April 14, 2010
Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THINK DETROIT PAL ELITE VOLLEYBALL WINS FIRST TOURNAMENT
TDP ELITE SETS STAGE FOR BRIGHT INAUGURAL SEASON
 
DETROIT, Mich.—The Think Detroit PAL 2010 Elite travel volleyball team won the Victors Volleyball Tournament at the Fieldhouse on the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus on Sunday.  It was the first tournament appearance and first tournament win in the history of Think Detroit PAL travel volleyball.

The TDP Elite team began the tournament by splitting contests against the Huron Valley Elite and the Victors.  By the third game, the TDP Elite had gained momentum and team cohesion.  They won two games over the Ottawa Lakers to earn the second seed spot in the playoffs.  In first round play, the Elite swept Napoleon moving on to face the High Velocity of Canton in the final.  In a hard fought match by both teams, TDP Elite won the first game then lost the second by a few points.  Digging deep and staying focused, the Elite won the third game to take the tournament. 

“What a great start to a great season,” said associate athletic director Dana Cooper, who manages TDP’s volleyball program.  “I’m excited and very proud of the girls.  Our team motto is push because you never know how far you can go until you push.” 

This is the inaugural year for Think Detroit PAL’s travel volleyball team which will play in the 14 and under age division against teams from across the region.  The team is designed to offer players with exceptional talent the opportunity to face tougher competition and play in front of college recruiters.  They will play in tournaments throughout the summer culminating with an appearance at the state tournament in Grand Rapids on June 5-6.  Players from Think Detroit PAL’s volleyball program competed in tryouts to be selected for the team. 

“I am excited that we are now offering an affordable opportunity for girls to play travel volleyball,” said Cooper.  “This is the only AAU team in the city and we have the opportunity to build the program because we have a lot of young players.  Additionally, college coaches will recruit from the AAU sector because there is a conglomerate of talent so we are providing girls an opportunity to play and expand their future.”

A full roster for the TDP Elite travel volleyball team is available here.

Think Detroit PAL was formed on March 1, 2006, by the merger of two of the leading youth development organizations in the Detroit area:  Think Detroit, Inc. and the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL). The organization is one of the largest non-profit urban youth development programs in the nation, and serves nearly 12,000 young people annually through athletic, academic, and leadership development programs.

For more information, to volunteer, or to make a donation, please contact Think Detroit PAL at 313.833.1600 or on the web at www.thinkdetroitpal.org.