2010 SCOTTISH OPEN VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT FEMALE

• This is an experience that I will cherish forever. It is by far the best trip I've ever been. I can't wait to travel with usaai again.
• Going into the trip I didn't really know what to expect. I was nervous about the people that I would meet and this was the first time I travelled out of the country by myself. This trip exceeded my expectations. Right when we met at the airport our group clicked. It was so much fun meeting people from all over the US. Once we got to Scotland there were pictures to take everywhere you look, it was BEAUTIFUL. Best of all was our ambassador Hans. He was so funny and outgoing that he made everyone at ease while in Scotland. This was seriously a once in a lifetime trip and if you are having any doubts about taking this trip I say put them aside and GO FOR IT. Going on the trip was one of the best decisions I made in my life!

2010 EUROPEAN SMASH BASKETBAL and VOLLEYBALL TOUR RED
• The trip with USAAI was a fantastic combination of sport and travel. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a beautiful part of the world and meet amazing athletes from around the country. I had a wonderful time - I wish the trip could have lasted even longer! Carly Morrison

From Kansas City Star Press Release Central
http://pressreleases.kcstar.com/?q=node/35395

(Olathe, KS) The Kansas State University (KSU) Volleyball team returned June 1, 2010 from their European tour. The tour was made possible by USA Athletes International (USAAI).

"This trip had so many benefits starting from the cultural perspective in that none of our girls have ever been outside of the continental United States, so the cultural experience were amazing for them," said KSU coach Suzie Fritz. "That's a huge benefit just in terms of practice time together," said Fritz. "Plus, we had the opportunity to face international competition and compete against a different style of volleyball."

In Budapest, KSU faced the Hungarian National team and the Club team that produced ex-Wildcats Vali Hejjas and Rita Liliom, plus incoming Wildcat Lilla Porubek. "Budapest is dear to our program because of the quality individuals who have been in our program," said Fritz.

The tour included goodwill games in Hungary and Slovenia. One athlete even remarked that playing the European teams challenged them to step up their own game. Play at the International level is something they will take with them for a very long time and will impact their play for KSU. Trip highlights included tours of Budapest and Venice. The trip was programmed to allow maximum play of the sport they love in goodwill games with local clubs as well as playing the Hungarian National Volleyball Team. Cultural highlights included a traditional Hungarian Horse show, local cuisine, a tour of the Murano Glass Factory, and a gondola ride in Venice.

How did it come together?
In the height of March Madness 2009, USA Athletes International founder William Edington logged on to the ESPN site just to check the basketball standings. What he found set the course for the KSU Volleyball tour. Under the storyline “Schools out thousands to tour operators”, Edington watched the “Outside the Lines” feature with great interest. As the story detailed, KSU was one of several schools that had purchased a travel package from another company only to find out days before they were set to travel that no arrangements had been made. Kansas State had purchased what they thought was to be a volleyball experience in China at a cost of approximately $151,500.

Knowing that this was a wrong that could be corrected, Edington made a few calls and within days was talking with the Kansas State Athletics Department about sending the volleyball team on a trip that would be of no cost to Kansas State University. In less than a year the trip was planned and history has been made.

The sports travel industry is best known for team tours that allow organized teams to travel to tournaments they would not normally compete in from their home base. A select group of travel providers like USAAI have added educational and cultural components not found in typical team tours. In addition to playing the sport the athletes love they may find themselves touring a concentration camp or making apple strudel in the Alps. USAAI is an industry leader sending over a thousand athletes in eight sports and supporters each year to over 14 countries.

Edington said, “We wanted to give Kansas State Volleyball athletes the experience of playing the sport they are so passionate about on the international level. Yes, this is the story of setting things right but it is about the thrill of playing in another country and feeling the surge of what that means.” A favorite quote of USAAI is that of Nelson Mandela: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.”

Edington believes in what he does everyday and the experience that he provides student athletes and their families. The friendships made last a lifetime across oceans and years.
It has been an honor to work with the team at Kansas State University. Coach Suzie Fritz has a great team and they will bring pride and honor to Kansas State University.

For more information on the tour or personal interviews with USAAI staff, KSU coaching staff, or student athletes please contact us.

Tour video and photographs available upon request.

About USA Athletes International
USA Athletes International, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving amateur athletes and coaches the opportunity to participate in international sporting events throughout the world, while also allowing them to broaden their educational and cultural knowledge of the world through the experience.
USAAI has been participating in international competition since 1992. Originally called the Midwest All-Stars, the organization provided overseas playing opportunities to baseball players. The success of that program eventually prompted requests from abroad for other sporting teams to participate. In 1998 the organization incorporated and received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status (available upon request), changing its name to USA Athletes International. We now support a total of 15 different sports that compete in 25 different countries throughout the world.

From KSu Athletic website at:
http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=204954119

Editor’s Note: The Kansas State volleyball team is in on a European tour to prepare for the 2010 season. After completing their stay in each of three cities, one Wildcat will share their experiences with you. This is the final installment of the journal entries with sophomore setter Caitlyn Donahue on her experiences leaving Slovenia and in Venice, Italy.

VENICE, Italy – If you were to ask our team about this European trip, the one thing that most of the girls would say they were looking forward to would be traveling to Venice. After wonderful experiences in both Hungary and Slovenia, these two days in Venice have been nothing less than the perfect ending to our European experience. We took off for Venice yesterday morning, and our first stop was the Postajnska Jama (cave). It was an experience that none of us will ever forget. The size and beauty of the largest cave in Europe was absolutely breathtaking. Upon our arrival we took a small train to the inner most part of the limestone cave, and then by foot we were able to explore the rest of the cave which was approximately the length of 68 football fields. There was a bit of excitement within the cave as the tour guides surprised us all by turning off the lights in the cave and engulfing us all in total darkness. After a momentary “freak out” the lights turned back on and we were able to continue our journey. After that we hopped back on the bus and drove towards Lignano, Italy. Our bus stopped here and the girls and I were able to walk around the beach area and stand at the shore of the Adriatic Sea. Here we were able to experience our first taste of Italian pizza, gelato and affectionate Italian culture. We arrived at the hotel shortly after our beach experience and the girls and I got all dressed up for our first dinner in Venice. Although we had already eaten pizza and gelato for lunch, we were more than happy to indulge in another serving of pizza and gelato for our dinner, so we did just that. This morning we visited the Murano glass factory. We were treated to a special tour of the factory, and were given a private show by one of the artists, and I can honestly say it was one of my favorite parts of the entire trip! We were able to run around Venice for a little bit this afternoon to collect any last-minute souvenirs and gifts for our families and friends. After a quick dinner we headed to the gym to take on our last opponent of the trip. After a well-deserved victory, the Cats and I joined our new friends in an authentic Italian “get together” on the back porch at the gym. It was so neat to talk to the girls and compare the differences between our cultures and volleyball. But all in all they were just the same as us. Although they lived almost 24 hours away, they shared the same passion for the sport of volleyball, and we were able to connect with them as if they were our own teammates.

Signing out from Venice,
Caitlyn Donahue
Go Cats!
Sophomore Setter
Kansas State Volleyball