Empire Volleyball Club

Volleyball Footprint - - DAIN BLANTON

2015-07-28T14:32:00.001-04:00

This is the full interview we had with 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist and AVP Legend, Dain Blanton, during the Friday of the AVP NYC. To say that he generous with his time is an understatement. We caught up with Dain, just before he started his clinic/camp session with AVP First at Pier 25.

As you can see, the AVP and many of its charter members, are very open to speaking with those invested in "Growing The Game." We touched on how, as a leader in the sport of volleyball, he is looking to give the sport a diverse range of appeal to all athletes no matter the age, gender or ethnic background. Blanton believe in this mission and wants to further the reach of the sport the best way he knows how, through coaching the next generation.

In fact, watch as Dain's face light up when he speaks of Kelly Claes and Sarah Hughes and their incredible run through the qualifying rounds and into (what eventually became) their semifinal appearance. Hughes and Claes ran into a Nicole Branaugh and Jenny Kropp in their semifinal loss (set 3 of that match to come in future posts).

We questioned if he and Fonoi would ever look to do a Master's Beach Tour any time soon. You can judge his answer.

Empire Volleyball Club wants to thank Dain Blanton for the interview and giving of his time. Watch him on NBC SPORTS as he is the voice on the courts during the AVP season.

Hope you enjoy.

Volleyball Footprint: AVP1st (AVPFirst) Building Champions from the Grassroots on Up

2015-07-21T11:42:00.000-04:00

For one to have a footprint, you must leave an indelible mark in history some how. Whether you are a famous singer or the local butcher, once people can remember who and why you have effected them you have left THE footprint.

The American Volleyball Professionals (AVP) tournament tour, has done just that!

Since its birth in the late 1980's, the AVP has promoted the sport of beach volleyball in an unprecedented way. In fact it was because of the AVP's popularity, that the FIVB (Federation of International Volleyball) started having international beach volleyball competitions, since the mid-1990's. From there beach volleyball has grown to be one of the most popular sports at every Olympics.

International players, such as Jose Loyola of Brazil, gained American citizenship just to be able to play and earn money with in the AVP. Just spit-balling here, but, when players from other countries, leave their home lands to make it in your league, you have created a pretty substantial footprint.

However, this article isn't about the AVP's footprint with adult players. No, no. Its about what they are looking to do with the youth players who have not been exposed to such a high level of beach volleyball.

This article is about the AVP First program and their mission to get the youth out on to the beach with the best in the world.

www.avp.com/avp-first/
Click on the and be taken to the AVP First Homepage

Can you imagine being able to learn how to throw a football from Peyton Manning, or shoot from Stefan Curry? Well, that is what the AVP is trying to do with AVP First. They are attempting to connect the pros to the pupils, in a grassroots effort to improve beach volleyball from the kids up.

AVPFirst (AVP1st) is "inspiring healthy lifestyles and a lifelong connection to the sport of volleyball in youth and their families," as stated on the AVP First homepage, with in their mission. Now that is saying a lot!

Over the years, the sport of beach volleyball has grown so large in popularity, it almost overshadows its older brother, indoor volleyball. More and more young people are playing beach volleyball because of what if offers. No other sport, outside of surfing, expresses the "fun in the sun" attitude as beach volleyball does. The problem has been getting the best players to connect with the youth at the grassroots level.

Well the AVP, its corporate partners and many of the elite players, on tour, want to change that. Just listen to Tony Giarla (sorry I said Garcia in the video), Director of AVP First, in this short interview. We spoke at the AVP tour stop in New York City, July 17, 2015. As we were speaking they were prepping for a clinic that night to be lead by none other than, Dain Blanton. The 2000 Sydney Olympic Gold Medalist and multiple AVP Champion.

As you heard in the video, the AVP is making a concerted effort to the youth of America with the best this sport has to offer.

Dain Blanton
2000 Olympic Gold Medalist in Sydney
Multiple AVP Championships
Currently an NBC Sports Analyst
and On Air Talent

The motto of all great volleyball coaches and leaders is "GROW THE GAME." Nowhere is that more evident than when an entity as big as the AVP decides to become a leader in the sport through grassroots efforts, as AVP First.

Don't get me wrong, there are other programs out there. USA Volleyball has their own grassroots beach programs, and there are local area camps and clinics across the country. My friend Bobby Jones has his beach training program in Austin, Texas called "Project Serve." Please check it out when you're in the state of Texas. However, no one will have the same kind of impact on the sport, at the grassroots level, as the AVP.

Through the AVP First program and its access to the elite of ELITES in the sport of beach volleyball, i.e; Kerri Walsh-Jennings (I know you have heard of her) or the previously mentioned, Dain Blanton, conducting clinics and camps throughout the tour cycle and beyond, the level of the sport will grow exponentially. By exposing these kids to this level of talent, the AVP is giving these fledgling athletes an incredible opportunity no matter where they are from. Connecting the youth, from either inner cities or rural America, to the icons of the sport is undeniably a great advantage! The AVP is learning to make that happen and is putting the right investment where it matters...WITH THE KIDS.

With its efforts through AVP First, the American Volleyball Professionals tour, will be leaving a long lasting footprint on beach volleyball for many years. Who knows, maybe one day a player that came through AVP First, will be winning golds medal in Olympics to come.

The question now stands...where will you leave YOUR volleyball footprint?

Thank you for reading....(see you on the courts)

EVC

US Open Nationals in the D (aka Detroit, MI)

2015-06-10T11:55:00.000-04:00

So, its officially over and that time of the year is passed. Once again, 30-40 teams from the New York, New Jersey Metropolitan Area - along with a few hundred or so other teams from various other US Volleyball regions - descended onto an unsuspecting city and took over for 8 days.

YOU'RE WELCOME DETROIT!!!!

I can't lie, Detroit was horrible. The city shut everything down at 11:30pm. Bars closed at 2am, like many places, but there was NO NIGHT LIFE. Not what was advertised (by myself as well) Detroit. Next time, be ready the onslaught that is adult nationals.

On the other hand, everything else was awesome!!!

Between watching our region do very well in MANY divisions and age groups, we partied HARDER, stayed out LONGER and overall showed why GEVA is the BEST REGION TO LIVE IN!!!

Congrats to Train Wreck for taking GOLD ! Lead by Ali Jackson, Tournament MVP, Train Wreck DOMINATED Women's BB only dropping 1 set in four days of play. Congrats to all of Train Wreck: Cindy Stayton, Cristina Payne, Val Lang, Valeria Langlois, Caitlin Weiss, Mindy Stephanie, Tiffany Firebaugh, and Audrey Goss. We'll miss you in GEVA - and NYC - Audrey, when you move, but we know you and Aaron Zucker will have a great life in Chicago!!!

Awesome job by Dan McFadden and his team, GSA, who also took GOLD in Men's A. Congrats to Lorenzo Samin and team Super Flow Flex for finishing 3rd in Men's A as well. Props go out to Rony Gilot Jr. and the men of Creole Red, aka 40+, for representing us in that age group! I'm with you all in Orlando! Congrats to former Empire Volleyball Club members Dennis J. Park and Kevin Shalley for leading NY Strangers to the Bronze Bracket Title. We keep that tradition alive with you all!!!

Now, as for Empire Volleyball Club, let's be real; we came together with less than two months before Nationals. We registered. Got hotels. Organized flights and transportation last minute. We couldn't even have a final roster until just before our first whistle Friday afternoon in Detroit. To finish 33rd over all and win Flight 1, we kicked some major butt.

Huge thank you to Kyle Birdman Burnside, for bringing in people to this year's team. Props to the those guys, Mark Ledwich, Erik Shagdar, Daniel Meretzky, Kevin Skeuse, Raymond Collins and Jordy Diaz our team MVP for bringing it on our last day. We started off the weekend 0-5. Got a little too drunk two out of four nights and then, well like all GEVA teams, made it count in playoffs. After winning our challenge match to Flight 1, we never looked back, finishing the weekend with a 5-5 record in Men's BB. We made Empire Volleyball Club proud!!!
Thank you Bryn Kehoe, for hanging out with us after your match. I know Jordy was in LOVE.

Thank you Jeffrey Ptak for hanging before your match. Furthermore, Big Jeff, CONGRATS on winning two championships this year. One in Bahrain and the other with Team Pineapple in the Men's PVL Division.
Good luck to my homie, Stephen Bracken and the Men's National Sitting Team, as they travel out to Bosnia.

All in all, this years Nationals wasn't very different to many others. We all played hard and had fun. Each team achieved some level of success or met a level failure, but still played together.
Next year its in ORLANDO, FLORIDA. There will definitely be more teams and more chances for bad stories and major hijinks. All I know is I can't wait!

See you all during the outdoor season, but I hope more than anything I'll see you all again in Orlando!!!
GO Empire!!!

Introduzco Los Hombres de SUAVE en el Imperio!! and Suave Bowl Boxes

2014-01-19T00:30:00.000-05:00

Enter The Men of SUAVE into TheEmpire!!

Ok....

My Spanish is thanks to Google Translate and not to me actually remembering anything specific from classes I took in high school.

HOWEVER - - -

Empire Volleyball Club is BACK, but not the original group of EVC-Prime. this year's version has some Latino HEAT!!! (yes that is a WWE reference)

The 2014 version of EVC is actually a reboot of SUAVE Volleyball Club and Empire mixed. This years members include, but aren't limited to:

Angel R (Bronx, NY)., Roberto H., Joachin S. (Both in NYC, NY), Patrick D., Francisco M., Joseph E., Todd R., Eder M., and Desmond H (All in Brooklyn). This is a very formidable team, when all the members are there. So far, Suave has had a difficult start to the season. Members have had injuries and struggled through tough personal situations, however, the team and club play on!!!

VAMOS JUEGAR!!! (Let's Play)

Suave Empire will be competing in the GEVA's (Garden Empire Volleyball Association) new Division 1 level. This Division doesn't eliminate AA/A/BB ranking or labels.What it does is it puts in play a simpler grading system and a better way for teams to register for matches. The divisional system also allows for more teams to play against each other and gain points more often throughout the season. Now, teams who at one point had to play up to AA/A to get extra tournament time in won't need to worry.

As a Club, we have already competed in three money tournaments this season. Two at Turners Club in the Bronx and one hosted by GEVA at St. John's University, though each tournament was met with its own challenges, Suave Empire did have a fair showing at each tournament. Eventually the group from all over New York City will gain a solid chemistry and win one of these up coming tournament this season.

