May 28, 2018
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Celebrate. Honor. Remember
Thank you to those who courageously gave their lives and the sacrifices made for our freedom.
RECOGNITION
Congrats Kennedy Holley
HIGH PERFORMANCE NATIONAL PROGRAM INVITATION

Kennedy Holley was selected as a team member for the USA Girls Future Select National Training Program as an Outside Hitter. Only a small selected group was chosen and we couldn't be more thrilled that this young lady was chosen. Not only is she an outstanding athlete but her work ethic, character and team player mentality is what we most boast about.

Kennedy is a member of our 13 National Club Unite team. She will be attending the AAU National Tournament in Orlando Fl with her "13 Jo" team before joining the USA training team in Franklin TN in July. Kennedy plays for Farragut Middle School.

Congrats Kennedy we are so proud of you!
Club Unite 14 National Earned and Accepted a Bid to
USA Nationals in Detroit Michigan
USA NATIONAL BOUND
Congrats to one of our 14s teams (14 Brandon) who earned a big through the SRVA regionals to play in the USA Nationals Tournament. The team will be competing the last week of June in Detroit Michigan representing the Southern Region. The team earned an American Bid however through the MEQ bid reallocation process were able to move up into the USA slot. We are very proud of this group and the opportunity they have! even more excited when we discovered they will be competing on an even higher level than we originally expected. "We couldn't be more excited for CLUB UNITE to have the opportunity to represent the Southern Region" adds Coach Mincey. The players will continue to practice through the month of June in preparation for this endeavor. We applaud the efforts of the entire team in achieving this amazing goal (although not all will be able to attend). Great job Coaches Brandon Row and Melanie Morris for the training and coaching. Parents a huge thank you to you for your support to allow them to enjoy this endeavor.

Photo Courtesy Heather Ackermann

3 teams prep for
AAU Nationals.
Teams are amping up for a trip to Orlando, Fla to play in the AAU National Tournament in June.
An already established team "13 Jo" with the additional of one will be playing in the event. A newly formed 14U and 17U team will also be playing in the event. "The AAU National Tournament is a great experience for all involved - players, coaches and parents/grandparents-really enjoy the 4 day event. We are looking forward to hearing about their experience and cheering them on from Knoxville!" adds Coach Mincey
HP Costa Rica
20 Headed to Costa Rica
A group of 20 will be packing their bags soon to fly to Costa Rica for High Performance International Training. Each day the group will train and play the Junior National teams while also engaging in community outreach with orphanages and a widows ministry. The players will give their talents back to the country by hosting vb clinics to children during their stay as well. The group departs June 4th and will return home June 14th.
Leaps and Bounds
5 - 5.5 Inch Vert Award
Congrats to the following for increasing their vertical 5 - 5.5 inches from Pre-Test to Mid-Season Test. Pictured: Madelyn Harper (16), Ashley Hilbelink (14), Emilee Kerr (16), Ella Smith (14), Drew Brooks (18), Lily Hatfield (15), Rachel Friedman (14).
6-6.5 Inch Vert Award
Congrats to the following for increasing their vertical 6-6.5 inches from Pre-Test to Mid-Season Test. Pictured: Sarah Roderiques (15), Klaryssa DeLaCruz (16), Jenna Struck (14), Olivia Snyder (16), Kassidy Knight (17). Not pictured: Isabella Raman (13), Nina Hodges (16), Emma Whitus (16)
7-7.5 Inch Vert Award
Congrats to the following for increasing their vertical 7-7.5 inches from Pre-Test to Mid-Season Test. Claire Wilson (17), Reese Schroeder (15), Kaley Brown (13), Taylor Dixon (16). Not pictured: Lauren Patterson (15)
8-8.5 Inch Vert Award
Congrats to the following for increasing their vertical 8-8.5 inches from the Pre-Test to Mid-Season Test. Pictured above: Grae Klein (16), Brenna Allred (15), Megan Carlton (15) Not Pictured: Alexa Peck (15), Emma Yarbrough (15), Karly Kammann (15), Avery Jolly (14)
UNITE D1 "peak performance" award
We asked D1 to select one player who stood out day in and day out. Always appreciative, always working, never grumbling, and giving best effort in each exercise even if uncomfortable. The 3 staff from D1 chose Ali Morris to the be the 2018 Unite D1 "peak performance" award recipient.
All our athletes worked so hard all year in the training phase of their practice. Congrats! Thanks to D1 for the nice gifts. D1 will be placing the names of each athlete at the D1 facility.

