Five countries. One team. One vision.
When the final whistle blew in Las Vegas, the DME Academy volleyball team had just won the Premier Division at the Under Armour 18U National Championships. The scoreline mattered. The trophy mattered. But what I saw in those final moments was something bigger: proof that five girls from different continents could learn to play together, trust each other under the worst pressure, and execute at the highest level.
“It’s a nice accomplishment for a great group of kids and families,” reflected Coach Alvaro Sanchez on the championship run. “But it also shows our intention to put together a competitive program year after year. It shows seriousness of the program to attract like-minded athletes with similar goals.”
That seriousness didn’t start in Las Vegas. It started in the gym. Every day. Long before nationals.
Building Something From Scratch
“There have been challenges bringing girls from all over the world to learn to play one way,” continued Coach Alvaro. “In the fall we saw some success, but it wasn’t consistent. In April, I remember remarking about wishing we had this chemistry in the fall.”
Chemistry doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when players live together, train together, study together, and learn each other’s language on and off the court. It happens in the gym during practice, in the dining hall at lunch, and in the dorm rooms at night. It happens because the environment around them is built to reinforce one thing: you belong here, you’re being developed here, and your growth extends far beyond the sport.
I identified culture keepers who held the group together: Juanita, Carley, Keri, and Mariana. With three of them graduating, the strength of what they’d built in that group became critical. There was no meltdown. There was no collapse. There was just the next player ready to step in.
“The team had constant lineup changes and lent themselves to a plug and play adaptability that was admirable,” continued coach Sanchez. “No matter who was in, they found ways to be productive.”
That adaptability revealed itself early in the tournament. Going into Las Vegas, my goal was simple but demanding; exhibit competitive spirit, give best effort and focus at all times, celebrate each other. These aren’t complicated things. They’re hard things. Especially when you haven’t played tournaments together since fall, especially when you’re facing teams that may have trained year-round as a unit, and especially when your captain is managing a shoulder injury.
I made a calculated decision: limit the captain’s workload early so fresh legs could absorb the load. It worked. It required trust that the next player could step into a leadership role and deliver. That only happens when a program has spent time developing people, not just players.
Execution Under Pressure
In a crossover match against Nordique on day two, the team faced a bigger opponent with physical advantages at the net. The response was pure systems volleyball: switch the pin hitters, give different looks on both sides, execute serve and pass strategy, limit what the other team could do offensively.
The mental discipline required for that kind of adjustment is developed in a place where students are constantly challenged to solve problems, adapt to pressure, and think beyond the obvious solution. It’s developed in classrooms and in residential life, not just in the gym.
Several matches came down to clutch moments. Marcela came in cold off the bench in a high-pressure situation and got a termination block that gave her team breathing room. Mariana showed up in the moments that mattered, even when she wasn’t having her best match. And Juanita, in the championship set at 23-23, was challenged by assistant coach Hector Garcia to explode and go over the top. She did. The kill sealed the match.
“Different players stepped up in different moments,” concluded Coach Sanchez. “It will be tough to replicate those that graduated in that sense. They genuinely enjoyed each other and celebrated each other well. Lots of tears at the end of it all.”
Those tears weren’t just about winning. They were about what it took to get there. They were about being pushed to uncomfortable places so you can grow. They were about belonging to something bigger than yourself.
What This Actually Shows
“Three players made the all-tournament team: Keri Petro, Giovana Menegazzo, and Mariana Castaño. Luna played the best I’ve ever seen her play. Aniya and Carley were exceptional all weekend. It was a team victory, and the championship reflected that.”
But the larger reflection goes back to why DME Academy exists.
“We were fortunate. Not every group is the same,” expressed Coach Alvaro. “But somehow we were able to bring together kids from five different countries, to get on the same page and play one way, with intention, intensity, relentless effort and competitive spirit. We hope to pass that on to the next group, but every build, every puzzle comes together differently in its own time.”