SUAVE BOWL BOXES

Like all other teams we are starting our fund raising for the 2014 National Tournament, being held in PHOENIX, AZ once again!!!

As a result, we're having a drive started with the best fund raising idea any team can have (and most have). We're doing a set of Boxes for the Big (football) Game on February 2, 2014 at the Met Life Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

To the right of this article is the Pay Pal links to purchase boxes. As you will see each box can be selected directly on screen. Below is a picture of the Boxes in an Excel Spread Sheet. Whenever a BOX is purchased names will be updated by 11pm each evening. Purchasing ENDS at 6:30pm Sunday Feb. 2, 2014.

The cost per BOX is $25. The pay outs are as follows: (if all Boxes are SOLD)

1st Quarter: $125
At The Half: $300
3rd Quarter: $125
At The Final: $700

When purchasing your boxes please leave your name and the address or desired location to mail victor checks.

We hope all of you can help us with our goal of getting to Nationals.

AS ALWAYS!!!

We want to thank all of our followers, friends and fans! Without you Suave Empire wouldn't really just be a bunch of guys playing volleyball and having some beers at the end of the day talking about our lives. well, we do that anyway, but now we have some awesome people to help us enjoys those special tournament moments all over again.

THANK YOU.

See you all during the season. Help us get to Nationals and - as always - GROW THE GAME!!!

- Asi SUAVE ;-)

"One Shall Stand - MANY (but not all) Shall Fall"

2012-06-19T11:31:00.000-04:00

Salt Lake City, UT - Tuesday May 29, 2012

After a couple of days of pool play, the men of Empire Volleyball Club; Lenny Kushnir, Tim Meier, Andy McLeavey, Erik Seide, Dennis J. Park, Kevin Shalley, Felix Volyand and Patrick Agnew Dietz had their hands full with the daunting task of winning their Bronze Division Bracket at Open Nationals. Winning this bracket meant that these men, who came together in late December, would be one of the top 15 teams in the "BB" Men's Division in the country. Top 15 out 48, isn't bad!!!

Before we get into how team Prime did, lets set up the stage for why they were in the bronze bracket.

On the first two days of Nationals, Team Prime was in a state wonder. Why you ask? Well the answer was simple, how were they going to handle 48 teams from around the country. Actually, their real question was, "how do we beat 38 teams from outside of our own region (GEVA) all while trying to best ten (10) teams from GEVA?"

Over the course of the season Team Prime had its ups and downs, but this one tournament was probably going to put everything in perspective on just how good of a team these men have truly become.

The team had a great practice and scrimmage the Friday night before the start of the tournament. Their spirits were up when they received some bad news. Lenny was injured. He partially tore his calf muscle playing on the beach the weekend before Nationals. Ouch, now the team is set back one additional person, than they expected. Earlier in the month, Mike C had informed the team of a work issue. "Great.." was the sentiment ringing through the team. Knowing they would be without one of their middles, Prime searched for one, ultimately deciding to move Tim to the middle. Now with the loss of Lenny the team needed to find another outside hitter to help rest Felix and Dennis, call to action, Patrick.

On Saturday, the team was still becoming a custom to the new look. Couple this with the 8am start time and Prime wasn't in prime form. They dropped their first match in three sets 2-1 to a team from North Carolina, Mental Block. Though it was a loss, Prime took away much needed confidence into their next two matches, one of which they dominated and won in two (Clarke's Pool (AZ); 2-1 and Red White and Brew (SC) 2-0).

Their last contest of day (did we mention Prime was in a seven (7) team pool?) was against a team out of the Yankee (Boston) region, MIT Alums. This is one of those teams that can surprise you with their athleticism and that is what they did against EVC-Prime. All three sets were highly contested with scores of 25-23, 23-25 and 15-10 with Prime on top at the end. This was a really high note for the seven man team and great way to end a long day of play.

On Saturday after a fun team dinner at one of Salt Lake's finer Mexican restaurants (the Blue Iguana - we suggest you try it if ever in Salt Lake) Prime was more awake and ready to do some damage on the courts.

Their first opponent ZAXID, a group of Ukrainian nationals from Chicago, were win less in the first day of play. Not knowing what to expect, Prime came out hot and ready to win, unfortunately, so did ZAXID. Prime dropped their first match of the day in two (0-2) and this would prove to be a major blow later on in their standings.

Also on Saturday EVC-Prime received some unexpected good news. Lenny, who still made the trip out to Salt Lake even though injured, was able to play. Not knowing his status, he left the decision to play up to how he felt physically. This bolstered the team in numbers, and added some much needed team morale. The final contest of pool play was held at 10:10am on Saturday. This was a pivotal match for EVC. If they win there would be a four way tie for first place, if they lose, they would fall completely out of any award possibility.

Prime once again came out primed!!! The match was well played on both sides with lead changes two times in each set. Eventually, EVC-Prime won 2-1 with scores of 25-17, 22-25 and 17-15. This victory gave Empire Volleyball a chance to at be in the Gold Bracket, something not expected, but relished. Unfortunately, the loss to ZAXID, was detrimental to team Prime.

As a result of that loss, there was a four way tie for the top spot. USA Volleyball has a set of criteria in place just in case of this kind of situation. "In the case of your tie, we go to sets won and lost," stated George Egan, USA Volleyball Head Tournament Director. "Because of your lost to ZAXID, you put yourself in a bad spot. You have the lowest set winning percentage, compared to the other teams. Each of those teams are at 60% or better, your team is at 56%. You should have just won that game this morning..." After informing the team of the official decision, the group made a conscious effort to prove to USA Volleyball, they were wrong.

And that is what was done!!!

From the match against Wyoming Volleyball Club to the Bronze Bracket Final against Shinkara-Prolifik, EVC-Prime never looked back. They dominated almost every match, with wins starting Monday morning straight into Tuesday night. Prime won their next six (6) straight matches, with some convincing scores 25-17 25-13 (Wyoming) for example. And even when they struggled they found ways to get it together and win, 23-25, 25-13, 15-13 (Servers U Otter Creek from Iowa). Lead by the hitting and blocking of Andy, Erik and Tim; fueled by the defense and serving of Dennis, Felix, Lenny and Patrick; and guided by the hands and decisions of Kevin, EVC forged through and established a great milestone in the club's history, #15 out 48 at the USA National Open Tournament in the Men's BB Division. Not bad at all!!

Great job in Salt Lake gents!!! And special thank yous have to go out to the following people for supporting us while in Salt Lake City.

First and foremost, a very special thank you to the ladies of VBLI CRUSH, who finished #8 overall in the Women's Gold Division!!! You ladies ROCK!!! Thank you for being at our side as we were at yours during the long weekend. It was an awesome pleasure having your there. Thank you to Alison, Laura, Rachel, Kirsten, Jackie, Tracy, Chivonne, Jasmine, Brittany, Edeana, Danielle and Rhea

An incredible heart felt and emotional thank you goes out to Lee and Joy Jacobs, from Perry Michigan!!! Having such a great mom and dad combination (even though you're not our actual mom and dad) helped push us farther than we could have imagined! Lee thank you for the flag waving, cheering and confident words. Joy thank you for being a steady voice of encouragement and lobbying of us on bad calls. BOTH OF YOU MADE THIS EVENT EVEN MORE FUN!!!

Additional thank yous go out to the all of our GEVA compatriots that also followed and supported us throughout the tournament. Teams such as Blind Rage, NorthShores Gold and Black, Hassenet, Motorboat and finally the Men's BB Gold Bracket Runner Ups, Metropolis! They had a great run and almost pulled out the victory. Lost in the Gold Bracket Final; to then win the Gold Challenge Final to then vie for the Gold Overall again; that is a GREAT run gents. AWESOME job!!!

More thank yous go out to; Slick Shots out of NYC lead by Yas Daniels ad Melissa Hernandez, both former Hunter College standouts and "Hi-Ya!!" out of Central Jersey, awesome run ladies, both teams finished 22nd and 23 respectively. Team "Get Over It" Women's B. Thanks for coming over and screaming Felix's name during one of our matches. Made a few of us laugh to know he had some harmless groupies!!!

Special thank yous go to team Ohana, from New Jersey. You ladies are beyond great and I wish you had a better tournament, however, I know you all had a great time in Salt Lake. Thanks for being there at the end to cheer us on!!! We truly appreciated it all!!

This was a great Nationals. GEVA represented well and often. Next year is in Louisville, Kentucky. Pack your bags people and get ready for some fun times, Louisville is a great place and the barbecue is pretty exceptional too.

Thank you to all of our followers during the year and all of our families and friends. Keep your eyes open for the Leader of The Pack Tournament to be hosted by EVC sometime later this summer!!! It will be a fun King/Queen of the beach format tournament.

Thank you all, especially my brothers in arms...Andy Mac, Dennis P, Erik S, Felix V, Lenny K, Kevin S and Tim M...awesome Nationals guys fantastic year!!!

Lets do it again in 2013 in Louisville!!!

GO PRIME!!!

GO Empire Volleyball Club!!!

US OPEN NATIONALS: Day One

2012-05-26T23:53:00.001-04:00

UPDATE:

2012 USA Volleyball Nationals; Salt Lake City, Utah
May 26, 2012

Another US Open National Volleyball tournament has started and things are looking good for Empire Volleyball Club, even with some moderate issues, Team Prime is working well and playing well. The athletes competing awesomely and finding the right mix of strength and smarts on the courts. To follow how Prime is doing please go to the link below to track their progress.

http://www.advancedeventsystems.com/VolleyballResults/TeamSchedule.aspx?e=PTAwMDAwMDIzNTQ90&t=139389

Along with the solid EVC is celebrating a belated birthday with to team member Erik Seide who is playing great in the middle!!!

Keep your eyes open for some awesome interviews with some of the players and some not so expected US Open participants.

Thanks for following!!!

GO PRIME!!!

GO EVC!!!

Volleyball Footprint - The Todd Serad Story

2012-02-11T02:41:00.001-05:00

DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN?
Head of the Beach Volleyball Statue, 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics
Todd was the Model for the Olympic Statue

Do you know this man? Do you know that he is the ONLY person from the New York City, Metropolitan area to be IMMORTALIZED in Gold? Did you know he is an OLYMPIC ICON?

His name is Todd Serad. The man of many volleyball footprints, this author is one of them.

