The 14-1 and 15-1 aged DME Academy Club Volleyball teams have shown exceptional skill and teamwork throughout the season, earning them spots in the 2023 USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship. These teams have consistently displayed a high level of play, winning crucial matches and dominating their opponents with their precise serves, powerful spikes, and exceptional defense. Their coaches and fans are immensely proud of their achievements and eagerly await their performance on the National stage.
The 14-1 and 15-1 teams have faced stiff competition throughout the season, but their determination and hard work have paid off. They have focused on improving their skills and techniques, as well as their mental and physical conditioning, allowing them to perform at their best in every game. Their dedication and discipline have not gone unnoticed, as they have inspired their teammates and coaches to work harder and strive for excellence.
The 14-1 DME Academy Club volleyball team, coached by Brooke VanBrocklin and Rodrigo Saunders, consists of Emma Cronje, Nailah Cullom, Jade Gunter, Mollie Hale, Sofia Mackin, Keri Petro, Arden Reynolds, Sarah Stegall, Grace Taylor, Sadie VanBrocklin, and Lillian VanDeusen.
The 15-1 DME Academy Club volleyball team, coached by Alvaro Sanchez and Rodrigo Saunders consists of Riley Bennet, Isabella Bosinki, Taylor Fonseca, Annabelle Gentry, Emma Jandrew, Teagun Lux, Jasmine Mahoney, Logan Milan, Syramil Quinones, Ava Scott, Tori Stoltzfus, and Paige Taylor.
As they prepare for the national tournament, the 14-1 and 15-1 teams are determined to give their best and leave everything on the court. They know that the competition will be tough, but they are ready for the challenge. Their goal is not only to win but to showcase their skills and sportsmanship, representing their team and community with pride. They are confident in their abilities, and their fans are confident in them. We wish them the best of luck at the GJNC National tournament At McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago Illinois, June 28th-July 6th! We are wishing them the best of luck!
Three 18-1 DME Academy volleyball players, Caroline Myers, Sadie Rich, and Anna Khrapova are taking their talents to the next level!
DME Academy’s volleyball team is once again making its mark in the world of collegiate sports. Three players have recently committed to playing volleyball in college and their journey is nothing short of inspiring. These girls have been playing together for years, perfecting their skills and pushing themselves to be the best that they can be. Now, their hard work has finally paid off and they are headed to the next level.
First up is Caroline Myer, a talented setter who has been a standout player on the DME team for years. She has recently committed to playing at Ave Maria University, where she will be attending school and hitting the court at a Gyrene starting this 2023-24 season. Myer is known for her precise sets and quick thinking on the court, and she is sure to make a big impact at the collegiate level.
Sadie Rich, a strong right side who has been a key player for the 18-1 DME Academy volleyball team, has signed to play for Chatt State in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Rich’s powerful spikes and strong presence on the court make her a force to be reckoned with, and she is sure to thrive in the competitive world of college volleyball.
Anna Khrapova, a versatile setter who has excelled on the court and in the classroom at DME, has signed to play for Lawrence Technological University. Khrapova’s ability to play multiple positions and her unwavering determination make her a valuable asset to any team, and she is sure to make an impact as a Blue Devil.
“It has been a pleasure to watch these young women grow in our program here at DME,” says Dawn Moses, Director of Volleyball at DME Academy. “These ladies stayed loyal to the DME volleyball program and ended with a great 18’s season. Caroline led the offense most of the year, while Sadie worked her magic at the net. Anna was a utility player that performed wherever she was needed on a given weekend. We wish them the best of luck and cannot wait to watch them grow in this sport.”
These three girls from DME Academy’s 18-1 volleyball team are proof that hard work and dedication pay off in the end. They have worked tirelessly to hone their skills and improve their game, and now they are headed to the next level. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these talented athletes and we wish them all the best in their college careers.
Want to take your volleyball game to the next level with DME? Click here!
