It’s been 48 Hours since the We Serve First All-Star Classic and I’ve got some closing thoughts and observations.
I LOVE this event. LOVE it! I’m so happy that two years ago Jim Joyce called me with this idea, and together we cobbled out a unique event that will continue to get better and better as it ages. What makes it so special and why do I love it so much? Let’s look back and see…
First, the obvious. The athletes. I could go through our line-up and mention every one individually, but here are a few examples of why.
All four team gather after practice on Friday.
Maria Hunter and Scarlett Hancock. Maria left practice on Friday feeling under the weather. Scarlett Hancock sprained her ankle on Thursday. I did not expect to see them on Saturday, yet Maria came bouncing into the gym and proceeded to be a blocking machine, and Scarlett came in to serve and played well across the back row for her team. Thank you for your toughness, Maria and Scarlett. You made our event better because of it!
Emmy Schrom, Ally Shepner, and Avery Koontz. These three played the maximum amount of volleyball during their high school season, yet they chose to attend our event. That could have been enough, but Emmy showed us how to fly, sending thundering kills to the floor at Kiski. I’m sure the maintenance staff had a hammer and nails out today, fixing floorboards. Ally was energetic as always, keeping her team focused as they figured things out early in the day, and leading them to the finals as the day wore on. Avery went flying past Coach Caraway and me, twenty feet off of the court in attempt to keep a ball in play, IN A PRACTICE, FOR AN ALL-STAR GAME!!! Coach Caraway looked at me and said “That’s exactly why Hampton is impossible to beat.” Well said Coach, well said. No surprise at all, each took home a post game prize. Thank you to our three WPIAL Champions for not only attending, but putting on a show for us all!
Eliah Lippincott and Alexa Albin. You two drove all the way out from Jefferson Township both Friday night and Saturday. Alexa answered the call when we lost a setter late in the process. She showed that she belonged by winning the MVP prize. I’ve watched Eliah a lot. She was one of the athletes We Serve First supported in her 2022 Club Season. She brought passion and excellence in practice and at the event! Thank you both for traveling so far to join us.
Marly Koleno and Mackenzie Haus. So many of this group surprised me with their talent! Not all of our players come from historically strong volleyball schools, yet all of them afforded themselves well during our competition. None more than Marly Koleno from Apollo Ridge. The smallish outside hitter thrived in this atmosphere, showing off a amazing jumping ability and surprising all of us with her overall game. Also worth mentioning is the defensive prowess of Valley’s Mackenzie Haus. Asked to take on some strong hitters and servers she stepped up time and time again with excellent passing and solid defense. Way to go, ladies!
Chloe Welschans. Last year, Cavalier setter Syd Joyce dumped a serve into the ball cart during our serving contest to win her friend almost $250 in gift cards. This year, Chloe’s dad won the chance to serve for the big prize. He chose his daughter to serve for one minute in an attempt to steal the bounty! In true Cavalier form, Welschans put her 8th serve down the middle and into the cart for the big prize!
I wish I could go on and mention everyone. This was certainly a special group of athletes who gave everything on the court both Friday and Saturday.
Our Coaches, Tami Caraway, Dakoda Fickes, Rachel Satira, and Michelle Dickerson, were totally in! Drafting well is one thing, but then taking those pieces and giving all of them a chance to feel like an important and valuable part of an team is not easy. Yet all of them succeeded! Well done! This only works if the coaches really care. These four great coaches sincerely do.
All the support staff at Kiski, especially AD John Petermen, his right hand woman Jenn Bowman, and the janitorial staff at the high school were quick to help with every request. The gym was completely set up when we arrived. Our many volunteers included concessions, ticketing, prize table, the kids who did the lines, and our three ball crew. Josh Schreckengost from High Tops Sports and our announcer, Mr. Swanson, our referees Mike Bruno, Moe Barr, and Joe Hardiman make this event special because they care. I’m humbled by how much help we had, and how well the entire two days went. I’m always worried as the Classic approaches, but for the second year in a row I’m giddy about how well it went! Amazing.
Our ever growing list of sponsors, led by our dear friend and presenting sponsor Dan Clair and Clair Associates Insurance. This event depends on sponsorships and would not be possible without them. Below you will find a list of our sponsors. Make sure to consider them for future business. They care about our community and it shows with how they have supported this effort. Thank you all so much!
Let’s put a bow on this. Like volleyball itself, the We Serve First All-Star Classic is here to stay! Not because it’s easy to do…
…it’s not.
But it’s so worth it.
Why? Because every once in a while, the stars align, and a purpose emerges. Seems like more often than not with our Foundation, and it happened again this weekend. One of our player’s family has a need. We will be there to help them and keep this young woman on the court for her club season this winter/spring. It’s possible because the players came to play, the volunteers decided to respond, the sponsors saw something they wanted to get behind, and the fans came out in force. Will there be more All-Star events? You bet, because the game continues to grow, and the need is more than ever.
Thank you all for making our event something special, so much fun, and something Jim and I plan on doing for a long time! Happy Holidays to all!