Monday, April 15, 2013

Badger Blizzards Announce 2013 Roster

Badger Region is excited to announce the roster for the Badger Blizzards, a region-sponsored professional team which will compete in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) during the 2013 season.

The 14-member roster will be led by Head Coach Rod Wilde and boasts representation from nine college programs. The roster carries two setters, three middle blockers, six outside/opposites and three defensive specialists.

"We are excited about the level of the athletes that have tried out for the team." Wilde said. "They range from past collegiate All-American players and former professional players to currently active USA regional representatives. I think we have a great balance of youth and experience that will mesh together well with training. I think we are going to be able to put together a very deep squad with the current roster that will help us during the multiple matches we will have to face in the Championships. I am very interested in seeing how the team develops as we prepare for the tournament in May."
Jackie Simpson (Milwaukee, Wis.) and Janelle Gabrielsen (Pewaukee, Wis.) will set for the Blizzards. Simpson is a vocal leader and competitor who will bring fire and energy to the Blizzards. Gabrielsen's athleticism and court-smarts make her valuable asset to the Blizzards. Both Simpson and Gabrielsen played at UW-Madison.

"I am thrilled to once again represent the state of Wisconsin as an athlete." Simpson said. "I am grateful to the region office for creating an avenue for players like myself to become more involved in our volleyball community on and off the court."

The Blizzards roster carries three middle blockers who add size and athleticism to the squad. Jessica Hohl (Waterville, Ohio) played college volleyball at Michigan State. Alison Shepp (Schaumburg, Ill.) played for Boston College. Deb Stadick (Watertown, Wis.) played for Iowa State.

"I am so excited that this team has become a reality." Stadick said. "It is a great chance for players to continue doing what they love post-college. From a regional perspective, it brings awesome visibility and publicity for both Badger Region and the sport of volleyball in general."

The Blizzards have a strong core of experienced outsides/opposites that bring physicality and finesse to the program. Kerri Schuh (Milwaukee, Wis.), Jocelyn VerVelde (Oostburg, Wis.) and Caity DuPont (Milwaukee, Wis.) played for UW-Milwaukee, Central Michigan and UW-Madison respectively. Kim Todd (West Milwaukee, Wis.), Ashley Beyer (Bloomington, Ill.) and Ashlee Johnston (Wauwatosa, Wis.) all played for Marquette.

"I can't wait to start practicing and competing with these ladies." Schuh said. "Many of us already know each other, either from playing together or playing across the net. We have a lot of respect for each others' talents and abilities and some great chemistry."

The three defensive specialists complete the roster. Morgan Potter (Stoughton, Wis.) played for UW-Milwaukee while Michelle Sobocinski (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) played for Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis. Kalin Zimmerman (Green Bay, Wis.) played for Northern Michigan University. All three bring hustle and energy to the court as well as vocal leadership.

The Blizzards are slated to compete in Chicago on May 18 against Great Lakes Swing Away and other PVL teams. The Blizzards will travel to Louisville May 25-28 for the 2013 USA Volleyball Adult Open National Championships and will compete in the PVL Division.

The Badger Blizzards will be conducting clinics and holding fundraisers to offset expenses as they prepare for the 2013 PVL season. If you want the Badger Blizzards to visit your practice, or want to host a Badger Blizzard clinic for your club, contact deb@badgervolleyball.org.


2013 BADGER BLIZZARDS ROSTER
Ashley Beyer (OH/Opp)
Caity DuPont (OH/Opp)
Janelle Gabrielsen (S)
Jessica Hohl (MB)
Ashlee Johnston (OH/Opp)
Morgan Potter (DS)
Kerri Schuh (Opp/OH)
Alison Shepp (MB)
Jackie Simpson (S)
Michelle Sobocinski (DS)
Deb Stadick (MB)
Kim Todd (OH/Opp)
Jocelyn VerVelde (Opp)
Kalin Zimmerman (DS)

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Summer Sand Opportunities

It's raining. That means we are one step closer to sunshine and beaches. And sand volleyball!