The standard at DME is to hold students to expectations that make them uncomfortable so they can grow and handle pressure well in the game. It’s to face the best competition possible so there’s only one option: bring your best every time. And through it all, come out the other side with better problem solvers, adaptable athletes, and incredible learners.
A national championship is one way to measure that. But the real measure is what happens next: whether those five girls from different continents carry that growth into their next chapter, whether they understand that adaptability and resilience and genuine connection are portable skills, and whether they believe they belong somewhere bigger than a volleyball court.
That’s what winning in Las Vegas actually meant.
—
*DME Academy volleyball competes in multiple divisions across all age groups. Learn more about our volleyball program, or schedule a visit to see our elite development approach in action.*
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – DME Academy has entered into a multi-year partnership with adidas, with BSN SPORTS serving as the academy’s official outfitter and equipment provider. The agreement establishes adidas as the exclusive supplier of uniforms, apparel, footwear, and accessories across all DME Academy programs.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation, performance, and the continued growth of student-athletes within a high-performance training environment. Through this collaboration, DME Academy athletes will be equipped with adidas’ industry-leading technology, including advanced performance fabrics and sport-specific footwear designed to support training and competition at the highest level.
BSN SPORTS will play a central role in delivering this experience, providing streamlined access to adidas products along with customized service and operational support. The partnership ensures efficient delivery, consistent quality, and tailored solutions that meet the evolving needs of DME Academy’s coaches, staff, and athletes. With dedicated service and a strong national distribution network, BSN SPORTS enhances the day-to-day experience for every program within the academy.
“This partnership represents an important step forward for DME Academy as we continue to invest in the overall student-athlete experience,” said Seth Brown, CEO of DME Academy. “Aligning with adidas and BSN SPORTS allows us to provide world-class resources while reinforcing the standard of excellence we expect across all of our programs.”
In addition to performance benefits, the agreement will expand brand visibility for adidas across DME Academy’s facilities, digital platforms, and athlete development initiatives. The partnership also introduces enhanced access to custom team stores, giving athletes, families, and supporters the opportunity to engage more directly with the DME brand.
“We’re proud to partner with DME Academy and adidas to support one of the nation’s premier training and educational institutions for student-athletes,” said Doug Patterson, Area Sales Manager, Central Florida at BSN SPORTS. “DME Academy has built an environment centered on elite development, academic excellence, and character building, and we’re excited to provide the apparel, footwear, equipment, and service solutions that allow student-athletes and coaches to focus on performance.”
DME Academy continues to establish itself as a leading destination for student-athletes seeking a comprehensive approach to development, combining elite training, academic support, and exposure to collegiate and professional pathways. This partnership further strengthens that mission by aligning the academy with two industry leaders committed to advancing sport at every level.
About DME Academy
DME Academy is a premier sports academy focused on developing student-athletes through a comprehensive model that integrates elite training, academic excellence, and character development. With programs designed to prepare athletes for collegiate and professional opportunities, DME Academy provides a high-performance environment that emphasizes discipline, exposure, and long-term success.
About adidas
adidas is a global leader in athletic and lifestyle footwear, apparel, and accessories. Driven by innovation and design, adidas develops performance products that help athletes at all levels reach their full potential while also shaping sport and culture worldwide.
About BSN SPORTS
BSN SPORTS is a leading provider of team sports uniforms, apparel, and equipment. A division of Varsity Brands, BSN SPORTS serves more than 150,000 institutional and team sports customers, including collegiate, scholastic, club, and recreational programs across the United States. With a nationwide network of sales professionals and a multi-channel approach that includes e-commerce and direct sales, BSN SPORTS offers a broad selection of products and customized solutions designed to support athletes, coaches, and teams.
Learn more at www.BSNSPORTS.com.
