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by Laurel Brassey
(Miss Brassey was a member of the U.S. National Team and 1980 Olympic Volleyball Team)
The USA women's volleyball team rose from nothing to an Olympic medal contender after its stay in Colorado Springs for over two years at the Olympic Training Center. They feel they'll be as strong in 1984.
Although the 1984 Olympic Games are still somewhat distant, the Men's and Women's National Volleyball Teams aren't wasting any time getting started training. As 1980 Olympian Rita Crockett put it, "Three years and four months to be exact. Somehow that makes it seem easier."
The women have already begun practicing at their new facility at Coto de Caza, California. After an extended vacation, the women regrouped in early January. The team is quite a bit different because of the retirement of seven members of the 1980 Olympic team. But with the seven returning members providing a strong nucleus and six new members, it looks as though the team will continue its amazing progress.
Coto de Caza is a small private community of about two hundred homes tucked away in the hills just east of Mission Viejo, California. Most of the homes are built in close proximity to the club house complex which adjoins the main lobby and restaurant, men's and women's locker and shower rooms, saunas, gymnasium for volleyball and basketball, and a small weight room. There is also a twenty-five-meter swimming pool and seventeen tennis courts.
The women are living a different life from that at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, where they lived in 197980. They have their own apartments or share with other members of the team. Many are attendrig school t'it her at U.C. Irvine or Orange Coast Community College. Others have taken part-time
jobs. In the next two years most of them should be able to finish school so that as 1984 draws nearer they can devote more time to training. Presently, practices are three days a week for the entire team and two additional days for the new players.
Head Coach Dr. Arie Selinger, who has been rehired as the National Women's Coach, sees a promising future for the'new team. "The transition periods are always the hardest," says Selinger. "The team is so far away from its goals at this point. Nothing seems close enough to grasp. They have to readjust to new lifestyles, new techniques, new players, new systems of offense and defense and cope with the frustration of losing during this period. Once they can assimilate all of this, it's just a matter of time until they come together as a unit. This new group has all the tools; height (averaging 6'-1") strength, quickness and intelligence." The staff is rounded out by Toshi Yoshida, the team's expert Japanese trainer, his new bride, Shoko, who was a member of the 1976 Gold medal-winning Japanese Women's Volleyball Team, and manager Ruth Becker.
The team has a full summer of competition in Japan, China, Europe, Mexico, and then some fall tours in the U.S.
All of the members and staff of the 1980 Olympic Women's Volleyball Team will never forget the people of Colorado Springs and the U.S.O.C. for their continued support, and for making their stay in the Springs a memorable one.
THE OLYMPIAN May 1981
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