BIP/USA Development Teams Leaving for China...

[BIP]

Practice #3 went well tonight in Anaheim at ASC (many thanks to Gary Mathews for helping us out in more than a few crunches) and we're all ready to grab some dinner and catch the red over over to China. We've got two teams going, and each will play 6 matches during our 10 days in Tianjin and Beijing. Rosters are posted below, and we'll update the site soon and Twitter account daily...

Site:
www.bringitusa.com/tours/bipusa_china_2012/

Twitter Feed:
twitter.com/#!/BIP_USA_China

Delegation Photo (ASC, 7/1)
d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/609474112.jpg?key=640480&Expires=1341188483&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=MIz5hZk0jAmgzAlw9UdfztO4HI7uMVtiIqZF3coltuO4ILJpEQKwoEFj2TWbJ~6zU4CVu8PbCH3cQ3LJmUPxEOdedQXCqI5k2KXV8MYeOa1UHxK8PVgrU12aTWnIswiGsinIlCQCp~1NtooJ3L9a2g6JPU9yCAEk-zChvkkRFgM_

BIP/USA All-Star Team
Lexi Zimmerman Setter Juncos, Puerto Rico '12
Hannah Johnson Setter University of New Mexico
Elsa Krieg MB University of New Mexico
Lindsay Fletemier MB Euro Liiga, Finland '12
Samantha Middleborne MB Terville, France 2012-2013
Kindra Bailey MB Coastal Carolina University
Kelly Murphy Opp Guaynabo, Puerto Rico '12
Lindsey Stalzer Opp Neuchatel, Switzerland 2012-2013
Alaina Bergmsa OH University of Oregon
Sarah Ammerman OH Hamberg, Germany 2012-2013
Michelle Bartsch OH Toa Baja, Puerto Rico '12
Tori Mellinger L Texas A&M University
Kyle Robinson Coach Head Coach, Long Island University
Lisa Beauchene Assistant Asst Coach, University of New Mexico

BIP/USA Select Team
Britney Brown Setter Lindesberg Volley, Sweden 2012-2013
Kamryn Sherman Setter Clemson University
Mary Kurisch MB University of Northern Illinois
Dana Knudsen MB University of Minnesota
Alexa Rand MB Clemson University
Katherine Harms Opp University of Minnesota
Carly Edwards Opp Villanova University
Allison Mayfield OH Clamart, France 2012-2013
Chelsea Bilger OH Ohio University
Jasmine Norton OH University of Arkansas
Kelly Lamberti OH Ohio University
Morgan O'Neill L Virigina Tech University
Robby Pulliza Coach Head Coach, University of Arkansas
Liz Kritza Assistant Head Coach, University of Colorado

[BIP]

Clickable Twitter Feed Link:
www.twitter.com/BIP_USA_China

[volleyfred]

Heard some great things about BIP. They've really helped get more athletes noticed from the U.S.

[mikesmith]

Jul 1, 2012 23:01:46 GMT -5 volleyfred said:

Heard some great things about BIP. They've really helped get more athletes noticed from the U.S.

I've heard both sides of this. Some people have a great time, others don't. It seems to be a good opportunity.

[OptimusPrime]

It is a fun experience and most everyone has fun. That is it. No great volleyball expectations. Players pay for themselves and if your coach is on the tour you can bring some of your own players. Hence the discrepancy in level of play in each team.
It is a tour. More sightseeing and fun than acquiring volleyball skills....

[BIP]

Looks like we'll be updating this link more than Twitter until we figure things out. The normal way of updating Twitter via email from China isn't working for some reason. We're checked into the hotel in Tianjin and racing off to practice already. Our hosts sent Big Macs up to the room since we were "late for lunch" and I imagine this isn't going to be enough for these girls after our ridiculous flights to get here. We'll see. They're troopers, and I'll find a way to get a better update tonight after practice. I'll have team and delegation photos in jerseys by then too.

[BIP]

July 5 Match Updates:

Tough night for Teams USA.

We started with the BIP/USA Development Team vs. Shanghai at 3:30pm. Shanghai took 2nd in the Chinese Top League this year, and has most of their team together for the tournament this week. To make matters worse for us, we meet up with them again next week in Beijing as well. We were outmatched to say the least. These teams both serve well (problematic for us) and simply have a lot more experience than our girls. Its clearly going to be a tough week of volleyball, but our girls are up for improving. Starters were Brown, Harms, Rand, Knudsen, Mayfield, Norton, and O'Neill. We struggled passing early and just had a tough time getting it together. We didn't have much of a crowd at the early match, but there was still good ambience in the gym. We were promised stats, but so far, no dice. I'll try to post more information tomorrow when we have the stats and I can get the coaches to comment. Sherman came in for sets 2-3 and we also saw action from Kurisch, Bilger, and Lambreti.

