From The Nutcracker To The Net: How Dance Has Developed Top Volleyball Players
Parents, you can breathe a sigh of relief – there aren’t many volleyball tournaments for children under the age of five. However, there are many ways for children to develop coordination and confidence at a young age. In fact, some of the best athletes in volleyball were once top in their class in something completely different – dance.
The skills taught in dance have been the building blocks for many successful athletes who have climbed from the ranks of high school and club volleyball. Josie Halbleib, Sun Prairie, WI, and Katie DiRaimondo, Manitowoc, WI, are among a few who excel in both.
Halbleib performing as Clara in the Nutcracker BalletHalbleib, a standout setter for Sun Prairie High School and Capital Volleyball Academy (Madison, WI), stands over six feet tall (and is still growing). She started dancing when she was two years old and continued into her freshman year of high school.
“I took lessons throughout the years in every type of dance,” Halbleib said. “I enjoyed lyrical, modern, ballet, and acro most.”
“My training consisted of lots of work on flexibility and strength both at home and during classes, nightly and weekend lessons, and competitions. I’ve competed as a soloist, in duets and trios, small groups and large production groups over the years. I danced in our local Nutcracker production for years and had the opportunity to be casted as Clara in The Nutcracker when I was 12.”
For DiRaimondo, Manitowoc Lincoln High School and FC Elite Volleyball Club (Appleton, WI), her story is similar. She began dancing in second grade and eventually started competing in ballet, jazz, tap and hip-hop.
“At first I just took dance classes,” DiRaimondo said. “In second grade, I tried out for a competition team and ended up making the team. For the rest of my dance career, I competed at four dance competitions a year, one of which was a national competition in the Wisconsin Dells.”
The physical and mental skills learned through dance can be applied to a variety of other sports.
DiRaimondo competed in national dance competitions until 8th grade.“Being on stage in front of a large crowd for 10 years helps me tackle my nerves in an intense volleyball match,” DiRaimondo said.
According to Halbleib, dancers and volleyball players share many of the same characteristics.
“Having a “the show must go on” attitude when you mess up is required,” Halbleib said.
“It’s very much the same in volleyball. In dance, the best teams are made of dancers with different talents and personalities who are dedicated to working hard, supporting each other, and competing no matter what – volleyball is the same.”
Soon volleyball camps and middle school leagues became the new norm for Halbleib and DiRaimondo. The pair decided to pursue volleyball full-time after enrolling in high school. Both of these athletes are receiving strong interest from college coaches for their respective volleyball skills.
Physically, the early skills learned from dance made the transition to volleyball extremely smooth.
“Flexibility is still something that helps me contort for a ball on the floor and bounce right back up,” DiRaimondo said. “My ability to quickly pick up footwork patterns is due to my dance experience as well. I also feel I retained my coordination, which benefits me tremendously in volleyball. Timing and spacing on a volleyball court are quite similar to the same in a dance routine.”
Halbleib credits her lethal left-handed swing, athleticism and hang-time to her early dance days.
“When you dance you learn proper jumping technique to get height and hang-time and that too applies to volleyball when you are hitting,” Halbleib said.
Emily Williams, owner and director of Madison Dance Academy, echoes the importance of coordination and athleticism. The work ethic and discipline developed is a major part of all dance programs.
“During a dance class, you will not only learn technique, but you will also work on and grow flexibility, the ability to remember choreography and get some cardio in,” Williams said. Dance takes as much mental strength as it does passion and hard work. Dancers are continually working on these skills and are then capable to apply them into other sports.”
Halbleib (#12) celebrating with her Sun Prairie teammates at the Charger Rally in September. Sun Prairie was a Division 1 state qualifier.Williams continues, “Coordination plays into everyday tasks and other sports allowing tasks or drills to be learned at a quicker pace. You will also learn grace and strength. By taking dance classes, there are many skills that are applied to other sports and can only work hand-in-hand to make a better overall athlete.”
Mary Halbleib, Josie’s mother, acknowledges the benefits of enrolling her daughter in dance at an early age.
“At 15 years old and over six feet tall, we are very thankful dance gave Josie the confidence and discipline to stand tall,” Halbleib said. “From being comfortable “on stage”, to being mentally tough, to preventing injuries via flexibility and balance, to learning the importance of teamwork at an early age, to determination and dedication towards reaching your goals, dance has proved to be the best volleyball training imaginable for Josie.”
Josie echoed the sentiments of her mother.
“Dance made me a better volleyball player because I was able to feel success early on and build my confidence, strength, and balance,” Halbleib said. “I came into playing volleyball knowing it’s okay to make mistakes, and that you can have your best performance ever and still lose. I was able to see first hand that when an individual uses the gifts God gave them to the best of their ability and truly cares about the bonds with their teammates, success follows them”
Halbleib and DiRaimondo still have quite a bit of high school and club volleyball to play before they take their final curtain call. However, when all is said and done, the skills and life lessons dance taught them will set them up for success in whatever challenge comes their way. Not to mention, they’re also great role models for any aspiring dancers and volleyball players who follow in their footsteps.
Prep Dig Gauntlet:
Showcase on May 31, Tournament June 1 and 2
Tournament Page: https://prepdig.com/2019/06/prep-dig-gauntlet-14s-15-club-15-open-all-tournament-team/
AES Link: https://www.advancedeventsystems.com/events/16753/divisions