Todd has been instrumental in creating a volleyball legacy that spans beyond just that Golden Statue from the 1996, Atlanta Olympics. Yes, I am not lying to you, Todd Serad was used as the model for the Olympic Statue. His size and stature was seen as a "perfect embodiment of what beach volleyball should look like, in the Olympics..."

But believe it or not, that's not Todd's only legacy. His volleyball footprint stretches from person to person, and place to place. It starts from his time in the Navy and playing volleyball. During those days, playing beach volleyball on the shores of San Diego were his way of relaxing from a day of active duty. Remember the scene in "Top Gun" where all the Navy "Fly Boys" (pilots) were playing each other on the sand? Well, Todd did that and excelled at it.

Upon leaving the Navy, Todd worked for an advertising and media sales company here in New York City. This is where Todd's ability to connect to people, fun and volleyball came to its hilt! I can attest to all of it, since I am one of the many people Todd has helped reclaim their child like volleyball self.

In the mid 1990's, Todd was living on the Upper Eastside of Manhattan. While there he befriended a group of folks who played the occasional indoor and beach volleyball games. One spring morning Todd had an idea to set up a fun two net volleyball outing, in the North Meadow of Central Park. That two net outing became a four net mini tournament. In no time at all, about one summer, it was a full blown, "I need to get a permit from the city," volleyball social tournament. It was call "The King and Queen" Tournament. what started as a group of four men, just getting together to have a few fun times with a volleyball, turned into the Eastside version of co-ed volleyball bliss.

Most of the ORIGINAL Serad, King & Queen Volleyball Group at a Long Beach, NY beach get together;
Yeah...these many people would be at Central Park on a Saturday kin the early spring...GREAT TIMES!!!
We have lost some to marriage, moving, life...death, but we are all still close friends, and we thank Todd for it!

Todd with some King & Queen player
When the tournament moved way north to Inwood Park, NYC

Todd with Group members at a variation of the King & Queen
The Great "Leader of the Pack" grass tournament
formerly held at Over Peck, Leonia, NJ through NJVA

King & Queen group, waiting for Todd (far left in cap/white T-shirt) finishing up pool play scores & preparing for playoffs

The King & Queen's brought out every type of person, from the very professional, a few AVP qualifier types (even some AVP players) to well, folks who never even played the sports before. Todd made them all feel welcome and equal!

But that wasn't Toddy's only place to play family fun style volleyball. He had a share house in Fire Island, on Kismet Island. While there many of his co-workers, friends and neighbors became huge volleyball fans due to Todd's efforts in generating just an fun atmosphere for the sport. Every July Fourth (4th) Todd would have a King & Queen Fours Volleyball Tournament. The night before would be a huge party with a "Draft" of players in a pool. Similar to the NFL, numbers would be drawn to see who picked first and that would be the order for all four rounds of the draft. This tournament was a hit from minute one with the Kismet families and many people would prepare tons of food and bring lots of drinks for the pre-tournament events.

And Todd's legacy/footprint continues!!!

After getting married in the early millennium, Todd moved out to Point Pleasant, NJ. He didn't try to stop playing volleyball, just do it less in his life, however, it didn't take. Todd continued to play volleyball and his wife, Martina, encourages it! She love that side of Todd and hopes he never stops, unfortunately for Todd as for many of us, playing isn't what it used to be.

Todd is now a volleyball coach. "I didn't know I would like so much..." he stated on the phone to me one night. How did this happen, well that is simple. One day Todd went to Lacey High School and saw a group of young men looking to play volleyball, the problem was, they didn't have a coach. Todd volunteered and ever since then, the parent, the community and, most of all, the kids love what he is doing with them.

This is Todd's second year with the Lacey volleyball team, but now they have expanded their playing beyond the just the high school courts. Now the Lacey volleyball team, is young junior boys club. Though Todd is no longer the Lacey high school coach, he helped start the Lacey Boys Volleyball Club. How well are these young protege's of Todd Serad?

Well check out the picture bellow...

Lacey Volleyball Club Members (l to r) Standing: Coach Todd, Jake Dittenhofer, Greg Fenton, James Tranz, Brandon Lucante,
Crouched (l to r): Brandon Guenther, CJ Herdt & Alex Belin
Goodsports Volleyball Champions

Lacey Volleyball just won the Goodsports Volleyball Tournament. The boys of Lacey volleyball are mostly juniors and all have aspirations of playing volleyball in college. Until two years ago, many of them didn't even know they could, until they met Todd Serad. Hope they can continue to grow, win and develop more of a tradition, they have a great teacher in Todd Serad to show them how its done.

Kind of sounds like Todd is doing just fine, and so is this club of young boys at the Lacey Volleyball Club. Todd has transcended his volleyball footprint. He has gone from talented volleyball player; volleyball group organizer; volleyball trend setter; to now being a volleyball MENTOR!

Todd Serad's footprints now spans generations and not only people. Do you know where you footprints lead?

Oh yea...so you probably want to know how did Todd get the privilege to be the model for the statue at the 1996 Olympics. Well, remember how I said at some of Todd's volleyball weekends there were AVP players? Well at some point Todd befriended enough of them to score some CHOICE VIP Passes to one of the Belmar events. At one of these events Todd met up with one of the coordinators for the beach volleyball portion of the Atlanta Olympics. Not knowing who this guy was, Todd invited him out to hangout the next weekend at Kismet. This person, had such a great time, he mentioned to Todd, just who he was and proposed to Mr. Serad, that he be the model for beach volleyball of the Olympic Games.

The golden version and the model with his golden twin

Yeah. That's right. Just by being a good guy, Todd Serad was asked to be an iconic figure, made of gold. Now this icon, looks to create icons and teach them the virtues of being a great person, on top of being a fantastic volleyball player.

So where will your footprints lead?

Thanks for reading...

EVC...

AWESOME DEBUT FOR TWO!!!

2012-01-20T02:36:00.000-05:00

Clockwise From top Left: Kevin S, Lenny K, Dennis P. Jr, Erik S, Andy Mc, & Felix V

GEVA Division 2 BB Tournament, Power Zone; Denville, NJ...January 14, 2012

This was a GREAT day in Empire Volleyball Club and team Prime history!!!

First off, two of our long standing members - long standing meaning they were two of the original 10 to say I want to play - Kevin S and Dennis P Jr, made their first on court, playing debuts, in the BLACK of EMPIRE-PRIME!!!

Both of these young men were geared up for their first tournament and it showed in the results!

Kevin is a setter/outside hitter just recently graduated from the University of Delaware. The former Blue Hen set for his college club team at NERVA Nationals the past few years and now brings his skill to EVC-Prime.

Dennis, a New York native, has been part of the volleyball scene since his high school days at St. Francis Prep, in Queens, NY. A graduate of Syracuse University, Dennis looks to take his ORANGE pride to PRIME time!!!

As for the tournament, all of the information was relayed to this reporter by Lenny K, setter/captain of the EVC team. Here is how reported it.

The tournament had some great teams and they each had played against EVC at some point this season. Each team came from different parts of our region; Hudson/Rockland County of New York, Central and Southern Jersey and a few from Long Island.

Kaboom, Big Willy's, and Metropolis were just a few teams registered to play in this event. EVC had its smallest turn out for this GEVA contest. Only the aforementioned, six (6) out of the 10 member program were able to participate. Each having to do something out of their comfort zone; Dennis played middle all day, and Kevin hit outside for the whole tournament. All in all it was a grand effort for this group, and wow was it ever rewarded.

The tournament started off well for Prime, they were able to get the first two wins at the beginning of the day. Then they spit in the following match. By the first report, Lenny had stated the team was 3-1, with solid play from all members. However, the great play was not to last. EVC dropped their next two games in the following match, which made the last match of the day very important.

With a sweet of the team in the last match, Empire-Prime, would be locked into a three way tie for the second spot in pool play. This would force a one match playoff with the other two teams to go into the semifinals of this GEVA tournament. Both of which, PRIME won in high style "In playoff. Had to play TWO play in games. We crushed both teams!" stated Lenny in a text.

In the semifinal match EVC-Prime was match against Metropolis, a team known for solid play and heavy hitting. The task at hand seemed daunting but the men of Prime, were PRIMED for the challenge. The scores were tight in the first two sets. EVC took the first, 25-23, the lost the second 21-25. With their backs up against the wall the player of Prime hunkered down for a tough fight. However, the fight wasn't too tough. "On to the finals!" exclaimed Lenny in the follow up text. He continued to say, "beat Metropolis in semis...Last set was 15-3."

WHAT?!?! 15-3?!?!?

Yes! That is correct. The fledgling club, just defeated one of the NYC's perennial volleyball clubs, Metropolis, in a third set semifinal, 15-3. Is it possible they could win the whole thing?

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. In the finals EVC faced off against Big Willy's, another perennial powerhouse in the GEVA region. The scores, however, tell a tail of hard work and fatigue. Big Willy's won the GEVA Power Zone Division 2 tournament title over EVC-Prime, 23-25 & 21-25. Lenny commented on how "we ran out of gas," at the end.

All in the six team members finished SECOND, a club milestone!!!

L to R: Erik, Kevin, Lenny, Andy and Dennis (not picture) Felix

Congrats to all the six, Lenny, Kevin, Erik, Andy, Dennis and Felix. Each man deserves a a solid pat on the back and a boost for the next tournament!!!

Thank for following our club and wish us luck for the next tournament at HUNTER COLLEGE, February 5, 2012

EVC WANT TO KNOW -- WHERE DO YOU WANT TO PARTY?!?!?

2012-01-06T15:45:00.005-05:00

Its a New Year and now a few new opportunities have risen to the forefront for the MEN of Empire Volleyball Club.

What are those opportunities? FUND RAISING!!!

We are looking to do it right and want your help...

Here is what we are proposing...There are three places on our list of possible party spots. We want to know where you all want to party....Here are you choices:

1) Slainte
--- This is a great bar in the Bowery.
http://www.slaintenyc.com/

2) Slate NYC
--- Awesome Billiard Hall, Bar Lounge in the Flatiron District of NYC
http://www.slate-ny.com/

3) Solas
--- Fantastic spot in the Lower East Side near NYU.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/solas-new-york

Ok, so its an "S" themed night, but all three of these places are AWESOME.

We ask that you, our friends, fans and followers to vote for your favorite spot!

