The Arizona Region kicks off it's 20th year with the General Assembly.

Nearly all of Arizona's Club Directors and many Adult Team Reps showed their presence at the Region's General Assembly on Sunday, September 21st, enjoying a catered lunch, good company and an Olympic Medalist.

USA Libero Nicole Davis flew down from Colorado Springs and gave the pre-Assembly's IMPACT clinic crowd an impromptu passing clinic and talked about her up bringing and who and what motivated her to get to her current status as a Silver medalist at the Beijing Olympic games.

She then joined the General Assembly and started off thanking the group for their efforts in building athletes and training them to get to the Olympic programs she now enjoys. Davis then answered the questions of the group for almost an hour, ranging from her Martial Arts background and the food choices in China to her belief in John Wooden's Pyramid of Success.

The assembly was a precursor to the upcoming season. Officiating, new rules, new club policies and a review of the 2007-08 season were all discussed.

Team USA Wins Big in Beijing - Again!

The Women's Sitting Olympic Volleyball Team took the silver medal at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. The team lost to China in the finals and also in pool play. Those were the only two matches lost by Team USA. Enroute to the finals the team upset the #1 team in the world - the Netherlands to set up the final against the host country China.

Lora Webster of Cave Creek, AZ was a member of the team. She was also with the team when they came out of nowhere to take the Bronze medal in Athens four years ago. Congratulations to Lora and the rest of the Women's Sitting Volleyball Team.

Women's Sitting Volleyball Team with their Silver Medals
(Lora Webster is seated on the far right)

For a great overview of the Paralympic Games check this link to the Boston Globe

AVP Sanderson Ford Best of the Beach is coming to Glendale Westgate City Center Sept 25-27

The Season-Ending Professional Beach Volleyball Tournament Will Bring the Game’s Top Players and Olympic Stars to Westgate City Center September 25-27 The 2008 AVP Sanderson Ford Best of the Beach event will deliver the ultimate Pro Beach Volleyball & Entertainment experience at Westgate City Center. www.westgateaz.com

The event will feature the top 12 individual men and the top 12 individual women on Tour and will be played at Westgate City Center, Arizona’s premiere sports and entertainment complex. Tickets can be purchased online at www.avp.com/glendale, by phone at 800-919-6272 or in person at Just Sports (Westgate location only)

The Glendale Fire Department has teamed up with Westgate and are able to sell tickets for the AVP event with a portion of the ticket sales going to the Glendale Fire Department Charity Fund, which helps people and organizations in need. For information on purchasing your tickets through Glendale Fire Department email rrrodriguez@glendalezaz.com or stop by any Glendale Fire Station.

There is also a charity game between fire and police on 9-27 at 9:00.

To volunteer for the tournament, e-mail volunteers@avp.com