BRING IT PROMOTIONSPHOTOS FROM TRIP -- AUGSBURG VOLLEYBALL FACEBOOK PAGE
SCROLL DOWN FOR TRIP UPDATES -- UPDATED 5/23MINNEAPOLIS -- The Augsburg College volleyball team will be embarking upon its second-ever international trip, leaving on Saturday for a nine-day competition, training and educational trip to Nicaragua.
The Auggies will depart on Saturday, May 16 to Managua, Nicaragua, and return to the Twin Cities on Sunday, May 24. The Auggies will play three matches against the Nicaragua national team, on Sunday, May 17 in Managua, on Wednesday, May 20 in San Juan del Sur, and on Saturday, May 23 in Granada. A total of 18 players, along with coaches, an athletic trainer and others, will be on the trip.
"We are so excited to be immersed in Nicaraguan culture, compete against international competition, and spend some great time together as a team," said Augsburg Head Coach
Jane Becker. "This is such an amazing opportunity to achieve the Augsburg experience and travel as a team."
During the trip, the team will volunteer at
Manos Unidas, a co-op serving adults with disabilities in San Juan del Sur; teach English at
Escuela Adelante, a bilingual learning center for children in San Juan del Sur; teach English at a school in
El Carizal (Casa Llanta Fund); volunteer at a mobile library; and host a youth volleyball clinic at a local school.Â
The Auggies will also take part in plenty of sightseeing opportunities, visiting
Laguna de Apoyo, a volcanic crater lake; the costal community of
San Juan del Sur; a surf camp at
Playa Hermosa in San Juan del Sur; and trips to the Nicaraguan jungle and the colonial city of
Granada.
Under Becker, entering her sixth season as Augsburg's head coach in 2015, the Auggies finished 23-6 overall in 2014, repeating as Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular-season co-champions and repeating a berth in the NCAA Division III national tournament. The Auggies lose just three seniors to graduation and will return 22 players to the lineup in 2015.
This is the Augsburg volleyball team's second-ever international trip; in
2008, the Auggies traveled to Brazil for a training and competition trip.
Stories and photos from the trip will be linked from this page, in addition to being posted on Augsburg Volleyball's
Facebook and
Twitter accounts.
DAYS 1-2 -- MAY 16-17
Update from Cailen Giese (FY, New Richmond, Wis.) and Taylor Linn (FY, Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS)After a long day of traveling, losing a player to passport issues, and crying babies on the flight, the Augsburg volleyball team made it to Managua, Nicaragua. Upon arriving, the team discovered the intense heat, humidity and crazy driving. Our first morning, we had a delicious breakfast. We were served tomales, omelettes, and the team's favorite: fruit. The fruit is way fresher and juicier here!
We then packed all of our stuff on top of a bus, and headed to our first game. We played the Nicaraguan national team. Ironically, we played at a college down here called the "U de M" (U of M). We played four sets to 25, only winning one of them. Nonetheless, each match was a battle and very fun. We got to experience the hot, sticky, and slippery gym. At the end of the match, we all took a picture together. After the match, we went "real authentic" and had Subway, then headed to Lake Apoyo.
Lake Apoyo is a lake in the crater of an old volcano. The view was amazing and the water was a perfect temperature and amazingly smooth. Funny story of the day: The whole team sunk the large wooden raft in the lake. We were trying to take a picture on it, but apparently it couldn't hold all of our muscular builds! We finished off the night with a lovely dinner on the beach. We were served beef and chicken, with four of their authentic sauces. It was delicious! We are all looking forward to serving others and the rest of our adventures to come!
DAY 3 -- MAY 18
Update from Justine Legut (SO, Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy HS)CASA LLANTA FUND PAGE
ESCUELA ADELANTE SCHOOL PAGEToday, we split up in two groups for most of the day. I slept in today and ate beans, rice, and scrambled eggs for breakfast, and the rice never fails because it has so much flavor. Instead of a side of potatoes, there is rice and beans. A small group went to Manos Unidos and helped kids with disabilities make bags, which were made from the bags that rice comes in. It was amazing to see them over come what we would see as a disability. One of the girls with cerebral palsy would use her mouth to handle the needle. It was amazing to watch. They were very good at making the bags and it was fun to see them smile and make new friends.
After Manos Unidos, there was time to shop and eat. My favorite part of the day was walking around and seeing the culture in action. I love how relaxed it is; the shops open when they want to open and the people are so friendly. My minor is Spanish and I think it's fun to push myself outside of the classroom knowledge I have and talk to the locals here.
After, we taught accelerated students in an after-school English program. For me, it turned into me trying to use my Spanish and talk about the music we have in common. I was excited to listen to the music here, but they listen to the same songs we have on the radio. The teacher also would use songs in English like "Respect" to get the kids to listen up. All of the kids were very outgoing and the time went by too fast!
We had dinner in a restaurant on the beach again, and rice and beans with french fries were in the menu. Again, the food was made with love and blew my mind. The day was packed and all of us are left ready for bed!
Update from Jaelyn Arndt (SO, Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn HS) and April Johnson (FY, Moorhead, Minn.)
Our day began with an outdoor breakfast; rice and beans is a very popular meal here in Nicaragua. Additionally, we had eggs and fresh jam, and all the juice is freshly squeezed! Delicioso! The team split up into groups for volunteering. He first group left to coordinate a volleyball clinic and the other group helped with a nonprofit for persons with disabilities. The volleyball clinic was phenomenal, even speaking small amounts of Spanish, we were able to connect with the girls, learn a lot and have a ton of fun.
