Stackhouse Recaps the Big Ten Volleyball Foreign Tour
Jul 10 | Women's Volleyball
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - Rising sophomore Jasmine Stackhouse had a chance to represent Rutgers on a trip of a lifetime as a member of the Big Ten Volleyball Foreign Tour Team.
For the second time in the past three years, student-athletes from all 14 institutions traveled overseas to compete in a foreign tour. In addition to competition on the court, the tour also featured community service initiatives and the opportunity to experience new cultures. The group made stops in the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Italy and Austria from June 17-28, 2017.
"The more I reflect on the trip, I realize how much it meant to have been selected and I am truly grateful of my coaches," said Stackhouse. "The tour was a great opportunity to see a different style of the game, which many call euro style. It also shows you what a typical day playing overseas is like from before or after a match to what the city, towns, and even gyms look like. If anyone wants to play overseas, this is what it would be like; this is what it would feel like."
The Foreign Team competed in seven matches along the way, crossing paths with various national teams. The team proved victorious against the U18 Czech Republic Team, the Russian Federation Team, the Croatian Senior National Team and the Bulgarian Junior National Team. Other opponents included the Czech Republic National and Junior National Teams, as well as the Italian Junior National Team.
"If you ask me what the intensity of every match was on a scale of 1-10, I would answer 10 every time," said Stackhouse. "These national teams are so consistent and flawless with their moves with little errors. All the matches that we won were highly earned. I'm definitely a fan of the national teams, they were absolutely amazing."
After having just a few days of practice to mesh as a team, the group of 14 student-athletes discovered the strength of their newly formed bond in the victory over the Russian Federation Team. A contest that saw Stackhouse lead the team with 10 blocks, as the Foreign Team out-blocked the Russian Federation 18-8.
"I believe the match that we really came together was when we played Russian Federation Team," said Stackhouse. "We had already had three games of playing with each other under our belt so we started realizing the strengths we could play to in order to win the match."
While volleyball encompassed most of the time, the group still had a chance to sightsee in some of the most beautiful and monumental places in Eastern Europe. From the Lennon Wall in Prague to Venice's historic waterways, the team made use of its off time.
"My favorite city was Prague," said Stackhouse. "I'm obsessed with history and things from the past. Prague had such a beautiful style and a lot of old history. The city was outstanding, the food was amazing and the people of the city just seemed like they always have such a great time. Hearing people play music on the side of the bridge was the icing on the cake! I just couldn't get enough!"
Whether during a bike ride through Slovenia or during dinner in Milan, the 14 student-athletes got a chance to connect outside of the sport.
"My favorite part of the trip was definitely bonding with the girls. It was such an amazing group of girls and we felt like we knew each other longer than we did. Whether we were in the hotel or sightseeing we always enjoyed each other's company. I think that was a really important part of the trip because come game time it allowed us to be supportive of one another," said Stackhouse.
It was weird at first for Stackhouse to be put onto a team with opponents from schools that the Scarlet Knights compete with every year, but that quickly wore off.
"Playing with other players from the Big Ten definitely was interesting in a positive way," said Stackhouse. "It's funny because they're usually across the net from you, but then you find yourself on the same side of the court with them. We laughed about it a couple times, but every player was supportive and I think we were all able to learn something from one another."
Now the players have returned to their respective programs as the 2017 season rapidly approaches. The trip was just what Stackhouse needed to get her through the summer months waiting for fall competition. When she takes the court this season, she will have added excitement for each Big Ten match.
"This trip has absolutely made me very pumped for the season!," said Stackhouse. "I can't wait to see the girls across the net again and play in the conference matches. I'm even more excited now that there is a friendly face from each school."
The trip in its entirety was documented on the 2017 Big Ten Volleyball Foreign Tour blog, which can be found here.
Follow Rutgers Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram (@RUvball) for all of the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersVolleyball). For all Rutgers Athletics news follow us on Twitter(@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics), Snapchat (@RUAthletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics).
For the second time in the past three years, student-athletes from all 14 institutions traveled overseas to compete in a foreign tour. In addition to competition on the court, the tour also featured community service initiatives and the opportunity to experience new cultures. The group made stops in the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Italy and Austria from June 17-28, 2017.
"The more I reflect on the trip, I realize how much it meant to have been selected and I am truly grateful of my coaches," said Stackhouse. "The tour was a great opportunity to see a different style of the game, which many call euro style. It also shows you what a typical day playing overseas is like from before or after a match to what the city, towns, and even gyms look like. If anyone wants to play overseas, this is what it would be like; this is what it would feel like."
The Foreign Team competed in seven matches along the way, crossing paths with various national teams. The team proved victorious against the U18 Czech Republic Team, the Russian Federation Team, the Croatian Senior National Team and the Bulgarian Junior National Team. Other opponents included the Czech Republic National and Junior National Teams, as well as the Italian Junior National Team.
"If you ask me what the intensity of every match was on a scale of 1-10, I would answer 10 every time," said Stackhouse. "These national teams are so consistent and flawless with their moves with little errors. All the matches that we won were highly earned. I'm definitely a fan of the national teams, they were absolutely amazing."
After having just a few days of practice to mesh as a team, the group of 14 student-athletes discovered the strength of their newly formed bond in the victory over the Russian Federation Team. A contest that saw Stackhouse lead the team with 10 blocks, as the Foreign Team out-blocked the Russian Federation 18-8.
"I believe the match that we really came together was when we played Russian Federation Team," said Stackhouse. "We had already had three games of playing with each other under our belt so we started realizing the strengths we could play to in order to win the match."
While volleyball encompassed most of the time, the group still had a chance to sightsee in some of the most beautiful and monumental places in Eastern Europe. From the Lennon Wall in Prague to Venice's historic waterways, the team made use of its off time.
"My favorite city was Prague," said Stackhouse. "I'm obsessed with history and things from the past. Prague had such a beautiful style and a lot of old history. The city was outstanding, the food was amazing and the people of the city just seemed like they always have such a great time. Hearing people play music on the side of the bridge was the icing on the cake! I just couldn't get enough!"
Whether during a bike ride through Slovenia or during dinner in Milan, the 14 student-athletes got a chance to connect outside of the sport.
"My favorite part of the trip was definitely bonding with the girls. It was such an amazing group of girls and we felt like we knew each other longer than we did. Whether we were in the hotel or sightseeing we always enjoyed each other's company. I think that was a really important part of the trip because come game time it allowed us to be supportive of one another," said Stackhouse.
It was weird at first for Stackhouse to be put onto a team with opponents from schools that the Scarlet Knights compete with every year, but that quickly wore off.
"Playing with other players from the Big Ten definitely was interesting in a positive way," said Stackhouse. "It's funny because they're usually across the net from you, but then you find yourself on the same side of the court with them. We laughed about it a couple times, but every player was supportive and I think we were all able to learn something from one another."
Now the players have returned to their respective programs as the 2017 season rapidly approaches. The trip was just what Stackhouse needed to get her through the summer months waiting for fall competition. When she takes the court this season, she will have added excitement for each Big Ten match.
"This trip has absolutely made me very pumped for the season!," said Stackhouse. "I can't wait to see the girls across the net again and play in the conference matches. I'm even more excited now that there is a friendly face from each school."
The trip in its entirety was documented on the 2017 Big Ten Volleyball Foreign Tour blog, which can be found here.
Follow Rutgers Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram (@RUvball) for all of the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersVolleyball). For all Rutgers Athletics news follow us on Twitter(@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics), Snapchat (@RUAthletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics).
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