Posted by Christine Jinbo

USA Volleyball's Beach Division selected Caitlin Ledoux and Tara Roenicke to represent the USA in The Hague, Netherlands as part of the U19 Junior National Beach Team.    The team, although new to playing together, both have beach experience on the national junior tours of AAU Beach and USA Beach. In 2006, Ledoux placed first in the Under 16 division of the USA Beach Tour Championships at Seal Beach, Calif. with partner Jocelyn Neely.  Roenicke placed first in the Under 14 division of the AAU Junior Olympics at New Orleans, La. in 2005.

Ledoux and Roenicke both sport 4.0 (and above) grade point averages and it shows in how quickly they have learned to play together in a new system behind the block.  This summer the pair earned their AAA beach rating with CBVA and just last week won their first match at the AVP Qualifier in Long Beach, Calif.  The team used the AVP Qualifier as a last warm up round before they leave for The Hague.  Ledoux and Roenicke have a lot in common and could make a good run at the SWATCH FIVB Youth World Championships.  They each gave us some insight into the team and their experiences so far.

 

          
          
Caitlin Ledoux Volleyball Interview:
ESPN Rise: What are you most looking forward to about the FIVB competition in The Hague, Netherlands?
Ledoux: I am very excited to represent the US in the Netherlands.  Of course, it would be great to go over there and medal, but just going and meeting players from other countries and learning how the rest of the world plays is very exciting!

ESPN Rise: What is the best thing so far about training with the Junior National Beach Team?
Ledoux: The best thing about the training so far would be how much I have learned in such a short time.  The coach, Danalee Corso, is just amazing.  She has so much to teach us and is always able to put it in a way that is comprehensible.  The practices are very tough and are packed with so much learning, plus the girls get along very well which makes the whole thing fun.  
 
ESPN Rise: What is the most surprising thing so far about training with the Junior National Beach Team?
Ledoux: When I found out I made the team, my mom and I thought it would be extremely hard to travel 90 miles each way to practice 6 days a week, but we quickly found out that the driving was nothing compared to how valuable the practices were and we were able make the trip easily.

ESPN Rise:  Do you play other sports, which ones?
Ledoux: No.  I wish I could have in high school, but the trip to indoor club practices was too long, so I couldn't fit it all in.
 
ESPN Rise:  You chose to attend LBSU as a sophomore, what influenced your decision?
Ledoux: As a sophomore, it was an easy choice.  Brian Gimmilaro is a great coach, he has produced the most National Team and Olympic players, and that is the path I hope to go on.  

Tara Roenicke Volleyball Interview:
ESPN Rise: This is your second year with the Junior National Beach team.   What surprised you last year that you are prepared for this year?
Roenicke: How experienced the teams were and how long they had played together, so we are practicing hard this year.

ESPN Rise: What is the difference playing internationally than domestically?
Roenicke: You play in all kinds of weather: rain, sleet, snow (haha).  Last year in Poland we played in pouring rain in 49 degrees!

ESPN Rise: What are you most looking forward to about the FIVB competition in The Hague, Netherlands?
Roenicke: That most people speak English!  I'm excited to have the chance to win gold and to meet new people.

ESPN Rise: What is the best thing so far about training with the Junior National Beach Team?  
Roenicke: Availability of a lot of training.
 
ESPN Rise: What is the most surprising thing so far about training with the Junior National Beach Team? Roenicke: Learning how to play behind a block.  It's a completely different game.
 
ESPN Rise: Do you play other sports, which ones?
Roenicke: I play all year round beach and indoor volleyball, no time for anything else.
 
ESPN Rise: Where would you like to attend college, why?
Undecided, because of the new possibility of making Beach volleyball an NCAA sport.

ESPN Rise: If beach volleyball were an NCAA sport, would you choose beach or indoor?
Roenicke: Beach.
 
We started the sentences and Caitlin and Tara filled in the blanks:

I play best when...
Ledoux:  ...the mood on the court is positive.
Roenicke: ... I'm mad and when the game is on the line.

If I were a coach I would&
Ledoux:  ... coach little kids.
Roenicke: &make sure my teams are both mentally and physically prepared.

Something most people don't know about me is&
Ledoux: ... I'm cross-eyed and wear glasses.
Roenicke: &I eat 24/7.

I never leave home without &
Ledoux: ... my cell phone.
Roenicke: &my cell phone.

The topical issue that most interests me in the world is&
Ledoux: ... the war in Iraq.
Roenicke: & terrorism.

If I could have one superhuman power it would be&
Ledoux: ... to fly.
Roenicke:&to be able to transport!

My favorite Olympic sport to watch is&
Ledoux: ... VOLLEYBALL!!
Roenicke: &beach volleyball.

One day I will&
Ledoux: ... play in the Olympics.
Roenicke: &become a top pro beach volleyball player!

We made them choose!

Beach volleyball or Indoor volleyball:
Ledoux: Both
Roenicke: Beach

Skateboarding or Surfing:
Ledoux: Surfing
Roenicke: Surfing

Movies or Video Games:
Ledoux:Video Games
Roenicke: Movies

RedBull or Monster Energy:
Ledoux: Neither
Roenicke:Monster

Health Food Freak or Junk Food Junkie:
Ledoux: Health Food
Roenicke: Junk Food

American Idol or Survivor:
Ledoux: American Idol
Roenicke: American Idol

Texting or Talking:
Ledoux: Texting
Roenicke: Texting

Facebook or MySpace:
Ledoux: My Space
Roenicke: My Space

Three legged race or Bobbing for apples:
Ledoux: Three legged race
Roenicke: Bobbing for apples

Basketball or Football or Baseball
Ledoux: Football
Roenicke: Baseball