Just leave a comment with your #1 choice and why, in the comments section.

All the votes will be counted and the top voted bar, will be the place EVC holds its 2012 Fund Raising Party!

Thanks for helping us out folks!!!

Go All of YOU and...

GO EMPIRE!!!!

AS PROMISED: The 2011 USA Volleyball Open Nationals Gold Men's Champion Match from Dallas, TX

2012-01-01T22:28:00.000-05:00

May 29-April 2, 2011: Dallas, TX

HERE YOU GO EMPIRE FANS AND FOLLOWERS!!!

Footage from the 2011 Open Gold Men's Volleyball Championship Match between GEVA Region Champion, Creole out of Queens, NY and The New England Region Champion, GoNation out of Connecticut.

This is one of the best RIVALRY matches I have seen in a long time! Many of the players from both squads have long histories of playing with or against each other. It was made especially fun, thanks in part to the crowd, who were pulling for both sides for much of the tournament.

Some back story to each team for you.

First CREOLE

Originally Creole was created by Haitian volleyball players who lived here in the United States and Canada. If you were to Google Search Creole Volleyball, you will find that there are many of them around the country, especially in the north east. The founder of this club (EVC), was once a player for Creole on two of its teams and has had many thrills with other Creole members.

The current leader of Creole is Rony Gilot. Rony is also a former member of the Haitian National Team and the last setter to ever lead Queens College to an Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Playoff match against Penn State in the mid/late 1990's.

The name, Creole, comes from the language that is spoken on the island of Haiti. It is a language rooted in French but has a mixing of other ethnic tongues tossed in, such as Spanish.

The last time Creole made it to the Gold Medal Final at the Adult Open Tournament was in 1994. That year they were lead to a championship victory, by then Penn State All American, Ivan Contreras.

Creole has hosted many of the best volleyball players in the north east for years and has always fostered a love of the sport, unmatched, in the New York Metropolitan area, well, until Empire Volleyball Club (shameless self promotion). Today Creole has a total of seven (7) teams. There are five men's teams; the open team (Red), three "AA" level teams (White, Blue, Black & Future) and one (1) "A/BB" team (Stack). The other team is the longest standing women's team in the New York City Area Creole's "AA" women's team. Some of the region's best women have been apart of the group. Many of whom have also coached at some of the highest levels in collegiate volleyball, from division two to division one in the NCAA.

Now GoNation

GoNation was started by former Creole member Danny Goncalves, during his stint as the head volleyball coach for his alma mater, the University of New Haven in Connecticut. The club itself is only about four years old but has grown quickly due to the diligence of Danny and now his brother, Kevin Goncalves, a former setter for both the University of New Haven and IPFW, in Fort Worth, IN. Kevin is currently playing professionally, on a first division team, in his father's native land of Portugal.

The brothers Goncalves have great ties to the Florida area, along with two neighboring local, USA Volleyball, regions of NERVA (New England Region Volleyball Association) and our region of GEVA. With those kind of ties, and the marketing sense to drive GoNation to the top, the team and club has been built quickly and with solid athletes. Players such as Theo Brunner (UC Santa Barbara) and Hudson Bates (George Mason) have played with GoNation.

In fact BOTH Goncalves brothers have had small stints with Creole and have had solid success with in their times on the court with Creole. The club of GoNation, like ours here at Empire, is just another way to foster the growth of our sport and look to make it fun for all.

The Match

It was a great match!!! From rally 1 to rally 200 (approximate total between the two teams overall) it was one of the best, fun and "connected" matches I have ever witnessed. "Connected" in terms of crowd involvement. Each team had a band of fans, mutual friends and assorted regional ties. It was a fantastic display of support from the audience.

As I mentioned before, many of the athletes on both teams have some form of history together. The brother Goncalves, have each played with Creole at a points in history. Hudson Bates, George Mason alum is a Virginia native that comes up to NYC to play in various beach tournaments throughout the years, are just some examples.

Rich Carmerlengo, of Long Island, NY, went west coast for college and brought along two of his former teammates/comrades/former opponents to Creole this year, Christopher Ongay (who played at Long Beach City College with Rich) and Alika Derego, a Hawaiian native who played at Orange Coast Community College, LBCC's rival school. As you watch the video, pay close attention to Alika, that man is one heck of a libero!!!

Factor in that many of these young guns of volleyball, have played against each other in past USA Open Nationals, and in college. This had the makings of a great heavy weight battle for the Gold Medal at Nationals. Dallas, Texas was ready for some volleyball rock versus some volleyball reggae.

Who will win, the young up starts from Connecticut or the long standing veterans from New York City?

As a special note, we here at EVC, wish both clubs incredible success in the future, and after you watch these videos of each set you will see why both teams have had such a great run at the tournament!

Please enjoy the videos and see you all on the courts.

GO EMPIRE!!!

GoNation (New England Region)
Pos	#	Player	School
S	3	Kevin Goncalves	IPFW
OH	4	Hudson Bates	GMU
OH	6	Jason Wiens	UCSB	Set #1-2
M	23	Kyles Masterson	Penn State
M	5	Theo Brunner	UCSB
RS	10	Mark Dusharme	USC
L	1	Eric Lucas	GMU
OH	8	Patrick Durbin	Ball St	Set #3-5


Creole (Garden Empire Region)
Pos	#	Player	School
S	2	Matt Werle	Juniata
OH	13	Jordan Varee	St Francis PA
OH	4	Justin Brubaker	Philly Bible
M	14	Cal Palumbo	Springfield
M	8	Rich Carmerlengo	Hope International
RS	9	Srdjan Narazdin	Long Beach
L	1	Alika Derego	Orange Coast
DS	11	Danny Yin	Queens College	Set #3-5
MH	6	Christopher Ongay	Long Beach CC	Set #5

ON YOUTUBE.COM
Listed in the descriptions of each video, are: Player names and number, along with school were they play(ed).

For full descriptions go to YouTube.com by double clicking the one of the videos

Set #1

(Not Complete)

Set #2 - Part 1

Set #2 - Part 2

Set #3 - Part 1

Set #3 - Part 2

Set #3 - Part 3

Set #4 - Part 1

Set #4 - Part 2

Those are the first four (4) sets folks. I will upload set five (#5) later this month.

I hope you enjoy watching these. videos!!!

Happy New Year folks....

Go EVC!!!

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS - THE VOLLEYBALL WAY

2011-12-29T19:00:00.000-05:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EMPIRE VOLLEYBALL FOLLOWERS!!!

With the New Year coming in fast, I wanted to make sure we have our priorities straight. Since we started this club, much of what is written on this blog is purely about the athletes and members of this club. And yes that is the primary focus of the blog, to report the goings on of members, events and happenings with Empire Volleyball and all of its teams -well, team really, but we could grow.

However, in the original idea of starting this club, I wanted to make sure that everyone was able to benefit through Empire VC. "Everyone?" you ask...YES everyone. We don't just want to be a club focused solely on volleyball. We would like to help “HELP” others if we can. Currently, we are planning a couple charity events of our own. What they will be, who know? Now, as a young club, just trying to establish footing in the world of "grown-up" volleyball, doing charitable events isn't easy, or is it?

THE TWO VALS & LEUKEMIA CHILDREN'S FUND RAISING

Val Lang is from Brazil, where as you all know volleyball only takes a back seat to soccer, the national past rime of Brazil. V Lang is also an accomplished volleyball player, and former coach at Hunter College. Valerie Langlois is originally from France. She is viewed in the New York City area as one of the better female volleyball players. I can recall seeing V Langlois playing three matches a night only a few short years ago on three co-ed teams and out shining the men by leaps and bounds. Both of their playing styles mesh well with any group male, female or co-ed at any level. To see the two of them you know they are close friends and solid leaders in every community. They're both extremely passionate about life and what they do with it.

Val Lang (in yellow) with some of the party goers

For the past few years, two of my friends, Val Lang and Valerie Langlois have been putting together a small party set around the Holiday time and the NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship final.The project was originally started, like many fund raisers, as an off chance idea to bring people together to watch some really great volleyball and fund raise for a trip to Nationals. This first generation plan was thought out with former teammate, now
NURSE Erica Yuen.

The first party was a small get together of friends along with smattering of acquaintances at The Overlook Bar on East 44th Street in Manhattan. The ladies and some of the guests jumped behind the bar as guest bar tenders to help further their cause. Any tips made, by team members during the night, went towards their trip fund. It was a great night, fun times and fairly successful. Even the author of this blog jumped in and threw his hand into bar tending for the occasion (I did it in a past life). Unfortunately, the team disbanded the next year, due to players moving and marriage, but the core group wanted to keep the party happening, even if it wasn't for a trip. But how would they do it?

The first party had a charge at the door, a modest $10 for those invited, additional to those tips being made by the guest bartenders. "Well, why should we charge people to come to a bar to hangout and watch volleyball, when they can do it from home for nothing?" was a question that came to mind. “We’ll make it a charity event!" was the answer. "Who or what should the charity be?" Children! And so it is their idea came to life.

The first few fundraisers were small groups, 10 to 15 people. However it was a popular set up and the charities chosen were very worthy. The idea was expanded to Facebook to build a larger group and that it did.

During their negotiations for one of their next venues, they realized how many people that could have shown up. A place with views of many televisions was important. Actually, a place with a large screen TV was paramount! One was found and the party was held at The East End Pub (formerly Fiona's) at First Avenue, between 86th Street and 87th Street, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The event ended up being small, only a group of 16 people came. The door charge was the same; however, the fundraiser was still a great success! The charity that year was the Leukemia Society. $160 was donated to them for cancer research. However, the ladies didn't feel that was enough.

This year’s Final's Fund Raiser - Charity event was held at the Whiskey Rebel Bar on Lexington between 28th and 29th streets. The venue was perfect! There were five TV's with only volleyball on the on the screen for all in attendance to view from, in the back main dining area. The charge has stayed a constant $10, for all who attended and the mood was awesome! Folks chatted about the match between Illinois and UCLA. There were old friends catching up with. People meeting for the first time, building new bonds and all in the name of charity.

There were 33 people at Whiskey Rebel that night, all enjoyed a fun time and from what was raised. Each came from a different walk of life; lawyers, college coaches, interior designers, club volleyball directors, pastry chef. You name it, they have or are living it. Like New York, most from a different part of country or world, Greece Turkey, Poland, Russia, The Philippines, etc and they all came to support this cause in a great way. We praise them as well.

