MatiBishop.com

A Few of My Favorite Things...

2010-12-12T23:29:00.000-08:00

It's the Christmas season, so I figured that I would post some video about a few of my favorite things in case anyone was wondering what to get me for Christmas. We'll start with the aircraft that I have the most hours in and the one that is my favorite to fly. The Glasair Sportsman. Starts at a very economical $162,000.

Just in case your my mom and you happen to be reading this, this video talks a bit about the safety of the Galsair Sportsman.

Hello Sweethearts....

2010-12-10T22:51:00.000-08:00

There is one unseeded team still alive in the NCAA Tournament and as unlikely as it seemed just over a week ago it is the Washington Huskies. They defeated #2 seed Nebraska at the Hed Ed Pavillion in Seattle Friday night and will play Pac 10 rival California Saturday night for a trip to the Final Four.

Washington's win secured the Pac 10 a spot in the National Championship match. UW faces Cal and the winner of that will face either Stanford or USC in the national semifinals. UW lost to the Cal Bears twice this season, winning just one set out of seven played.

To be fair, it was obvious last week against Michigan and Hawaii that this is not the UW team that lost eight matches during their Pac 10 season. This UW team is utilizing the athleticism of middle hitter Bianca Rowland and the power of senior outside hitters Becky Perry and Kindra Carlson. This is the team that everyone expected to be in the running for a Pac 10 title during the preseason. This is not the team that struggled through their regular season.

Before the tournament started, the Huskies spoke about how they had a couple good weeks of practice and were looking forward to relaxing and just playing their game in the tournament. Senior setter Jenna Hagglund was ecstatic when UW found out that they would host first and second round matches. Many people wondered why she was excited when they saw that they not only had Hawaii in their end of the bracket, but they had a first round match up with a very good Michigan team. Two sweeps later, no one gave UW a chance against second ranked Nebraska.

Now, California has to feel great about not facing Nebraska in the elite eight, but terrible about facing UW. Not many people would bet against the Huskies right now. With number one seed Florida also out of the picture, it could be a sweetheart trip the the Huskies second ever national title.

UW vs Nebraska Volleyball Hype

2010-12-08T08:58:00.000-08:00

Huskies vs Cornhuskers brings about vivid memories of the 2005 National Championship match for Huskies fans. It's one of the dissappointing memories in the minds of Nebraska fans, who were the number one seed at the time. The teams have played once since then, a five set thriller that came back from a 9-3 deficit in the fifth set to eliminate the Huskies from the NCAA tournament in 2008. Friday night, they meet again in Seattle at Hec Ed.

Read the Seattle Times Coverage of UW vs Nebraska

Thinking about your Food, Calories and Where they Come From

2010-12-05T12:30:00.000-08:00

I spend a fair bit of time working with clients on strategies for them to pick foods that will help them reach their goals. For the last two years, the majority of the clients that I have worked with have been focused on measuring the calories they consume and comparing them with the calories that they burn. This is the most basic formula for weight loss and weight gain, which are the concerns of most health conscious Americans.

Calories in vs Calories Out doesn't tell much of the story
This simple formula will help you gain for lose weight, but it isn't really much of a blue-print for how we should eat. Last week, the famous Weight Watchers point system underwent a major overhaul and no longer features calories as part of their counting process. Instead, they now count carbs, proteins, fiber and fats. The new system is designed around the basic principal that not all calories are created equally. Our bodies process different foods better than others and gain more benefit from some macro nutrients than they do from others. One of the most notable changes is that Weight Watchers clients can now each fruits and veggies without adding to their point total. End result, people are encouraged to eat more fruits and vegetables. Go figure.

Processing the price of the process, reversing our instincts
Processed foods are generally more calorie dense and easier for the body to digest than unprocessed foods. This is a great thing if your society has a shortage of calories. It's even been argued that humans discovering how to cook their food allowed their bodies to use calories more efficiently and provided the calories we needed to use additional calories for the development of brain function and consequently to ascend to the top of the food chain. Nowadays, calories are available to Americans by the millions. It takes very little effort to consume far more calories than are needed and our bodies love to do it. We still have not evolved beyond our cravings for high calorie foods, and food companies have provided for these cravings with easily available fat and sugars. Now, we need to retrain ourselves to seek out less processed foods and avoid the high quantity of calories that are available to us. Essentially, we must reverse our instincts in order to avoid obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and other health problems that come with over consumption.

Losing the feelings for our food
Throughout history, the food chain has been a very intimate part of the human experience. Native cultures treated hunted animals with respect and reverence. Farmers had a relationship with the living beings they raised to provide sustenance for themselves and their communities. Healthy, relatively contented animals were crucial to success in production. Today in America, the vast majority of us don't know a farmer. We don't hunt our own food and we rarely encounter any of the meat products we consume until they are wrapped nicely in Styrofoam at the grocery store. The logic behind the fact that the average American consumes more meat than ever before (about 200lbs. a year) would lead to the notion that more farmers and ranchers are raising meat than ever before, but that is not the case.

Food factories
There are five companies that control about 80% of the meat production in the United States. There is one company that "owns" the soybean production in the United States. Nearly 30% of the land in the United States is used for corn production. There are 13 meat packing plants in the country that handle the aforementioned 80% of the meat we consume. A single cheeseburger could have meat from over 1,000 cows in it thanks to the mass production of meat at these plants. All of these numbers are a little overwhelming. What does it actually mean though? One of the consequences of this is that most of our food is controlled by just a few companies. They have developed ways to produce more food than we actually need, but their focus has been on quantity and profit with little regard for quality and conscience.

