Norman High Volleyball

I have been quite busy, or uneventful, depending on how you want to look at it. It has been awhile since my last post. But I've been privileged to have this opportunity to move to Norman for a couple months to work at the National Weather Center and coach JV and Varsity Volleyball at Norman HS. The short season started this week as we begin with a tough schedule. I only started a few weeks ago, so I haven't had much time to help them get ready, but they are a great group of girls and have high hopes for the season.


Our first game last night was at Tulsa Union, the #3 ranked team in the state. After the adventure getting there on the bus, we got ready to play. Nerves were flowing, but everyone was excited for the first game of a new season. Although varsity lost.. handily.. they show promise. The highlight of the night for me was to see my JV girls come in and fight back after a nervous first game to dominate the final two games to beat Union JV! Lots more volleyball to play, but that was an big win to start off the season! Go Norman Tigers!!


Update: Both teams have been playing through a tough schedule the past few weeks and learning a lot. Varsity is 3-9 after dismantling their cross-town rivals (#11 Norman North) and all of their losses coming to teams ranked in the top 8 (currently undefeated at home and 2nd place in conference). JV has been consistently improving and holds an impressive 9-3 record thus far.

End of the year update: Varsity has been so close, although not receiving much respect from other coaches in the rankings. But I know who the lady Tigers are and how much they have accomplished this year. We play our last regular season game tonight at Norman North. Varsity holds a record of 11-17 with wins over Putnam City, PC North, Shawnee, and Norman North (all ranked teams) and haven't lost to any unranked team. Finished 2nd in conference with their only loss coming to Edmond Memorial (who we play in Regionals).
JV finished their season 18-6, with a second place finish in the Gold bracket at the Bishop Kelley tournament. We went undefeated in conference and competed well all season! I'm very proud of them.

Texas... Austin, San Antonio, and In-between

This past weekend I drove down to Texas to see some of my old college friends from BYU for our 2009 annual reunion. They are amazing people, and I feel so lucky to have some of the greatest friends. This year we stayed at Tyler's parent's new home in the hills of central Texas, between Austin and San Antonio. I had never been to this part of Texas, so I was enthusiastic about experiencing what it had to offer, even in the 100+ degree heat!
I arrived into Austin a few hours before the first plane got in, so I spent some time touring the University of Texas. I enjoy exploring college campuses when I get the chance. The rest of the trip was full of highlights: visiting the small town of Fredericksburg, a night out on the town in Austin, digging a trench and laying pvc pipe down, tubing down the Comal River near the Gaudalupe in New Braunfels, walking the Riverwalk in San Antonio and visiting the Alamo. As well good food, good conversation, and good fun relaxing.








Will add some group photos when I get them.

My First Cruise!

During the first week of June I went on a cruise on Royal Caribbean with my whole family! It was such a fun experience. We departed from Los Angeles and cruised up the Pacific coast to San Francisco, Victoria, and Seattle. We all met up Saturday evening and stayed at a hotel near the port. Then after going through a few lines Sunday got onto the ship and headed straight for the food. There were many highlights on the cruise. The port-0f-calls were fun to visit. First time in San Francisco and Canada (Victoria, BC), and Seattle is always nice...when it isn't raining. Actually our two best weather days were in Seattle and Canada: 80's and sunny! The food was also great, from the cafe promenade to the windjammer buffet and the evening dinners in the dining hall. I also enjoyed the many shows around the ship, especially the game shows with guest participants. The best crew-cast show I thought was the ice skating show - under the big top. And it was great to just be around my family and enjoy their company and see how weird they can be sometimes. haha.

Volleyball in Minnesota

I went to the USA Open volleyball championships this memorial weekend in Minneapolis. It was fun and played some good volleyball. It was my first adult nationals experience. I really liked the city of Minneapolis as well. Nice spring weather and a really cool place.

Tornado!

Yesterday just before 7pm a tornado touched down 4 miles due North of the ARM site (my work place) between Lamont and Billings in Kay County (photo from Roger Hill at www.stormchase.net). Too bad I was back in my apartment in Stillwater watching on the TV. Videos (from TWC...not correctly linked anymore):

Tornado Video 1

Tornado Video 2

OSU Volleyball

I continue to coach volleyball in Oklahoma at different levels. Currently coaching the men's and women's club teams at OSU in Stillwater. They played their last tournament in April, hosting club teams from Kansas State and Arkansas. The girls really made a lot of progress during the semester, making me a proud coach. I am also still helping out a bit with the 580 Charge 16s team in Ponca City/Ark City.

The last tournament with my 580 Charge girls I help coach. They made it to the gold bracket during regionals. Great to see them progress during the season.

Le Cinema

I enjoy good movies and am always looking for new ones to watch. I wouldn't call myself a connoisseur of the silver screen ... yet, but after taking a french and italian cinema class, I appreciate movies from all decades. Any suggestions are appreciated (or any good books you've read would be awesome).

I want to make an ongoing list here of movies to see... and possibly my Top 10 of all time. For now I'll start with this article I came across: "20 Movies That Make Men Cry". Most of these I haven't seen, but the ones I have aren't too bad.

1. Brian’s Song (1971)

2. Rudy (1993)

3. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

4. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

5. The Natural (1984)

6. Shawshank Redemption (1994)

My TOP TEN

1. Rudy

2. Braveheart

3. Dan in Real Life

4. In Good Company

5.

...Groundhog Day, Angels and Demons, Bourne, Fletch, Remember the Titans, Hoosiers, Yes Man, The Lord of the Rings, The Blind Side, Invictus...