Just to note: I believe our 6th-8th graders are still growing and thus D1 and myself put together a strategic workout where our middle school aged students could gain core power, balance, reaction increase and foot speed rather than emphasize adding mass. As as result our middle schoolers should not be disappointed they do not see their names in our Vert Awards. The process is important and I am pleased with how well D1 worked with me to achieve results. To note most of our Middle School aged students fell in the 1-4 increase.
Club Unite
U
Awards
We took a moment Thursday to announce and present some key players from each team. The decisions were very hard for these coaches, in fact, many coaches struggled to choose. Our Unite award was described as a young lady who got after it when the going was tough, never complained, always gave 100%, was thankful towards her coaches, and showed gratitude toward team.
Our Growth award was described as a young lady who was committed to growing her I.Q. and on court performance consistently. From start to finish this young lady presented improvement in her overall I.Q. and skill.
Team 12 Mike
Unite Award- Anne Claire Myers
Improvement & Growth Award-Cooper Burchfield (not pictured)
Team 13 Kayla/Katie/Kristin
Unite Award- Kaley Brown
Improvement & Growth Award -Makenlee Piety
Team 13 Jo
Unite Award- Kara Brantley
Improvement & Growth Award-Faith McGhee
Team 14 Olivia
Unite Award-
Improvement & Growth Award-Cooper Burchfield (not pictured
Team 14 Kaity
Unite Award- Kelly Su
Improvement & Growth Award-Kate Joseph
Team 14 Brandon
Unite Award- Grannie McGrath
Improvement & Growth Award-Jadyn Watkins
Team 15 Bill
Unite Award-Tabitha Householder
Improvement & Growth Award-Lauren Kohagen
Team 15 Keilah
Unite Award-Megan Carlton
Improvement & Growth Award-Madeline Dieterich
Team 15 Cara
Unite Award-Reese Shroeder
Improvement & Growth Award-Elizabeth Young
Team 16 Joe
Unite Award-Lauren Roberts
Improvement & Growth Award-Taylor Dixon
Team 16 Igor
Unite Award-Madelyn Harper
Improvement & Growth Award-Rachel Kessler
Team 16 Shannon
Unite Award-Ira Au
Improvement & Growth Award-McKinley Blackburn (not pictured)
Team 17 Dwayne
Unite Award-Megan Smith
Improvement & Growth Award-Sally Spangler
Team 18 Tia
Unite Award-Kaitlyn Knight
Improvement & Growth Award-Kassidy Knight
Team 18 Doug
Unite Award-Claire Wilson
Improvement & Growth Award-Courtney Coffy
Thanks Club Unite Coaching Staff for a great 2017-2018 Season.
UNITE COACH AWARD
Club Unite presents Coach Marty with the "U" Coach Award. We have an outstanding staff at Club Unite. Director Shannon Mincey was proud to present Coach Marty with the Coach U Award. Shortly after having knee surgery, Marty was back in the gym with his team pushing his walker around. There is no way he was ready to be or should have been back but his exact words were that he wanted to be there for his team. Thank you Coach Marty for your commitment to Club Unite and going above and beyond to prosper these players and the club. This award goes beyond your short return after knee surgery and we can't say thank you enough.
Club Unite Coaches in the Community Serving our Local High and Middle Schools with their love to coach and talent to teach!
Congrats to the following Club Unite Coaches who will be serving our area high schools and / or middle schools during the fall.

