Nation's largest volleyball tournament comes to Pearland

August 24, 2009

   

PEARLAND — Over 70 teams will invade Pearland this week for the nation's largest high school volleyball tournament on August 27-29.

Pearland head coach John Turner has been the mastermind of this great event that is called the Texas pre-season state volleyball tournament as there will be state champions and state contenders vying to win this prestigious NIKE Volleyball Classic Tournament.

"We will have the four past 5A state finalist attending along with the top teams in 4A," Turner said. " The 5A defending state champion Amarillo Sandies along with San Antonio Reagan, Austin Westlake, San Antonio O'Connor, Allen, Marcus, JJ Pearce, Smithson Valley, The Woodlands, Stratford, Cy-Woods, Clear Creek, and A&M Consolidated are the pre-tourney favorites. All of these teams are ranked in the top 20. The four 2008 state finalist were Amarillo, Westlake, Lake Highlands, and Clear Creek. All of them are attending the tournament."

Of course - local teams from Friendswood, Pearland HS, Dawson HS, Alvin, Clear Brook, and Manvel will be competing.

As part of Turner's vision - the tournament is also committed to raising funds to support the M.D. Anderson Cancer Foundation.

"On Thursday, August 27, we will be having “Splash It Pink Day” in Pearland, Texas," Turner said. "All the teams participating in the tournament will design their own t-shirts that are predominately pink and wear it throughout the day on Thursday. We will also have the businesses throughout Pearland decorating their offices and also wearing PINK on that Thursday!

We encourage all of you as fans to do the same – WEAR PINK on Thursday, August 27. We hope to show the state that volleyball cares and will help beat this dreaded disease."

Ogonna Nnamani, a member of the 2008 Women's Olympic Team, will be the featured speaker at the opening ceremonies of the Pearland Volleyball Classic on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 2 p.m.

In 2004, Ogonna capped an incredible career by leading Stanford University to the NCAA championship. She was selected as the Most Outstanding Player of the final round after setting an NCAA record with 62 kills in the semifinal and final matches, combined. Her 823 kills this season set both Pacific-10 Conference and school records and ranks seventh in all-time NCAA competition. She received the Honda-Broderick Cup, given annually to the Collegiate Women’s Athlete of Year,  and holds the conference record for career kills (2,450) placing her sixth in all-time NCAA rankings. In addition, she was named American Volleyball Coaches Association co-Division I National Player of the Year.

Ogonna joined the US National Women's Team in 2002 and has been an international professional star in Italy and Switzerland.

A large crowd is anticipated on Thursday the 27 to welcome Ogonna Nnamani to the City of Pearland. More information can be found at: www.pvbclassic.com or at www.reporternewssports.com.

Top