Ignorance is bliss
My guess is that spending a few hours at a modern slaughterhouse, would cure most of us of our desire for meat. Even a few images in movies like Food Inc. or Fast Food Nation get me to swear off factory produced meats for some time. I just can't handle watching animals being treated as part of an assembly line. It is against my nature. It's the fact that we don't see our food that allows us to eat it without much thought or thankfulness. Hunting, raising or gathering your own food is not easy, but should, in my opinion, be part of the human experience. When your closest connection to your food chain is the Safeway on the corner, you are less likely to make smart decisions about what you eat and more likely to choose foods that will have health risks in the future. Even if raising, hunting and processing your own meat is not your thing, meet someone who does and purchase your food from them. Bring your food chain closer to home and see if just maybe your eating habits and overall health improve as a result.

Learn some more
Please spend some time this holiday season thinking about your food and how you can make some subtle changes to bring yourself back in line with your food chain.

Movies
Food Inc.
Fast Food Nation
Supersize Me

Websites
Organic Consumers Association
Takepart.com

Please take the time to post some of your favorite food related websites in the comments section.

UW flex their Pac-10 Muscle against Hawaii

2010-12-03T23:58:00.000-08:00

It was hard to believe that about two weeks ago the University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine were the number three team in the country while watching them get dismantled by the University of Washington in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Friday night. The Wahine had no response the variety and power of the UW attack. They weren't big enough, weren't fast enough, weren't composed enough and just flat out weren't good enough to compete with the unranked and unseeded Huskies who finished fifth in the Pac-10 and suffered eight losses at the hands of conference foes.

Credit Where Credit is Due
UW played a fine match. They used the speed and athleticism of Biannca Rowland to confuse Hawaii's blockers, then switched up to the feature the power of Becky Perry before finally crossing up the bewildered middles with Kindra Carlson attacking from the back row. Jenna Hagglund again had a fantastic match leading her team to a .328 hitting percentage and there is little doubt that UW is playing their best volleyball of the season. Few would argue after watching the last two matches that red shirt freshman libero Jenna Orlandini is the real deal as well. UW have a good thing going right now and a lot of momentum coming out of a dominating win. That's a good thing, because they are going to need it. More on that later.

Being Hawaii is Just Not Good Enough Anymore
Hawaii did not look ready to play. WAC player of the year Kanani Danielson hit just .176 and was such a non-factor that she was moved to the right side in the third set. Senior setter Dani Mafua looked on the verge of a breakdown at times and just looking at the UH team made some fans wonder if the University of Hawaii even bothered with an off season conditioning program. The large contingent of Hawaii fans had every right to feel a bit short changed by the product that came to Seattle this weekend. The fact that this team was ranked as high as number two in the country this season seems to have had far more to do with the reputation of the program and little to do with the quality of the team. Volleyball on the mainland has come a long way in the last 10 years and this weekend may just prove that it is no longer good enough to just be Hawaii anymore.

Level of Competition
In hindsight, the writing was on the wall last night when UH struggled at times with lowly Portland State last night. The tendency for Hawaii fans was to chalk the lackluster performance up to a combination of anxiety, travel and an overachieving Portland State squad. The Wahine did not rise to the occasion against Washington and looked very much like the same team that struggled with Portland State, but facing a much stronger opponent. The truth is that Portland State is much more in line with the level of competition that the Wahine have seen over the course of their undefeated Western Athletic Conference schedule. They had no answer for a quality opponent like the University of Washington, and Washington was far from intimidated by the Wahine after banging heads with the likes of Cal and Stanford this season. One could fathom that being in the WAC puts Hawaii at a severe recruiting disadvantage and leaves them relying on homegrown talent like Danielson and Mafua, who may have all the potential in the World, but are not developing the same way at Hawaii as they would against the competition that a Pac-10, Big-12 or Big-10 school would have to offer.

So much for the green koolaid
After having read about Danielson for the last three years and listening to a number of UH matches on the Internet, I was starting to believe that she may just be the best thing that has come out of Hawaii since L&L Drive-in. After seeing her in person this weekend, I am starting to wonder if watching the Wahine beat up on WAC opponents has warped the Hawaiian volleyball communities vision of what a great player is. Kanani is impressive physically, but she is undeveloped. She looked young and vulnerable on the court tonight. She looked like she had potential, but so does every u16 that you see at the Junior Olympics. She has a lot of promise, but little refinement and little poise. Lack of consistent big match experience may have cost her the opportunity to play overseas and may cost her a shot at the US national team. If her career fizzles after this weekend, I fear that will do little to promote the UH recruiting efforts, even in the islands.

UW move on
It seems a bit unfair that the reward Washington earned by upsetting (technically) Hawaii is a Friday night match against #2 Nebraska. Is it too much to hope that they get to face two horribly overrated opponents in a row? If they play the way they played tonight, Nebraska may not need to be overrated to fall to the upset minded Huskies.

Second Round Match-ups Don't Get Sweeter than This, Washington vs Hawaii

2010-12-03T10:45:00.000-08:00

Hawaii's surprise loss to Utah State in the WAC Championship saw them drop from a #3 ranking to a 15 seed in the NCAA tournament and was probably the worse thing that could have happened to the unranked unseeded Washington Huskies as they would have to defeat the Wahine in the second round to advance to the Regional Semi-Finals.

Both teams took care of business Thursday night with 3-0 wins. Hawaii was shakey early on against an impressive Portland State squad who were very competitive through the first two sets. The Wahine and outside hitter Kanani Danielson got their business together after the break and exerted their dominance with an impressive 25-8 win in the third set.

