05/30/2026
💙Joanna Gillen
🤍Playing volleyball at Maryville University
💙Majoring in Physical Therapy
🤍Played for Rockwood: 3 years
💙Favorite Thunder memory: My favorite Rockwood memory I’ll never forget was during 16s when our whole team went to a Steak ‘n Shake at a tournament in Kansas City and the shake machine broke while there were probably 50 people waiting for shakes, so every time someone’s shake was ready and their name was announced we started cheering and clapping and got everyone in Steak ‘n Shake to celebrate every time someone got a shake. You had to be there to really know how hilarious it was.
🤍A funny memory that will always make you laugh: One funny moment from a tournament that still makes me laugh is when we had a qualifier in Philadelphia 17s year and most of the team was on the same late flight. We sat on the plane for 2 hours and then had to go back into the airport where we waited for another flight crew to get there. Then, they canceled the flight altogether at around 2am and told us there was a 7am flight we could get on and so some people ubered to different airports but I slept on the airport floor for 4 hours. I woke up for the 7am flight and it got delayed to 12pm so we were at the airport for probably 18 hours. Will never go to the Philly airport ever again.
💙Which teammate would you trust to survive a zombie apocalypse with you—and why? If I had to survive a zombie apocalypse I would trust Abby Schoene to survive it with me. She would have enough food for both of us for weeks and I think we could take some zombies down together.
🤍Go-to hype song: My favorite hype song before any game is Only by Nicki Minaj. If you’ve ever been my teammate you know how it goes.
05/29/2026
💙Emma Hlavsa
🤍Playing volleyball at Missouri Baptist University
💙Majoring in Nursing
Played for Rockwood for 7 years
💙Favorite volleyball memory: My favorite volleyball memory is winning my first qualifier my 13s year and being the first Carolina to earn a bid to nationals. It was such a surreal moment and a day that I will never forget.
🤍Advice to my 10 year old self: I would tell my 10 year old self to cherish every moment of club volleyball because 7 years will fly by in a second. You’ll miss the practices, coaches, tournaments and teammates that come with it.
💙If you could relive one one volleyball season, what would it be? If I could relive one volleyball season it would have to be my 13s year. That was during Covid and we all had a special bond with each other that was unbreakable. I looked forward to every tournament and every practice. I will always miss that year.
🤍Who had the biggest impact on your volleyball career? I would say that my mom had the biggest impact on my volleyball career. She paid for private lessons, personal training, club fees and so much more to make sure I succeeded. She showed up to every volleyball game and was by my side the whole time. I am so thankful and blessed to have her in my life.
05/29/2026
Sand Training with your partner, Come Train With John Rodgers
Attention club and/or experienced volleyball players! Get out of the gym and hit the beach with us, or at least the sand. Get some extra work on your game with our clinics.
Session 1: Grades 5-6 | Tuesdays, June 2-23 | 4:30-6 p.m.
Session 2: Grades 7+ | Tuesdays, June 2-23 | 4:30-6 p.m.
Session 3: Grades 5-6 | Wednesdays, June 3-24 | 4:30-6 p.m.
Session 4: Grades 7+ | Wednesdays, June 3-24 | 4:30-6 p.m.
Chesterfield Sand Courts (Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex)
https://prcommunityed.arux.app/course/13409/2026-summer/sand-volleyball-clinics
05/29/2026
💙Natalie Frazier
🤍 Playing volleyball at Maryville University
💙Majoring in Biology, Pre-PA
🤍 Played for Rockwood for 2 years
💙Favorite thunder volleyball memory? My favorite memory at Rockwood would be winning the Florida Fest tournament this season!
🤍 What advice would you give your 10 year old self? I would tell myself too not care what others think, and be yourself not matter what.
💙What’s one funny moment? The funniest moment from my time at Rockwood would honestly be, everyone's bad driving during carpool to practice.
🤍 What’s your go to hype song? Going Bad- Meek Mill, Drake
05/28/2026
💙Sophia White
🤍Playing volleyball at Westminster College
💙Double majoring in Business Communications and Business Administration
🤍Played for Rockwood Thunder for 8 years.
