Youth Volleyball: Putting a shine on all the hot days, carwashes

Shannon Walker couldn't resist teasing her Omaha Starlings players when the team arrived home after winning the Starlings national volleyball tournament.

“I said, ‘See you for morning practice tomorrow and a carwash on Saturday,'” the coach said. “They all kind of glared at me.''

Walker had to laugh. The Starlings have had their fill of fundraising, at least for now.

“We probably washed every car in Omaha,'' Walker said.

And for what? To proudly wear their gold medals at every opportunity.

The Starlings, who are affiliated with the North Omaha Boys and Girls Club, produced undefeated champions in the under-14 and under-18 divisions in a San Diego tournament that attracted 148 Starlings teams from 48 cities.

“I think it was the highlight of some of their lives,'' Walker said. “A lot of them had never flown before, or seen the ocean.''

The Starlings aren't your typical high-powered club team. They are part of a nationwide program created for inner-city youth and minorities. Instead of paying $1,000 or more to be on a team, the Starlings pay $200.

But team membership also requires a lot of commitment outside of practices, which in the summer take place once or twice daily as the team gears up for nationals. Walker said it costs around $5,000 to $6,000 to take a team to San Diego. All raised by the club.

The Starlings held carwashes every weekend from April to June to fund their trip to nationals. Players sold candles, popcorn and coupon books. They handled tear-down and cleanup duties at Qwest Center Omaha. And they hosted a sand volleyball tournament.

Anything the girls sell goes toward their own trip expenses. Profits from fundraisers such as the carwashes go to the team for entry fees, van rentals and some hotel costs.

For the first time in 10 years, the Starlings were able to raise enough to take three clubs to nationals. And, for the first time, the Starlings were able to buy team jerseys. No more T-shirts.

“It's a lot of work, but it's worth it,'' said outside hitter Liz Jensen, an Omaha North graduate who will attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha this fall on an academic scholarship.

Walker said Jensen and middle hitter Dorothy Brown, who has signed with Grambling, were the forces behind this year's under-18 team.

“They set the tone from the beginning of the season,'' Walker said. “This was their goal, and they did a good job of leading the team.''

The under-18 team won 10 matches over four days. The Omahans claimed the championship match in an intense three sets, clinching it with a 15-12 win in the third over San Gabriel, Calif.

The under-14 team claimed its title by winning nine matches. The under-17s had to play up an age class, and finished 19th in the under-18 division.

Winning, Walker said, was priceless.

“They were all bawling and jumping all over each other,'' she said. “They got gold medals, and a couple of them told me they are still wearing them.''

Jensen said she didn't know how to react at first.

“We were all in shock,'' she said. “I was crying. The first person I went and hugged was Shannon.''

Walker took over as program director this year after coaching for nine years. An assistant at Omaha North and a single mother of 7-year-old Kadon, she graduated in December with a degree in English. Throw in an office job at North, and it hasn't been easy, she said.

“You have to love it to put the hours in. It doesn't pay,'' she said. “Every year I think maybe I should coach one of the elite programs and get a paycheck.

“I really feel like I'm making a difference.''

Walker counts the club's success in scholarships, not medals. Nineteen girls have earned full rides. Erin Golden, the under-17 coach, and Melisa Jack, the under-14 coach, are both alums.

Jensen said the Starlings stick together like a family. They focus on life skills, friendship and fun first, with winning second. But Walker said the girls in the program are getting better every year.

Just check out their gold medals.

The rosters:

Ÿ18 and under: Alanna Bruce, Omaha Burke; Dorothy Brown, Omaha North;

Liz Jensen, Omaha North; Courtney Iwanski, Omaha Bryan;

Amanda Gilreath, Omaha Westside; Zoraya Kentch, Omaha Benson;

DeAndra Richardson, Omaha Mercy; Ali Luckey, Columbus Lakeview.

Ÿ17 and under: Kira Luxon, Omaha North; Kelsey Denman, Omaha North;

Haleigh Belter, Omaha North; Kristin Kenny, Omaha North; Monique Sutton, Northwest; Sydney Gonzalez, Omaha South; Paige Tyree, Omaha Benson; Rhaniece Choice, Omaha Mercy.

Ÿ14 and under: Emily Jensen, McMillan; Payton Horacek, Holy Name;

Megan Adams, La Vista Junior High; Abby Klitz, LaVista Junior High;

Sarah Jack, Morton; Brooke Jack, Morton; Amanda Jack, Morton; Amara Meeks, Morton;

Monica Long, Morton; Sarah Sambasile, St. Stanislaus.

Contact the writer:

444-1034, marjie.ducey@owh.com

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