Its one of the largest girls volleyball tournaments in the country, and if you qualify at the Far Western Tournament you could be headed to the Junior Olympics. One team from Marin that we talked to here has big aspirations.

We followed the Marin Juniors for a short time on Friday. Ranked 30th out of 140 teams in the Youth 16 category, they love the game, the team work and the companionship.

16 year old Ellie Saake describes the year round schedule.

“You have your high school season, sometimes goes to December if you make it to state or not, then from like December you play club until May or June that's if you go to Junior Olympics.”

Saake says there are plenty of girls like her competing in the Far Westerns.
Some are even more intense. And that doesn't even include the parent's behind the athletes.

Hank Benson chaperones these events when he can. His daughter Lizzie isn't the best player on the team, but that doesn't matter.

“She actually tried out and didn't make the team and what was really cool about Liz is it didn't discourage her,” says Hank.

His daughter Lizzy Benson another 16 year old says her parents have been there rain or shine.

“Yea, it, they have been so supportive.”

Hank says there are certainly other parents that are more intense than he is. At this level, he says the biggest commitment is time--time for training, travel, and tournaments. Take a look at the hovels of teams, and sleeping bags and food strewn about the convention center, and you get the idea many parents are willing to make that commitment.

Economically, Hank says you could spend more than he on your child and the sport. Some teams are more expensive than others. Then there are the camps, food and lodging for out of town trips.

While some parents expect the investment to pay off. Hank is more philosophical.

If she wanted to quit tomorrow?

“That would be fine with me,” say Hank.

Parents say there are college recruiters here. But many girls know that's a pipe dream. They may not be tall enough, strong enough, or fast enough. They are simply here for the love of the game.