UW came out of the gates fast behind the energy of the home crowd and with a lot of help from a woeful performance from the service line by the Michigan Wolverines. Becky Perry led the Husky attack with 10 kills and the middle hitter combination of Lauren Barfield and Bianca Rowland combined for eight blocks and eleven kills. Freshman libero Jenni Orlandi anchored the defense and provided the passing platform for Senior setter Jenna Hagglund to lead her team to an impressive .321 hitting percentage.

Friday Night Lights, Volleyball Style
Washington vs Hawaii is the most intrigueing match-up of the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament this season. The teams come together after polar opposite seasons that saw Hawaii face tough challenges in the early season before cruising to a 16-0 record in the WAC. Washington cruised through the early season with a national ranking as high as number five before the grueling PAC-10 schedule wore them down and dropped them from the top 25.

Washington has everything to lose Friday night in front of their home crowd with the promise of playing in front of their home crowd next weekend in the Regional Championship matches. Hawaii will be looking to write another chapter in the amazing career of powerful outside hitter Kanani Danielson by brining the Wahine to their first national title since 1987.

Players to Watch
Here is a quick look at some of the players who stood out last night and will be sure to have an impact on tonight's match.

Kanani Danielson #5 OH Hawaii
Strong barely begins to describe Danielson. Her broad shoulders and awe inspiring power point to her receiving serious consideration from the US Women's National Team. Her power can dominate a match. UH seemed very careful not to be one dimensional against Portland State, but when Danielson is your one dimension, it might just benefit the Wahine to get her the ball and let her pound down the UW defense.

Jenna Orlandini #4 Libero Washington
Jenni was reportedly recommended to UW by none other than US Women's National Team assistant coach Karch Kiraly and after watching her average 4.68 digs a set this season as a redshirt freshman, it is easy to see why. Orlandini had the benefit of learning from Tamari Miyashiro last year and is now showing the potentail to surpass Tama as the best defensive player in UW history.

Dani Mafua #11 Setter Hawaii
Mafua earned honorable mention AVCA All-American in 2009. This year her and fellow senior Danielson have National Championship and ambitions. Her court vision and leadership were evident against Portland State. She averages over 11 assists per set and has led the Wahine to a .287 hitting percentage on the season. Her ability to spread the UH offense around and create open opportunities for Danielson will be a key to the match against the big block of Washington.

Becky Perry #10 OH Washington
Perry finished second on the team in kills this season behind fellow senior hitter Kindra Carlson. Her size and power were on display against Michigan Thursday as she led the team in kills and hit a blistering .364. If she can be as big a part of UW's 1-2 senior punch Friday night, the Huskies will benefit greatly. If she struggles to find consistency and hits closer to her .271 season average, it could be a long night for the Purple and Gold.

Match Details
First serve is at 7:30pm Friday night. Tickets are avaialble at the box office at Hec Ed Pavillion. See you there.

UW Press Conference Follwing Michigan Match

NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament Bracket Challenge

2010-11-30T10:38:00.000-08:00

It's time for December Madness! The NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament bracket is out. The tournament starts Thursday night, you can get your bracket at NCAA.com. Email me at matibishop(at)gmail.com and I will send you a link to the bracket challenge that I have put together.

Wahine in Seattle Thursday night and beyond...
The University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine lost the Western Athletic Conference Championship match to Utah State last weekend. Now they are coming to Seattle for a first round match Thursday night. If they defeat Portland State, they will play the winner of the Washington vs Michigan match in the second round, which will be Friday night. The Regional championship will also be held in Seattle the following weekend. Sorry Huskies, but this year I'm hoping to watch the Wahine win as many matches as possible.

Florida, Nebraska, Stanford and Penn State take top seeds
Florida has been chosen as the favorite by the selection committee with good reason. Their road to the title will most likely have to go through three time defending champion Penn State, who were selected as the number four seed. On the other side of the bracket, the two seed Nebraska will most likley have to defeat either Hawaii or Washington to get to the final four where they will likely face Stanford. The Cardinal seem to have a rematch with Pac 10 rival USC in their future with a berth to the Final Four on the line.

Upset Alerts
Here are a few matches that stand a good chance to produce upsets this weekend.

#7 Cal vs Utah State
Utah State is fresh off an upset of Hawaii in the WAC title match and is great form right now. Cal will not be able to sleepwalk through the first round this year.

Middle Tennessee vs #16 Purdue
Not much of an upset in my book, but Middle Tennessee is as likely to advance to the sweet 16 as Purdue is. If I had to bet, I'd leave this one to a coin flip although Purdue is technically favored.

UCLA vs Texas
UCLA will most likely have a chance to mess with Texas in the second round. With Destiny Hooker gone and UCLA coming off a brutal Pac 10 schedule, this match up could easily go to the Bruins.

Arizona vs #5UNI
This is the one upset that I have in my bracket. I think the Wildcats will take out the number five seed and could make it as far as the elite 8.

Get your NCAA Tournament Bracket Here

Early Season Snow from Above

2010-11-23T19:21:00.000-08:00

Helen and I had the opportunity to go flying in the Sportsman last week. I've decided that I would like to get my private pilots license and I'm also looking at starting the Avaiation Maintanence Program at South Seattle Community College next fall. Here are some of the sites from around the Sound. We did a little weather dodging and a lot of looking at the mountains with the new snow cover.

First Snow. This was just outside of Snohomish. Taken the same day that Crystal Mountain opened for skiing.

Heading up Highway 2 past Goldbar

Sun Breaks over Puget Sound

Issaquah and Jackson Face Off for 4A Title

2010-11-12T15:05:00.000-08:00

Issaquah and Jackson defeated Olympia and Mead in the state semifinals, ensuring their will be a new 4A champion.

Follow the tournament with the Seattle times.