There are a few leukemia treatment centers in New York, and they can all benefit from the money raised at this event. Hopefully next year, they can gather a larger group!

All 33 in attendance at Whiskey Rebel
Co-Organizer Valerie Langlois is Top Right under the R
As you can see, we owned the back of the bar

These ladies have put their love and passion of volleyball into action to help those who need it most. And through volleyball they have brought our community closer with charity in mind. Awesome job Val and Val!

But they aren't the only ones. We'll say they are the LOCAL Samaritans. How about those beyond the Greater New York area?

JASON OLIVE: TV STAR, VOLLEYBALL ALL AMERICAN & HUMANITARIAN

JO (far left) and the cast of "For Better or Worse"

Jason Olive is a former All American volleyball player from, and attended the University of Hawaii. His life however, had taken a very AWESOME turn during his sophomore year at Hawaii. While playing on the beach one day a modeling agent spotted him, asked him if he wanted to be a model and off he went. You'll find his picture here and there all around New York City billboards with volleyball in hand -for GNC- but that is only recently.

California JO has been modeling for many years and was one of the TOP male models in the world. His chiseled good looks, dark olive skin tone and tall stature afforded him a luxury few male models of the day possessed. Later in his career, Jason started acting and flourished at it, with roles in soap operas and small movies. Currently he is on the new, critically acclaimed Tyler Perry TBS vehicle "For Better or Worse." The show is doing and Jason's life has never been better!

However, his love for volleyball never died. Neither did his longing to help kids in need.

First Jay-O Invitational Jason participated in a few volleyball events as a model. One such event was the Sideout Sports, SPIKE-FEST event held in Miami in the 90’s. Jason was one of their main draws and he helped organize some of the event as well. It was with his efforts many of famous models and actors, from the 90's participated; names such David Charvet (Baywatch) and avid volleyball player himself, Niki Taylor and many others.

Al-B with the Coach and student athlete
of JFK High School (Bx, NY)
at the First JAY-O Invitational

I ran into him not to long ago, during my time as the Head Coach of the Mount Saint Vincent's men's volleyball team. Jason spoke with me about something special he was organizing through his foundation, his JAYO FOUNDATION, which helps children around the country. The event was inaugural JAY-O Invitation held here in New York City, at Pier 25, Battery Park City. Many of volleyball's greatest were there. Olympic Gold Medalists; Kerri Walsh, Dain Blanton and Eric Fonoimoana were some of the marquee. AVP Champions; Kasey Jennings (husband to Kerri Walsh) and his former teammate Matt Fuerbringer, Chip McCaw and Albert Hannemann who along with Fonoimoana have their own charity organization (we'll get into that later). Actors; Amber Valetta (wife of Chip McCaw) and J. Eddie Peck ("Lambada" and soap opera star) were part of the guests.

JO speaking a the most recent JAY-O Invitational

There was a volleyball clinic for the inner city kids of New York. Add to that, a high level tournament, where sponsors had an opportunity to play with Olympic greats and professionals through a DRAFT. Since its first days, the JAYO Invitational has drawn the best of the best in the sport of volleyball to help improve children's lives and our community and communities all over this great country.

Please visit the website and join in the fun and help out some kids. Go to www.jayoinvitational.com.

AL-B & FONOI; DIGGING 4 KIDS

Albert Hannemann is a former AVP Professional volleyball player and champion. Additionally he is Co-Founder of the National Volleyball League or NVL which has filled the void left by the collapse of AVP. Add on to that he runs Volleyball Vacations, a company that allows beach volleyball fans from around the world to enjoy paradise while being taught how to play beach volleyball and partying with the same volleyball greats. Al-B, as he is called in the volleyball circles, attended both UCLA and the University of Hawaii. During his time at UCLA, the team won a national title. He was name an All American while playing for Warriors in Hawaii.

Eric Fonoimoana, is a former Olympic gold medalist, former AVP MVP and a force in the world of beach volleyball. He attended the UC Santa Barbara where he played volleyball for the Gauchos. He currently is a real estate manager in Hermosa Beach, California. He earned approximately $1M over the course of playing beach volleyball. The man has everything and wanted to give back where it counted.

AL-B & Fonoi at a DIG 4 KIDS event

As I mention Albert Hannemann and Eric Fonoimoana have their own charitable organization. In fact one of the groups helped by the fist JAY-O Invitation is their group. Its called DIG 4 KIDS.

Fonoi and I met, through JO, at the Invitational. That is also when I learned about DIG 4 KIDS. I met Al-B through one of my closest friends in the world, Renee Meeks (then Renee Powell) and her husband John Meeks. Renee and John are family to me, as much as my own brothers and sister are - so, when they introduced me to him, I was excited to meet him and hear all about being an AVP Player, a business man and a world traveler, but that isn't the only thing I learned. I found out he is a huge, huge (did I say HUGE) philanthropist.

DIG 4 KIDS is an after school program committed to providing youths in low-income communities with increased opportunities for academic and athletic achievement. D4F helps to offset the plight of students across this country in lower income communities.

These after school programs push kids past the barriers of inner city life. It helps show students the opportunities beyond the classroom and the courts. D4K gives hope and shelter to children who maybe trapped in a world of struggle. Being an inner city youth myself, finding solace in a sport helped put me in a better place, when times were hard. Many of us adults run to Central Park, the 6th Street Courts, Huntington, Hermosa, Manhattan Beach (depending on where you live) to escape, by playing a games; chatting with a few friends. DIG 4 KIDS affords these young people those chances and more earlier in life.

Please go to the website, http://www.dig4kids.org/ to learn more about the organization and see what they have done over the past few years.

These are two shining examples of how volleyball players have taken their passion of our sport and changed the nation, our communities.

WHAT WILL EMPIRE VOLLEYBALL CLUB DO?

Well, we don't know yet.

What we do know is that we will be asking you, our fans, followers and volleyball comrades to help us do it, in the coming New Year. If the Mayan calendar is right, and the human race is ending by this time in 2012, lets at least say, we left existence on this planet, fighting to make things BETTER, than worse.

Volleyball has given many of us a direction in life. This sport has improved many of our lives and driven many of our successes we possess today. How about we show the WORLD how, through volleyball, we can change and improve society!

Now, that is a resolution I'D LOVE TO KEEP...WANNA HELP?

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE...

ALL THE BEST TO YOU...

&

GOD BLESS!!!

from Empire Volleyball Club

WHEN A 3-9 RECORD IS A GOOD THING!!!

2011-12-19T10:21:00.000-05:00

HELLO EVC FOLLOWERS,

December 17, 2011: American Turners Club, The Bronx, NY

The title of this blog is pretty honest. EVC-Prime went 3-9 in the GEVA A/BB Division 1 tournament, held at the American Turners Club in the Bronx, New York.

The members of Empire-Prime - Lenny K, Patrick D, Mike C, Tim M, Felix V, Andy Mc, and Desmond H (aka Shadow) - walked into a tournament with teams similar to what they might see at Open Nationals in Salt Lake City, UT, Memorial Day Weekend 2012. However, when they arrived at the competition venue, there was a possibility the tournament would even start on time.

Upon arrival at the Turners Club, the seven players for Prime were told that their 9am match was changed. It turners out that the Friday night, before the tournament, another team was added to the field. This increased the participants up to eight teams. The GEVA organizers had restructured the tournament to reflect the increase. Unfortunately for the organizers, a different decided to drop out of the contest. This was told to the GEVA officials, on their way to American Turners, at 7:30am.

To recap; the seven team tournament, became an eight team tournament, which was restructured for an eight team tournament, ended as a seven team tournament, with teams in different playing slots and DIFFERENT TIME SLOTS! Because of all the confusion, many of the teams that were in the building for their 9am work assignments, didn't play in the first two to three rounds of the seven team "MEGA-POOL." Hasenet (Brooklyn, NY) ended up forfeiting their first match of the day (but that is another story).

So the matches went on and the confusion continue and as a result EVC-Prime had been moved from the third team in the pool, to the first team in pool. This made the schedule for Empire pretty much a physical gauntlet. Now Prime played the first match of their day at 9:00am, had a one match break, refereed the next match, then played back to back matches right after that. If you were to look at the schedule breakdown for the players, this is what it looked like (with time line):
Play (9am), Sit (9:45-ish), Play (10:30), Ref (11:15), Play (12pm), Play (12:45), Ref (1:30), Play (2:15), Ref (3pm), Play (3:45) DONE....woooh...Breakneck pace. The men of Prime never had a chance to eat, let alone rest between matches, however, the matches must go on, and so did Prime!

Match 1-Hazard (NJ)

This is a young team of former college club volleyball players, all of whom come from New Jersey. A great early test for EVC-Prime. The match started off pretty typical, point for point side outs and not much fan fair, then it happened.

What happened you ask? The young players from Hazard, woke up and realized they were , just that, YOUNG and ATHLETIC. One of the players on Hazard, a former New Jersey State regional Volleyball of the Year, began to jump, higher and higher. To say he was going over our block would be an understatement. Nonetheless, Prime fought back and made each game close, only dropping the first two sets of the day by a combined 6 points.

Good showing against a solid "A" Level team.

Match 2-Hasenet (NY)

To say Hasenet is an underrated team would be a lie. In fact, Hasenet is one of those teams you don't think of until they get on the court. Playing for Hasenet are two former members of the Trinidadian Nationals team, one of whom gets his sternum over the top of the net.

One of the players, was a member of the City Tech men's volleyball team, when Patrick D was the head coach. Another member was a CUNYAC Player of the Year for Medgar Evers College. So, in essence they really aren't that underrated, on paper.

The match begins and Prime is PRIMED to face a tough team, but that isn't what they get. There was total confusion on Hasenet's part and EVC took advantage. With pinpoint serving and very solid defensive play by Andy Mc, Felix V and Tim M, Empire was able to open up a 6 point lead in the early going. after a exchanges of side outs, Shadow and Mike C's timely blocking became the difference maker in the latter stages of the set. EVC -Prime Dominated the first set 25-18.

The second set was more of what Prime expected. After correcting the line-up error from the first set, Hasenet opened set two with a 5 point run. EVC the countered with a 5 point run of their own. With each play you could see each member of Prime working their tales off to keep the play going. Defense improved and comfort between setter and attacker grew. By the end of the set, which EVC dropped 25-22, Hasenet, was giving them all the respect the EVC players deserved.

