GREEN BAY VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS AT USA NATIONAL TEAM TRYOUTS
Editor's Note: Green Bay volleyball players Brittany Groth, Carmen Leitermann and Leah Poel are heading to the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo. from Feb. 10-12 to compete in open tryouts for the U.S. Women's National Team. The Phoenix players will participate in four training sessions during their time in Colorado alongside over 200 of the nation's top players. Throughout their trip, the three players will share some of their experiences with Phoenix fans on this blog. Head coach Debbie Kirch will also provide some insight on having her players competing among the country's best.
OLYMPIC TRYOUT JOURNEY COMES TO AN END
February 12, 2012 - 11:52 p.m.
The trip for Brittany Groth, Carmen Leitermann and Leah Poel officially came to an end last night as they safely returned to Green Bay. But hopefully the "journey" will continue for a long time as they bring back their experience to the Green Bay Volleyball Team and help the team prepare for the 2012 season. Look for blogs on their experience later this week...
- Coach Kirch
2 plane rides and a car ride later..finally back in geebs #night
- Leah Poel
back in wisconsin
- Leah Poel
LAST LEG OF THE JOURNEY...TIME TO HEAD HOME
February 12, 2012 - 2:07 p.m. (MST)
tv on the plane #yesplease
- Leah Poel
The airport is starting to feel like my new home. #layovers #peoplewatching
- Leah Poel
Finally got my 15 minutes of pikes peak and the rocky mountains #amazing
- Carmen Leitermann
Colorado by day. Green Bay by night. #travels
- Leah Poel
HOW DO YOU SUM UP AN EXPERIENCE LIKE THIS...
February 12, 2012 - 1:15 p.m. (MST)
6 on 6 all morning. Rotated in and out with Clemson setter. Fiesty lil thing. #GBVBatUSAV
- Leah Poel
only played 6 on 6 games today during our session. Played with girls all over from the US! #GBVBatUSAV
- Carmen Leitermann
The coaching staff was great! Had coaches from USAV and a lot of other colleges too. Learned a lot about passing in just a couple days
- Brittan Groth
MEETING AN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST
February 12, 2012 - 12:47 p.m. (MST)
Phelps told us he is training 3 times a day for the next few weeks! #dedication #GBVBatUSAV
- Brittany Groth
Officially met Michael Phelps #lovemylife
- Brittany Groth
Just got a picture with @MichaelPhelps #mylifeiscomplete
- Carmen Leitermann
Just met Michael Phelps. I'm in love #GBVBatUSAV
- Leah Poel
DAY THREE!
February 12, 2012 - 8:11 a.m. (MST)
So thankful to be able to have this experience and get to play where all the Olympic athletes train #onceinalifetime
- Carmen Leitermann
So incredible to be in the gym with some of the best volleyball players in the country #blessed #GBVBatUSAV
- Brittany Groth
Got to play all morning. Somehow me and @leahpoel_7 got on the same team?! #fate #GBVBatUSAV
- Brittany Groth
Is the last session really over already?! Doesn't seem right #GBVBatUSAV
- Brittany Groth
Just finished our last session. All scrimmaging today. Packing up and relaxing til the shuttle. #GBVBatUSAV
- Leah Poel
Solid 9 hours of sleep last night. One more session to go
- Carmen Leitermann
CHILLIN @ THE OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER!
February 11, 2012 - 6:32 p.m. (MST)
Crazy that tomorrow is the last day in Colorado! Can't wait to scrimmage all day #GBVBatUSAV
- Brittany Groth
In colorado springs right now at the training center trying out for the volleyball team, can I get a retweet @MichaelPhelps?
- Carmen Leitermann
Sandwich, vanilla pudding, salad, soup, and crackers #dinner #unlimitedoptions
- Carmen Leitermann
Dinner number two? #ifyouremakingme #thanksolympics
- Brittany Groth
treats and snoozin, snoozin and treats. thank god for unlimited food and comfy beds.
- Leah Poel
BACK TO THE GYMS
February 11, 2012 - 4:48 p.m. (MST)
Good session. Lots of good competition and game like drills! #UWGBatUSAV
- Brittany Groth
learned how to swing block today, definitely a first for me. played 6 on 6 all afternoon. done for the day, out to explore CO. #GBVBatUSAV
- Carmen Leitermann
session full of nothing but competing and playing. #sofun
- Leah Poel
DOWN TIME BEFORE SECOND SESSION
February 11, 2012 - 1:13 p.m. (MST)
Ice cream machine in the cafeteria? olymipans eat ice cream too #bigmistake #UWGBatUSAV
- Brittany Groth
CREDENTIALS #UWGBatUSAV http://pic.twitter.com/dBVWdkZe
- Brittany Groth
SESSION 1 IN THE BOOKS
February 11, 2012 - 12:15 p.m. (MST)
Hour break and right back into the gym for our last session of the day! Can't wait to explore CO tonight. #GBVBatUSAV
- Leah Poel
fun to be in the gym with some of the best #GBVBatUSAV
- Leah Poel
i didnt know they made girls this big #GBVBatUSAV
- Leah Poel
DAY TWO BEGINS (OR IS IT REALLY DAY ONE)
February 11, 2012 - 8:29 a.m. (MST)
Nothing like some Beyonce to get the day going!
- Leah Poel
Day 1 (for us) begins. #GBVBatUSAV
- Leah Poel
Just ate breakfast. Only a little over an hour til the first session (well at least first for us) #excited #GBVBatUSAV
- Brittany Groth
DAY ONE FINALLY COMES TO AN END...
