In the spring of this year Bill Fong of Assiniboia was contacted to act as a liaison for a volleyball exchange with China. An exchange of female 18U volleyball teams was proposed with a team from China travelling to Saskatchewan to play a series of games and tournaments. In turn a team specifically chosen to play against them here and travel abroad at a later time to experience Shanghai was to be determined.
A Board of Directors came together consisting of Anne Cote of Biggar, Sherry Saxton-Richards of Assiniboia, Jason Grieve of Saskatoon, Keenan Fahlman of Holdfast, Aimee Unchulenko of Esterhazy, Kim Bilokreli of Regina, Al Huber of Regina, Jim Lissinna of Kelvington, and Fong.
The Board is made up of many coaches who have come together to help create this team of 14 girls to play at an elite level on Team MVP China. The Multicultural Volleyball Project (MVP) will have a team from China travel to Saskatchewan in November to play a series of multiple games and experience life in our province. In turn those chosen to play from Saskatchewan will head to Shanghai in December.
Twenty-five years ago China had sent an 18 and under elite team to the United States to which they replied they would never send another. This year was different, however, and China has decided to send out a high calibre team of women under 18 to play in Canada.
Out of 100s of girls trying out for Team MVP China, the team made up of Saskatchewan players, Annessa Hannem of Arcola was able to showcase her talent to make the team. She has been playing volleyball throughout her years in school and is currently the captain of her high school team, a testament to both her skills as a player and her character. She has excelled at the sport and has gone on to play with club teams following the school season, most recently playing with the U of R 17U Cougars.
Hannem is a strong athlete who also plays hockey in Estevan with the Midget Baxter Cougars. Though much of her time currently is taken up by playing volleyball for her school team and now Team MVP China as well as hockey, she also devotes herself to coaching the Arcola Jr. Girls Volleyball Team.
Active and good at what she does Hannem's time management is phenomenal.
"On Saturday [Oct.20] I played 14 sets of volleyball and then a four-hour hockey game, since people kept getting hurt," Hannem explained.
This dedication and drive must have shown during the Team MVP China tryouts, which were held over the summer. The first tryouts were held at about four different locations, one in each corner of the province, with a total of about 150 girls trying out. Hannem attended these first rounds of tryouts in Weyburn.
"It was open to any girl in the province. They all had an equal chance of making the team. It didn't matter who they knew because it was based solely on their merits," Mickey Adams of Kenosee, one of the seven coaches, stated.
From here the team was narrowed down to 100 girls from across the province, with Hannem being chosen as a finalist. There was another cut leaving 50 girls in the running for a chance to play on the team.
Two camps each four days long were then held in Biggar where final cuts were done. Then at the final prospects camp the team was cut from 50 to 14.
This was an extremely nerve racking time for both Hannem and her mother, Lori. Waiting outside the gymnasium Lori watched as many girls walked by, holding her breath to see if her daughter had made the team or not. Inside the gym Hannem was also very nervous as the final cuts happened in front of the other girls trying out.
"I was so nervous. I just stood there listening to hear myself be called, I had no idea who else had actually made the team," Hannem explained.
At the moment Lori realized her daughter made the team she was extremely proud, though, she found the twenty minute wait to be agonizing as she watched for her daughter to exit the gym.
Tryouts were fairly intense Hannem said, "there was a lot of conditioning and focus on individual skills."
One of the main things coaches were looking for besides skill was the drive to be there. Some of the drills were extremely physical Hannem explained, "They wanted us to show aggression, so at one point they had us fighting over these huge balls and then dragging girls around the gym."
Once the final cuts had been made the end roster was determined: Cydney Auzenne of Regina Beach, Sydney Stolearcius of Saskatoon, Nicole Brockman of Rosthern, Emma Grimsrund of Regina Beach, Ally Frank of Saskatoon, Brooke Frank of Saskatoon, Katie Nelson of Regina, Kylie Pasieka of Wakaw, Emily Koshinsky of Jansen, Katelyn Quiring of Langham, Sam Zacharius of Waldheim, Ann Richards of Assiniboia, Taylor Annala of Dinsmore, and our very own Annessa Hannem of Arcola.
Following the choosing of 14 girls to the team the drills and conditioning done at the camp became even more intense. With no complaints from Hannem or the other players, they continued to show their focus and drive.
"On the second day of the one camp girls got cut and the next days became even harder," Hannem explained.
