July 12, 2007

COMUNANZA, Italy --- North Carolina head volleyball coach Joe Sagula led a team of American collegiate players to the title at the annual Sibillini Tournament in Italy this month. Sagula's Third Degree team defeated the Skup Olomouc squad from the Czech Republic 27-25, 25-18, 25-19 on July 7 to take the championship. The tournament, which was the culmination of a European tour led by BringItPromotions, marked the first win by an American team in the eight years that BringIt has been involved.

"The Sibillini Tournament was a great event for our players and coaches, as well as everyone who traveled from Rome to the Sibilinni Region in Marche, Italy," Sagula said. "The competition was very interesting and varied in levels. We enjoyed working with all the diverse players from various universities throughout the country. Our team was able to improve each day as they became more familiar with each other on and off the court. It was a great experience for myself and all the athletes."

The team was comprised of Christina Nash (American), Erin Schroeder (Dayton), Aquila Orr (Western Kentucky), Meagan Schoenrock (Northern Illinois), Jessey Elley (Cincinnati), Katie Pierucci (Davidson), Beth Karpiak (Michigan), Lindsay Fletemier (Dayton) and Kerry Hance (Michgan). Sagula was joined on the bench by University of South Florida head coach Claire Lessinger.

The tour, which ended with the eight-team, seven-day Sibillini Tournament, allowed the traveling party to spend two nights in Rome and one night in the beach town of Falconara before heading into the Sibillini Mountains.

"The sites from the mountains to the beaches to the city of Rome were breathtaking," Sagula said. "We hope to go back and defend our championship in 2008."