Dulfer and Kirkemo Travel to Netherlands for AVCA/USAAI Event

Rising junior Victoria Kirkemo (Englewood, CO) and head coach Johan Dulfer of the Clarkson University Volleyball program took part in a special event this past month when they joined the AVCA/USAAI All-American Experience in Dulfer's home country of the Netherlands.

Kirkemo, a two-time Liberty League All-Star and the Liberty League Rookie of the Year in 2012, was one of two at-large choices for the team, along with Becca Borquist of SUNY New Paltz, joining seven 2013 AVCA All-Americans, including five from the Division III teams, one from the Division I teams and one from the Division II teams. In need of qualified outside hitters, Dulfer didn't need to look far to tap Kirkemo for the squad, a year after teammate Aishvina Arasu (Brea, CA) competed in a similar tournament.

"Playing with the All-Americans was awesome," Kirkemo said, "but nothing different than any other team I have been on. Every player brought a unique talent to the team. The girls were incredibly accepting and inviting and we made a small family while we were abroad. We all had a common goal and by the end of the trip if seemed like we had known each other for 10 years."

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The event was organzied by USA Athletes International, which has had several Clarkson student-athletes competing all over Europe over the last decade, but this one specifically was sponsored by the AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association). Dulfer was picked as the team's head coach as the AVCA New York Region Coach of the Year in 2013, and his familiarity with the Netherlands was certainly a plus.

"The goal of the trip was the DKV Invitational at the University of Groningen," Dulfer wrote. "The team won five of eight sets in the group stage and qualified as the number-three seed for the semifinals on the last day. The semifinal was won 2-0 and the final went to three sets (2-1 win). (It was the) first time in 16 years an American team won the tournament. Obviously on a trip like that you don't become a better player technique-wise, but our goal was to create the best possible team in the short time we had. The girls really came together and competed as one unit by the end of the trip which is a huge accomplishment."

Click here for video footage from the tournament

Besides participating in several matches over the week, the student-athletes had time to tour the country, including Anne Frank's house, a canal boat cruise, and a tour of Bentheim Castle in Bad Bentheim, Germany. However, the team still was able to come together to win the tournament when it mattered, despite its long trip across the pond and once-in-a-lifetime touring opportunities.

"The trip was well-organized, but allowed room for 'free-time' and gave the players the opportunity to explore parts of the country on our own. There was a good balance between volleyball and tourism with a wide variety of events. While we were there to win the tournament, all of us were very relaxed and felt privileged to be there. (This fall) at Clarkson, I hope to remind everyone why we love the game we play and remind everyone that we are lucky to be a part of such a caring community."

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The players for the AVCA/USAAI All-American Experience in the Netherlands were:

#1 Rylie Haas (Eastern University)
#2 Erika Schlager (Eastern University)
#3 Victoria Kirkemo (Clarkson University)
#4 Alexis Hartman (Wisconsin-Stevens Point)
#5 Becca Borquist (SUNY New Paltz)
#6 Ashley Andrade (Wichita State)
#7 Jenna Pew (Wheeling Jesuit)
#8 Emma Brunkhorst (Wisconsin-Stevens Point)
#10 Taylour Toso (University of Texas-Dallas)

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