2010 – Beginnings and Recognitions

Haleighana

Beginnings…

I hope everyone could begin the New Year as I did, though I know many will not. A new baby, great-granddaughter Haleighana, greets the New Year with just two days of baggage on her tiny shoulders, which she bears very well. There is something about the innocence of a new baby that gives you hope for mankind. Tiny yet strong and determined, making her needs known when required and when her needs are met she sleeps, dreaming of all that could be hers one day. She does not know the word no or can't or shouldn't. Her world has no boundaries yet – she inhabits a world in which she is the very center, Princess of her own universe.

It won't be long before walls will be constructed, some built for her safety but so many will come disguised as good intensions but will only work to hold back a natural creative process or curiosity. I hope I can be a positive influence in her life.

Misty and Mollie

Recognitions…

My friend Mollie has been a positive influence in the lives of many kids. Her life has been spent in teaching and coaching; helping kids learn the basics to play a game called volleyball, but really she was helping them learn about the game of life. Learning that you need to be prepared when you step out onto the court, learning that winning doesn't always come easy and as in life, it takes hard work and lot's of practice to become successful.

The Junior Volleyball Association has announced Mollie as one of their 2009 Hall of Fame inductees. I know Mollie is very proud to receive this honor and I am so proud for her. I don't know if I will be able to be in New Orleans when she receives her induction, but I do know I will be there in spirit. This is what the JVA had to say about her:

Mollie Kavanagh

Junior volleyball came of age in the 1980's thanks to the implementation of Title IX, along with

both the U.S. Women's and U.S. Men's National teams capturing Olympic Medals at the 1984

Games held in Los Angeles, playing in front of sellout crowds and national television audiences.

There were many great coaches who came into the sport of volleyball during this time period,

but one of them stood head and shoulders above the rest, winning championship after

championship. Mollie Kavanagh dominated the 1980's as both a coach and club director with

her Ichiban, and later Asics/Tiger teams, appearing in a total of 11 championship matches from

1983-1992, bringing home seven gold medals in the 18 Open and 16 Open divisions. During

this period, she coached many great players including Olympians Keba Phipps, Tee Williams

and beach superstar Misty May.

"Mollie is the reason that I am coaching college volleyball today," said Cristine Martin-Dixon,
who played at Texas Tech University and is currently an assistant coach at SMU. "She instilled
in me a desire and knowledge for the game that so many of today's athletes don't have the
opportunity to receive. She is by far one of the best volleyball coaches in the country because
she has stayed true to her commitment and philosophy of the game. I am honored to have
been coached by Mollie."

Katy Kurt from Cal State Bakersfield stated that, "Mollie didn't just teach volleyball skills, she
taught you skills for life: respect, hard work, discipline, responsibility-all characteristics she
embodies, and that I strive for in my own life."

"Mollie has been instrumental to the development of Volleyball in our country and has dedicated
all of her life to making sure volleyball continues to grow and our young girls continue to be
great role models in our communities," said Santiago Restrepo, head coach at University of
Oklahoma. "I am very proud to have known Mollie for over 28 years and very proud to call her
my 'American Mom.' Thank you to JVA for recognizing her dedication and service to our
volleyball community."