Team Academic Award Received

The NEWVA (New England Women's Volleyball Association) announced the Team Academic Award winners, and Middlebury was one of only a handful of schools to win that honor. The award is given out to members of the NEWVA whose team cumulative GPA is a 3.30 or above for the Fall semester. This is a very nice honor because it highlights the academic achievements during the competitive season only. So, congratulations to our team members who are striving for and achieving success both on the court and in the classroom! Nice job, team!

Elissa Donates Hair for Cancer Patients

Sophomore Elissa Goeke has a history of hair donation. After talking with Elissa, I learned that she first donated her hair when she was in the 6th grade. Prior to that, she'd always had long hair, so it was quite a change for her to have 10 inches taken off at once. That first time, she donated to Locks for Love, and the hair was used to make wigs for children who had one of the diseases that causes hair loss.

This past Christmas, she once again donated 10 " of hair. This time it was for Pantene Beautiful Lengths, and they have partnered with American Cancer Society to help provide wigs for women fighting Cancer. They use real human hair to create more realistic wigs for cancer patients. Elissa had this to say about why she wanted to donate her hair: "I feel like it's the least I can do for people who are suffering with such debilitating diseases. I read online that it takes about six donations to make a single wig, so I figure I better start growing my hair out again."

What a special gift to give someone. I'm sure your donation is very much appreciated by the women who have lost their hair to one of these diseases, and that's such a wonderful gift to give. I'll bet this won't be the last time Elissa's locks will be given to someone in need. Thanks for sharing, Elissa, not just your hair, but also your story.

(If you notice too, she was wearing her NESCAC Volleyball shirt in the picture! What you don't see is that on the back is a big pink ribbon to promote Breast Cancer Awareness by the Conference Volleyball Teams. Elissa has now taken that awareness into action--twice! Nice job!)

Reisa Graduates on Skis!

Congratulations to Reisa, who is now officially an alum of Middlebury College! The February Graduation is a very special an unique ceremony, culminating with a group "ski" down the Allen run at the College Snowbowl for the entire "Feb Class: 2009.5" As you can see from the close up, Reisa had a big pink scarf on, and was on a snowboard, but I still had trouble finding her amongst the 90 or so graduates in black cap and gown and on various winter sport gear. They snowboard, ski, snowshoe, telemark, ride in a sleds pulled by other classmates etc. It's a very fun atmosphere as family and friends congregate at the bottom of the hill and wait for all the graduates to get to the top of the mountain and then make their way down where we can start to see them. As usual for the Feb Graduation, it was bitterly cold; however, it was also beautiful and sunny. Congratulations, Reisa!!

Alumnae News

Well, I finally am getting around to putting together the alums updates from our Homecoming gathering! We didn't quite get enough alums back for a real Alumnae Game that weekend this fall, but it sure was great to see those that did come back, and to hear from those that couldn't make it. Karen Engler Bartlett ('95.5) was here and met with the current team to exchange stories about MIDD VB. Karen has two kids and is very active in the local community. Also included in that group to come back were recent grads Olivia Minkhorst, and Josie Keller (both '09). Josie has moved to DC and is working with a group called SmartBrief, and despite what Reisa thought, NO, Josie is not selling underwear. She's doing market research analysis for their health care ad sales. She's still hoping to do something involving China or Chinese, so we'll keep posted on that front. We also had appearances by Lexie Fisher ('08.5), and Kate Heath ('09) who were both here in time for our matches on Saturday. Kate was claiming sore knees before the alumnae "game" due to the fact that she'd just finished the Chicago Marathon the week before! I guess that's a legitimate excuse for sore knees! Lexie is doing Teach for American in the NYC area. Amy Heath ('07), who has been working in DC for a couple of years, and Josie were trying to convince Kate to move to DC, and I think she now has, but may still be searching for what's next.

Here is the news that I have from alums who couldn't make it back, but wrote in to let us know what they're up to:

Julie Moriarty McDonough ('95) moved back to the Boston area and is now pregnant with child #3. She's hoping to catch some MIDD VB when we play down that way, and remembers, "it seems like yesterday that MIDD volleyball finally became a varsity sport. In fact, [she] still has her "In the Beginning" sweatshirt from our very first season in 1994."

Erin McManus O'Donovan ('99) is living in San Francisco working in private equity. She has two little boys and says, "We are busy, but life is really great!!"

Carolyn Stewart Birbiglia ('97) now lives in Providence, RI, and has two sons.

Luz Brito Pena ('04) is married, and living in NYC, and has been teaching at her HS Alma mater for 6 years now! Her husband (now in his first full year in the US--from her home country of DR) is taking intensive English lessons and hopes to become a Math teacher. Luz said, "I must say I got teary-eyed after looking at all the pictures and reading the team's updates. I miss being on the team."

Amy Lowell ('01), Rachael Faraone ('02), and Leslie Edwards ('01) were all "supposedly" coming back for the reunion, but it didn't quite work out. Rachael is in her second year of Law School, and had something going on with that, Leslie was in the process of moving to NYC, and Amy is happy in the Boston area, but ended up having to work that weekend. Rachael is also helping try to recruit good volleyball talent from her HS to come to MIDD. Thanks Rachael!

Danielle Boniello Genett ('04) has gone back to school full time after years in the corporate world to get her MBA. She's still an avid volleyball fan and hopes to catch us when we're down closer to her in NY.