Back for another year, DME Academy is hosting its annual sleepaway Summer Prep Volleyball Camp from July 16th to July 29th. The camp is designed to help volleyball players of all levels develop and refine their skills in a high-intensity training environment. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, the camp will provide a challenging and rewarding experience that will help you take your game to the next level.
The camp will be led by a team of experienced and qualified coaches who have a proven track record of success in developing players. They will provide individualized instruction and feedback to each player, focusing on all aspects of the game, including passing, serving, hitting, blocking, and defense. The training will be structured around a combination of drills, team play, and game situations (some on the beach!) giving players the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in a competitive setting.
In addition to the intense training, the camp will also provide players with the opportunity to develop mental toughness and resilience, which are essential skills for success on and off the court. The camp will be held in a supportive and encouraging environment, where players will be challenged to push themselves to their limits while receiving the guidance and support they need to succeed. If you’re looking to take your volleyball skills to the next level and prepare for the upcoming season, the intense Summer Prep Volleyball Camp is the perfect opportunity for you!
Last week, DME Academy hosted two teams with a total of 35 student-athletes, coaches, and parents from Budapest Hungary. Through these trips, we have found that hosting International teams is an invaluable experience for both groups, on and off the pitch, and we are so thankful for our local host families for giving our International visitors the full American experience.
“At DME, we truly believe that friendly competition through athletics is the best way to meet with other cultures and create friendships that last,” says Mike Panaggio, Co-Founder of DME Academy. “The Hungarian people are wonderful and they enjoyed mixing with DME students, eating in the cafeteria, and competing against our teams.”
While the Hungarians were in Daytona, they visited our beaches and played multiple games against the DME Academy teams. They fully immersed themselves in the American culture and left the states with a team of new friends.
The Hungarian team’s trip to DME was so successful that they have invited 12 adventurous DME students to represent our academy on a trip to Hungary this upcoming Summer, to experience their culture! They will stay with local families, eat authentic Hungarian food, train together, and most importantly, create a lasting bond of friendship between the athletes of the two countries.
At DME Academy, we believe in going the extra mile. In this case, an extra 5,192 miles.
The All-Area Volleyball team has been released for local high school players and we are proud to announce that 12 DME Academy athletes have been named to the list. We are happy to celebrate these accomplished athletes.
Out of these 12 accomplished athletes, there are also 3 individuals who have also made 1st team which automatically enters them into the drawing for player of the year, which will be decided this coming May. Taylor Timko, Sydney Moses, and Alyssa Kornegay have proven to be the best out of the best. Alyssa Kornegay has also earned the title of 6A Player of the Year.
These twelve players were not only vital to each of their DME team’s success but also to their respective high school squads. They all set great examples of work ethic, sportsmanship, and leadership. We are proud of all their accomplishments and grateful for the contributions they made to DME. Their talent and dedication will be greatly missed, but we are excited to see what they will accomplish in the future.
Congratulations to Taylor Timko, Sydney Moses, Alyssa Kornegay, Gabby Conway, Mollie Martin, Caroline Myers, Ivy Westfall, Emma Van Duesen, Emma Dhainaut, Hannah Zona, Andie Litz, and Isabel Castillon.
Alvaro Sanchez, Director of DME Academy’s volleyball program, was recently honored with the Coach of the Year as well as 6A High School Coach of the Year. He also led his high school team to an outstanding season with the Florida 6A State Championship. Under Sanchez’s guidance, his team developed a strong sense of teamwork and discipline, which helped them achieve success. Coach Sanchez’s players have also seen significant improvement in their skills and game strategies, thanks to his dedication and expertise. The community is proud of Coach Sanchez’s accomplishments and grateful for his contributions to the school and the sport of volleyball.
Learn more about DME Academy’s volleyball program here!
