WELCOME

13 & Under Club Team

Head Coach - Greg Giovanazzi

Assistant Coach - Megan Gross

Parent Representative - Charlie Turner

The Eagles regularly scheduled practice days are Wednesday from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, and Sundays from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

Columbia Eagles Make Playoffs           

Since the start of the 2006 Junior Girls USAVB volleyball season, the Columbia Volleyball Club’s 13’s team, the Columbia Eagles, have had an uphill battle to fight.  In their first three tournaments, seventy five percent of the teams they have been pooled with have been 14’s teams.  “While that may not sound like much, in volleyball each year makes a great difference”, says team rep, Charlie Turner.  “Add to that, we only have two 13-year olds.  The remainders are only 12 and one is still 11 years old – and she’s among the stronger servers!”

That’s okay with them.  The Eagles aren’t making any excuses.  According to Coach Greg Giovanazzi, “these girls are here because they deserve to be.  They tried out for the team and made the grade and they’re up to the challenge.” 

On January 28 the Eagles landed at the FCA/Mizuno 13’s/14’3 Early Bird Invitational Tournament in Hagerstown, Maryland.  Playing teams from Maryland and Virginia, the Eagles were pooled once again with a majority of older teams; including three 14’s and one 13.  In an opener against the host team, the Tri-State Angels 14’s, the Eagles lost the match, getting off to a slow start, but that didn’t last for long.  The Eagles then moved to a decisive win over the Maryland Juniors 14’s; winning both games and taking the match.  They then moved on with a repeat performance, winning the match against the NVVA Fairfax 13 squad.

The tournament was shaping up such that the Eagles had to at least split their last match against the toughest opponent in their pool, Clash 14’s from Northern Virginia.  To do so would force a tie for second place with the Angels, the only match they lost earlier, giving them a chance to fight for a playoff spot.  Rising to the occasion, the Eagles did what they had to do; splitting the match and moving to the tie-breaker. The Eagles met the Angels in a single game to 25 points and persevered; beating the older home team 25-19 and making the playoff round.

While things did not go their way in the playoffs, battling last year’s regional champions, the Eagles demonstrated their ability to hold their ground, keep a level head and do the job that needs to be done against opponents who are often larger and more experienced.

Way to go girls!

Team Co-Capitan, Casey Giovanazzi (right) leads her team in a post game celebration after winning the game that put them into the playoffs

Victory is so sweet, especially when delivered in the color gold. The first weekend in March is a date that the Columbia Eagles, the 13 & under team representing the Columbia Volleyball Club, will not soon forget. After banging away in tournaments from Hagerstown to Baltimore, it was their return to their home court in Elkridge when they hit the mother load. The Eagles went undefeated with an 8-0 record to take first place in the Columbia 13’s Invitational Volleyball Tournament on March 4, 2006.

Ranked fourth in the Chesapeake Region going into the tournament, there is still much volleyball to be played this season. Even so, the Eagles have been battling in tournaments against 13’s and 14’s since early January and have been to the play-offs on more than one occasion. Missed cues and fatigue have kept the Eagles at bay, but not this time. Defeating teams from throughout the Region, the Eagles had the kind of day that memories are made of and the coaches and parents alike knew that the girls were capable of. 

“I was so pleased with the way they played”, said head coach Greg Giovanazzi, “they kept a level head all day and just stayed in the game”. Assistant coach, Megan Gross, a volleyball player herself from UMBC, commented on how easy the girls made it on her and Coach Greg. “They just played so well. It was great to see them do what we knew they could do!”

Once again, another outstanding team effort! GO EAGLES! Hoo-raah!

Just two weeks prior, the Eagles dominated the Columbia 13’s Invitational; the Eagles came to the 13/14’s Invitational on March 19 – their last home tournament, with medals in mind! While they got off to a rocky start, once again our 13’s slugged it out to make it to the next round; this time defeating two 14’s and a higher seeded 13’s team from Delaware. A finish of 8-1 put the Eagles in first place in their pool and into the play-offs!

What added a greater level of interest coming into the play-off round was their opponent. The Columbia Cardinals, our 14B squad also had a strong day; finishing their pool in second place with a 7-2 record. That second place finish would pit them against the younger Eagles in a match that would decide who would go to the finals! As if that was not enough, two sisters, Jessica (12) and Christine (14) Turner would oppose each other for the very first time this season! What would dinner be like at the Turner home that night?!

The match turned out to be one that neither team would likely forget any time soon. The Eagles maintained their poise as they defeated the Cardinals 2-0. In the end there were no hard feelings, but likely a little respect was earned by the younger team as they demonstrated the value of level heads and experience as a team. These little ladies played together as the Canaries 12’s last season and have come a long way together.

With the play-off round behind them, it was time to face the top seeded 13’s team in the region for medal honors. While their good fortune ran out against this very worthy opponent, the Eagles finished proudly and took the Silver medal in their last home tournament of the season. 

Outstanding work, ladies!

Eagles Continue Medal Push

After what seemed like a huge break from the tournament schedule, the Eagles were back on the court on April 29 to play for the first time since the Regional tournament.  The time off must have done them some good because they certainly came to play.  The MVSA 13’s Invitational, held at the Discovery Sports Center, was the stage for one of their strongest showings this season.

Based on the numbers, it was evident that this would likely be a competitive tournament.  The numbers didn’t lie; there was much work to be done to come out on top.  Fortunately the day started on a good note with a decisive win over a younger well ranked team from Virginia.  From there the real work began, but the Eagles persevered; winning all three pool-play matches, 6-1, including one tie-breaker, and came off their net in first place.  The finish put them directly into the Gold bracket play-off round.

Next was the play-off match that would determine who would move on to the finals.  Even though they got off to a slow start in the first game, the Eagles came back and forced another tie-breaker which they won by five points.  With that, they were then focused on the finals; focused on a medal moment.

 The finals pit the Eagles against an out of region team who came up all the way from Virginia Beach; the team that placed first in their pool the same day.  Well it wasn’t easy getting to this point, so there was no reason to think it was going to get any easier now!  After the first game, the Eagles were down by five points.  The second match was a slug-fest as each team traded points, but this time the Eagles came out on top; winning by two!  It all came down to their third tie-breaker of the day, but after two successful efforts earlier; the third one got the better of them.    

The Eagles ended the day with a very respectable Silver medal finish.  After thirteen sets, it was an awesome nail-biting day for parents and a very proud finish for the Eagles who played superbly and deserved every win in their column!  WAY TO GO!!!