State Championship Tournament Brackets Released

2010-11-08T20:48:00.000-08:00

There is only a week left in the high school volleyball season. You can see the final rankings from the Seattle Times Here. As always for this time of year, there are a bunch of stories coming from the Times about volleyball. Check out their high school sports blog to keep up with all the features.

The WIAA brackets are out and they have some great match-ups in the first round.

4A Bracket
#10 Stadium gets unranked but dangerous Woodenville in the first round.
#6 Graham-Kapowskin faces #9 Newport
#5 Olympia is ripe for upset by #8 Snohomish

3A Bracket
#8 Auburn Mountainview drew the defending state champs but unranked Bishop Blanchet
#5 Kennedy, fresh off their first loss, faces flaming hot Holy Names
#3 Eastside Catholic (my favorite to win it all) faces a tricky Ferndale team in the first round.

2A Bracket
To be honest, I dont' know much about the 2A bracket. Drop some knowledge in the comments if there are match ups that you're looking forward to.

1A Bracket
Cedar Park Christian who are my pick to win the 1A title this year will have to defeat Kings in the semifinals if they are going to win it all. The only other Emerald City team represented, Bellevue Christian, will have to go through Castle Rock if they are to advance past the first round.

USA Women 6-1 at World Championships

2010-11-07T19:14:00.000-08:00

The USA Women were dealt their first loss in the second round of the FIVB World Championships this weekend when Italy defeated them 3-1. The USA play the Netherlands next, then finish out group play against currently undefeated Brazil on November 10th.

Follow the USA National Team at USAVOLLEYBALL.org

Former Washington Husky and Sounders Women Player Lifts Mexico Over USA

2010-11-07T10:52:00.000-08:00

It's being called the biggest upset in the history of Women's international sports. Who is to say if that label will stand up, but Mexico's surprise win over the US Women's National soccer team has become a source of pride in the Seattle area.

Veronica Perez, a former Washington Husky who played for the Sounders Women before being drafted to play professional soccer, scored just a minute after the USA had leveled the score, keeping the Mexican crowd involved in the match and ultimately earning Mexico a place in next year's World Cup.

Get Your Volleyball News from Rainier Volleyball and the Seattle Times.

2010-11-05T08:56:00.000-07:00

Here is some great coverage from the Seattle Times. If you are looking for information about the district tournaments and how your favorite teams are faring in their quest for state, check out Sandy Ringer's coverage. Visit RainierVolleyball.blogspot.com

Posted by Sandy Ringer

I wanted to get you updated on the chases toward the Class 4A and 3A state volleyball tournaments.

Currently, there are only six teams assured of state berths. In the Northwest District, Jackson and Snohomish have qualified in 4A, while Meadowdale and Ferndale are locks in 3A. Those teams are playing for their respective championships on Saturday (I'll link you to the brackets below).

Issaquah and Newport are also moving on in 4A. -Read More

Issaquah Wins Kingco 4A Title

BOTHELL — With Newport threatening to steal the second game of Thursday night's KingCo 4A tournament title match, Issaquah senior Rachel Roeder thought about a season's worth of grueling volleyball practices. -Read More

SPU Avenges Early Loss to Western

2010-11-05T07:59:00.000-07:00

SEATTLE – Officially, Sarah Risser will celebrate volleyball Senior Night on Saturday.

Unofficially, the Seattle Pacific standout got a bit of a jump on things on Thursday.

Risser had 12 kills and 15 digs – one of three Falcon players with a double-double – and Lindsey Wodrich led with 14 kills and came up with 14 digs as 18th-ranked SPU bounced back from a Game 1 loss for a 3-1 victory against 13th-ranked Western Washington.

Scores of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference contest in Brougham Pavilion were 20-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-18. -Read More

Do It For Your Friends

2010-11-04T18:40:00.000-07:00

By Julie Steenhuysen Julie Steenhuysen –

Thu Nov 4, 5:34 pm ET
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Americans will keep growing fatter until 42 percent of the nation is considered obese, and having fat friends is part of the problem, researchers said on Thursday.

The prediction by a team of researchers at Harvard University contradicts other experts who say the nation's obesity rate has peaked at 34 percent of the U.S. population.

The finding is from the same group, led by Nicholas Christakis, that reported in 2007 that if someone's friend becomes obese, that person's chances of becoming obese increase by more than half. -Read More

Washington High School Volleyball Coaches Rankings

2010-11-04T11:45:00.000-07:00

This week's High School coaches rankings are out. Check out the rest of the divisions that the Seattle Times does not rank. Click Here for all the rankings

Class 2A

1. Burlington-Edison

2. Fife

3. Selah

4. Black Hills (Olympia)

5. Archbishop Murphy (Everett)

6. Lynden

7. North Kitsap (Poulsbo)

8. Pullman

9. Mark Morris (Longview)

10. Tumwater

Class 1A

1. Chelan

2. Colville

3. Lynden Christian

4. Castle Rock

5. Cascade (Leavenworth)

6. King's (Shoreline)

7. Cedar Park Christian (Bothell)

8. Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls)

9. Connell

10. Newport

District Volleyball Kicks off Tonight

2010-11-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

Post Courtesy of RainierVolleyball.blogspot.com

The District Tournaments kick off around the Puget Sound Region tonight as volleyball programs big and small are working to progress to the State Championships. Here are some of the exciting matches coming up in the next two days.

Kingco 4A
Bothell and Woodenville collide tonight, as do Newport and Issaquah.

SeaKing 3A Tournament
Tonight features Seattle Prep and upset minded Liberty

Tri District 1A Tournament
Annie Wright faces Meridian and Overlake will battle Charles Wright. In another exciting match up' University Prep and Vashon Island will face off.

