2013 High Fives.....

As we wrap up 2013, the top 10 lists and best of and worst of lists flood TV channels, websites, face book pages, tweets, magazines and newspapers. Our sport has our athletes of the year, teams of the year, etc. But how about we just give a high five to some deserving stories of 2013.

So put your hands up and let’s give a high five to:

• Both ASU and the U of A for making the 2013 NCAA tournament, the first time in the same year since 2000.
• U of A coach David Rubio collected his 400^th win early in the season.
• To Grand Canyon University’s Kris Naber who collected her 300^th career coaching win in a season that saw the Lady Lopes move up from NCAA Division II to Division I.
• The Concord, Mi. High School volleyball team who rallied around an OPPONENT who had lost everything in a house fire earlier in the week.
• B.Y.U. Opposite hitter and one of the best in the country, Ben Patch, who put his faith before his volleyball career showing us the importance of priorities in life, saying, “"It has always been an important factor to me, and I personally feel that a national championship is great, but there are also rewards that come from serving a mission."
• The improbable run of the Missouri Tigers who went 35-0 this season including wins over ranked teams along the way.
• The other improbable run of American University who won back to back shockers in the NCAA tournament with straight set wins over Georgia and Duke.
• The Coaches and Athletes who represented the Az. Region in our first ever Beach High Performance Program.
• Arizona’s Sarah Sponcil earning a bid in the 2014 Youth Olympics with her win in the NORCECA qualifier.
• Courtney Baker who is coming back from losing a leg in a car accident to play for her school, Asbury University in Ky.
• Zoe Gibbs who lost her leg below the knee to a jet ski accident who also was back on the court competing for McKeel Academy in Lakeland, Fla. These young ladies remind us of just how many heroes there are in the world that we miss every day.
• The University of Colorado’s Nikki Lindow’s life altering weekend where the Colorado floods ruined her family but not her spirit and commitment to her team
• John Kessel who’s long overdue election into the AVCA Hall of Fame is a blip on the radar of the many in the Az. Region and the world that he has mentored and taught to be better coaches and people
• The Arizona Region who celebrates our 25^th Anniversary this season.

 We’ve missed some great accomplishments of both individual players and teams, but take this list for what it’s worth; an exemplary cross section of what makes our sport great.

Best wishes for a safe and Happy New Year from the Az. Region.