Dannemiller's USA Volleyball Blog
1/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Senior Lexi Dannemiller recently completed a two-week training block with USA Volleyball in Southern California. She talks about what that experience was like, what she did on and off the court in that fortnight and what's next in her volleyball career.
The past two weeks training with Team USA as a part of the winter training block have been an unforgettable experience. I came in knowing that it would be difficult to earn my way onto the team. We trained twice a day with various video sessions and meetings. On Fridays, we had open Red/Blue scrimmages to show off all we have learned. Karch Kiraly, Team USA's head coach, emphasized the importance of having a growth mindset and being a sponge to the techniques and advice that the coaches would give us. This allowed all the players to get out of their comfort zone and try something new. I, for example, learned how to set the fastest offense in the world.
While it was a bumpy road learning to set faster with the techniques that the coaches wanted, eventually I got to the point where I could recognize when I was setting with the offense they wanted and when I wasn't. Micha Hancock and Madi Bugg were the other setters in the gym and all shared similar challenges that the new offense would bring. We got the hang of it for the most part, the best we could in a short two-week period, and it paid off when the middles on the other side of the net were miles away from catching the speed.
My favorite part was being able to train with some extremely talented girls that I had only seen across the net. Some of the girls had played with me in China, including Kori Moster, one of my oldest friends all the way through club ball. Even though she became a Spartan it was cool to share the experience with her. Playing with girls like Nicole Walch, Inky Ajanaku, and Ali Frantti was awesome especially when I beat them in jousts.
We had plenty of time to tour around LA and go to the beaches once practice got out. I even got to go to dinner with CK and Ally Sabol. My dad came to see a scrimmage, and along with Mr. Knop, took my roomies and I to a scrumptious dinner which was really nice after a long week of training.
These past two weeks forced me to look towards the future and what part volleyball will have in it. I am keeping my options open to playing professional overseas but exploring some other ideas as well. Believe it or not, I'm going to miss being in the gym at 6:30 lifting with my fellow Wolverines. But I'm ready to close that chapter and I'm excited to see what's next!!
Dannemiller out!!