💙If my Rockwood journey had a theme song it would be "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond. This song always sat close to my heart as I was always on Carolina for most of my years at Rockwood. I remember this song playing when my team won MEQ my 13s year, playing at every after season party, and the dads singing it when we took our trip to Vegas. I especially remember listening to it going into gold for a qualifier with all the windows down singing as loud as I could with all my teammates. Now when I hear this song I think of all the good memories I had with my teammates, coaches, and parents on my Rockwood journey.
🤍Advice to 10 year old me: Cherish every moment. This seems cliche but it really is true. The conversations with your teammates on the sidelines, after tournament dinners, and true relationships you make along the way are what you cherish when you get older. Always give your all and the hard work you put in will yield success. The passion that drove me 8 years ago has got me to where I am today and I am so grateful for my positive experiences with volleyball from a young age because of Rockwood Thunder.
💙If I could relive one volleyball season it would definitely be my 13s year. My 13s year was right after covid hit and I had been taught grit even when it seemed impossible to even go outside. Even when everything was shut down I would still pass against the wall at my house or practice in a small church gym. Through this I met some of my best friends that are still my truest friends today. That year our team went on to win MEQ which was almost unheard of for a Carolina team. Although now this seems so far away now it was a forever memorable season. I look back on parents telling me “You girls will miss this season” and thinking I wouldn’t but it really did shape my passion and grit for volleyball today.
🤍The person who has had the biggest impact on my volleyball career would be Johnny Chittakone. Johnny Chittakone was my first-ever club volleyball coach and has by far been the most impactful coach in my life. He has taught me how to believe in myself, even when my personal doubts were high. Along with always being my genuine self no matter what others think. He is the first coach that originally saw my potential and got to coach me this year at 18s. Without him I wouldn't have as much confidence in myself or my volleyball skills today. I am so thankful for him in my everyday life and with volleyball. I am also very thankful for my own dad. He has always been there to support me right next. Whether I need him as a coach, a dad, or a friend he has always supported me and been proud of everything I do.
05/28/2026
Whether you are learning to play or want to learn more about the game, this is the camp for you! Boys and girls welcome!
Session 1: Grades 3-6 | 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Session 2: Grades 7-8 | 6:45-8:15 p.m.
Crestview Middle School | June 1-4
https://prcommunityed.arux.app/course/12898/2026-summer/dig-it-volleyball-camp
05/27/2026
💙Teagan Pocius
🤍 Playing volleyball for the College of William and Mary
💙Majoring in Business Analytics
🤍 Played for Rockwood for 7 years
💙What’s your favorite Thunder volleyball memory that you’ll never forget? My favorite Rockwood memory has to be in Philadelphia my 16s season when we qualified at a qualifier for the first time. It was such a surreal experience where we overcame a lot of emotional and physical adversity, and it was with a group of girls I genuinely love. It also brought good momentum into nationals where we got third place that year.
🤍 What advice would you give your 10 yr old self stepping into volleyball for the first time?� If I gave my 10 year old self some advice, I’d say two things. First, always stay authentic to yourself and your personality. You’re not going to be everyone’s cup of tea and that’s okay. Second, don’t go too fast. I definitely took my younger club years for granted, and I wish I could go back and bask in a bit more time with my girls.
💙Who has had the biggest impact on your volleyball career? The people that have left the largest impact on my volleyball career are my parents. Playing club volleyball at a high level while also going through recruiting, staying up to date on school work, and trying to have a social life is no easy feat. My parents have been my rock and have allowed me to lean on them when I struggle. They’ve also been people who have created a space of accountability, but also room for me to grow and make mistakes. Through them, I’m reminded that everyone is still growing and no one is perfect.
🤍 What’s your go-to hype song before a big match? Okay, not so much anymore, but in 16’s I would listen to the Dutch musician named Joost pregame. Totally niche and a little weird but like IYKYK.
05/27/2026
It’s that time for SENIOR SPOTLIGHTS!!
Follow along the next several days as we spotlight the Class of 2026! Thankful for this groups dedication and commitment to Rockwood over the years and we cannot wait to see what your future holds. You are a part of our Rockwood family forever 💙
05/26/2026
Next Alumni Open Gym is tomorrow, May 27th, from 7-830PM at Crestview!
See you there!
05/25/2026
Rockwood Thunder wishes everyone a Happy Memorial Day! Remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom 💙
05/28/2026
05/27/2026
05/27/2026
05/27/2026
05/26/2026
05/25/2026