USA

After a very disappointing 2004 Olympics, I did not return to the National Team until this past September. I played in Italy then Spain and afterwards, I took almost 2 years off from volleyball. I worked at a Law Office in Las Vegas (www.kermittwaters.com), which was an incredible and enjoyable experience. I learned so much about things I knew nothing about. I also held Volleyball Camps throughout America which kept the volleyball “fire” alive in me. But there was still a void that was not filled.

USA

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Hello Everyone.

I would like to welcome everyone to my first volleyball blog. I hope that yall enjoy reading about my most recent experiences...

First of all, I would like to get everyone up to date on my whereabouts and basically inform the volleyball world on what I am doing these days.

My next blog will be filled with all the wonderful Italian experiences I am having.

Until next time….

GO USA!

I then decided that I wanted to go back to the National Team to help them, in any aspect, to qualify for the Bejing Olympics. I joined the team after they qualified for the World Cup in Canada. You know the old saying “You don’t know what your missing until it’s gone” how true this statement is. I can not tell yall how wonderful it was to be back in the gym. To be back with my teammates, my “sisters,” to compete, to dive, to sweat, to learn, to succeed, to fail and most importantly, to laugh and enjoy what I was doing.

I made the 12 player World Cup roster but for the first time in my USA Volleyball career, I was not the libero, I was a defensive specialist. It was a blessing in disguise. I played in almost every match and this was a great “reintroduction” to International Volleyball and it allowed me to see new players, remember teams styles and remind me of old players tendencies. It also allowed me to see USA Volleyball from the outside looking in and not the inside looking out where my perspective always came from.

Well, USA Volleyball did it, we qualified for the 2008 Olympics in Bejing at the World Cup taking 3rd place. It was a complete and total team effort. We had some serious injuries to very important players but we were fortunate enough to have depth on our bench. We qualified as a team and staff.

After qualifying, we all went to our professional leagues all over the world. I am currently playing in the Italian league in Altamura (www.joggingvolleyaltamura.com). I am playing the role of the libero again and loving being back, having fun doing it and improving everyday.

The USA Womens National Team is currently training in Colorado Springs without the players who are playing over seas. We will all join back together in April/May to start the preparation for the Bejing Olympics. We need all the support we can get so remember to always support your National Teams. I would like to say congratulations to the USA Mens team for qualifying at NORCECA.