Erin Biddle- Head Varsity Coach Bearden High School
Kaity Drew-Assisting at Bearden High School
Jo Madden-Head JV Coach Farragut High School
Melanie Morris-Head Varsity Coach Grace Christian Academy
Bailey Akers-Head JV Coach Grace Christian Academy
Olivia Jenkins-Head Middle School Coach Grace Christian Academy
Isabel Hawley-Farragut Middle School Coach
Torey Yocom-Head Varsity Coach Jefferson County High School
Heather LeMay-Head JV Coach Jefferson County High School
Doug Swint-Lincoln Heights Middle School
John Greiner-Head Varsity Coach Knoxville Christian School
Tracy Slone - Program Director Hardin Valley Middle School
Joe Fiore-Head Varsity Middle School Coach Hardin Valley Middle
Bill Myers-Head Coach West Valley Middle School
Marty Yarbrough-Program Director Karns Middle School
Jennifer Connatser-Head Coach Karns Middle School
Maddi Trent-Coach Halls Middle School
Brandon Row- Assistant Coach Carson-Newman University
Shannon Mincey - Lakeway Christian High School
Summer Opportunities
DON'T MISS OUT!
Do not miss this amazing opportunity to attend a 6 week Clinic style camp for only $115.00 and you can pay $60 more to train with D1! It is a super offer for players of all ages and skill types. Our website displays all the clinic options players can choose from starting June 4-July 13. We varied the times to make it more convenient for busy families. Online registration is now available. Even if you can't attend all the clinics the price is still something you can't pass up! Strong clinicians are in place to lead a series of courses for players who desire continual growth on the court. Players can also add on to their package by training with D1 of Knoxville.
Summer League
Club Unite Summer League is our most popular in-house league. Players enjoy being placed on teams, training one night a week and playing one day a week in 6v6 situations. Players will receive a tank top for summer league. We encourage players of all grades to sign up now. Coach Igor P will lead Summer League Training for players to receive excellent skills training. Sarah Lorick (current Mars Hill University Volleyball Player) will be managing the admin of the league while leading training with Coach Igor.


Middle School Camp
Players rising grades 6th-9th will enjoy training in a three day camp with Coach Melanie Morris and Heather Ackermann. July 24-25-26 from 9am-4pm. Players should bring their own lunch the first two days while Club U will provide lunch the last day.

Train with D1
Club Unite has partnered with D1 for their performance training. All interested athletes should contact us if they are interested and we will connect you with the Club U cost.

Dates: July 3rd-28th
Tournament: July 28th
Price: $150 
Sand Training with Coach Abbie
We are excited to announce this summer Coach Abbie from Carson Newman will be running a sand training program at the Carson Newman Beach Courts. The program will consist of two practices a week, and a final in-house tournament! All training will take place at the Carson Newman Beach Courts in Jefferson City. Practice: Tuesday Thursday Times TBD (Players will train on the sand 2x per week-times will be determined once players email in so Abbie can work with school practice dates).
Ending in Gods Grip
Unique ending to the Club Season
Our Club Unite 15 Cara ended their season in unique fashion. During the finals of their final tournament, a sister of an opposing player required medical attention. The players from both teams huddled up and prayed for the situation. The match ended in a tie. Both teams were named champs. Anytime you end in prayer (win or loose) both teams are champs.

We are so appreciative of moments like these during the club season where teams can lay down the swords-stop battling-and pull together. At the end of the day we are all the same...volleyball players with a strong passion to compete!
SERVING our COMMUNITY
A 13's team and a 15's team on different evenings helped the Lost Sheep Ministry. Players and parents who helped felt much joy being able to give to such an outstanding cause. Read the life story of the founder of Lost Sheep Ministry here. Lost Sheep Founder
One of our 13s teams made a Journey Backpack. Journey bags are for children that are taken into foster care and do not have all the essentials necessary. The backpack contains hygiene products, socks, games...things to make the transition smoother. The girls filled the bag with needed supplies, love and prayer. Read more about Foster Love Ministry.
One of our 13s teams had each player make a shoebox filled for the Operation Christmas Child supporting Samaritan's Purse in its pledge to help thousands of children around the world who may only open this one box for Christmas. Many of our Club Unite teams made a shoebox for this endeavor and we are so grateful to help Samaritan's Purse.

Read ore about Operation Christmas Child here.
16 Joe provided a skills clinic for CBFO. The girls enjoyed assisting the players through stations and demos throughout the clinic.
16 Igor made cards for the families of the Florida High School Shooting. We want to continue to support the families of the victims through thought and prayer.

Our 12s team collected canned food to take to the Local Food Bank.

Our 18 Doug team visited a nursing home and enjoyed time with their coaches.
THANKS!

We want to thank everyone for their continual support of Club Unite Volleyball. Our intent and hope is that athletes of all ages will enjoy calling Club Unite their home! Thanks so much to everyone for a great travel club season. Do not hesitate to reach out to us for your training needs.




Shannon Mincey
CLUB UNITE VOLLEYBALL LLC