Madison Graves



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Journalism Story

A Journey of Perseverance: IU Club Volleyball Aims for the National Championship

 

Media Contacts
Carolyn Saban
Madi Graves
Melanie Lesniakowski

BLOOMINGTON, IND (Apr. 3, 2025)

The Indiana University Women’s Club Volleyball team is gearing up for the event of the season- the National Club Volleyball Federation tournament in Phoenix, Arizona. The team, marked by their hard work and dedication for the season, is preparing to represent Indiana nationally, and the excitement is palpable. In an exclusive interview, we sat down with several team members to get a closer look at their preparation process, the challenges they’ve faced, and what they’re most looking forward to at nationals. 

The IU Women’s Club Volleyball team has been building momentum all season, and their performance has earned them a spot at this year’s national competition. Having been ranked second in their division in a recent National Collegiate Volleyball Federation Poll, the expectations are high and the excitement is electrifying. The team, made up of students from various backgrounds, studies, and grade levels, balances academics and their social lives to pursue their shared passion for volleyball.

“We’re really excited to go to nationals for the tournament, especially since we didn’t get to go last year,” said senior Katie Kirkendol. “We’re excited to show out and we’ve had a really good season so far so it’s going to be exciting to continue that and just, of course, working hard and trying to come together at practice.”

Katie posing for the camera
Sixth-year senior and team captain Katie Kirkendol brings invaluable experience to the court as the only player with prior Nationals experience. Returning this semester to compete in Phoenix, she provides leadership and insight to help guide her team on the national stage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kirkendol, who has been playing club volleyball for four years, spoke about how special this particular tournament is for her as a graduating senior. “This one will be a lot more bittersweet and probably really sad compared to my other nationals trips,” Kirkendol shared. “I’ve been playing club volleyball now for four years, and also just volleyball in general. I’ll never be done with volleyball, but I’ll be done being a player so I think it’ll be really bittersweet and sad, but I’m excited to go out with this group of girls.”

To make it to nationals, the IU Women’s Club Volleyball team had to earn their spot through competing in regional tournaments and maintaining a high level of focus throughout the season. Their training regimen is intense and requires commitment, discipline, and perseverance from all team members. 

Amelia posing for picture
Sophomore Indiana Club Volleyball Captain Amelia Weier leads by example, balancing the demands of managing her team while refining her skills. She emphasizes the importance of communication, teamwork, and perseverance in fostering a strong and cohesive team.

“While just this team from this semester is going to nationals, I feel like we’ve been preparing all year, using the previous tournaments and practices from the entire year.” said sophomore Amelia Weier. “I’d say that a time where our team’s resilience was tested was in our first tournament this semester at Purdue University, where we faced some teams that we had played in previous semesters. [We] really had to rise to the challenge to beat them and increase our rank for nationals.”

The pressures surrounding a national tournament can be overwhelming, and while winning the tournament would be the goal, we spoke to Weier about what success would mean for her. “I think that as a team we really like to be successful by winning and going far in the tournament, but success for myself would just include knowing that I played really well and feeling good about the performance that we put out.”

Much of the team’s success can be attributed to their close relationships and camaraderie with one another. “I’d say I work really hard to collaborate with the other members of the team.” Weier continued. “We work together often times to decide drills and kind of alter them as we go throughout practice. I’m able to still improve my own skills while also collaborating with the other members of the team and helping to improve all of us.”

As the IU Women’s Club Volleyball team prepares to head to nationals, the excitement is building, and so is their confidence. With hard work, dedication, and a deep sense of team camaraderie, the team is prepared to leave it all on the court. For these athletes, the national tournament is not just a chance to compete- it’s an opportunity to showcase their growth and resilience, and most importantly, their shared love for the game of volleyball. 

The Indiana University Women’s Club Volleyball team competes at the national tournament on the weekend of April 17th-19th in Phoenix, Arizona. We look forward to seeing them represent IU and show off their hard work. 

Indiana University’s Womens Club Volleyball members Amelia Weier and Katie Kirkendol discuss how their team is getting ready for Nationals.

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Uncategorized

Apple’s Latest Breakthrough: The Apple Watch Redefines Smartwear

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Apple’s Latest Breakthrough: The Apple Watch Redefines Smartwear

Media Contacts: 
Sutherlyn Banker
Madi Graves
Nate Gouker

Tim Cook proudly announced the next chapter in Apple’s story with the introduction of the Apple Watch at an event held in Cupertino, California. Cook emphasized that the Apple Watch is the most personal device they have ever created. It is precise, highly customizable, and offers new, intimate ways to connect and communicate. The watch features an elegant design that seamlessly integrates with the user’s lifestyle, offering a range of materials and colors to choose from. With its innovative display, users can easily access notifications, apps, and messages with just a flick of their wrist. “The Apple watch is something that has never been done before,” said Cook.

It serves as a  health and fitness device. This includes advanced health tracking capabilities, such as heart rate monitoring, calorie counting, and activity tracking, encouraging a more active lifestyle. Users can also set personal fitness goals and receive notifications to keep them motivated throughout the day. “The Apple Watch can cater to different needs, from tracking workouts to managing daily tasks, all while remaining a stylish accessory,” said Cook.

College students are excited about Apple’s announcement of their new smartwatch. This device tracks both heart rate and mileage for running and walking. It also allows students to map out the locations of their classes and other destinations on campus.

Cooks and his team added extra functionality to a mechanism that has been on the watch for decades: the dial. On the Apple Watch, this mechanism is called the digital crown. This crown includes infrared LEDs and photo diodes that translate rotary movement into digital data. “It is simple, elegant, and amazing input in a navigation device,” said Cook. “The Apple Watch is so personal that you don’t put it in your desk or your pocket; you wear it on your wrist,” said Cook.

A local professor is taking a moment to engage with her new Apple Watch before class. She considers it a game changer for increasing her efficiency. With just a touch on her wrist, she can check all of her notifications and announcements. “It’s been one of the best purchases I’ve made, and it has made my life so much more efficient,” said the professor.

During the event, Cook invited Kevin Lynch, Apple’s vice president of software, to the stage to give the very first live demonstration of the Apple Watch. They have been working to enable third-party developers to extend their apps for the Apple Watch, allowing these apps to appear on the device’s screen. Lynch mentioned that you can even unlock your hotel door using the watch, which thrilled the crowd. There is a feature that helps you locate your car if you lose it, enabling you to track its location and find your way back.

“It’s amazing what you can do with your wrist,” said Cook. The Apple Watch enables us to motivate people to be more active and healthier. “The Apple Watch helps you live a better day,” he continued. This device combines the features of an all-day fitness tracker with those of a highly advanced sports watch, allowing you to wear it all the time. It offers a new, innovative, and personal way to communicate directly from your wrist. Cook concluded his speech by mentioning that there is so much more to discuss, but they did not have time to cover everything.

The list of features is extensive. Ranging from health monitoring tools that track your heart rate and sleep patterns to customizable watch faces that reflect your personal style. He kept expressing the Apple watch is not just a new piece of technology but empowers users to take control of their health and well-being in seamless way. He left the crowed with excitement for what the future of Apple holds.

 

Tim Cook unveils the first-generation Apple Watch. He explains the groundbreaking innovation in precision, design, and health tracking—changing the way we connect, stay active, and monitor our well-being.

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