Asics, Mizuno or Nike Volleyball Shoes?

            Choosing a pair of volleyball shoes can be difficult because there are so many options. Most athletes want a pair of shoes that are comfortable, light weight, and durable but also look good, so what is the best volleyball shoe out there many people ask.

            The three main brands that you will see most volleyball players wearing today are Asics, Mizuno and Nike. Mizuno has an edge not only because it is the official footwear for USA Volleyball and the National teams, it is also the most accessible brand for clubs and high schools. Asics are more popular with younger kids that play volleyball because Asics have a wide variety of color in their shoes. Asics also is very committed to volleyball and puts a lot of research into making a good volleyball shoe. Nike focuses mainly on basketball and football but they have recently came out with the Nike Zoom Volley Hyperspike. Many college volleyball programs that are sponsored by Nike will wear these.

            Personally I like the new Nike Hyperspikes the best. I have worn all three brands of volleyball shoes and I think the Nikes are the most comfortable and have definitely lasted the longest. The Asics I wore were very comfortable but they were a little heavy. I also liked my Mizuno’s, however they didn’t last long at all and they didn’t have enough support. I like the Nike’s I have now because they are very comfortable and they have a lot of support, but are also light weight.

http://sneakerreport.com/features/how-to-pick-the-perfect-pair-of-volleyball-shoes/

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Mizuno: Wave Lightning 7

Asics: GEL Volleycross

Nike: Hyperspike

My Biggest Inspirations

            In order to love volleyball and want to succeed as much as I do, I had to be pushed and coached by many people who believe in my dreams. I have had many people in my life that I have looked up too and I truly believe that without them I wouldn't be where I am at today. They have made me realize that I can reach my goals if I keep working hard every day.

            My favorite college volleyball player is Micha Hancock. She is a setter for Penn State. Last year she led her team to a National Championship and was named NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award. Penn State defeated Wisconsin in 4 sets to secure their sixth national championship title. She was named Big Ten Setter of the year her freshman, sophomore and junior years. Last year I went to watch Penn State play Northwestern and I got to meet Micha… aka best day ever.

            My coaches that have been the biggest inspirations are my High Performance coach this year and my club coach this year. During a practice with my HP team this year my coach, Mark, told us that we should play fun, fast and focused. I think this really sums up what volleyball is all about. He also told me to always have an order to your sets that you should go through before each play, and always set a hitter again if they make a mistake so they have a chance to redeem themselves. He was an awesome coach and I learned a lot from him.
            Probably the most influential people in my volleyball career so far are my club coaches, KK and Candice. Last year I wasn’t for sure where I was going to play club until I tried out for CIA (Club Iowa). All of the coaches at CIA are awesome and I am so glad I chose to play for them. During the season KK and Dice made me realize that I can play in college if I continue to work hard in every practice and keep my head up if something wasn’t going right. I have learned so much from them in just 1 season and I can’t wait to continue working with them this club season. I have never had anyone in my life that is so willing to help me reach my biggest dream. I am so thankful that they are my coaches. 

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Micha Hancock

Iowa High Performance Volleyball

          High performance or HP, is a volleyball program for advanced players from all over the world. Making a team is a huge accomplishment and it is an indescribable experience. To get to the High Performance Championships (HPC’s) you have to go through multiple tryouts, camps and practices with your team.

          Iowa HP tryouts take place all over Iowa. During tryouts your height, reach, and jump touch is measured before you start playing. Then, you are split up according to your position (libero, setter, right side, outside, or middle). Depending on what position you play you are evaluated on your skills, attitude, and decision making on the court.  It is an awesome experience trying out with players from all over the state that have the same passion for volleyball that you do.

          About a month after the tryout, the results are posted to the Iowa region website. If your t-shirt number and initials are listed you have made the training camp, which takes place in the summer before the High Performance Championships. Usually around 50 athletes in each age group make the camp, so if you make it that is a huge accomplishment. The training camp is a 4 day camp where your skills will be further evaluated to decide on teams to take to the High Performance Championships. You stay in dorms with 3 other people and it is a blast. During the camp you meet so many new people and you get to learn from many different high school coaches, college coaches and even Olympic players. On the last day of the camp the teams that will be traveling to the HPC’s are posted. The teams consist of WIJ (Women’s International Juniors), GYNT (Girls Youth National), GYNT (Girls Youth International), GSEL (Girls Select Black), and GSEL (Girls Select White).

           If you make a traveling team you will travel with the other teams to the High Performance Championships. 9 to 10 players are selected for each team so that means 20 out of the 50 athletes in each age group are chosen for a team. This year the HPC’s took place in Tulsa, Oklahoma and next year they will be held in Des Moines, Iowa. If you make an International team you will compete against teams from all over the world, including Hawaii, Brazil, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and many others. If you make a National team you will compete against teams from all over the country. This summer I played on the Girls Youth National team and we played in the championship match against a team from Texas. I can’t even describe the feeling of playing in that match. It was definitely one of the best days of my life. Even though we didn’t win we played as a team and I wouldn’t have wanted to experience that with anyone else. 

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