Match 3 - Metropolis

Metropolis was named after the fictional city in the Superman comic book series. The founder of Metropolis is a huge Superman fan. This team is also a former USA Volleyball Nationals GOLD MEDAL TEAM at the "A" Level. Empire Volleyball Club, had their hands full, and after a tough match with Hasenet, who new what their spirits would be like. The answer came with first play.

Back story: During the break, where Prime didn't play, a few teams (Hasenet included) weren't informed of the time changes, this left one of the courts open for whatever a team wanted to do. Lenny and Tim worked on improving their connection on the outside. It worked!

Metropolis chose to serve instead of receive and this help set the tone of match for EVC-Prime. Metropolis' big middle hit a solid jump serve that was passed perfectly to Lenny, by Felix. The set that went to Tim was a slow shoot to the outside, which Tim then thundered to the ground! From that point on, EVC never looked back. The first set was a thing of beauty to watch and I had the best seat as the libero. play after play, set after set, swing after swing , the men of Prime looked flawless. Set one was a domination set for EVC, the score 25-12.

Set number two was more of a battle. Each team was relentless to start, but at some point, half way through set two, Andy Mc and Shadow caught fire!!! In the rotation where Tim, Shadow and Andy were at the net and Felix, Mike and Lenny were back row defensively, the "block party" began. Mike was serving a vicious, line drive ball to the deep corner, cause setting mistakes for Metropolis. This allowed Andy, Shadow and Tim to camp down on certain plays, resulting in "roof blocks" left and right. I had an even better view since I was cheering from the sidelines. Prime won the set, 25-20

Match 4-Big Willy's (NJ)

This team is one of the more solid and consistent teams in GEVA history. Big Willy's has had the same members for almost 12 years. To say they know each other isn't a mistake and it showed on the court. Time after time, even with good passing and well placed defense, Prime couldn't break Big Willy's confidence in the first set. Serve by serve BW's team members worked the court and EVC couldn't fight them back. The set ended with Prime losing 25-17. Then set two started.

EVC has shown already in its young stages, that it is a club, that will battle to the end; this set was one of those experience battles Prime will be known for. Set two started as the same way set one ended, with a surge from Big Willy's. Then, after a quick timeout by Lenny and speech from Patrick, the Prime-timers came out to play.

After the timeout, the Empire forged a huge comeback. With hard hitting from all parties, the points came fast and furious. The defense from all corners was stellar. The play on the EVC side of the net was some of the best any team could ask for. However, Big Willy's wasn't laying down. They also fought back and began to play at another level. EVC matched them. There were five lead changes towards the end of the set, which prompted the member of Metropolis (the ref team for this match) to scream, "SOMEONE WIN ALREADY!!!" When all was said and done EVC lost the set 29-27, but gain, yet again another level of respect from another great regional team.

Matches 5 & 6-Rage & Swagger

Both of these matches were slug fests, but EVC came out on the "not" winning end of each. Rage had a much stronger team in this tournament as compared to the previous PowerZone tournament in early December. Prime lost both sets.

Swagger is another young team made of higher flying athletic former college players from all over the New Jersey and New York area. Though EVC held their own, the toll of playing and reffing didn't help them by the time Swagger took the court. EVC dropped two straight her as well.

All in all it was a great tournament, even with the early day confusion. The players for Prime had a solid day play and learned a lot about each other. They also found some new chemistry for the team and achieved a few new benchmarks.

EVC-Prime, defeated a former US National Gold Medal team, 25-17 and 25-20. Its not a major notch in our belt, but definitely tells us just how great we can be. We played in one of the longest tournament days, this reporter can think of being in (outside of Nationals); and, the members of Prime forged a new sense of camaraderie, and closeness that will help drive them through future tournaments.

Well that is all from this weekend, see you all in the New Year!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

AND

GO EVC!!!!

BACK TO BACK BUSY WEEKENDS!!!

2011-12-14T18:30:00.001-05:00

Good evening Empire Volleyball Followers!!!

Its is Wednesday night December 14, 2011- and her is what is happening with the members of Empire volleyball Club...

Early, Saturday, December 10, 2011: VBLI Hostos, Bronx, NY

Lenny K, and Erik S, teamed up with some ladies to play in a VBLI "AA" Co-ed tournament at Hostos Community College, in the Bronx New York. Their team played well and came out of pool play with a 6-2 record. That record, gave their team a third place seeding and shot in playoffs.

The playoffs were a rousing bit of fun, but the two men and their team ended up losing to the eventual champions, 2-1. "We took Mitsuyo's team to a third set Patrick, but you know how they are when they are focused." The team did take some solace in knowing they were the better of the match for the champs. Mitsuyo's team wiped the floor with #2 seeds in straight sets.

"The chemistry of our guys and people that play with is us is just growing, Patrick. Erik's comfort level is up there, you should have seen how he was hitting!" stated Lenny. In this writers humble opinion, I have a feeling January 14, 2012 maybe the EVC-Prime breakout party for Erik.

We'll just have to see.

Midday Saturday December 10, 2011: Downstate Athletic Center, Peekskill, NY

EVC Members Patrick D and Kevin S participated in one of DAC's Midday to Midnight volleyball tournaments. There were many teams there from all over the New York Metro and Connecticut areas. Patrick teamed with one VBLI Women's club team member and a former college teammate, while Kevin teamed up with two members from the VBLI Women's club team and some of his old college club teammates.

As the day drew to a close, and the night settled in, both of the teams moved into playoff position. Kevin's team having a better overall record, was the #1 seed off of his net, #2 over all in the tournament, while Patrick's team finished in third off his net and #4 overall.

Patrick's team was ousted in the second round of playoffs as Kevin's team lost to the eventual champions in the semi-finals.

All in all it was a pretty good weekend for each member of EVC, who played this past weekend.

WHAT NEXT?

Next tournament is this weekend at the American Turners Club in the Bronx. It will a GEVA A/BB Division 1 Tournament.

The confirmed players will be:

"Shadow"
Desmond H

Lenny K --- S/OH

Felix V ----- OH/L

Andy Mc --- RS

Mike C ----- MH

Tim M ------ OH

Patrick D - S/L

and introducing

Desmond H (aka) SHADOW --- MH

This group will go in ready to play against GEVA powerhouse teams; Big Willy's, Rage and Bameso USA.

Let's wish these gentlemen all the best at the tournament.

CHARITY VOLLEYBALL!!!

This coming weekend, during the NCAA women's volleyball championships, a group of young ladies with in the New York volleyball will be hosting a charity fund raiser. All the proceeds, that is 100% of every your front door donations ($10), will be going to the Lukemia Children's Hospital of New York.

This event is being hosted at the Whiskey Rebel Bar on 21st Street in New York City. Anyone donating will receive a wrist band giving then a lower cost on drinks.

Let's help show just how volleyball can help make save lives as well as spark lives!!! Invite as many as you can to this AWESOME event!!!

Please visit the Facebook Page relating to this event. https://www.facebook.com/events/168943469863555/

Thank you every!!!

ALSO...Keep your eyes open for the updates from this coming weekend

PLUS... The videos from the 2011 Open National Volleyball Tournament, Gold Medal Championship Match between two of the Metropolitan areas local teams, held in Dallas, TX

Well that's it...til next time...

GO EVC!!!

First PRIME Tournament a SEMI Success!!!

2011-12-05T08:03:00.002-05:00

Left (cl): Felix, Patrick, Erik -- Center: Lenny -- Right (cl): Tim, Andy, Mike

December 3, 2011; Denville, NJ - POWERZONE

When a person sets out to start a sports program, one of the expectations for the team is simple, start slow and just be competitive at the beginning. In the case of the founders of Empire Volleyball Club, starting slow is a given.

There is a high number of established adult volleyball club programs in the New York Metropolitan Area, EVC was faced with the formidable task of being competitive early. Who would have thought competitive meant making the semi-finals of the club's first ever Garden Empire Volleyball Association (GEVA), BB Men's Tournament. GEVA is one of the many USA Volleyball regions across the country. GEVA is also one of the highest populated USA Volleyball regions in the country.

When EmpireVC founders Patrick Dietz and Lenny Kushnir, registered for the tournament in late November, the idea of making playoffs was only an after thought, then they started playing the games.

Upon entering the court on December 3rd, the 7 man team of the two founders plus Andy Mc, Mike C, Tim M, Felix V and Erik S didn't know what to expect. Yes, a few of them had played a couple of times together, however, not in a situation such as this, a GEVA BB Regional Tournament. Competition at these events is generally fierce and very difficult. However, these seven men, weren't worried.

Pool Play:

Pool play in GEVA isn't very hard to understand. There are usually five (5) teams in a pool. All sets played go towards a team's overall win/loss total. Each team plays four (4) matches and the top two (2) teams come out of those pools. In the pool along with EVC-Prime was, Rage (NJ), Kapow (HV-NY), Northshore (LI-NY), and CNJVB (NJ).

KAPOW Match

The tournament started off with a weird little bit of fortune. Most new teams generally get the fifth position in a tournament pool, well EVC-Prime was placed third in its pool. The 3rd position is the best position in pool play. Outside of refereeing the first match of the day, your schedule is pretty much simple to understand; ref, play, sit, play, sit, play, sit, play ref. A team, in this position, never has worry about being cold and unprepared at a tournament. This is the "PRIME" seeding position and worked out to EVC's benefits.

After working the match of the day, at 8:45am, the gents of EVC-Prime, began play with a roaring start. They opened their first set with a 5-0 lead over Kapow, one of the long standing regional clubs, from the Hudson Valley, NY Area. However, the lack of teammate to teammate relations, on the court was evident. Balls started to drop between teammates and the lead dwindled. By the end of that Kapow had taken a solid 3 point lead and the victory. Nonetheless, EmpireVC regrouped in the second set and rolled to victory on the setting of Lenny K and the shoulders of Andy Mc and Felix V's timely hitting.

CNJVB Match

In their next match, versus CNJVB, setting duties were given to Patrick D, Lenny moved to outside hitter and Felix to Libero (Patrick was the libero in the first match). The team started this match similarly to the first, with a five point lead, however, this time they did not relinquish what they had. Mike C and Erik S dominated in the middle with their blocking and hitting. Tim M, who admitted he was a bit nervous, came into form against this team and hit a fantastic match. Prime, swept CNJVB in two and was now second in pool behind Rage (NJ), their opponents for the next match.