Get the Results at SeattleTimes.com

Tribal Salmon Pumpkin

2010-11-02T14:28:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty proud of my salmon pumpkin. Best Jack O'Latern that I've ever made.

Big Volleyball Weekend

2010-11-02T10:58:00.000-07:00

SPU suffered just their second loss of the season in Anchorage this weekend.

Three big stories topping the volleyball world here in the Northwest today. UW is struggling, SPU finally miss stepped this weekend and the High School Rankings are feeling the effects of league tournament weekend.

UW Plays 10 Sets, Tallys 0 Wins and Falls four places to #11

SPU Falls Five Places After Loss to Anchorage

Seattle Times High School 4a and 3a Volleyball Rankings

Q&A with Renton Indians Head Coach Rhemy Delfin

2010-11-01T22:39:00.000-07:00

The Renton Indians are getting ready for the post season. I had a couple moments to catch up with their first year head coach Rhemy Delfin. Here is what she had to say.

What areas have you improved most in and where do you expect to see the most improvement in the future?
Throughout the season we've seen the most amount of improvement in our serving. The consistency and accuracy have increased exponentially, however, serving is still our worst enemy, second only to serve receive passing. We've also seen a great amount of improvement in our aggressiveness at the net. Klarissa Quintas, Jazzlyn Joshua, and Maria Young have great stats for blocking, and our outside hitters are boasting high marks for their kills. Hopefully we continue to have a great offensive game in the post season.

Can you give us an impression of the first year of Seamount play split between 2A and 3A?
The split has been almost seamless. The only difference/diffculty we've seen are the different brackets for sub-districts. This and the "point system" that determined the sub-district seeds have been new, and challenging to interpret. But, like anything new, it's worked it's way through and it's a great process in the end. Aside from this "new process," the transition was seamless. -Read More

Seattle Academy Volleyball Finishes a Season of Firsts

2010-11-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

"It's not often that a coach gets a chance to help mold a volleyball program from the very beginning. When I found myself in discussions about taking over the head coaching position for the Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences ahead of their first full participation season at the varsity level, I couldn't say no," said Mati Bishop, varsity volleyball coach at Seattle Academy.

Under his guidance, a talented young squad put up a season of firsts that included their first set win, first match win, first home win, first away win, first league win, first come from behind win, first five set match win and first legitimate shot at making the Emerald City League playoffs.

"My idea was that coming into the season, if we could win five matches, we would have accomplished something really special. I didn't know how special until I saw the manner in which we won that fifth match," Bishop admitted. -Read More

Wolves, Religon, Politics, Abortion

2010-05-31T20:33:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of bowhunting.com

Mom taught me growing up that it was a bad idea to talk about religion, politics or abortion. All three categories have the potential to immediately turn an otherwise rational individual into a red faced screaming banshee. This weekend I found a fourth topic that Mom never told me to avoid.

It was a simple hike and after telling a story about a trip that I have been planning to hear the wolves howl in Washington's Methow Valley I asked unknowingly what the wolf population was like in Libby. In a few short minutes, my hiking group was split with two distinct factions marching to the own pro or anti wolf drummers.

There are said to be about 4,000 wolves in the general vicinity of Libby. Unlikely most areas where the anti-wolf activists are mostly cattle ranchers, in Libby it's the hunters who speak the loudest against the grey ghosts of the forrest.

"You want wolves in Washington? You must not like elk then." Hunters attribute the lack of trophy elk to the fact that wolves feed on the elk. Stories are told of cow elk found dead with their uterus chewed open and the unborn calf removed and eaten while the rest of the meat on the cow was left to rot.

In the local outdoor shop where I bought my fishing license, there was a picture of two dogs that were mauled rather grotesquely. The caption read that the dogs had been killed by wolves in January of 2010. Apparently, hunting dogs often find themselves victims of wolf attacks. Good hunting dogs can be worth as much as $4,000, which makes it understandable that hunters may be rather upset about their lost investment.

The bulk of the problem seems to revolve around the fact that people and wolves have a taste for many of the same meats. After the destruction of the wolf population through the 20th century, people moved into the role of providing population control for deer, elk and other animals. Now that the wolves are returning to the wild, the balance of nature and man is once again out of whack.

Unlike Washington, Montana's wolf population is active and healthy. So much so that last year hunters were allowed to hunt wolves. I've heard that about 75 wolves were killed around Lincoln County. Wolf pelts will fetch as much as $5,000 is they are in good shape. This, combined with the growing hatred of the animals from much of the hunting community leads one to how unlikely it is that we will avoid killing off a massive portion of the wolf population again.

When it comes to wolves and people, there may really be room for only one at the top of the food chain. Despite the best efforts of environmentalists to convince us otherwise, we all grew up with the concept of the Big Bad Wolf. How far back have we battled with these dogs for supremacy in the forrest? Will we ever be able to co-exist? Be careful who you ask these questions if you don't want to see your otherwise rational friends turn into screaming idiots or cause a rift in your otherwise happy hiking party.

An Embassasment of Natural Riches

2010-05-29T15:44:00.000-07:00

Just a few shots from our adventure to the base of Alaska Peak. About six miles of hiking in less than perfect weather, but very worth the trip. Saw the bear track, but not the bear. Two of the pics below have moose in them. Can you tell which ones?

Welcome to Libby Montana

2010-05-28T21:53:00.000-07:00

Memorial day weekend and I have the opportunity to reconnect with a place that was key to my growing up. Several summers through my high school years I lived with my grandparents in Libby and learned a whole lot about fishing, drinking, chopping wood, wildlife and family. I haven't been back since 2001, and things are not exactly as I remember them.

