One of ACP’s students, the remarkable Kevin Lu, has been invited to attend the USA Boys Indoor Volleyball  Youth A2 Invitational Training Program. The program was created to help give the nation’s top athletes the opportunity to play with high performance coaches at competitive events. Kevin (11) will be joining the program in late July in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Mr. Lu is very excited about his newest procurement and couldn’t wait to tell us more about it. Here’s what he had to say:

Q: What is the USA Boys’ Indoor Volleyball Youth A2 Invitational Training Program?

A: The USA National A2 Invitational Team Program is designed to the give the next tier of the country’s top athletes the opportunity to work with top HP coaches at a competitive event. Players who participate in the program train for four days in all skills, focusing on position-specific areas each day. On the fifth day, players are split into teams, in which they train for a full day under international rules and learn opponent scouting. The final two days of the program feature an international-style tournament culminating in a tournament championship on the final day.

In addition to the training and competition within the program, athletes will receive volleyball-specific classroom sessions. High Performance coaching staff will provide a comprehensive athlete evaluation to USA Volleyball for tracking in the pipeline. The evaluations will also be provided to each athlete following training.

Q: How did you get invited?

A: To be invited to the program, I attended the tryouts at Vernon Hills, Illinois and another in Seattle, Washington. I was evaluated by local club coaches with other athletes of my position (libero) and compared to all other athletes across the nation to receive my score and camp invite. For my position, only 2-3 liberos make the A1 tryout to make the Youth National/Continental Team and 12 liberos for A2. The rest are funneled down to A3 or do not receive any camp invite.

Q: How did you feel when you found out? How do you feel now?

A: When I found out, I was exhilarated and felt proud to be reinvited to the A2 program, considering I attended the A2 camp last year in Colorado Springs. Now, it feels amazing because I get to see the many friends I made at the camp last year and play with and against the top athletes in the nation for my age group.

Q: How long have you been playing volleyball?

A: I have been playing volleyball for four years since my first club season at Molten for U14s. My USA volleyball experience has consisted of the A3 Beach HP Camp at Hermosa in 2016, A2 Indoor HP Camp in Colorado Springs in 2018, and A2 Indoor HP Camp in Rock Hill, South Carolina. I have also attended Nationals for two years and will this summer: 2017 16s Molten Club Division, 2018 16s Aspire USA division and 2019 Aspire USA division.

Q: What inspired you to start playing?

A: My first experience with volleyball was at a Molten Camp where I learned the basic skills of volleyball. I quickly picked up the general rules and skills, but I lacked an understanding of what exactly I was doing for each motion. My inspiration stems from understanding the sport and perfecting the details in every aspect to become the best in my position. I am extremely lucky to have a supportive family and a large amount of friends to guide me to my path to the podium.

Q: What do you like the most about the sport?

A: What I enjoy most about the sport is that it is constantly changing. There are an infinite number of variables that direct the course of a single play in volleyball, and any little change can facilitate a great impact in the results. I am always adapting and improving my skills and knowledge based on how the game changes with any new developments.

A huge congratulations to Kevin on his exceptional triumph! Thank you for taking the time to tell us about the program and its opportunities. ACP wishes you the best!