Our afternoon had us teaching English to students in an after-school program, however the conversations had us learning an equal amount of Spanish. We ended our night at a mountain-top pool party in a resort. The weather is incredible and the water is always warm. The food was amazing as always. We had chicken, vegetables, rice and salad. It is definitely different and an incredible learning experience.
One teammate lost her wallet in the Houston airport and we got the good news that it was turned in on our rooftop adventure. The food was a stupendous celebration. This time will be something that we remember forever, as we have grown closer with the team on and off the court, which has helped create our goal to go back to the national tournament. This week will be a great contribution to making these connections with one another, to be able to keep our eye on our mission, our goal, and our past success.
DAY 4 -- MAY 19
Update from Chelsea Patterson (FY, Niwot, Colo.)Today started off with sleeping in and going to volunteer at a disability facility. I met many people ranging from ages 8-40. They made bags out of rice and bean bags found from local stores. They let us make bags and bracelets to go on the bags. Then we spoke and asked each other what our favorite color or animal was, or if we had any brothers or sisters and what their names were. I bought a bag and it was $6 U.S. and then I made some bracelets with a little boy.Â
Then we came back and went to eat lunch. I ate at "Bad Ass Tacos." I had a fish taco and it was very delicious, way better then Chipotle! After we went to go shopping. Some friends of mine were bargaining when buying bracelets, but I felt very out of place as my Spanish isn't very good.Â
We went to the only public library that lends out books in Nicaragua, a two-minute drive away. We listened to songs and taught them English. I had two girls who were the most advanced in the class, and I didn't have to help them really at all. It was fun to sing "Will you marry me," and listen to one of the girls sing again to get a "smile ticket" for doing a good job! Every time the kids weren't happy, they would sing "Don't worry, be happy!" It was a very fun experience and I was surprised how much the kids were able to speak English.
We went to a place next door from last night for dinner tonight. We had rice and beans with chicken and fries around the sides, it was very good! Today, I loved spending time with all the children. Even though I feel out of place and way out of my comfort zone, I am happy that I am trying to reach out and learn a little bit of Spanish as I go along!
DAY 5 -- MAY 20
Update from Ellen Sachs (SO, Minneapolis, Minn./South HS) and Tabby Roh (JR, La Crosse, Wis./Central HS)Today we woke up and split back off into our groups after having a breakfast of toast, eggs, rice, beans, and juice. One group returned to Manos Unidos and another went back to the mobile library to play with with children and donate school supplies. We split off into smaller groups and explored San Juan Del Sur, looking for good lunch spots. There is a cute restaurant called "Cha Cha Cha" that is home of the 90 Córdoba menu. Que Rico!
Again, we got into our big groups and returned to the mobile library classroom to continue teaching English with the students we had the day before. It was successful and very fun! After that we directly went into our first ever outdoor, concrete-court match against the Nicaraguan national team. It was a hard five-set match where the Auggies came out on top!
We went to another restaurant where had mackerel or chicken or both for dinner. We made sure that Cristine got some cake today because it is her 19th birthday! It was a fun day and are looking forward to getting up for yoga tomorrow. Hasta Luego!
DAY 6 -- MAY 21
Update from Ashley Peper (JR, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS)
Today we woke up early (6:30 a.m.) to go to our private yoga session. We walked a solid two blocks until we reached our outdoor studio. It looked super beautiful. We went upstairs and somehow squeezed all 23 of us into the space. I got to squeeze next to the wall. We had played the night before, so we asked for a nice relaxing stretching session. It may have been out of laziness too. It was super relaxing, except for when I would try to do a pose and hit the wall.
Afterwards, we went to breakfast back at the hotel. The eggs are by far the greatest thing in this hotel next to the air conditioning. We had some free time and April and I went to buy some smoothies at a store a few blocks down. I got one with strawberry, passion fruit and orange. So good and only three dollars. Then we went to lunch at a place called Cha Cha Cha! Their quesadilla with chicken and guac is amazing and also cheap -- $4. After lunch, April, Jess and I may have went to a crepe place too just because why not eat a lot when on vacation.
After lunch and second lunch, we walked to the ocean to head to our private catamaran. It was 38 feet and full of appetizers. We set sail to the private bay. Mountains were all around us to the right and nothing but blue water to the left. We got to the bay and used noodles and life vests to float around and relax. It was beyond beautiful and I was lucky enough to be stung by a jellyfish! It attacked my left hand and I barely survived. Just kidding -- it just stung a lot. After two hours at bay, we headed back to San Juan Del Sur a little burnt, but very happy.
Then we had about 20 minutes to change and get ready for dinner with some salsa lessons! Dinner was chicken and fish kabobs with rice and mashed potatoes (I think the potatoes were weird). There was a salsa teacher and a group performing traditional dances. One of the traditional dancers wore a mask with a cigarette, and I was lucky to be pulled up to dance. It was awkward but I just spun around and, thankfully, he decided I was a bad dancer and let me go back to the table. After dinner, we went to the hotel and passed out from exhaustion! It was an amazing day.Â
DAY 7 -- MAY 22
Update from Ellen Sachs (SO, Minneapolis, Minn./South HS) and Tabby Roh (JR, La Crosse, Wis./Central HS)
Today on our adventure of Nicaragua and city No. 3. We woke up this morning and drove to the beautiful city of Granada, at which we took a boat tour of the Islands of Granada. On this tour, we saw individually hand-crafted homes, cranes, monkeys, and an assortment of different birds.
After the boat tour, we drove to our hotel and walked around the city. Later that night we played our third and final match against the Nicaraguan National team and the Junior Olympic National team. We then enjoyed our last meal at a pizza place. We are ready to go for an early morning trip back to Managua and then America!
