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Murrieta volleyball program seeks participants
10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, November 1, 2008
By HOPE PIERSON
The Press-Enterprise
Girls interested in joining a competitive volleyball program will have a chance to try out for a team next month.
Premier Volleyball Club in Murrieta teaches technical, positive and a fun ways to learn the fundamentals of volleyball, said club director Todd O'Malley, who started the organization four years ago.
Local and travel teams are organized for players ages 12 to 18.
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Special to The Press-Enterprise
The Premier Volleyball Club in Murrieta team of 17-year-olds finished in the top 16 in the nation in a Reno competition last year. The club plans to hold tryouts next month.
Tryouts will be held for ages 15 and 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 9 and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 12.
Tryouts for ages 17 and 18 will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 15 and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 19.
Tryouts and practices are held at LA Fitness, 40985 California Oaks Road in Murrieta.
The season runs from December to July 3.
Local teams practice one to two times a week and play one tournament a month in San Diego. Travel teams practices three days a week and play in one to two tournaments a month.
"We had 60 kids last year and expect 65-80 kids this next season," O'Malley said.
O'Malley said one of the group's greatest accomplishments last year was having the team of 17-year-olds finish in the top 16 in the nation at a volleyball festival in Reno.
"A main focus of the club is to give the kids an opportunity to receive volleyball scholarships. It is an investment in our youth and their future," O'Malley said.
O'Malley has been the volleyball varsity coach at Linfield Christian School in Temecula for two years.
During the off season he has coached at Palomar College, Lakeside High School, Murrieta Valley High School and Vista Murrieta High School.
He also is a partner in Formula 1 Volleyball Club in Pasadena, South Coast Volleyball Club in Irvine and the Ichiban Volleyball Club which is opening this year.
His coaching staff is Si Doan, Dan Heneger, Sue Lillie, Renn Sabio, Stephanie Benjamin and Alex Davis. Assistant coaches are Danny Gonzales, Janelle Libertone and Ashley Smith.
Information: 951-837-0661 or www.premiervballclub.com.
Reach Hope Pierson at 951-375-3732 or hpierson@PE.com
