Summer Break

The end of the semester has approached and all the students are going back home. For sports addicted people like me is the end of the season a horrible feeling. So what can we do? Beach volleyball is the best solution for volleyball player. You can play it outside, enjoying the sun and get a nice tan at the same time. So what is the difference between volleyball and beach volleyball? Actually it is a complete different game because there are only two players on the court. The court is smaller (8m x 8m) and there are rule specifications as well.

 And yes, every body knows…it is really nice to watch ;)

 Do you know that the bikini short of the women can be only 7cm wide on the sides?

Beach volleyball Team Laura Ludwig & Kira Walkenhorst (GER)

Spring League

The end oft he season is approaching. That’s why the ARU volleyball teams decided to play the Cambridge Spring League. It is a popular mixed tournament for teams from around Cambridge. The main rule is that there has to be at least two girls on the court. The volleyball net will be the mixed hide of 2,35m to make it even for the girls possible to hit the ball ‘hard’ J

ARU will have two teams on this tournament.

Team A: Calvin, David, Max, Enrico, Patrick, Vanessa, Pam and Jovana

Team B: Jan, Guy, Guillaume, Dara, Bill, Lilly, Nicole, Amelie and myself

Let’s see if ARU can win another golden medal. Work Hard – Play Hard.

Interview with the Girls Team Captain Lilla Gyimes

What is the main issue for being the team captain?

Well, I think the main issue with being a captain is that the captain has to do every single bit from contacting the manager to pick up and wash the volleyball kit, there is no real sharing between the team members. I assume that’s the case in every uni team even though, we’d only need more committee members so the tasks can be shared between the team mates.





What was the best experience you had with your team?

We had a match against the top of our league (UEA), and it was a really long and exhausting match, but the team did everything to win, and we ended winning against them. I’m not necessarily happy about the win it’s more the effort and will-power what I saw in the team (for the first time) was amazing, that was a proud moment for me:D





What is most important for the team spirit?

Team spirit? I think maybe self-confidence in the team and in individually. We need to go to every match thinking that we can do this, we can win this.





Do you prefer home or away matches, and why?

Well, home matches of course, firstly because we are busy with uni, so it takes up less time. Secondly we’re more likely to get supporters for our matches at home which is good, it keeps us motivated!





What excites you most about Volleyball?

Well that might sound silly but the trainings…:D I like to see every week how much we improved, and how I can challenge myself in new ways. I just started to learn to be a setter, and every training I learn something new about it, I’m improving in something new, I find this quite exciting!


Thank you Lilly!!!

Myself & Lilla Gyimes, Girls' Team Captain

BUCS Final (26th March 2014)

Both ARU volleyball teams reached the BUCS final. The Men’s game was in Nottingham. It was a very tight game but happily they were able to win the game 3:2. Congratulations!!!

BUCS Volleyball Golden Medal Winner, ARU Men's Team 

60 miles away the Girls’ team played the final in Coventry. Unfortunately, myself got injured in the first set with a torn ligament and I wasn’t able to support the team anymore. Through the accident the whole team was worried, a bit confused and insecure which reflected on the following sets. Nevertheless the team fought really hard but unfortunately they lost the final 2:3. The whole situation was not easy for the team but they did a really good job and achieved the silver medal but they are definitely the winner of the hearts.

BUCS Volleyball Silver Medal Winner, ARU Girls' Team

Myself injured in a wheelchair

Volleyball Trainings Sessions

The volleyball team unfortunately has only two training sessions a week. Our training is every Tuesday and Sunday 4pm-6pm. Mostly our training is separated in four parts: warm up, specific task, hitting, playing. We are starting every training with a proper warm up. That means: running, stretching light cardio activity to raise your body temperature. Then we are starting to warm up with the balls in pairs. We are peppering and doing specific tasks to warm up and to improve volleyball related movements. Afterwards our coach gives us specific tasks for example block training or receiving training. Then we are hitting from position four and two to prepare us for the following game. We try to play every session a game to prepare us for the next game which is usually that Wednesday.

How to be a volleyball player :)  

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all my lovely follower.

Game Report: Semi Finale ARU vs. Crainfield (12th March 2014)

Today was the first time the men’s team played before us and we were able to cheer on our male teammates before our own game. They did very well and won 3:0 against Nottingham 2nds.

All the girls were very motivated because winning against Crainfield meant qualifying for the BUCS final. The whole game went very well. The team spread a lot of enthusiasm and we played as a real team. Every player helped the other teammate out and we were able to win 3:0 against Cranfield. Both ARU volleyball teams are now in the BUCS final. What a day. What a game. Keep it up ARU. Let’s fight for the BUCS title!

ARU Girls' Team 

Interview with Denis Kaliberda

Denis plays volleyball in the German National Team and is outside hitter. He is one of the best and unique volleyball talents worldwide. He started his career in 1999 and supported several German volleyball clubs. Since 2012 Denis plays in Italy. The highlight of his young career was the participation at the Olympic Games 2012 in London. The German Team achieved the 5^th rank.

How do you prepare yourself before an important game?

I try to do always the same things before game. For example I have pasta and chicken as lunch, wash my hands before I go into the gym and listen to my favourite playlist.

What was the moment memorable moment in your whole volleyball career?

There are two, one positive one negative. Firstly I lost in 2012 very close the German championship, by a mistake of me.

Secondly the qualification to the Olympic games 2012 in London.  It was such a great feeling. The whole atmosphere was amazing. Especially the opening event.

What is most important for you during the game?

To stay focused, trust in my teammates and myself.

Do you prefer playing in Germany or international?

I love to play in Germany, but if you want to earn more money, you have to go to Italy, Poland or Russia.

Is it more fun playing with the German National Team or with your club in Italy?

That’s hard to tell, I think life is a bit better during the season with the club. You have more time for yourself. Playing for my own country is amazing but really intense and exhausting as well.

What kind of training is most effective for you?

Most effective is difficult. I like to have a good kind of strengths training.

Denis hitting outside 

Team Social (1st March 2014)

After five triumphs in a row we deserved a girls team social. We had dinner and a couple of drinks at the Regals in the city centre of Cambridge. We celebrated our last games and were ready to dance. Some teammates of the men’s team joined our little party as well. Everybody had a really good time. Probably we should do it more often. Last semester we had a legendary potluck Thanksgiving dinner. These events are great to get each other better to know and to spend more time with amazing people. Thank you mates. 

WINNER TEAM J

Injuries

Over the years of playing volleyball I had several very painful injuries. Some players are lucky and never have big issues, but some aren’t so lucky and have to fight back to be strong and healthy again. I for example had three torn ligaments (http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Sprained-Ankle.htm) on my left foot and missed very important tournaments because of it. But you have to deal with these issues and it makes people stronger as a result. During the last game I injured my right hamstring. It was made worse as I wasn’t able to get rest because we were only six players and I didn’t want to cancel the whole game just because of me. Luckily for me I received the scholarship and I got physiotherapy the very next day. The physiotherapist treated me with a sports massage. It was very painful because my hamstring was still very sore and inflamed. In addition my Core Cambridge weight training was cancelled for two weeks and they had to change my trainings program to rest my hamstring.

It doesn’t matter what kind of injury a sports person gets, rehabilitation is very painful and takes a long time. But keep in mind “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it”.

Kinesio Tape to support my knee

Kinesio Tape to support my hamstring