The BIP/USA All-Star Team played tournament hosts Tianjin at 7:30pm. While we were told that the 3000+ arena was sold out, only about 2200 showed up for the match. It was televised live regionally, and while we were told that it was streamed and posted online, we still haven't figured out how to find the link. We have some communication issues at times to be sure. As soon as I have more info, I'll post it. While this team looked much more comfortable on the court, we still struggled passing and also with China's quick attack. Tianjin took 3rd in the Chinese League, but tonight looked to be even stronger serving than Shanghai. Starters were Zimmerman, Murphy, Bergsma, Ammerman, Middleborne, Fletemier and Mellinger. Bartsch came is strong (passing and attacking) in the 2nd and we also saw action from Stalzer and Johnson.

Again, more info tomorrow once we have things together. I'll also start posting the players blogs on this thread tomorrow morning.

[BIP]

BIP/USA Development Team Journal
Day 1 - June 30, 2012
Anaheim, California
By Elsa Krieg, University of New Mexico

Hello from Anaheim California! My name is Elsa Krieg and I am going to be a sophomore at the University of New Mexico. Today everyone arrived in Anaheim to start our 2012 China tour. I arrived at the airport around 10:30am and looked for a few of my new teammates. I met up with Allison and Michelle first, and shortly after found my present teammate Hannah, and Alaina from Oregon. After the girls got their bags we called Tim to load up the van. Well let's just say LAX traffic is a little on the heavy side. People are not exactly friendly and you have to make your own way just to get a decent pick up spot. After loading everyone's 49 pound bags, and Hannah and I's carry on travel efficient 30 pound bags, we headed off to the hotel. We arrived to our hotel, checked in, and met all the other girls. We immediately changed into our practice stuff and headed off to the American Sports Complex (ASC). The ASC is where the Men's & Women’s U.S. National Teams practices! The facility was really nice, except it didn't have any air conditioning, so we all sweat our brains out in the 90-degree high humidity weather. The first practice was more about getting used to each other and seeing where everyone is at. After practice we headed off to Shakey’s for dinner. (Editor’s Note: Possiblly the worst tour meal ever). After dinner the group headed back to the hotel. My roommates Hannah, Alaina, and I showered, and passed out within 45 minutes of being back. You could say all the traveling and practice had us worn out.

Day 2 in California was a little more "strictly business". ‘Double Day’ with training from 9-11am and again from 3-5:30pm. During morning practice we split up into our teams and started to play more. It was hard trying to get used to everyone. Each setter has their own offense and speed of how they run their sets. Each hitter likes their sets in different places and at a variety of tempos, but after our second practice that day we all started to develop a rhythm. Hannah being only 18 and me recently turning 19, it is quite intimidating playing with these girls; many who have finished their college career and are moving on to playing professionally, or girls who have been playing professionally for quite a few years. What I think we are both enjoying the most is playing at a much higher level than we are used to, and learning from the girls with much more knowledge and experience than us. Everyone is really helpful and awesome teammates! After finishing up practice, we all showered and headed off in the vans to Manhattan Beach for some dinner, and then straight to the airport. By this time it was around 9 o'clock at night, and everyone was beat, but anxious to board our midnight red-eye flight and begin our trip all the way to China!

(Editor’s Note: Many thanks to Gary Mathews of USAV for taking personal time to help us out in Anaheim. Much appreciated.)

(Editor's Note #2: Journal Entries will post on bringitusa.com with photos, but likely not for a few days after they post here)

[BIP]

BIP/USA Development Team Journal
Days 2 & 2 in Anaheim & Travel Day – July 1, 2 & 3, 2012
By Alexa Rand, Clemson University

We woke up July 1 and had breakfast at our hotel at 7am. We then headed back to ASC to get in a practice with our individual teams. Practice went really well for both teams, but it was clear that we would need to work hard at our afternoon session in order to be more prepared for our first tournament in China. Once practice was over, we came back to the hotel, organized our suitcases, and went to lunch. Some places that people went were California Pizza Kitchen, P.F. Chang’s, and The Cheesecake Factory. Once everyone was fed and ready to go, we loaded up our suitcases into our vans, and then walked to the training center for our second practice of the day. Practice was extremely competitive, and you could tell that everyone was excited to get to China. We ended off practice by having both teams scrimmage one another. The sets were very close, and both teams seemed to get better as the scrimmage went on.

Once practice was over, all of us took showers at the training center and changed into what we would be traveling in. When everyone was ready, we got into vans and drove to Manhattan Beach for dinner. Most of us ended eating at a place called The Kettle. The food was delicious! The girls that I ate with finished up earlier than expected, so we walked on the beach until it was time to go. I cannot get over how many sand volleyball courts there were. They went as far as the eye could see. Eventually, we walked back to where we parked our vans, and we were on our way to LAX to catch our flight. It took a while to get to our gate, but once we did, everyone scattered for outlets to charge their phones and get their last text messages, phone calls, Facebook, and Twitter updated. We started to board at 11:00 p.m. Our plane was two stories! I’ve never seen anything like it. Everything went very smoothly and efficiently, and we were ready to take off in no time. At around 11:45 p.m. our 12-hour flight began. Practice wore a lot of us out, and many people fell asleep right away.