There are SO many great sand opportunities across the state this summer. All of the programs we're currently aware of are listed below. Click on them for additional information. Let us know if we are missing any programs so we can add them to our master list!

CALENDAR
April 21- July 28: North Shore Beach Program (Milwaukee)
May 17:USAV Beach HP tryout (Center Court)
May 18:Coaching Clinic (Center Court)
May 19:Digging the Beach Clinic/Tournament (Center Court)
June 10-15: Sconnies in the Sand Camp (Jefferson)
June 15:USAV Junior Beach Tour: Central Open #1 (Milwaukee)
June 17-Aug. 1Midwest Penguins Summer Sand Program (Center Court)
June 23: USAV Junior Beach Tour: Central Open #2(Milwaukee)
July 26-28: USAV Junior Beach Tour Championships (Milwaukee)

Keep checking back and we will keep updating this list with other opportunities.

Friday, April 5, 2013

#Yellow4Greg


It is with a heavy heart that we pass along this news.

Greg Von Rueden of the West Allis Lightning Boys 15U team has been battling bone cancer for several months. After bravely facing chemotherapy and surgery, he was recently told he had FINALLY beaten cancer.

On Good Friday, he and his family found out that his battle is not yet won. As Greg and his family continue on this difficult journey, we want to show them our support and love.

We’re asking you to wear yellow.

Yellow has been Greg’s battle color since he was first diagnosed. You’ll see his West Allis Lightning Boys 15U teammates and various others wearing their “Yellow for Greg” shirts this weekend. Greg's teammates are also selling "Yellow for Greg" wristbands. Here is a link to their schedule. All profits from the wristbands will go to the Von Rueden family.  

WHEREVER you are playing, wear something yellow. A yellow hat. A yellow tee-shirt. Yellow pants. Yellow anything. 

Greg can’t be in the gym to see it painted yellow. So we need to take the gym to Greg. We know you all have smart phones. Whip them out and let Greg know you are thinking of him.

Use Facebook and post a photo of your team going #Yellow4Greg to our page
Use Twitter or Instagram to share a photo of you wearing #Yellow4Greg.
Use whatever social media you use.

But be sure to hashtag #Yellow4Greg so all of our photos and well-wishes are gathered to one place.

Let's come together as volleyball family and show Greg he isn't fighting alone. 

Check out this video that Greg's brother made for him. 

Donations can be made to US Bank and the "Yellow for Greg" fund, or at this link.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Badger Region Championships: Round Two

Buckle up for a volleyball-packed weekend April 5-7 at the Delta Center! The second weekend of the Badger Region Championships is upon us, and we are SO excited.

We're kicking things off with a Badger Region High Performance tryout Friday, April 5 from 6-9 p.m. at the Delta Center. The tryout is for both boys and girls and registration opens at 5:30 p.m. Click here to pre-register.

The Badger Blizzards are also holding their tryout on April 5 at the Delta Center. Registration opens at 6:30 p.m. and the tryout will take place from 7-9 p.m. Click here to register.

On Saturday, the Delta Center will be packed with over 150 teams in 10 divisions: girls' 12 and under (12U), girls' 14U, girls' 14U, girls' 18U, boys' 12/13U, boys' 14U, boys' 15U, boys' 16U, boys' 17U and boys' 18U.

The boys' divisions are slated to compete throughout the day Saturday, while the girls' divisions will span Saturday and Sunday.

We can't wait to see you all this weekend. We'll be Tweeting, Facebooking and Instagramming all weekend, so be sure to share your pictures, results and adventures with us!

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Eau Claire Coaching Clinic

Badger Region Volleyball Association and Eau Claire Volleyball Camps and Clinics are excited to host a Coaching Clinic July 20, 2013 at UW-Eau Claire McPhee Center.

The clinician cadre includes John Kessel (Director of Sport Development, USA Volleyball), Patti Ford (Head Coach, UW-River Falls), Jill Jolliff (Head Coach, UW-Stout), Bruce Moriarty (Head Coach, Neenah High School) and Kim Wudi (Head Coach, UW-Eau Claire).

Please contact Kim Wudi (wudikm@uwec.edu) for additional information.