"I think that's how they knew the girls wanted to do it. They had to give 100 percent commitment," Lori stated concerning the extremely intense practices.
Adams has previously coached Hannem with the Southeast Stingers, a club volleyball team, and explained Hannem was easily a good choice for the team, "She's very, very athletic. She's determined and what she lacks in height she makes up for with her great desire and determination."
The coaching is being headed by Cote with Saxton-Richards, Unchulenko, Bilokreli, and Fahlman also taking on coaching responsibilities. Lissinna is involved with the managerial aspects and Adams is in charge of strength training as well as their mental toughness.
"We're lucky to have so many involved, there's lots of direction with the coaching. They are very skilled coaches," Hannem stated.
A player with high intensity and an impressive vertical jump of 28 inches, Hannem might be one of the smallest girls on the team; but, is able to hold her own on the court. Unsure of which position she will be playing with Team MVP China, she does have experience as a power hitter, right side hitter, and is comfortable playing libero. Though, with both her school team and club teams she has mainly been a power hitter. Being well versed in the game, however, lets Hannem feel confident in playing any position.
She first heard of the tryouts from her gym teacher, Eugene Brown, who had asked if she would be trying out for the team. At that point in time she had no idea what it was and inquired with Adams who was able to provide her with information as he was involved with the program.
Hannem is extremely excited for this opportunity and has been attending four hour practices on Sundays in Outlook for the team.
"I hope to learn about the Chinese culture and how they live obviously. To play volleyball at that high of a level and see what it's like... I've met a lot of new people too... I'm hoping for opportunities to develop from this too," Hannem explained concerning why she was drawn to trying out for this particular program.
The experience associated with elite play will be beneficial as Hannem is hoping to acquire a scholarship for post-secondary schooling. The experience should also garner attention from a variety of schools, if all goes well.
"I'm applying for Registered Nursing and then I'll find work in a psych ward or prison," Hannem stated, while her mother added, "she's fascinated with how the brain works."
The extremely skilled Hannem is also very academic and is confident in her ability to both perform in University sport as well as in classes. Last year she in fact held the highest average in her school.
The well rounded Hannem has therefore been studying for her SATs, on top of all of her other commitments, which is a test required to commence schooling in the United States. It is necessary if she is able to procure a scholarship there for her sport to have a score on the SATs.
"I think if it lines up I'd like to go really far south to hot, hot weather. I'm shooting for a Div. 1 school, I think that would be perfect," Hannem said.
Team MVP China will host the SIS China team, Shanghai Institute of Sports, which is an elite sports school in China. Players who attend here are those who will often make it to the Olympic Team China.
The schedule is still being finalized for when Team SIS China arrives. In charge of everything once Team SIS China and their delegation arrive in Canada, Team MVP China has put in a lot of work. In the ten days Team SIS China is in Canada they will be taken to a Blades game, visit Moose Jaw, Assiniboia, Saskatoon, Lakeland College, Lloydminster, and La Loche. Included in the tour will be a stop in Regina where a luncheon and welcoming will be held at Government House.
While touring Saskatchewan, games and mini-tournaments will be held at various venues. The closest game to Arcola will be held in Assiniboia between Team SIS China and Team MVP China.
Team MVP China will travel with Team SIS China during the majority of this Saskatchewan tour. Following Team SIS China's voyage to Canada, the girls on Team MVP China will travel to Shanghai in December where they will both tour and play volleyball. An amazing experience Hannem couldn't pass up. The schedule for travelling to Shanghai has not been finalized; but, it is sure to be an experience of a lifetime for those on Team MVP China.
"I believe they will be getting some of the best training in the province. They will definitely be looked at by college coaches. Every one of these girls will be ear marked for some college, someplace, in both the States and Canada. It's an experience of a lifetime. They'll spend 10 days in China and play against one of the best teams in the world," Adams stated.
Those organizing the group had intended to raise the necessary funds to both host Team SIS China and send Team MVP China to Shanghai; but, the reality of raising nearly $140,000 has been difficult to do in a mere six months. The opportunity was almost ended because the program was advertised as being free to the athletes; however, the parents of the 14 girls chosen said they would like to help find sponsors because this is an amazing opportunity for their daughters.
The group of parents has been finding corporate sponsors wherever possible and if anyone is interested in sponsoring Hannem it would be greatly appreciated. In turn the team will advertise in both Saskatchewan and China through various means. For more information contact the Hannem's at (306)455-2640.
