Area volleyball players prepare for nationals

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A number of area volleyball players are working out in preparation for a Midwest-based tournament and a national tournament later this month.

The Lafayette Area Volleyball Academy, LAVA, is in its third season of existence and some of the coaches working with area volleyball players include Chad Marshall of West Lafayette, Central Catholic's Brad McCarter, and recently-hired McCutcheon head coach Travis Fuller.

"There's a lot of great volleyball but the best teams in the country are there (Orlando)," Marshall said. "Our girls have worked six, seven, eight hours a week going on six months preparing for this last event."

The players are looking forward to tournaments in Chicago this weekend and in Orlando during the latter part of June.

"It's awesome because it's an amazing experience that a lot of people don't always have the chance to get, " said Harrison upcoming senior Ashley Francis. "I never would have imagined when I started (volleyball) in fourth grade that I would be traveling to all these crazy cities to play volleyball."

"Chicago is definitely going to be good for preparation for Orlando," added West Lafayette senior-to-be Katy Brose. "And it's a big tournament. And we'll probably see some teams in Chicago that we might see in Orlando. It's nice to go to Orlando and play teams you've never seen before."

Marshall added that a mix of business and pleasure would make the trips to Chicago and Orlando a worthwhile one.

"They go there, they have fun, high level of competition," said Marshall. "And we hope that they all do really well."