During the downtime following the 2014 season, Ignacio Volleyball head coach Thad Cano enjoyed a chance encounter at the American Volleyball Coaches Association annual convention with, of all people, Karch Kiraly, a noted volleyball coach and broadcaster.
If that wasn't cool enough, Cano will be having one player-hailing from Colorado, in fact-coached by the sport's icon in town to mentor developing spikers at IHS' 2015 All-America Volleyball Camp.
Former 5A Highlands Ranch Mountain Vista and Purdue University standout Ariel Turner will be the event's featured guest instructor.
Part of the United States' U-23 squad at the 2013 FIVB Women's World Championships under Kiraly, Turner led Purdue in kills and kills per game from 2010-12, and in '12, her senior season, the Boilermakers reached the NCAA Tournament's 'Sweet 16' after starting out ousting Colorado State.
As a MVHS senior in 2008, Turner helped the Golden Eagles go 23-6 overall. In 2012, Turner was Purdue's first two-time Academic All-America honoree since 1988. She has played professionally in France.
Also currently committed to come to Ignacio and offer her insights will be former Long Beach State University middle Michelle Osunbor, who completed her 49ers career in 2011 helping LBSU qualify for a 25th consecutive NCAA Tournament.
During her last two seasons, LBSU went 48-15 overall but was eliminated each year in the Big Dance's first round by University of San Diego.
The All-America Volleyball camp, priced at $155, runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day July 14-16. To register, call Cano at (505) 634-6492 or e-mail him at huntfishvolley@yahoo.com.