In 2003 Stimson Lumber closed the plywood mill in Libby. The result was a loss of about 300 jobs or roughly 10% of the population of the small Northwest Montana town. The loss of the lumber mill piled onto an all ready depressed economy that was labled as the most lethal superfund site in the United States after it was discovered that over 274 people had died from asbestos related illness caused by the vermiculite mine that operated through much of the 20th century. The mine that caused the problems had operated in the area from 1919 to 1990.

The Obama administration has dedicated over $130 million more dollars to cleaning up Libby. When you visity Libby, or neighboring Troy, you would never guess that this is one of the most toxic cities in the United States. The natural beauty is stunning. The Kootenai River Valley is rugged, amazing natural country to say the least and Libby is right in the middle of it. In 1989 Steven Spielberg immortalized the beauty of Libby in the film "Always" which was filmed in Libby and showcased the Kootenai River, Libby Airport and other natural features from the area.

There have been reports that the asbestos in the air was so bad that it was held in the bark of trees to the point where loggers reported seeing dust clouds rise from fallen trees. Over 1,000 illnesses in Libby have been attributed to exposure to vermiculite dust and the dreaded result of the asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, which is a very complicated disease. All we really need to know is that if you have a disease that ends in oma, you're pretty much screwed.

I haven't been back since the mill closed, or the fallout was felt from the media coverage of the asbestos exposure has been felt. Libby doesn't seem to be what I remember it. I'm going to spend the next few days explring Libby and some of the people who live here.

Sun Dried Tomato Feta Finger Breads

2010-04-17T21:11:00.000-07:00

2 slices Dave's Killer Bread

Small garlic clove chopped

Olive Oil 2 Tbsp

Crumbled Feta Cheese
Sundried tomatos, marinated to your taste or raw.

Toast Bread and cut into 8 pieces each

drizzle plate with olive oil

set toasted bread slices on olive oil

Sprinkle chopped garlic over breads

Cover each with a sun dried tomato

Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese

Serve with fresh veggies, salad or smoked meats.

A whole heap of flying pictures.

2010-04-17T16:32:00.001-07:00

Iron, Like Lion, In Zion

2009-12-23T17:45:00.001-08:00

A first round of photos from Zion National Park. Spent the day hiking to Emerald Pools and the Canyon Look out. A great day. The park is incredible in the winter. Here are some highlights.

Road Trippin from Salt Lake City To St. George Utah

2009-12-22T22:02:00.001-08:00

Today we drove from Salt Lake City to St. George, Utah. We're just outside of Zion National Park and will spend some time hiking tomorrow. A nice drive through occasional snow storms. Tomorrow night = Las Vegas. Stay tuned...

It's a camoflage visor with attached fake grey hair. An official Billy Bob product according to the label. Helen wouldn't let me buy it, but I had to try it on.

Snow flurries off and on through the drive.

Adding to the ward robe. It's Beaver, Utah. You Pervert.

Low clouds, big trucks

The Sun managed to peek through on and off

Helen still isn't crazy about the camera

An Off Day and Fik's Big Photo Shoot

2009-12-22T21:43:00.000-08:00

Spent the day in Salt Lake on Monday. Ate my weight in all kinds of goodies and spent the afternoon walking up a beautiful ski trail in Mill Creek Canyon. Nice to get a little relaxation and a nice hike on top of it all.

Fik the Dachsund feeling it on the hike.

A moment of understanding

Helen and Helena bonding

Fik on the Loose

Serene

Helen is tired of the camera all ready

More Skiing. The Crash Sequence

2009-12-21T10:03:00.000-08:00

Had a great day. Helen made sure to capture the one moment that really mattered.

Heaven is a Great Day on the Slopes

2009-12-21T09:35:00.000-08:00

Tips Up

This is the Jordanelle Resevoir with a great reflection and a bit of fog.

Hadn't seen a fox in 20 years. This is the second one that we saw in two days in Park City.

Another Look at the Jordanelle

They make a ton of snow at Deer Valley. Here is one of the blowers making powder beneath the lift.

The Resorts are a bit over the top. Here is the fire pit at one. They just light the rocks on fire.

The Pool at the same resort.

All smiles for Helen and Milan.

Bottom of the Hill

The Gondola from Jordanelle

Lift Views

Top of the Run

Road Trippin. Seattle to Park City

2009-12-18T11:12:00.000-08:00

Not a lot to note. About a 14 hour drive. Fell in love with the flying J truckstop, saw a few heards of deer and got to Park City at about 2am. Spent a lot of time riding in the fog. Here are some pics

Pictures of the Cunning Linguist II

2009-12-15T18:16:00.001-08:00

It's a brand new chapter in the $1 boat saga.

Long Awaited photos of the new boat, starring Links the Cat. More photos will be coming as I start to put a little more work in and she takes shape.

A Saturday Hike to Twin Falls and along the Ironhorse Trail

2009-11-15T10:29:00.000-08:00

Helen and I took advantage of a short dry patch of weather and a shared day off to devour some pumpkin pancakes and head out for a hike. We ran across the Seattle Mountain Rescue folks doing some training and discovered that the tressle we set off in search of was not the trestle pictured in Helen's hiking book. It's much smaller.

It was a great day for a hike and a much needed break from the city. Enjoy the pics.

High Quality Nutrition Tips for Volleyball Players

2009-09-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

Aaron Brock, USA Men's National Team Trainer

Image Courtesy of USAVolleyball.org

Aaron Brock, the Head Athletic Trainer for the US Men's National Volleyball Team, has put together a great article this week containing easy to use nutritional tips for volleyball players.

