Bidded: The Journey

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earning an invitation to the USAV Junior National Championships is the ultimate goal for many teams. Securing a bid at a Girls National Qualifier event is the key to unlocking this opportunity. Winning a bid is the golden ticket granting entry to this year's Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams that don't secure a bid will likely turn their sights towards the AAU Junior National Tournament in Orlando, Florida. Luckily, two of the prospects mentioned below won't be making the trip to Florida—they've accomplished a significant milestone while the other two are still searching. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've asked them to share their journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Aylee Pizzo</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aylee Pizzo, a 5'9 OH/OPPO for City 14 Gold, class of 2028 is on a bid journey.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["506242"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp data-pm-slice=u00221 1 []u0022u003eDuring this season I felt like I have grown so strong mentally, emotionally and physically. I realized all three are needed as an athlete. Coming into my 2nd year of playing club and my first year at City, I've learned so much about myself.  I've overcome insecurities and learned to keep believing in myself through ups, downs, wins and losses, to work through injuries and to know that tomorrow is another day to do better. Every coach, trainer and mentor have all helped me to grow so much. It has been so important to listen, adjust and be as coachable as possible.  I  also couldn't imagine where I would be without the support of my family and my extended team family.  That support is why I can reach for the stars. In my City team, we work hard to not only be great players, but be great teammates and friends through trust snf love. My favorite parts of our team are the big and small celebrations in between each point and the words of encouragement when one of us struggle. Our team's goal is to win a bid this season and at least make sure we have fun trying!  A personal goal for myself is to be more consistent and absorb all I can as I know there is no limit in my growth. I hope to one day play high level college volleyball and be as inspirational to others as my mentors have been to me. Volleyball is a life lesson in more than mental, physical, emotional endurance.  It is encouraging, inspiring and having gratitude for those all around you. I am so grateful and I can't wait for what tomorrow has to bring.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604b723c31a7"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ashlyn Victa</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashlyn Victa, a 5'2 Libero for Bay Area Blast Volleyball Club, class of 2025 just won the NCVA Golden State Classic. I asked her to share her journey as her team is in search of a bid. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["200328"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp data-pm-slice=u00221 1 []u0022u003eOn the weekend of March 16, 2024, my team, BAVC 17 National Black, won the 17/18 Division Championship at the 2024 NCVA Golden State Classic (GSC). Before the GSC, two teammates sustained injuries. One of our opposites suffered a concussion during an earlier tournament, and then one of our setters sprained her right ankle the night before the GSC.  We were a hobbled team but had somehow won all of the games leading up to the championship match.u003c/pu003ernDuring the pre-game huddle of the championship match,  Coach Badillo rallied our team with a pep talk, “If you don't have the intensity and fire to win this game, we're done for. You have to come out of the gates with fire and intensity. Whatever we did during the tournament up to this point, our team energy and chemistry were there. That's what I need to see in this last game.”rnrnThe first set was a back-and-forth battle of wills. Neither team would relent to more than one or two points in a row to the other team. Before we knew it, the score had surpassed 25-25. Our team kept up with tenacious defense and sheer will and barely won the first set with a 30-28 score.rnrnThe second set was the most memorable for me. Again, the score was close throughout the first half. When Coach Badillo called the last time-out, he reminded us of the three core values we had been striving for all season long: “Intensity, Focus, Communication”. He went on to say, “Go and make a statement. That starts with good defense…” It was after that last speech that our team made a strong defensive stop. I remember diving for a save at our attack line, with our middle forced to then set it to our trailing outside hitter who then tipped it onto an open spot on the opposing side. From there on out our team kept rolling on with tenacious defense that translated into smart, tactical kills.rnrnWe finished the match 30-28, 25-18 to the cheers of many. I had not realized until the game ended that a large crowd had grown around our court, a mixture of players and families from other teams that had stopped by to watch us play an incredible match against such a formidable opponent. And seeing my 80-year-old grandmother sitting on the sidelines with my family, cheering and clapping, was a very gratifying moment. She was the first volleyball player in our family, and her presence made our team's tournament victory all the more meaningful.rnrnThis tournament has shown us the potential of what our team can achieve. Our hard work and dedication paid off, and with our injured players planning to return soon, I couldn't be more optimistic and excited about what the rest of this season will bring. Watch out for BAVC 17 National Black!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604b723c32ad"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashlyn next 2 chances to bid will be at the Red Rock Rave and Far Westerns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='444564' first='Ila' last='Marie Rose']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ila Rose a 5'10 Pin for [program_tooltip program_id='429333' first='Bakersfield' last='Volleyball Club'], class of 2026 will be heading to this year's Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["444564"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp data-pm-slice=u00221 1 []u0022u003eThis past tournament was full of so much excitement and learning experiences for all of us on and off the court. I thought that I knew all of my teammates pretty well before this tournament, but looking back, I learned so much about each individual girl that I never knew before. I bonded with each teammate in a special way, which not only improved our communication on the court, but relationship wise as well. Our team (#5 in SCVA) had faced some challenging matches this past season, playing in the toughest league in SoCal, but the MEQ tournament really challenged us to maintain a high level of play at all times. Being blessed with 1st seed in this tournament, it was clear every other team was out to compete against us, and we knew we really needed to be efficient and limit our unforced errors in every play. By keeping these ideas in mind, the first day of the tournament was a perfect opportunity to showcase these skills and find our u0022grooveu0022 on the court together. I have never seen such excitement when I play with these girls on the court. I have played with all of my teammates for the past four years, and I am still amazed at how we have all grown and developed together. They are kind, competitive, intelligent on and off the court, and have a willingness to put their bodies on the line all for one point. Even after the first day of the tournament, I had a feeling that we could go all the way if we simply stuck together like glue and maintained focus/intenisty. The second day was full of some challenges including an intense match against 16-Sting BLACK where we were faced with some tough serving, but ultimately came out on top with an ending score of 25-23. Not only were we all determined to qualify for Nationals, but win the whole tournament as well. Playing on the last day of the tournament was full of adrenaline and anxiety, but it is how we all forced our stress into something compelling, that drove us to become MEQ 16-Liberty Champions! It's not too often that a team from Bakersfield has a big reputation in the country, but with all of the hours, the sweat, the tears, and the grit that gets put into making this team the best it can possibly be, our coaches and players deserve it more than anything! Our 2024 bidding experience is surely one to be remembered, hopefully with more to come in the future!u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604bd6eb33a7"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='433715' first='Kathryn' last='Wulff-Smith']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='433715' first='Kathryn' last='Wulff-Smith'], playing up an age division with the [program_tooltip program_id='429333' first='Bakersfield' last='Volleyball Club'], has earned a return trip to the desert.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["433715"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp data-pm-slice=u00221 1 []u0022u003eWe got our bid by winning the MEQ 16-Liberty! We went in the u003cstrongu003eu003ca class=u0022ProsemirrorEditor-linku0022 href=u0022https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/1/u0022u003e#1u003c/au003eu003c/strongu003e seed and fulfilled our team goal of earning our bid and winning the tournament, finishing 10-0. Our team is a super talented group and we play with great chemistry. I am super excited to return to nationals for the fourth year in a row with goals of medaling and winning another National Championship.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604b723c3357"} /-->