Laura Stegall, DME Academy’s Athletic Director, and Volleyball coach earns Purdue University’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award
Laura Stegall, DME Academy’s Athletic Director, and volleyball coach has been selected as one of the recipients of Purdue University’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award. Title IX was first enacted in 1972 and the award from Purdue is being presented to Stegall in honor of its 50th anniversary. Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program that receives funding from the Federal Government.
Stegall and fifteen other individuals are receiving this reward to highlight their significant contributions to the advancement of gender equality in higher education and intercollegiate athletic programs.
Stegall graduated from Purdue University in Fort Wayne in the spring of 2002. Since graduating, she has gone on to earn countless accolades in the volleyball world. She is a true professional when it comes to launching volleyball programs and helping them blossom.
It all started in 2004 when Stegall spearheaded Indiana Tech’s program and led them to four consecutive winning seasons. She then went on to become the assistant coach of Embry-Riddle University. During her tenure there, the Eagles broke onto the scene with their first NAIA National ranking and made their first-ever national appearance at the National Tournament.
After her stay at Embry-Riddle, she went on to become the head coach of Daytona State College’s volleyball team.
Laura Stegall is being honored by Purdue Academy at the same time as her former coach, Kelley Hartley Hutton, who is also receiving the same award for her role as director of athletics at PFW. Which includes 15 seasons as head coach of the women’s volleyball program and 13 years as senior woman administrator, and chairperson of the Summit League Women’s Basketball Committee.
“Being put on this list with all of these amazing people is an honor in itself”. Says Stegall, “But earning Purdue’s Distinguished Service Award at the same time as my former coach, Kelley Hutton, is an even bigger personal achievement.”
In addition to her commitment to collegiate volleyball, Stegall has devoted her free time to enhance the development of young volleyball players in the Volusia County area. She is also the co-founder of If I Can I Will – Win The Day Foundation and author of the book “Diary of a No Name Girl” in which she coined the phrase “survive, thrive, live, repeat.”
Stegall is a true class act and DME Academy is incredibly lucky to have such a stand-up person as athletic director.
If you are interested in joining Laura and playing for DME Academy’s volleyball program, check it out here!
Congrats to New Smyrna Beach on winning the volleyball State Championship!
It started with a serve, followed by a few hundred passes, sets, and spikes. And it ended with a block, leaving the New Smyrna Beach High School Barracudas as volleyball state champions.
Located about 20 miles south of DME Academy, the Barracudas’ indoor volleyball team is led by head coach Alvaro Sanchez, who is also DME Volleyball’s Master and Academy Coach. Their assistant coach is Jill Kornegay, who also acts as DME Club Volleyball’s Assistant Club Director.
Many members of the New Smyrna Beach Indoor Volleyball team are also athletes on the DME Club Volleyball team. These nine players include Teagan Lux, Ivy Westfall, Lily Schlageter, Quinn Kraljic, Libby Nickels, Gracie Newell, Chloe Gibson, Hannah Zona, and Alyssa Kornegay.
Leading up to the state championship match, the Barracudas boasted an impressive record of 24-2 including a win at the state’s inaugural beach volleyball championship last spring.
Although they entered the final match of the championship with confidence, they were no strangers to their opponent, the Viera High School Hawks. These two teams had faced off last fall when the Hawks defeated the Barracudas in the playoffs in the regional finals.
Determined to come out on top, the Barracudas fought hard in every single game, needing all five sets to get the win (23-25, 25-15, 25-18, 19-25, 16-14). They won the final point of the match on a block by Newell, sealing the victory and their title as state champions.
This comes as the first indoor volleyball state championship in New Smyrna Beach High School history. DME’s very own Newell led the Barracudas with four blocks throughout the match.
Not only did they come home as state champions, but these athletes also solidified their legacy at New Smyrna Beach High School.
Congratulations to the New Smyrna Beach Barracuda’s indoor volleyball team on this incredible accomplishment, and congratulations to Coach Sanchez, Coach Kornegay, and the nine members of the DME Club Volleyball team!
To learn more about our volleyball program and how you can get involved, click here.