March 28, 2008

PHOTO GALLERY

Sao Paulo, BRAZIL - The IPFW Volleyball team and staff recently returned from a team trip to Brazil. They departed on Friday, March 6 and after two days of travel due to poor weather and delays, arrived on the morning of Sunday, March 8. Every player kept a journal of their experiences in Brazil. The following is chronological story of our trip as told by the players:

Day 1: Sao Paulo, 3/9 (Beach)
"After arriving in Sao Paulo, we made our way to the beach. On the way there, we pulled off the side of the road to get a good look at an amazing waterfall."
- Jessica Dominiak

"The beach was very warm and sunny. We played beach volleyball, swam, and rode a huge inflatable boat as a team. It was a very fun day!"
- Rebekah Roehm

Day 2: Sao Paulo, 3/10 (Practice, Match #1)
"Today we headed to a private British School to practice, where some of the students watched us practice."
- Jessica Miller

"Later that day, we played against a team called Banespa which had many girls on it who were eventually going to be professionals. They were very good and they could jump high. It is a big difference using their volleyballs because the balls in Brazil are different than what we use in the USA - they were a little heavier and would sink or drop. We also got a chance to interact with them after the match and exchange t-shirts which was very cool!"
- Christine Simon

"The language barrier presented a challenge because I couldn't understand anything they were saying during the match - we couldn't pick up hints about what the hitters were going to do."
- Taryn Parker

Team poses for a picture in front of a Catholic church in Belo Horizante

Day 3: Sao Paulo, 3/11 (Clinic, Match #2)
"Today was one of the most rewarding days for me. We did a volleyball clinic for a group of less fortunate children. As soon as we walked in the gym they started clapping and cheering for us. We ran the clinic with four stations with basic volleyball drills. At every station, the children were very excited - they had the biggest smiles on their faces. A lot of times I take a lot of things for granted; it made me smile that something as simple as being able to play volleyball made these children so happy."
- Kylee Hervey

"The clinic was one of the most emotional and gratifying experiences in this trip. The smiles and happiness on the children's faces was so good to see."
- Mayara Schlindwein

"It was difficult to communicate with them because of the language barrier; however, it turned out great because we used hand gestures and demonstrations to teach."
- Jamie Schwartz

"I loved signing all the autographs and receiving so many hugs and kisses on the cheek from the children. They were so appreciative that we were there. This clinic was one of my favorite parts of the trip."
- Stephanie Lamberti

"Later in the day we played our second match against a club called Paulistano. They were good competition for us and it was fun to play. We played well and won. Our team is adapting to the atmosphere, volleyballs, and the Brazilian style of play."
- Christine Simon

Day 4: Belo Horizante, 3/12 (Match #3)
"Our third match of the trip was against Minas Tenis Club. This club was the largest in the State of Minas and it was gorgeous. We played in the arena that the club's professional team plays in. The team we played was very good and most of the girls were close to our age. We split with them, which I thought was very good because they were a very competitive team. It was different to hear them call out hitters and communicate with each other because we had no idea what they were saying - and probably vice versa."
- Jessica Dominiak

Christine Simon signs an autograph for a clinic participant

Day 5: Belo Horizante, 3/13 (Ouro Preto, Professional volleyball match, Patty's Family)
"Today we took a bus to Ouro Preto to go sight-seeing. We went to a beautiful Catholic Church, the Church of San Francisco (Saint Francis), and learned about the history of it."
- Shannon Reuter

"The church we went into was so beautiful. The detail inside of it was so amazing - I've never seen anything like it."
- Kylee Hervey

"Walking around Ouro Preto, I got to see all the details and intricacy of things on all the buildings close-up. The detail put into everything in Brazil is one of my favorite things about this country."
- Taryn Parker

"Tonight we watched a professional women's volleyball game. It was very cool to see women of that level play. I wish we had pro teams in the U.S."
- Kylee Hervey

"After the match, we went to Patty's house to meet her family and eat dinner. We learned how to samba and we tried to teach Patty's friends some American dances - we weren't very good though. We had a lot of fun and the food was great. This was a very eventful day!"
- Shannon Reuter

Day 6: Belo Horizante, 3/14 (Cynara's Family)
"Today we went shopping and to an open air market - it was a lot of fun. For dinner we went to Cynara's house where I had the best BBQ I've ever had. It was a Brazilian style of BBQ, and all the meats were amazing. It was the best pork, chicken, and steak I've ever had."
- Jessica Miller

IPFW and their opponent gather following the match

"After shopping, we went to Cynara's house for BBQ. The food was so good. Her house is beautiful and her family was very welcoming."
- Jessica Dominiak

"Cynara and Patty's family love to dance! I can dance all day, so of course I had a good time at the BBQ!"
- Kylee Hervey