"If we split with Rage we're definitely in for playoffs," was the statement made by Lenny during one of the team's breaks. All of the men agreed with the sentiment. Now it was time to play to the game.

The Rage Match

The first set of the match started off well for Prime. They captured the lead fast, 8-5 was the score at one point, then the wheels started to come off the wagon. Slowly, the passing of EVC-Prime broke down and the points for Rage built. The team battled back to make it close, but Rage won the first set 25-18.

The second set didn't start off very well either. Rage built a 5-2 lead, when a time out was taken by on court captain, Lenny. The guys put their heads together and realized one thing, they had nothing to lose. How many new club teams play an established regional champ and win? Not many, so why should they worry about winning, "let's just relax and play," stated Mike and that they did. From that point on it was PRIME-time. The passing improved, along with the blocking. Add to that, the hitting was stellar.

At one point Erik and Andy were exchanging "bouncing ball" kills from the middle and right side. A timely one handed scoop dig, of the Rage setter, to block for point, by Mike, gave EVC the lead. It was back and forth the rest of the way. The teams exchanged the lead four times and in the end...RAGE won 29-27. All of the men from both teams, who all happen to be good friends, came together and said how FUN the match was from start to finish.

During the match players were bantering back and forth in a playful manner. Screaming things such as, "STOP DIGGING EVERYTHING!" or "WHO PUT THAT BLOCK THERE?!" Tons of excitement came from that one match, but for EVC it wasn't the only bit of excitement left in the day.

Northshore Match

Looking at Northshore, all you could see were athletes! Each one possessing the ability to light up the ball with thunderous fury. When the match started EVC-Prime wasn't yet fully recovered from the match against Rage. Additionally they new they had to had referee the following match, so their minds weren't game ready, neither were their bodies.

Northshore took an early lead before the machine that is PRIME "rolled out" of the gates. Each player put their best effort into coming back and helped t build momentum for the next set. Prime lost 25-19.

The next set, however, was all PRIME-time, yet again. it started off with Patrick D. digging four straight hitting attempts of Northshore's big banger. Those digs turned into quick points when Mike and Tim converted them from all over the front row. Toss in the pin-point hitting of Andy from backrow and now you have a well oiled, attacking machine. Once that force was implemented, now it was defense's turn. The HUGE block of Andy and Erik; then Mike, Tim and Andy front row was not to be messed with. These gentlemen were not gentle to the hitters. Four stuff blocks later and a few touch blocks and the match was over! Prime won a critical game, that put them on the brink of making playoffs.

Brink because now it was up to the only winless team in the pool, CNJVB, to beat Northshore, once, so that Empire Volleyball Club, could say they made playoffs in their first tournament. To cut to the chase, CNJVB, lost the first set against Northshore. It wasn't close. HOWEVER, they battled and battled and in the end, CNJVB had one win all day and it was when it counted for EmpireVC. The team that was swept earlier in the day by Prime, helped EVC make playoffs. Thank you CNJVB!!!

Playoffs versus BAP (NY)

BAP is one of the longest standing New York City Club programs around. BAP stands for BIG APPLE POWER (I believe). I hate to say it, but the match was fairly lack luster on EVC-Prime's part. The passing, which had been rough during the day, was now worse. Defense, which was the saving grace for the team through out the day, was missing its usual spark. Factor in, fatigue and now you have the ingredients for a loss. Unfortunately, a loss is what occurred.

Final Thoughts

As the men left the tournament site, each felt happy about the day. Yes, they were disappointed with not making it to finals, but they knew they had started something fun and worth while. Each were anticipating the next tournament. Patrick and Lenny, were very pleased with a first time effort. How many founders can say their team entered the a season, with a playoff match? They reckoned not many, so this team is already special just for doing that. "We'll do better next time," was the consensus by each player.

Well that is it form this past weekend. Hope you all enjoyed our little recap, and see you nest time.

Keep following us on this blog and our Facebook page.

Thanks all and.....

GO PRIME!!!

WHERE ARE THE LADIES AT? IT'S GAME TIME!!!

2011-12-01T17:45:00.003-05:00

HELLOOOOOO Empire Volleyball Fans!!!!

Its is Thursday December 1, 2011 and in a couple of days Empire Volleyball Club-Prime men's BB team is about to play in its FIRST sanctioned USA Garden Empire Volleyball Association (GEVA) Regional tournament. That is right and we are asking for your support...well in a spiritual way.

Our first season as a group is upon us and we just want to hear from all of you who want to wish us "GOOD LUCK!" we don't need your money (YET) but we do need to know our friends, families and loved ones care about how we do, so we are asking you to follow us in our blog and LET US HEAR YOU!!!

Leave a comment bellow giving one of the members who, are playing this weekend, your BEST kick booty message. Let these guys know you are with them from point one all the way to the finals.

Here are the gentlemen on the playing roster this weekend....(say all these names while impersonating Michael Buffer)

the Setter/Outside Hitters are,

from The Ukraine via Brooklyn, NY and Asbury Park, NJ

--- Lenny Kushnir!!!

& from The Bronx, Far Rockaway and Brooklyn, NY via the Subway System

--- Agnew Patrick Dietz!!!

our Outside Hitters, from East Brunswick, NJ

--- Felix Volyand!!!

& from Wildwood, MO & Purdue University via Hoboken, NJ

--- Tim Meier!!!

our two Middle Hitters are; from Chicago, IL via Brooklyn, NY

--- Mike Cook!!!

and from Redding, CT, a former Providence Friar, via New York City, NY

--- Erik Seide!!!

AND FINALLY...

the Rightside Hitter, from parts Providence, RI via the volleyball gymnasiums of New York City, NY

---Andy McLeavey!!!

Please wish all these young gentlemen the best for this weekend. Hope we can start the season off with a bang!!

EVC-Prime, First Roster (from top left-clockwise); Felix V, Erik S, Lenny K, AP Dietz, Andy Mc, Mike C, Tim M
GO PRIME!!!

WHERE THE LADIES AT???

Since it is December and Empire is an equal opportunity club, we would like to ask the women in the New York City Metropolitan Area to come out and play! Empire Volleyball would love to help you organize you team.

The Charter for Empire VC is well spelled out and can be adapted to any team. We would just help facilitate what your team needs. Hope to hear from any interested parties very soon.

For further information please contact Patrick Dietz or Lenny Kushnir, via the EVC Facebook Page at empirevolleyballclub@groups.facebook.com .

See you ALL on the courts!

Sincerely,

Empire Volleyball Club

ON and RUNNING!!!

2011-11-21T13:32:00.000-05:00

HELLO VOLLEYBALL FANS and Empire Volleyball Club followers!!!

Sorry this has taken so long, but we have been working hard to make sure this CLUB get off the ground correctly and ON THE RUN immediately!!!

As of today, November21, 2011 we have NINE (9) registered members in the club. Those members are as follows;

Kevin Shalley S/RS

Dennis J. Park OH/MH (positional change)

Lenny Kushnir OH/S

Patrick Agnew Dietz (me) OH/S/RS

Erik Seide MH

Nash Petrovic MH

Nick Fusilli OH

Andy McLeavey RS

Eugene Jang L

These names are being submitted to the GEVA Offices with the team name PRIME. That is right we are the first, but not the last! We are EVC-PRIME. We will be registered "BB" for competitions sake, however, at Nationals (dependent on which level falls on the opening weekend) we may play UP to" A," if need be.

We are still hoping to add one more member to this team and MAYBE a couple of other teams to our ranks.

Member Updates:

These nine men are starting off with a bang!!!

Friday night, club members Andy McLeavey & Patrick Dietz, joined forced to win 2 out 3 in a NY Urban Professionals Volleyball Match. The team started off sluggish but put it together by the end to take the overall match.

And this past Sunday...

Members Kevin Shalley and Dennis Park, won a VBLI tournament held at John Jay College. The two men were a bit worn from a night of partying, since Saturday was also Dennis's BIRTHDAY...way to give yourself a well earned present Dennis and Happy Belated BDAY!!!

Club Manager and VP, Lenny Kushnir, defeated teammates Patrick Dietz and Nick Fussili in a VBLI tournament.

Empire VC is already making a CHAMPIONSHIP name for itself, join the FUN!!!

Club President & Treasurer Patrick Dietz reprised his duties as Color Analyst for the CUNAY-Bronx Net telecast of the CUNY Athletics Women's Volleyball Championships, help at The City College of New York on November 8, 2011.

The broadcast will be aired during the holiday season, for more information visit BronxNet.com.

Additional to this Patrick Dietz participated in the NEW YORK GOLDEN APPLE TOURNAMENT, conducted at Queens College the weekend of November 12-13. This is a tournament held under the umbrella of the North American Gay Volleyball Association (NAGVA) each year in New York City. Since Patrick is 38 year young, he was eligible to play. Athletes are required to be a minimum of 35 years old to compete.

ON day one of the event, the team called NY-Insanity (after the famous Insanity workout tapes) lead by Troy Riddle and Merle Battle (Momma) finsished the day off with a stellar 7-1 record. This made them the top team in the "A" bracket pool, for day two's double elimination round.

Day two was a bit more challenging for Insanity. Team setter and co-captain Troy, was battling jumpers knee the whole weekend, Momma "battled" a severe cold and some tenderness in his hitting arm. Patrick Dietz, suffered a mild knee injury, when a player from another court ran into his leg during a match.

In the end NY-Insanity finished 3rd overall, but tops in the hearts of those who participated in the tournament.

Members of NY-INSANITY were as follows:

Troy A. Riddle

Nick Rank

Bryan Pit

Patrick Poliquin

Simon Hodnett

Merle Battle

Patrick Agnew Dietz

It was a great time had by all and next year they just might win it all!!!

Club Requests

IF you are interested in having a GEVA team (male or female) and would like to club with a new club program with a vision, please contact Patrick Dietz, or Lenny Kushnir via the EMPIRE VOLLEYBALL CLUB Facebook page!!!

See you on the courts!!!

Patrick & EVC

APDietz926@gmail.com

Chinese 9-Man: The New York Mini

2011-07-18T13:48:00.000-04:00

Chinese 9-Man

In the storied history of the sport of volleyball there have been many innovations and rules changes from the "let serve" to the Libero. However, no rules adjustment or player addition in the game has been more exciting than what is happening in many Chinese and Asian volleyball communities around the world.