Nutrition is one of the topics that I get asked the most questions about by the young athletes that I train. It's not always clear to athletes what should be in their diet, much less when they should eat during training and match days. Brock's article addresses many of these questions and comes with the authority of last year's Olympic Gold Medal behind it.

Not only are these tips great for volleyball players, they will benefit just about anyone with an active or athletic lifestyle.

Read the article "Olympic Caliber Nutrition" at USAVolleyball.org

A Special Find Online, Quality Healthy Recipes at Bicycling.com

2009-09-17T13:04:00.000-07:00

Here's a little something that I stumbled across at Bicycling.com and am excited to pass along to all of you guys. It's their recipe section and it is fantastic. Healthy food, with nutritional information and fantastic presentation ideas. Not really what you'll pack for lunch, but great ideas if you are cooking healthy to impress.

Recipes at Bicycling.com

It's an Honor to Know Michelle French

2009-08-09T07:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday morning to you all. I ran across a column by Steve Kelley in the Seattle Times this morning about Seattle Sounders Women captain Michelle French and her battle with non-hodgkins lymphoma. I've known Frenchie for the past four seasons that I've worked with the Sounders Women. Had someone not told me going into the start of this year that she had been sick, I may have guessed there was another reason that she showed up for the first day of practice with a bald head.

It's an honor to know someone who is able to use opportunities that most people would see as death sentences to work to make the lives of others around her better. It's an honor to know Michelle French.

Read the Seattle Times Article

Introducing the New RainierVolleyball.com

2009-07-31T14:18:00.000-07:00

RainierVolleyball.com has grown into it's own site with all of the volleyball news, videos and Rainier Volleyball Academy program information that was once available here. Check out the new site and let me know what you think.

RainierVolleyball.com

High School Athletes, Get Fit for Fall Sports with a Special Training Package from CoachMati.com

2009-07-22T10:28:00.000-07:00

Fall tryouts for High School sports start August 24th. Increase your chances of making the team with six sessions of fitness training one on one with coach Mati.

Student Athletes Learn

Overall Athletic Conditioning
Strength and Agility Training for Any Sport
Nutrition Counseling
Sport Specific Skill Building for Soccer and Volleyball Players

Expect Improved Performance

Increase your cardio fitness
Get Stronger
Get Faster
Condition to Prevent Injury

About Coach Mati

Certified Personal Trainer with the National Association of Sports Medicine
USA Volleyball Coaching Accreditation Level 1
Head Volleyball Coach for Renton High School
Fitness & Conditioning Trainer for Velocity FC Premier Girls Soccer Club
Seattle Sounders FC Summer Soccer Camps Coach

Space is Limited
Call Today
425.344.0408
Email, Mati@Coachmati.com

Fly in Camping at Little Ranger Creek Camp Ground

2009-07-21T14:37:00.000-07:00

July 4th weekend Helen and I loaded up a Glasair Sportsman and took off from Renton Airport for our first hack at fly in camping. We made our way to Ranger Creek Airstrip on the back side of Mt. Rainier where we were surrounded for the weekend by the Wenatchee National Forest.

The Flight took about 45 minutes, which beat the heck out of the three hour drive from Renton to Little Ranger Creek, and plunged into a spot with enough wooded adventure to last us far more than the three days we had afforded the trip.

Through the course of the weekend we expereinced planes, trains, boats and tons of hiking. We shared our adventures with horses and nearly missed a herd of elk who's scat littered the outskirts of our campsites. In the clearcuts around Little Ranger Creek we saw our first bear from the air in the state of Washington. Camp provided us with ripe wild strawberries and a fire grate that allowed us to cook up a batch of fireside pork and beans that were to die for.

Through it all, I sat down and wrote a collection of Haiku for the first time in many years. I hope you enjoy them.

Flying in to Camp Out
Firelight, Moonlight, River Runs
Bush Pilots Sleep Well

Little Ranger Creek
Airplanes and Equestrians
Hidden Back country

Pounding Woodpecker
Wise Hemlock Creak in the Breeze
Church is in Session

Sunshine Bird Calls Bright
An Ax Befriends a Tree Trunk
The Camp Has Its Fuel

Circled by Elders
Strength, Wisdom, Serenity
Grounded by Their Roots

Sounders Women Fall to Los Angeles Legends 2-0, Playoff Hopes All But Vanish

2009-07-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

The Seattle Sounders Women lost just their second match of the season Friday night by a score of 2-0 to the Los Angeles Legends. Seattle, who was in the drivers seat to make the USL W-League Western Conference playoffs for most of the season, also fell behind the Colorado Force in the Standings. In order to catch the Force, the Sounders must defeat the defending USL W-League Champion Pali Blues by at least three goals. A tall order for the final match of the season.

The match agains the Pali Blues will be played Saturday July 17th in California.

Volleyball Brazilian Style

2009-07-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

This video gives a great perspective of some of Brazil's most spectacular plays from a behind the team vantage point. A couple of things to watch for are their use of quick sets, the back row attack and the way they cover their hitters. You can see the other team trying to serve their number one hitter to take him out of the mix, you can also see the result.

The First 90 Previews Seattle Sounders FC vs Chelsea from 10:30 to Noon Saturday July 18th

2009-07-17T09:40:00.000-07:00

Matt Gaschk and Mati Bishop will be broadcasting live on 950 KJR from Jimmy's On First from 10:30 to Noon Saturday morning previewing the Seattle Sounders FC vs Chelsea FC international friendly.

70,000 fans are expected to converge on Qwest Field for the first major international friendly in Seattle Sounders FC history. The stop is the first for Chelsea on their pre-season North American tour.

