Team Supports Relay for Life

April 11 was the Middlebury Relay for Life event.  This year was different than in the past in that the event ran from noon to midnight instead of through the night.  My girls and I have been pitching a tent and spending the night for years now, and so it was a different event not trying to walk all night.  However, truth be told, I stopped trying to walk all night years ago! 

Nevertheless, it was a great event, and a thoughtful and meaningful evening of celebration and remembrance of loved ones, both family and friends who've battled cancer, some winning that battle and some losing it.  I wasn't able to be there as much this year as it was also the same night that longtime coaching mentor and friend, Missy Foote had her retirement party; however, MCVB represented in a BIG way!  We had a great turnout, and Mel even got in some reading homework while walking laps! 

Alumnae Get Togethers, Far and Near

I've heard from some alums recently who've been getting together with old MCVB pals, both near and far from Middlebury, and were nice enough to send pictures of their rendezvous.  Amy Hart '14 was recently out west in Houston visiting "MJ" Jarchow '14.  MJ often gets together with Julia Gibbs '13, who also lives in Houston.  Julia is from TX, and has moved back out there and I believe is making furniture?!  MJ spent time in TX as a youngster, and even knew Julia (I'm pretty sure) from club days before meeting up again at MIDD, and has also recently moved back out there to take a job after coaching volleyball in CT this Fall.  So, when Amy came to visit, they had their own mini MCVB reunion!   

Then, today was the Boston Marathon, and Lisa Barrett was kind enough to send me this picture of MCVB alums (daughter Lauren '11, and Lindsay Patterson '08.5) who both ran in the race  today.  What fun!  They both look great, and no worse for wear after their 26.2 mile race today!!  Wonderful  post-race smiles, guys!  Great job, Lauren and Lindsay!!

2nd Annual 4v4 Tournament a Success

We ran a 4v4 tournament this past weekend in the gym for the second straight year, and it was a success by all accounts.

There were over twelve teams signed up, but there were a few no-shows at GO time, so there were a total of 9 teams vying for the coveted championship.  The prize, you might ask?  Bragging rights, I believe!  Not everyone took a picture of their team, but I did get one from the winners, so congrats to them!!

There was a limit to the number of "current" team members allowed on any one team, so everyone got a team together from among their friends, hallmates, classmates, etc., but as you can see from the winning picture, I believe you'll recognize a lot of these faces from MCVB, which is why "current" was in parentheses.  L to R:  Mel, Kathryn, Lizzy, Lo, Gigi (Lo's sister, and hopeful future MCVB'er), and Christine (midd hoopster, and Callie vballer.  Nice tee shirt, Christine!  I was rooting for the Badgers.)

Nice job to everyone, and I'm sorry I had to miss it.  I was off recruiting at the NEQ, where I've seen several of these players play before.  As a matter of fact, I saw Lizzy several years ago now, and last year I was on the same flight down to Philly as Lauren, who was traveling down to see Gigi play.

Happy Easter, and Happy Spring to all!  As I write this, however, it's snowing, and has already accumulated to almost an inch, and it's April 8th! It IS Spring, isn't it?!  :) 

The picture to the left is Kathryn and Lizzy sporting their MCVB award Mugs.  I think they were cheering their victory?!  Whoever picked those out for you sure knew what they were doing.  Those are styling mugs!! 

Hannah Earns ECAC and All-New England Honors for Pentathalon in Indoor Track Season

Hannah Blackburn '17 is racking up the athletic honors here at MIDD in only her sophomore year.  After earning 2nd Team All-Conference this Fall for volleyball, she's now earned both All-ECAC, and All New England honors in Indoor Track and Field for the Pentathlon.  If I have this correct, the Pentathlon is the indoor version of the Heptathlon for outdoor Track.  The Pentathlon indoor events are:

60 metres hurdles

High jump

Shot put

Long jump

800 metres

and the Heptathlon events outside are:

• 100 metres hurdles
• High jump
• Shot put
• 200 metres
• Long jump
• Javelin throw
• 800 metres

Back in February, Hannah set a new school record for the Pentathlon, earning All-New England honors by taking 5th at the Division III New England's, where 30 teams competed. Two weeks later, she broke her own school record, taking 7th at the ECAC's where over 60 teams competed, earning her the All-ECAC honor. 

Hannah is now in Spring training for outdoor track, and will continue her prowess outside, switching now to the Heptathlon for the Outdoor Season.  We are all hoping that the snow and cold abate, allowing for an enjoyable Spring outdoor season!  Keep up the great work, Hannah.  Your MCVB family is proud of you!!

March in VT = Chili Fest, and Spring Skiing!

The Chili Fest has been around for a few years now, and it's a definite favorite Spring activity!  Main street gets blocked off and vendors from around the state set up tents and offer tastes of their chili.  When you buy a ticket, you get a spoon, and a poker chip so you can vote for your favorite chili.  (My vote went to The Lobby's chili--a restaurant on the riverfront here in Middlebury.)

What could be better than strolling down main street, eating chili and talking with your friends!?!  Lizzy shared her stack of cups--nice job, Lizzy.  I think others were around as well, but Lizzy, Gabi, Eliana and Becca are pictured here together, and I think Meg and her parents were around also, taking in the full experience of Chili Fest 2015.

On Sunday, Lois and I went skiing, and despite the relative "mild" weather for the Chili Fest on Saturday, the snow and wind were howling up on the mountain on Sunday!  Ahh, Spring in VT keeps you on your toes!

Gabby Interns at Smithsonian for J-Term

We missed Gabby over J-term, but she had a fantastic time doing her alternative January Term project!  She was an intern at the Smithsonian Museum, and told me that some of her favorite parts were seeing some of the behind the scenes parts of the museum.  Two of her favorites were the Muppets in storage, and the 1980 USA Olympic hockey stick signed by the team!  (That's a definite favorite given our team's obsession with the Miracle story!)  How FUN!!  We're glad to have you back, Gabby, but so happy that you had a fun experience.  Thanks for sharing!

Lauren Writes Great Article for "The Orchard"

Even though her name no longer appears on our roster, Lauren Alper '16,  will always be a member of our MCVB family.  Lizzy recently emailed me a link to a piece Lauren wrote that was published on the student run website called MiddBeat.  Lauren was unable to continue playing volleyball due to her health, which is the subject of the article.  We're so proud of Lauren and her resolve--skills undoubtedly learned in part on the volleyball court growing up in California.  Well done, Lo!

Lauren's Article