Jamie Wong ('06) was sorry she couldn't make it out there, but says that she stays in touch with other MIDD VB alums in the San Fran area. Those include Katy Hicks ('05), Blair Sly ('01), Amy McCowan ('08) and Evan Kanaly Herberts ('03). Katy Hicks and Jamie are now roommates, and have started a co-ed grass volleyball team! Amy is going to Law School now after returning from China a year ago, and is happy to be back and surrounded by MIDD VB alums, "teammates for life," as she put it! Blair, who was our student coach extraordinaire (you too, Tanner!) is now the CEO of his own company called ION Translations, LLC. He is coaching both JV girls, and Varsity boys volleyball. The JV girls team is quite a different experience than the varsity boys team, to say the least. You're a good man, Blair!

Katie Kenney Enslin ('03) got married this past summer, and is very happy living in Edina, MN. I couldn't make it to the wedding, but I got to see pictures of the beautiful bride from her parents, who came to see us play at Tufts for the NESCAC Tournament. So fun to see her parents, and to see the pictures.

Katherine Veach Moyer ('98) is living back in Kansas, in her hometown, actually, and just to stick to the small-town living story, she married her high school sweetheart. She never really thought she'd be back in Ulyses, KS, but is very happy and has a good job which allows her to travel and get out, which is, as she put it, "a good cure for a small town!"

Georgia Jolink ('06) has done her time in Americorps, and has now decided to go to Law School, where she's finishing her first year at University of Texas.

Lacee Patterson ('06.5) just got married last weekend in her hometown of Aspen, CO to her MIDD boyfriend--the one she didn't chase away. I heard from her sister, Lindsay Patterson ('08.5) that Lacee actually skied down the mountain after the reception in her wedding gown. Truly classic!! Congratulations Lacee and Peter. Lindsay is working in Aspen with the Buddy Program on special projects, and is contemplating several things, but PA school, and moving to San Fran are a couple of things on her mind.

Heather Langlois ('00) is living in MA and is teaching art to elementary school kids. She's a talented artist who is sharing her passion and talent with our youth--good for you, Hav! She was recently back in MIDD for a basketball alumnae weekend and was sporting her skills on the court again!

Dawn Trowbridge Marsh ('00) is living in CO with her MIDD husband Jon, and their two adorable kids. I was fortunate to catch up with Dawn a few years ago at the CO Crossroads Club Volleyball Qualifier. She helped me evaluate talent there between our conversations catching up on each others lives, and brought young Tanner along too, who was a trooper while we watched and chatted!

OK, that's what I have from people. I'd love to hear from anyone else out there!! Drop me a note or an email and I'll add new information for alums when I get it.

Oh, and I came across the picture below when I cleaned out my desk recently! I believe that it was taken in 1998 during Homecoming that year?! From left to right it's: Kathy Veach Moyer ('98), Angie Goldman ('97), Carolyn Stewart Birbiglia ('97), Tracy Nolan ('97), and Jordan Lungstrum Blackburn ('98). FUN times! Keep 'em coming!

Holiday Outfit Showcase

OK, we're trying to keep some information out there about what we're up to, so Jane and I came up with an idea (inspired by Lauren) to have a Holiday Outfit Showcase to be displayed over J-Term. We're all competitive, but it's not really a "competition," but more like a "showcase" of our holiday spirit. We only have a few so far, and we are really looking forward to seeing everyone's outfits, so the rest of you better get your pictures in SOON!! :)

Team Celebrates with End of Season Banquet

In some ways it feels like our season ended a long time ago, and in some ways it feels like we just finished playing. Last night, however, we reunited to celebrated our season! Brian invited us all to come to his house for our celebration. What a spot! Yesterday afternoon we got our first snowfall of the year, creating a beautiful winter scene. Brian and his family had put up their Christmas Tree too, adding to the winter Holiday feeling. It was a fun night, and I'll summarize the awards below:

Contribution Award went to Natalie; Most Improved Award went to Maddie; Coaches Award went to Molly; Captains for next year are Jane and Lauren.

Everyone received a MIDD Varsity M letter and certificate of participation. In addition, we had several people honored by the NESCAC as follows: Jane was 1st Team; Lauren was 2nd Team; Julia was Rookie of the Year; Natalie, Whit, Reisa, Molly, and Mallory were All-Academic; Molly was on the All-Sportsmanship Team. Those are quite a few honors for such a competitive Conference. Plus, Jane had her other awards as well: All-Region by the AVCA, 2nd Team All-New England by NEWVA, and an Honorable Mention All-American by the AVCA. Those are some pretty special awards all the way around! Way to go TEAM!

It's hard to believe that our four seniors will not be with us anymore. Reisa will actually be leaving in February, after her FEB Graduation, and the rest will be in the Spring Graduation, which will come all too quickly, I'm afraid.

Each group takes on a new personality every year as we subtract the graduating seniors, and add in the new freshmen. Next week we'll know who some of those new freshmen will be when the ED I letters go out, which is exciting for sure, but it's always hard to say good-bye to the seniors who've added so much to our Program during their time at MIDD. With that in mind, we gave extra hugs to Mallory, Reisa, Natalie and Molly last night. Their dedication, spirit, enthusiasm, loyalty, and friendship have meant so much to us all. THANK YOU SENIORS, and we hope that you enjoy every minute of your MIDD time you have left! Thanks for everything!!

Jane is Honorable Mention All-American

For the second consecutive year, Jane has tallied some very nice post-season awards. We've already announced that she was selected 1st Team All-NESCAC, but now she's added a few more to the list! She was recently named 2nd Team All-New England by the NEWVA (New England Women's Volleyball Association), and also to the All-Region team for the New England Region by the AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association). Most recently, Jane was once again named as an Honorable Mention All-American!! These are all very nice honors, so WAY TO GO JANE!!