On June 12^th 2009 the Arizona Saguaros 14 and 18-National teams arrived in Orlando Florida to participate in the 36^th annual AAU Junior National Championships held in the Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.

14-National and 18-National teams standing in front of the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex Pre-Opening Ceremonies.  This is the home of AAU Sports.

18-Nationals in action Samantha setting Kayla

Unshakable Litchfield Park 15 National Top Colorado Crush for 16AA Title

Coach Rosario Lopez worked his team practice after practice to keep them calm in stressful situations.

“In practice we would place each player in an uncomfortable position making each player learn every position. We did this as individuals and as a team. In the end each player was able to be calm and secure in their abilities and performed without any hesitations” Lopez said.   And it was that un-shake-ability that helped his Litchfield Park 15 National team beat the Colorado Crush 16’s team in the 16AA Region Championship held June 7th at South Mountain Community College.

Lopez’s strategy of keeping his girls on their toes paid off all season. “I always changed practices making each player adapt to new surroundings.” He said. “I made each player become problem solvers and to think outside the box. We also played in several out of state tournaments again forcing this team to adapt to new surroundings this made them very well rounded. This team would practice three times a week and played more out of state matches than in-state region matches.”

Litchfield went into Regional as the team to beat and came into the Region Championship across the net from the Colorado Crush’s 16-1’s team as the 9th seed going in.

Lopez credits his team’s unity as an underlying factor of their season’s success. “I would have to say their unselfish attitude towards each other. It was very clear in the beginning of this season that they were special indeed. Each tournament they played together they showed the quality of team spirit that I have not seen before.

“They would all do whatever needed to be done and none of them were looking to be the hero. Rather they were looking in the same direction at the same goal. Their work ethic at practice spilled over into the tournaments they played. This was the hardest working team that I have ever coached and yet they made it look easy. They found their playing rhythm early and worked on it as the season progressed. There were no stars on this team and they all knew that they needed each other to be successful. They never made any excuses for a poor performance and they always talked about what they could do better the next time. As a coach I am very proud to be a part of this season it has been a pleasure to be their coach.”

As they move up into the 16’s division, much will be expected of this team, both by Lopez and the girls themselves. “I think the future of this team is bright and that our program is now starting to produce upper level players. It is only the beginning for this team. I would like to see them stay together but I know that with our training system is engrained in the players of this team, no matter where they go they will all be successful. They will always be Litchfield Park.”

Litchfield Park 15
Semi National Stops
Verde Heat 16-Red for 16A Gold

Where are you Christmas?

Sung well into February, it would seem more of an error in scheduling, but for the Litchfield Park 15-1’s team and coach Tracy Irving, it became a turning point to a season.

“ That when the girls began turning the corner a bit.” Irving remembers. “We were playing in a region tournament and we had a player decide she was going to sing ‘Where are you Christmas?’ Needless to say while winning games we were all singing this song and it brought the girls closer together.”

Close enough to take the Region’s 16A division championship with a win over the Verde Heat 16-Red team on June 7th.

Irving’s squad put aside the fact they were younger and less experienced than many of their opponents. “This was their first year playing together and many of the girls this was their first year in club.” Irving says. “For them to achieve this was a testament of their hard work and sacrifice and I am proud of all of them. They all learned their positions and with girls that were setters in high school playing front row for us without any complaints from them or their parents really helped as well.”

Litchfield claimed two of the three 16’s titles at Regional and Irving says it’s the work the teams put in. “During the regional tournament the girls finally saw what could happen if they used the defensive system we teach as well as the conditioning program we use. They were still fresh and mentally focused.”

Irving sees the game becoming more and more about size and offense, but her philosophy goes the other way. .” I believe that the defense aspect is the most important and that’s what I try to emphasize. All of the young ladies can hit but if you can’t defend you can’t win. Being a first year coach and a region champion was a great bonus. And I would like to thank the club, girls and parents for supporting me.”

“ We have a bright future.” Irving points out. “I am excited about next season as we had a young team with a few 13 year olds playing and starting for us and oldest girl just turning 15. So we are all looking forward to our next run together.”     

On May 25^th 2008 the Litchfield Park 12-National Red Peppers coached by Amanda Lopez Co-founder of Litchfield Park Juniors and Anthony Ledesma.  Win the Gold in the 12s division capturing the covenant champions cup.  This was the first year that the Wigwam Classic introduced the champion’s cup and it was a huge success.  To be the first team to win the cup in the 12 division is special.  “I thought we would win the cup said Amanda we were better than most of the teams in the tournament and I knew how hard my girls worked all year long for this moment”

It would not come easy as they traveled to Gonzales School the home court of Litchfield Park.  They would have to face great opposition in Palos Verdes 12-1 and AZONE 12-1.  The three team playoff would provide some great moments for the players and parents.  In the end it would be Litchfield 12s who would walk away with the trophy and gold medals. 

“I trained my girls harder than any team in the club I have great expectations for each one I know that two of my girls are just 8 years old but they had to work just as hard as my 12 year olds.  I feel it will set the standard for each player to understand that winning does not come easy it takes hard work”

Amanda Lopez assisted by Anthony Ledesma did a great job with this team I know as the director they are what I look for in coaches.  They work the team hard and teach them the fundamentals they will need to move up next year. 

And great job 12-National for placing second in the Arizona Region Bronze Division ending up 14th over-all in the state out of 48 teams. 

Rosario Lopez
Club Director
 

Litchfield Park 14-National Win Bronze in the Gold Division at the 2008 Wigwam Classic Championships.  This team also participated in the 16s division.  

Photo taken pre-medal awards.

2007 was a great year for Litchfield Park Juniors.  The 16U from Litchfield Park played some great volleyball against some great teams.  They placed 3rd and took the Bronze Medal in the Gold Division. 

Great Job Ladies 

The Wigwam Classic is a four day event with three days of tournament play and opening ceremony was founded in 2005 by the Lopez family to provide local players the chance to compete against out of state players.  We wanted to create a tournament that would draw some of the best teams in USA Volleyball to our state.  We felt this would provide our club players with more experience and help them reach their volleyball goals.

To date we are one of three such events in the valley.  We are dedicated to the promotion of club volleyball in Arizona.  This is one step in making Litchfield Park Juniors Volleyball Club the club of opportunity.  With a grand opening ceremony held at the Wigwam Resort and Spa the Wigwam Classic is the jewel of the desert.  We hope your club has the opportunity to paticipate in this event.  With medals awarded in all divisions every participant wins. 

In 2005 the Litchfield Park 14-1s win Gold at the Starlings National Championships in San Diego California.

Founded by the Lopez family in Litchfield Park Arizona.