NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS - THE VOLLEYBALL WAY

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!!!

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!!!!