Excel Volleyball hosts international challenge

All photos courtesy of Excel Volleyball Club

Besides sharing their love of volleyball, girls from three countries had the opportunity to share their lives and cultures with each other. In just a few days, memories and friendships were formed that will last a lifetime through the International Volleyball Exchange hosted by Excel Volleyball Club of Plano.

Excel's International Program began when Mario Barbaresso was on a business trip to Europe and happened upon a group of German girls riding their bicycles to volleyball practice. At that moment, he dreamed of bringing his volleyball team to Germany to experience an ordinary day in the life of a German girl.

The vision became a reality when 12 Excel athletes traveled to Germany to meet their German sister team in 2009. Then on July 6, 2010, 23 Excel team members and 11 coaches and chaperones departed for Venice, Italy, to meet their Italian sister team. They trained and competed against local teams while also taking in the culture and history. They visited a 10th-century castle and climbed a 4,000-foot high mountain in the Italian Alps. They also enjoyed beaches and shopping in Venice.

"I really enjoyed trying new things and learning how to do stuff the Italian way! I really feel that this was a life-changing experience," said Devon Dawson, Excel participant.

When it was time for the Excel team to return to the United States, they did not have to say goodbye to their new friends. Two sister teams from the Italian volleyball society, SPES Volley from Conegliano, Italy and their German sisters, Blau Weiss from Dingden, Germany, also flew to the US. The German group included 14 athletes and six coach/chaperones, and the Italian visitors included 21 athletes and eight coach/chaperones. All three groups arrived on July 16, and the Excel team spent the following days showing their sister teams true Texas hospitality. While staying in the homes of local host families, the visitors experienced a rodeo, shopping and local food, and toured many Dallas-Fort Worth area landmarks.

The International Volleyball Challenge finals were played on July 23 at Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church in Allen. The tournament opened with a procession of the three participating countries. The Plano Senior High School Planoettes performed a variety of routines during halftime, introducing the European visitors to the American drill team. Tournament champions were 15U Excel Elite International and 17U Blau Weiss Dingden, although all teams would agree that they were winners in this exchange.

"The level of play delivered by the teams was just outstanding," Barbaresso said. "We have not only seen great athletes, we have also seen great teams playing with their own style. An international competition like the Excel International Challenge highlights cultural strength on and off the courts."

"We were all overcome by the days in Texas," said Dirk Kappermeyer, German delegation chief. "I am convinced that the stay was very important for the girls' development. My greatest wish is that the girls will stay in contact and that they will meet again."

Barbaresso summarized the experience.

"The last 20 days were about sharing... sharing our joy of discovering each other's culture, sharing our homes, our families, our day-to-day lives, sharing our sport, our laughter and our tears. We are now friends forever," he said.

The Excel Volleyball Club is made up of girls ages 14-17 and primarily from Plano, Allen, Frisco and McKinney. For information, visit www.excelvbc.com.

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