Friday, April 30, 2010
By Matt Wah
Staff Writer
Spiking their competition, junior D.J. White and sophomore Chris Orenic represented the United States on the national youth volleyball team.
They joined other select players from across the country to play at the world-qualifying tournament for both the World Champions and the Youth Olympics. Tryouts were held in February and only the best of the best could attend.
“They were set up all around the country so everyone had a relatively equal chance to tryout. Only 12 boys, who had to have been born in 1993 or later, were selected for the team. I was the only boy on the team born in 1994, so I was the youngest on the team,” Orenic said.
The world-qualifying tournament took place in Guadalajara, Mexico, where the U.S. team played against the world’s best junior Olympic teams.
“We played very well and won the silver medal. In doing so, we qualified for Worlds next year. Unfortunately, we lost to Cuba in the finals,” Orenic said.
In order to reach such high level of play, both White and Orenic spend countless hours practicing for upcoming tournaments.
“They practice everyday with the Costa team and both play club volleyball in addition to beach volleyball over the summer,” Costa volleyball coach Mike Ninnis said.
Orenic’s skills would not be anticipated by looking at his family history. His mother played a little volleyball and his father played basketball. However, White comes from a family deeply rooted in the volleyball world.
“I have one brother who plays volleyball on the freshman team here at Costa. He is just starting out in his volleyball career and has much to learn. Both my parents have been playing volleyball since they got out of college just below AVP playing levels. My dad got his AAA on beach and my mom got her AA,” White said.
White and Orenic have come a long way from their volleyball beginnings. White was introduced to the sport at age 12. Orenic started to play at age 10, after going to a beginners’ volleyball clinic.
“I always strive to be the best I can be, and I know the high level of competition will make me better,” Orenic said, “Playing on the Youth National team with all my friends made all of us better volleyball players. I love the high level of competition because it always bring out the best in me.”
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