BOARDING OPTIONS
3-Day | Boarder: $1,349
COMMUTER OPTIONS
3-Day | Commuter: $349
DME Academy's golf coaching staff brings experience at the professional and collegiate levels, led by LPGA Professional Brianne Murphy. Our program is built around developing complete golfers through:
DME Academy's Golf Weekly Camps offer comprehensive training for boys and girls ages 13-18. Each session combines on-course play at LPGA International with technical instruction, launch monitor analysis, and TPI-based conditioning under the guidance of DME's professional coaching staff.
Our alumni compete at the highest levels of the game. From collegiate golf programs to professional tours, DME golfers are making their mark. Experience the training that got them there at our weekly camps!
Personalized Development Over Mass Enrollment: At DME Academy, every athlete is seen, coached, and developed. Unlike larger programs, our summer camps are intentionally smaller — allowing for more individualized attention, direct feedback from coaches, and meaningful player growth both on and off the court or field.
Elite Training Without the Overhead: DME offers the same professional-level coaching and world-class facilities, but at a more accessible price point. Our focus is on quality instruction and player advancement — not inflated tuition or commercialized camp experiences.
Real Competition, Real Exposure: While other camps focus on internal scrimmages, DME athletes compete in official AAU tournaments and showcase events, gaining real game experience and exposure to college recruiters and scouts throughout Florida.
Train under LPGA Professional Brianne Murphy and DME's coaching staff with over two decades of touring and teaching experience.
ON-COURSE TRAINING
Play and practice at LPGA International Golf Course, developing real-world course management and competitive skills.
Build golf-specific strength, mobility, and endurance through TPI-certified conditioning programs designed for your body-swing connection.
MENTAL GAME & STRATEGY
Develop the focus, shot selection, and course management skills that separate good golfers from great ones.
DME Academy provides golfers with an elite training environment. Athletes train at LPGA International Golf Course alongside DME's on-campus performance center, which features gym equipment for TPI-specific conditioning, video and launch monitor analysis, and dedicated short game practice areas. With facilities and coaching that rival collegiate programs, DME gives every athlete the resources to take their game to the next level.
*Example schedule. Actual camp may vary
Athletes will have a variety of options - pancakes, waffles, orange juice & omelettes to keep them energized throughout the day!
Breakfast
Different styles of weight training and cardio to help keep endurance and get stronger!
Strength and Conditioning
Shooting form, rebounding, dribbling, finishing skills, and footwork.
Skill Development
Athletes will have the option of sandwiches, smoothies, fruit and protein bars for their lunch!
Lunch
The afternoon athletes will have the chance to grow their skills and play some games with competition from all over the country!
Games
Athletes will have pizza, salad, pasta, and a dessert selection for dinner to keep them full throughout the night!
Dinner
This time will be used for those athletes who want to get a couple more reps in and/or dig into the film learning from the game and or day's practice sessions.
Optional Shooting &/or Film Sessions
Daytona, FL. DME Academy golfer Charles Ballard delivered a standout performance at a recent Florida junior golf tournament, finishing first in his age group and second overall in the tournament. Across two competitive rounds, Charles shot 74 and 76, closing the weekend with a +12 total and a string of four birdies that highlighted his control and confidence under pressure.
Charles showed consistency from start to finish, navigating tough conditions with poise. His ability to string together birdies and stay mentally locked in across two rounds is a credit to the work he’s putting in behind the scenes. With his runner-up finish, he proved he’s not just participating—he’s contending.
At DME Academy, Charles trains in a system built for serious athletes. Under the guidance oft LPGA Professional & TPI Certified Professional Brianne Murphy, players receive individualized instruction that goes beyond swing mechanics. The focus is on total development—combining technical coaching, fitness training, and tournament prep tailored to each athlete.
With this second-place finish added to his resume, Charles heads into the next stretch of his junior career with momentum. His performance at this tournament is a clear signal: he’s ready for whatever comes next.
Interested in training with DME Golf? Learn more about our program and how we’re building the next generation of elite junior golfers. Talk with an advisor today.
