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Cover Feature

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE

By Judith A. Habert

It’s exciting, exhilarating, The International Volleyball of the PVF and the visionary their magnificent coaching staff.
Federation has over 200 govern-
and ground-breaking! San MARAUDER BLUE SUNSET YELLOW WAVE CAP WHITE leadership of one of the all-time With practices held at the Wave
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Diego’s newest addition to ing nations with pro volleyball greatest volleyball players, Kerri Volleyball facilities in Del Mar
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professional sports is the San teams for both men and women. Walsh Jennings. She has been and games played at the Viejas
Diego Mojo. The Pro Volley- Countries that American players instrumental in bringing this Arena, we had the opportunity
ball Federation is the latest traveled to play at the pro level exciting sport to San Diego. to watch them in practice mode
breakthrough for women’s have included Turkey, Japan, Walsh-Jennings is a renowned and during a recent game against
professional sports. The PVF France, Italy, Germany, Spain, beach volleyball player, three- the Colombus Fury. And yes, our
includes athletes from all over Israel, Russia, Finland, Portugal, time Olympic gold medalist, girls shined, defeating the Fury
the world, but this is the very Poland, and Denmark. and one-time Olympic bronze in a very exciting matchup.
first time that our American Many players have had medalist, and is now the owner Ronika Stone (#7) is a mid-
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traveling halfway around the United States Women’s Nation- team based in San Diego. This ally for 4 years. Although Stone
world, away from friends and al Team, and many ended up had a great impact on our local was born in Passaic, New Jersey,
family to do so. It is no longer attaining gold medals, so it was stars who have now been able she spent the majority of her life
a choice between pursuing your obvious that we had a litany of to find a home right here in San in San Jose, California.
dreams or staying in the States; great players here, but they had Diego. Of course, the team does We had the chance to speak
the advent of the PVF and, even nowhere in this country where not only include American play- with her and learn a bit more
better, the existence of a local they could showcase their talents ers, but some of the top players about her passion for volleyball;
team gives talented female vol- and turn their love into a pro- from around the world. Stone said, “My dad is a former
leyball players a chance to play fession. Thankfully, that has all We had the great fortune of NFL player, and I always wanted
close to home. changed now due to the advent meeting some of the players and to be an athlete. I played a lot of

Photos Courtesy of San Diego Mojo
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