coach Terri Cox felt the determining factor of the match was “our fast offense and we tired them out. Our team gets along and really pulls through.”

 


 

 
Posted 4/9/04

Team Effort Keys AZ Sky over East Valley

AZ Sky 15-Travel celebrated a 25-19, 25-15 victory over East Valley 15-1 at the Arizona Region National Club Qualifier. AZ Sky earns the National Bid to the 2004 Girls Junior National Championships, while East Valley gets the American berth to Jr Nationals. “It’s cliché, but we played very well as a team and everyone contributed and executed,” said AZ Sky head coach Amanda Burbridge. “They really play for each other and are supportive.” AZ Sky overcame a 1st game loss to Arrowhead in the opening match, but recovered to win 25-27, 25-11, 15-7. “We hit a lot out and had service errors, but I still felt we had the momentum. This group is very competitive, likes to win and they love to play.”


AZ Sky 12-Sparkz


Phoenix Joys 12-1's

 

Posted 4/21/04

Az Sky Sparkz Finish Perfect Season with 12's Title

(ARCTC) AZ Sky 12-Sparkz defeated Phoenix Joys 12-1’s, 25-11, 25-14 to capture the gold division, 12’s Regional championship of the Arizona Region. The Sparkz finished a dream season – a perfect 26-0 in Region competition. Co-captain Juliann Lieb led AZ Sky with four aces and two kills. “I’m excited and enthusiastic,” said Lieb. “We just played like a team; we all have fun playing with each other. We never give up.”

The Sparkz served a blistering 92% for the championship match with runs of seven, six and seven points during the game 1 win over the Joys. Sparkz teammates Alex Willcoxson added 3 aces and Lauren Foss had 2 kills.

“I am ecstatic, the girls played amazing all year, an undefeated season, “ stated Sparkz coach Sean Parchmann. “We are a very strong team with smart personalities that mesh. Serving was the key and we dug everything up. I’ve seen them comeback from a 12-20 deficit this season and win. They never say die.”

“I feel really excited and proud of my team,” said Sparkz Heidi Thompson. “The keys today were our tips, serves and definitely teamwork - It was mostly about teamwork today.”

Earlier this season, the Sparkz qualified to play at the 2004 Girls Junior Olympic Championships in Houston, Texas. They will represent Arizona in the 12’s National division. Perhaps their perfect season will continue and the chance for another title.

 
 

 
 

 

 

Photo Gallery!

Pictures from around the Region.

 

For past articles posted on this page, please visit the archives.