February 10, 2012 - 8:33 p.m. (MST)
Finally in CO. Bedtime for me. Big day tomorrow! :) I just wanna dig some volleyballs...
- Brittany Groth
Exhausted. #goodnight
- Leah Poel
LAST LEG OF THE JOURNEY...
February 10, 2012 - 6:09 p.m.
All i want to see is some mountains
- Carmen Leitermann
In Dallas, Texas!! Transfer flight to try out for the vball Olympics. Shout out to @KhloeKardashian :) can I get some good luck?
- Carmen Leitermann
dont forget to hydrate @leahpoel_7 @brittany__rae #altitude
- Carmen Leitermann
cant wait to see #pikespeak
- Carmen Leitermann
T-20 minutes until landing. Then one more flight to the mountains and gym ive been waiting to see ever since 9am this morning #GBVBatUSAV
- Carmen Leitermann
NOT EVEN DONALD DRIVER CAN GET THE PLANE TO LEAVE ON TIME!
February 10, 2012 - 2:58 p.m.
After a long morning of sitting in the Milwaukee Airport, the USAV crew (Brittany, Carmen and Leah P) are finally heading west with a short stop in Dallas, TX. Despite the delays, they were able to keep themselves occupied and ended up on the same flight as Donald Driver -- not too bad of a way to end your time in the Milwaukee Airport! Blog will take a break while they are in the air, but make sure you return tonight to continue The Adventures of B, Carm and LP!
- Coach Kirch
Finally in the air! #GBVBatUSAV
- Leah Poel
TURNING LEMONS INTO LEMONADE -- COLORADO SPRINGS VIA DALLAS!
February 10, 2012 - 1:42 p.m.
Already callin him Don. #besties #Donald driver
- Brittany Groth
When all else fails, hang out and get pics with Donald Driver #thankyoudallas
- Carmen Leitermann
donald driver is on our flight. one plus to the mornings disasters #GBVBatUSAV
- Leah Poel
SHOULD BE IN COLORADO ALREADY!
February 10, 2012 - 11:53 a.m.
I think these "updates" are to stop these people from ambushing. #crazypeople #GBVBatUSAV
- Leah Poel
Would much rather be meeting other volleyball players than other passengers from our plane.
- Carmen Leitermann
About to start a reality tv show in the airport. Any suggestions for a title?
- Brittany Groth
i tell ya what milwaukee airport...if i wasnt 19 id tell you exactly how i feel #stranded
- Leah Poel
These "updates" are #useless. Please just take me to the snowy mountains and let me play volleyball #GBVBstuckinMIL
- Carmen Leitermann
people keep asking us when the flight is leaving. im sorry do I look like a flight attendant?
- Leah Poel
Everyone loves us at the airport. It's almost like we live here or something @leahpoel_7 @carm_alarm #newbestfriends
- Brittany Groth
Private jet would be great right about now #stranded
- Carmen Leitermann
stuck in the airport. making so many friends. running out of things to do. #delay
- Leah Poel
Snow and delayed flights. Just get me to Colorado please? #GBVBatUSAV http://pic.twitter.com/ibrZkANa
-Brittany Groth
LOOKS LIKE TIME FOR SOME TEAM BONDING!
February 10, 2012 - 10:07 a.m.
never thought id be reading microeconomics to pass the time
- Leah Poel
FIRST "CHALLENGE" OF THE WEEKEND...
February 10, 2012 - 9: 25 a.m.
flight delay. must be the colonial woman on the wing.
#GBVBatUSAV-
Leah Poel
The longer our flight is delayed the more apps I download. I just wanna be in CO! #GBVBatUSAV
- Brittany Groth
Looks like a safe plane. Too bad it is still on the ground.... #colonialwoman http://pic.twitter.com/4Sf3mbml
- Brittany Groth
Planes broke. Didnt they know we were coming? Let me fix it. #GBVBatUSAV
- Leah Poel
DEPARTURE DAY!
February 10, 2012 - 6:45 a.m.
Carmen refuses to let anyone else make us breakfast but her. #notcomplaining #GBVBatUSAV
- Brittany Groth
630am alarm. Breakfast of champions before heading to the airport. Chef Carmen. #GBVBatUSAV
- Leah Poel
Luxury night stay at Cindy and g monsters house last night #thankyou #GBVBatUSAV
- Carmen Leitermann
LAST MINUTE PREPARATIONS
February 9, 2012 - 9:20 p.m.
Going over airport rules with Cindy...how did I know this moment would come? #GBVBatUSAV
- Brittany Groth
who knew walgreens conveniently had 3oz bottles of every bathroom product youd ever need #GBVBatUSAV
- Leah Poel
T MINUS 14 HOURS TILL DEPARTURE
February 9, 2012 - 5:49 p.m.
Packing for Colorado. Can't wait to get in the gym and play :) #GBVBatUSAV
- Brittany Groth
and the journey begins #GBVBatUSAV
- Carmen Leitermann
GETTING READY FOR THE TRIP
February 9, 2012 - 1:40 p.m.
Colorado tomorrow!
- Brittany Groth
Packing for Colorado. Fly out in the morning! #GBVBatUSAV
- Leah Poel
PLAYING AGAINST THE BEST
February 9, 2012 - 1:15 p.m.
With our spring season getting underway, I wanted to give some of our more experienced players the chance to compete against the nation's top players and experience what it is like to try out for the nation's top teams. Having been to the U.S. Olympic Training Center myself, I know they will have a great experience and will learn things that can help our team this spring and as we prepare for next season.
- Head Coach Debbie Kirch
