"Black magic...!"

In this final installment of a special 3 part blog series, the Arizona Region talks to Sarah Sponcil after one of the most impressive weeks in a volleyball player's life!

Sarah had helped her UCLA bruins with the NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship, setting the championship ball for the win! A week later, she is teaming with Lauren Fendrick and this brand new upstart team gets to the finals in the AVP Austin before dropping a nail biter to April Ross and Alix Klineman.

Sponcil talks about the future Hall of Fame line up of coaches that have helped guide her as an indoor and outdoor player AND as a human being facing her future.

Enjoy this wonderful interview with one of Arizona's most decorated and notable players of all time.

Sarah Sponcil Interview

"There's no gray area..."

In this special 2 part of a three part series, the Region interviews J.T. Hatch after his stellar career at UCLA and his appearance in the NCAA Men's National Championship match on May 5th. 

Hatch talks about his career where he attacked and played libero for the Bruins but most of all talks about his coach, John Speraw, (who also coaches the U.S. Men's National team) and offers insights into his coaching philosophies and decisions.

Hatch opens up on Speraw as the coach, the master tactician and the teacher. Enjoy this half an hour interview with one of Arizona's greatest men's players of all time.

J.T. Hatch

"A lot of dreams can be crushed here, a lot of hearts can be broken....."

This is the first of a very special 3 part series for coaches, players and volleyball fans.

Part one is a half an hour interview with one of the most decorated and celebrated players in Arizona volleyball history: Madi Kingdon.

Madi talks about her record setting night where she scored 57 points in ONE match playing in South Korea. She also talks about her coaches along the way and what they taught her and what it takes to be asked and play in the hyper competitive gym of the U.S. Women's National team.

It should be noted that Madi did this interview with the Region in the early afternoon on May 7th and found out just a few hours later that she had NOT been on the final roster for the U.S. Women's National team entry into the FIVB Volleyball Nations League. Asked if she wanted to not go forward in publishing the interview, she said no, run it. "I need to get better."

Enjoy this insight into the world of Professional Women's volleyball, the National team and what it takes from coaches and players to get there.

Madi Kingdon Interview