Finally we arrived in Seoul, South Korea where we had to wait to board our next plane. We had several hours until we boarded, so we all went our own ways, read books, and slept throughout the airport. Eventually it was time to get on our plane to go to Beijing. Unfortunately, a few girls got sick on the plane ride. Once we landed, we went through customs and were greeted by our Chinese hosts. They were very happy to see us and they walked us outside to our bus. We had another 2 hour and 30 minute bus ride until we arrived at the hotel in Tianjin. It felt like we had been traveling for at least 3 days.

When we got off our bus to enter the hotel, we were greeted by several fans and television cameras. Our hosts fed us McDonald’s Big Macs for lunch, and then we immediately went to People’s Arena down the street for practice. Many of our ankles and legs, including my own, were extremely swollen from the long day of travel. It was nice to be able to run around and get active again. The gym is beautiful and I think during our practice it really hit all of us that we were really in China playing the sport that we love. After practice, both teams headed back to the hotel and ate a delicious buffet-style dinner. We went up to our rooms, relaxed, and went to bed.

[sheila]

I really appreciate the updates. Keep them coming when you can.

[khitt]

Puliza coaching?

[BIP]

Thanks "shelia". Much nicer to hear from you than read the nonsense from "xuscvbfan". I'm sorry we're not getting media up and posted quicker; its just hard to function the way we're used to here in China. Which i suppose is part of the point of being here...

And yes, Pulliza is coaching. Rosters are finally online:
www.bringitusa.com/tours/bipusa_china_2012/roster.php

Journals should be caught up by the end of the day... Here's our first full day in Tianjin:


BIP/USA Development Team Journal
Day 5 – July 4, 2012
Our First Full Day in China
By Kamryn Sherman, Clemson University

We woke up this morning after an exhausted night's sleep. Our travel day really wiped us out, but we were excited to begin our sightseeing in China! At 8 we had breakfast. The food here is really different. For breakfast we had an assortment of eggs; steamed, boiled, and some sort of Chinese omelet, fried rice, chicken sausage, bacon, cold cuts, and fresh fruits along with watered-down orange juice that kind of tastes like Tang. After our cultural meal, we left for the bus at 8:30. We drove through the city to the Hai He River where we would take a boat up and down the river for about an hour to see the city. It was beautiful despite the fog that seems to always be here. We had a great view of the different bridges around the city; all the bridges in Tianjin had to be built in different styles. There is a bridge built to look like the front of a ship, a huge orange-piped bridge, and a bridge that is a ferris wheel called the Tianjin Eye. We had a great view from the back of the boat and enjoyed yelling "ni hao!" to all the people we passed swimming. Everyone's faces we greeted lit up and shouted back the greeting. All the buildings here are very interesting. There are some buildings that look like they could be in Europe, others that look like they could be in a downtown in America and others that look like the typical Asian buildings we see in movies. After about an hour, we got back on dry land and loaded the bus. Next we were headed to a market! It was incredible! We stopped to take pictures at the front of the market and about a thousand people walking by also stopped to take our picture. After our paparazzi moment we began exploring the market. It started to pour but everyone kept going around anyway. There were jade bracelets, Chinese lanterns, Samurai swords, silk robes. After an hour in the market we headed back to the hotel to eat lunch and head to practice. Both the teams went to the gym at the same time which turned out to be a bad idea because there was only one court, but we made the best of it and both teams had a great practice followed by a scrimmage. I think our team, the “Developmental Team”, is really clicking on and off the court and this is going to be a great trip with two great tournaments! After we practiced we got back on the bus to go back to the hotel, shower, eat dinner and head back to bed after a great day sightseeing and practicing.

(Editor’s Note: This trip is clearly taking its toll. Kam forgets to mention that we had our Independence Day Dinner on the outskirts of town at a crazy modern hotel known in all of China for its weddings. And “dinner” doesn’t quite do this opening banquet justice. When we pulled up on the bus, we were greeted by a multitude of people including much of the staff of the hotel that chanted at us on the way in. it was an elaborate Chinese meal for all the team delegations and staff, complete with a crazy floor show that at one point included our own Sarah Ammerman on stage singing Happy Birthday to Coach Kyle Robinson. Good times. The girls were dressed to the nines and seemingly had a wonderful time. They’re all celebrities here; that’s for sure.)

[mnvbfan]

So great to read the updates from the players. What a wonderful experience and opportunity!

[BIP]

7/5 Match BIP/USA All Stars vs. Tianjin on CCTV:
sports.cntv.cn/20120705/118016.shtml

This is the only game that will be online from the first three days. There will be more from Beijing (7/9, 7/10, 7/11) and I'll post when I have more info.

Scores Today (7/6):
Team Shanghai vs. USA All Star Team
3:0 (26:24 26:24 25:19
Team Tianjin vs. USA Development Team
3:0 (25:22 25:9 25:18)

Schedule for Tomorrow (7/7):
USA Development Team vs. Team Shanghai, 3:30pm
USA All Star Team vs. Tianjin, 7:30pm

[sheila]

Thanks for all the updates! Do you know if any of the matches will be available live and if so do you have a schedule?