In only their first year, our sister club 504 Elite will be represented at the Junior Olympics. Their 13-1 squad, coach by Frank Palpallatoc, earned the Bayou Region USAV National Division bid. These girls attended the skills camps 951 Elite conducted this past summer in New Orleans, then again over spring break, and have worked hard all season. Their hard work paid off in the best possible way. The tie between our two clubs will only strengthen as we cheer each other on in Miami. Congratulations 504!

A select group of 16s spent their spring break in New Orleans practicing with our sister club- 504 Elite. At the week's end, the team represented 951 Elite in the New Orleans Classic and took 1st place in the 16's division. The team also had the opportunity to tour the campus of Southern Mississippi University (above), fish in the gulf, and eat bignets at the famous Cafe du Monde just off of Bourbon street.

It was a turbulent weekend with many ups and downs. The team played very well, but fell a little short in one important match. All hope seemed lost and tears of disappointment wrote the tragic story on their faces. Then, destiny intervened. The 16-1's received help from a most unexpected source- the team they had just beaten. A three way tie for first was the result and playoff games would decide the fait of all three teams. After receiving a bye, the 16-1's played one of their most challenging and impressive games of the year, and coming from behind, secured the open bid with the win.

Karley Rasmussen (18-1) is another success story that represents why athletes have become so dedicated to 951 Elite's recruiting program. Joining our family just this season, and stepping onto a team with the expectation of being a back up setter and defensive specialist, Karly worked hard and in a few short practices and one spectacular tournament impressed the visiting coaches from West Virginia. The division I offer was soon to follow. Karly will now join 951 alumni Kylie Armbrewster, Bonnie West, and recent transfer Lauren Evans.

Whitney Granado will be heading to Indiana University to play for the Hoosiers. As a setter for 951 Elite, Whitney has anchored a number of our best teams over the past five years and currently sets for the 18-1 squad. She will be coached by Sherry Dunbar, who took over the program in 2006. Dunbar previously coached for Tenessee and played for Ball State.

Natalie Allen becomes the third 951 Elite player to commit to Cal State Northridge. She will join Monica McFarland (08) and Britney Graff (09). Natalie plans to attend Northridge's acclaimed teacher education program and follow in her mother and sister's footsteps, a Freshman at Sonoma State, in becoming a teacher. Natalie is pictured above with Olympic gold medallist and head coach Jeff Stork and Susan Terrusa, who won a national championship with UCLA in 1985.

Karyl Bacon ('07) was selected to the Big South 2008 all-tournament team helping the Liberty volleyball team claim its second consecutive Big South Volleyball Championship title.  Bacon notched her third consecutive double-double of the tournament, with a team-best and season high-equaling 15 kills to go along with 16 digs.

Karyl recently played big against Nebraska in the first round of the NCAA tournament, leading the team with 13 kills. Liberty "stunned the crowed" with a game 2 25-21 win. read more, article 2