Members of the Impact Volleyball Club, 16 and Under Black, recently completed a trip to Columbus, Ohio, where they suited up for the Girls Juniors National Championship.
Previously known as the Junior Olympics, the competition brought together top flight teams for some outstanding volleyball. Leading the Impact team were coaches Teresa Williamson and her daughter Stephanie. Williamson serves as the head varsity volleyball coach at Escalon High and Stephanie has served as an assistant.
"The first day we played, I don't know if it was the time change or just some nerves, since half of the girls had never been to this event before, but we didn't play too well," said coach Williamson.
Once they settled in, putting aside the jet lag and the awe of being in the national spotlight, the girls turned things up a few notches and competed over the next three days of the tourney.
"On Day 2, we won one and lost one, on Day 3, we were undefeated in our matches, we played three and won all three, we beat some really good teams," she explained. "The thing is, you can't pay to enter this tournament, you have to earn your way there so there's not a bad team at this event, you're seeing some great teams."
On Day 4, the girls fell in the opening round and exited the tournament but had a respectable 4-5 overall showing.
Players from Escalon on the team are incoming EHS junior Cassidy Caton and incoming freshman Taylor Laugero.
"They both played really well, dug some great balls and the team overall gave it a great fight," said Williamson.
Along with the Escalon duo, team members came from Ripon, Enochs High, Hughson and Turlock to make up the Impact squad.
Games were played at the Columbus, Ohio Convention Center over the four-day period earlier this month.
"I thought overall they played phenomenal," Williamson said of the team. "It was the first time I've been there as a coach and it was wonderful. This is the best group of girls I've coached in 10 years of coaching club ball."
Previously known as the Junior Olympics, the competition brought together top flight teams for some outstanding volleyball. Leading the Impact team were coaches Teresa Williamson and her daughter Stephanie. Williamson serves as the head varsity volleyball coach at Escalon High and Stephanie has served as an assistant.
"The first day we played, I don't know if it was the time change or just some nerves, since half of the girls had never been to this event before, but we didn't play too well," said coach Williamson.
Once they settled in, putting aside the jet lag and the awe of being in the national spotlight, the girls turned things up a few notches and competed over the next three days of the tourney.
"On Day 2, we won one and lost one, on Day 3, we were undefeated in our matches, we played three and won all three, we beat some really good teams," she explained. "The thing is, you can't pay to enter this tournament, you have to earn your way there so there's not a bad team at this event, you're seeing some great teams."
On Day 4, the girls fell in the opening round and exited the tournament but had a respectable 4-5 overall showing.
Players from Escalon on the team are incoming EHS junior Cassidy Caton and incoming freshman Taylor Laugero.
"They both played really well, dug some great balls and the team overall gave it a great fight," said Williamson.
Along with the Escalon duo, team members came from Ripon, Enochs High, Hughson and Turlock to make up the Impact squad.
Games were played at the Columbus, Ohio Convention Center over the four-day period earlier this month.
"I thought overall they played phenomenal," Williamson said of the team. "It was the first time I've been there as a coach and it was wonderful. This is the best group of girls I've coached in 10 years of coaching club ball."