If you live near a Chinatown, and there are many of them in most of the major cities across America, you will see a variation of volleyball being played. Its called 9-Man and YES, as the name suggests there are actually nine (9) men on the court, playing volleyball. However, it isn't volleyball as we normally see it.

Well, lets start off with some basic understanding of the 9-Man game.

1) There is no ROTATION or rotating clockwise as in a tradition game.
-- The "rotation" happens only with the designated servers, which there are three and they always in a defensive posture. Basically, these are the guys that play a constant LIBERO position, but they are allowed to attack.

2) Since there are so many more athletes on the court, the playing area is larger, of course.
-- How much larger, well about 20%, or approximately 3 feet all the way around the court. A traditional volleyball court is 9m x 9m, approximately 29ft 11.75in. A 9-Man court is 10m x 10m. That would be, for all you math wizards, 39in x 10m =..... WELL IT JUST BIGGER!!!

That means it's longer, wider, with a whole lot more of wide open, action and play!!!

3) Don't look for your traditional volleyball referee calls, that won't ever happen.
-- 9-Man is a game where you have three blockers on almost every play and since the action is so fast, certain "lift" and "double" contacts we normally see called in a traditional volleyball game won't occur. With player names and plays such as the "hook" and the "double hook," the ball is traveling so fast, anything to keep the play alive is allowed.

Well, almost anything.

With so many blockers at the net, penetration at the net isn't allowed, hands must stay on your side. With that, your head is exposed, but if the ball contacts your head or chest, the play is dead and a you lose the rally. There is NO JUMP SERVING (well there goes my game). Here is a link for the official 9-Man rules http://montreal.nacivt.com/rules.html.

For more information on the Chinese 9-Man, please visit the NACIVT website for details at www.nacivt.org, the North American Chinese Invitational Volleyball Tournament.

The NY Mini-2011 (Seward Park-Chinatown, NYC)

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of watching some of the best teams in North America play the game of 9-Man at the NY Mini. This tournament is held every year this time in mid-summer at the Seward Park tennis courts in Chinatown, NY.

Hosted by the New York Strangers Volleyball Club, one of NYC and Chinatown's oldest volleyball clubs, the NY Mini is a favorite stop for many of the 9-Man teams from all across North America. Hundreds of athletes from Washington DC to Montreal and New York to Toronto, gathered on this spot to compete at this years friendly tournament. The NY Mini is used as one of many lead ups to the World 9-Man Championship Invitational Tournament, being held, this year in Montreal, Canada Labor Day Weekend, September 3 to 5.

It was a great day of volleyball all around. Teams such as CONNEX, originally started in New York around 1985, Toronto Thunder and Nhun Lam (also of Toronto) from Canada, Boston Freemasons and Washington CYC came to town to compete. There were two sets of teams from Boston, the a fore mentioned Freemasons, the Boston Knights brought over multiple groups and women's teams. The women played traditional volleyball, indoor rules. Along with Washington DC CYC, was a former NY Mini champion, MVPSixPack. From Virginia came Jin Long, featuring George Mason University Head Men's Volleyball Coach Fred Chao. There was Philadelphia CIA which many players from New Jersey and the home grown NY Stranger and NY Vikings.

When all was said and done, CONNEX A, the more stacked of the CONNEX teams (they had two men's teams that could have won it all), prevailed beating Washington CYC in a two set match. The games were phenomenally played and ridiculously enjoyable to watch. Teams cheering wildly when a point is won, fans robustly clapping and lauding their region friends.

With so many of these teams were the youth of the sport. Especially, CYC and NY Strangers. Both teams had their adult programs competing well, but many (if not all of the adults there) were in attendance to cheer on the next generation of women's and 9-Man volleyball.

The game play was awesome and the contests were fierce. However, there was camaraderie all across the board. Even the most staunch rivals, were the best of friends when competition was completed. Additionally, this tournament brought so much to the Chinatown community. Business were packed with visitors. Eateries, that normally fly through orders were actually being held up with the high demand from the volleyball players in town. At the end of it was awards ceremony and the after tournament banquet at a local sponsor restaurant.

The NY Mini has become a staple of Chinatown culture and a great addition to New York City. Each summer, people can't wait for it come around. This was my first real experience seeing the sport played at an exceptionally high level. It was educational, action pack and most of all FUN!!!

If you ever want to see the NY Mini in person please go to http://nymini.com/ for more information.

You won't be disappointed when you come to watch!!!

Empire Volleyball Club - The Begining

2011-06-14T18:35:00.001-04:00

Coming Soon to NYC!!!

Starting mid-October of 2011 there will be a new club volleyball program, for adults, in the New York City Metropolitan Area, the Empire Volleyball Club. Our club will be one of the few in the Greater Metropolitan Area that not only offers playing opportunities, teams and open gyms, but also volleyball instruction for adults looking to improve on their volleyball skill. This is something that is happening with fabulous success in Boston and Philadelphia through the efforts of committed individuals. I know we here in New York City (the greatest city in the world) can do also.

My name is Patrick Dietz, I am the founder of this club, and a local area volleyball player, coach and enthusiast. A born and raised New Yorker, I grew up playing volleyball along side some of the City's best volleyball players on the mean asphalt courts of the Central Park Mall. The Mall is located in the center of the park between The Band Shell and Sheep's Meadow and just north of Wallman Rink. You will find not just hard courts but two beautiful sand courts, just waiting to be used! This is New York City's HOME, MECCA for volleyball.

Why an Adult Club and Not Junior Club?

I have seen so many people come to our city with awesome volleyball skill and knowledge, but they don't have a place to play or harness their love of volleyball. I have also witnessed hundreds of people fall in love with the sport of volleyball but have no way of learning how to improve or gain better skill without joining a league. This is what our club will be there for. My goal is give those with a passion for volleyball a place to play, and those looking to get better a place to grow in their knowledge of the sport.

Over the past few years there has been a push to build up the youth volleyball system in the New York City Area. As a coach I am all for this and can't wait to have the opportunity to teach these next great athletes how to get better. However, what about the current great athletes of this generation and possible volleyball players who are now discovering the game? That is the void I hope to fill with this EmpireVC.

These young people are taught to have this great love of volleyball and to play when ever they have a chance. Some become so good they are able to play at the collegiate level, but what happens when they are out of college? Where will they go and who will they play with? How about if they weren't the best players on their team and are still passionate about playing? This is another void Empire will address. Our club will be that conduit for continued love of a great sport, in a great city!

In cities like Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia, adult clubs are just as strong as junior clubs. I want NYC, the greatest city in my heart, to be able to boast the same thing. We have too many spectacular people, with fantastic gifts, not playing volleyball in this city. Lets try to change that!!!

How Will Empire Volleyball be Different to Other Clubs?

There are many teams and clubs in the New York/New Jersey Metro Area that have been playing with each other for a number of years. Each group has their core of members that exemplify what and how volleyball has helped to shape their lives. Empire will be no different in its mission and ideals, in that respect. However, our execution will be different.

The Men of Central Park Volleyball
(CPVB)

Growing up in Central Park, I had the privilege of learning the game from many local legends. They took me under their wings and instructed me in what it really meant to play volleyball in the Empire City of the Empire State. What it meant to be a friends and a teammate. That drew me more to love volleyball for what it gave me. It is my duty as one of their legacies to return the favor. Volleyball isn't just meant to be learned by the young, it is a sports for all ages.

We aren't just a group of preset players looking to play only along side our former teammates and current friends. No! In fact our club will be about bringing volleyball to everyone! Teaching, coaching and playing with those who are looking for a great volleyball experience. Opening the volleyball treasure chest to all that seek it. Volleyball has thrust me into a world of fortune in both my personal and business lives. Empire will be some place many could use for networking as well.

It Won't Just Be Volleyball!!!

Volleyball players don't just play with passion, we enjoy ourselves just the same. Being in New York City there is no way we could have a club that was strictly all about playing, on the court only. We hope to infuse our kind of fun into the New York party scene as well. There will be special events and fund raisers for the club.

Volleyball Birthday Party

EVC will host mixers and parties through out the volleyball season (s). Some of these events will be coupled with a weekend tournament. Just doing volleyball isn't the only thing we should be known for. A well rounded club has people involved who look to go beyond just the court. Volleyball won't be our only reason to meet up and have some fun!!

Where Will We Play?

LaGuardia HS Gym

Currently, we are scouting locations in Manhattan. We are hoping to have a high school with two courts available to us. We know that a centrally located facility will be paramount to achieving our ultimate goal. There are very few places in the New York City area that are available and easily accessible by public transportation left in the city, but we will find it and hope to have it ready, early September.

This facility will be used to conduct adult volleyball clinics for people just starting in their volleyball journey. The gym will be our center for team training and intra-squad scrimmages. This will be our house to hold tournaments and fundraising events. This gymnasium we find will be our HOME...and the people in it our family. Our extended volleyball family, brothers, sisters, and cousins progressing in the love of volleyball.

Women's Logo

Men's Logo

How Many Teams Will There Be in the Club?

To be honest, I don't know. My goal is to have four (4) teams to start off with, two men's and two women's. What level they decide to compete in will be determined by their team captains. All the teams will register with the Garden Empire Volleyball Association (GEVA), this is the local USA Volleyball region that umbrellas most of the metro area teams. There are multiple playing opportunities per month with GEVA** from about mid-October to May, right up to the USA Volleyball Open Nationals tournament, Memorial Day Weekend in late May early June. This is the pinnacle event for the indoor season. Going to Nationals is another worth while endeavor. It is always a fun time and great competition.

There are other opportunities through out the year besides GEVA to play in tournaments. For those who can not commit to a team for a whole season, there is also Volleyball Lawn & Indoor (VBLI), run by Glenn Yankow. This is a company that holds weekend tournaments throughout the Metro Area at many of the area colleges. There is usually a membership fee and tournament fee to participate with VBLI.

2009 USAV Nationals in MN
for more info go to
www.geva.org or www.usavolleyball.org

VBLI action...
for more info go to www.VBLI.com

One day...

I hope to say that Empire Volleyball Club, helped to inspire a new era of volleyball enthusiasts to the New York volleyball scene. I also hope that we could be held in the same breath as many of the long standing programs that have graced the courts of this great city.

Thank you for reading this blog and can't wait to get you all out on the courts!!!

**Information on cost (club fees), GEVA fees, team practice schedules and other related items will be posted in future blogs.