The First 90

10:30-Noon

July 18th

Broadcast Live from Jimmy's on First

Puget Sound Region's Best Volleyball Talent Will Participate in a Record High Performance Championship

2009-07-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

Today was the last day of the Puget Sound Region's High Performance Youth Camp. Two teams have been chosen over the course of the last two weeks that will travel to Florida to participate in the USA Volleyball High Performance Championship tournament.

The Puget Sound Region Youth Program will compete in the international division against teams from the United States, Italy, Canada and the Dominican Republic. The Select team will compete against a selection of teams representing USA Volleyball regions from around the United States.

Read More About the High Performance Volleyball Tournament

Sounders Women Fall 3-1 to Ventura County Fusion

2009-07-16T16:55:00.000-07:00

Missing the USL W-League Western Conference playoff match is a very real possibility for the Seattle Sounders Women who lost their first match of the season Wedensday night against the Ventura County Fusion in the first of a three match road trip that will finish their regular season schedule.

The Real Colorado Cougars and Vancouver Whitecaps are both nipping at the heals of the Sounders Women, who still hold second place in the Western Conference standings, but face two very challenging matches in the next three days against the Los Angeles Legends and defending USL W-League champion Pali Blues.

More info about the matches will be available through this site and USLSoccer.com

Seattle Sounders Women Start Final Stretch of Road Matches in Playoff Peril

2009-07-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

The Seattle Sounders Women play the Ventura County Fusion Wednesday night in the first of three matches in Southern California that will finish out their USL W-League regular season. Still undefeated, the Sounders have found themselves struggling for wins as of late and have been joined in the playoff hunt be the Real Colorado Cougars and the Vancouver Whitecaps. Seattle still holds the second spot, but now must make the most of the games in hand they hold on the road in California to give themselves a chance to advance to the Western Conference playoffs and potentially a fourth consecutive USL W-League Final Four tournament.

Surviving the STP, 5 tips for the first time Seattle to Portland rider

2009-07-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

23.5 hours of total time on the road took me 202 miles from Seattle to Portland in the annual Cascade Bike Club event. It was painful for the first 170 miles and extremely enjoyable for the last 30. Here are some things that I learned through my 170 miles of pain that paid off in the last 30 miles of the ride and convinced me that I want to do this again next year.

1. Tune your bike

I didn't realize how big a deal this was until a nasty fall on the Longview-Kelso Bridge got me to see the mechanic and have my back tire tuned. The result was that I found myself going twice as fast with half as much work. I would have easily shaved at least six hours off my total time if I had the bike tuned before the event. The ride also would have been a lot less painful.

2. Spin, don't stomp

Basic cycling knowledge says that you should concentrate on spinning your pedals in circles rather than stomping down to generate force or speed. It took me well over 100 miles to get the hang of this.

3. Take breaks

Don't get so focused on getting to the end that you rush through the ride. I failed to take adequate breaks in the first 100 miles and paid the price through cramping and pain through my entire body. Take a few moments when you stop to get off the saddle and walk around. Let you food digest for awhile at food stops before you get back on the bike. It will make your life much easier.

4. Leave your ego at home

It's a ride not a race. I had a really hard time watching people pass me by all day on the first day. It wasn't until I had driven myself into the ground that I finally put energy conservation as a priority and enjoyed the ride without killing myself.

5. Take some friends

The groups of riders that looked like they were having the most fun and making the best times were the ones that worked together as a team. Taking short turns at the front of a line of cyclists and then resting while you draft for a few miles will help you conserve energy and finish faster. Plus, you'll have folks to chat with along the way.

Preparations for the Seattle to Portland Bike Ride

2009-07-10T19:20:00.000-07:00

It's the even of the STP and I'm just about ready. It's my first big cycling event and will be by far the farthest that I've ridden in the shortest amount of time. Nearly 10,000 people complete this ride every year making it the largest ride in the Pacific Northwest and getting it attention from cycling enthusiasts around the country. I'm equal parts excited and scared about this next step in my very young cycling experience.

Here are some of the preparations that I've made:

This week I've drank a gallon or more of water every day
Monday and Tuesday I went through a mini-cleanse of my system with the help of some fiber and milk thistle supplements and a ton of fresh fruits and veggies.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I have loaded up with carbs. Lots of brown rice, lentils pasta and breads. I've eaten carbs until I think I'm going to explode through the day Friday.
I haven't ridden the bike at all this week. Instead I've focused on a couple of 2 mile walks, a run early in the week and an impromptu volleyball match or two while incorporating lots of yoga and core strength exercises to my routine.

How will I fare? I'm sure that I'll finish. Check me out next week to see how the trip went.

The Puget Sound Region High Performance Volleyball Select Camp

2009-07-10T18:08:00.000-07:00

This week I spent some time down at Fife High School working with the USA Volleyball Puget Sound Region High Performance Select Program featuring some of the most promising players in the region under the age of 15. The camp was a lot of fun and extremely competitive. 10 of the 37 girls will be chosen to represent the Puget Sound Region at the National High Performance Championship tournament in Florida later this month.

Click here to learn more about the program and see a listing of players participating in the camp.

Velocity FC '93 Green Begin Thier Fitness Training

2009-07-10T17:54:00.001-07:00

This week Velocity FC '93 Green began their six week fitness program with me. They are a talented group of girls getting ready for their second tournament of the season this weekend at the Kent Cornacopia Cup.

Tuesday's session was focused on beginning to develop lower leg strength and stability with the intention to avoid injury through the rest of the summer and fall season. Thursday I introduced a team warm-up and worked through some flexibility and core training to help get the ladies ready for this weekend.

The program will feature a total of 12 half hour sessions over the span of six weeks focused on reducing the risk of injury by strengthening the players core and lower leg complex as well as helping the players to develop explosive strength to aid in acceleration and short burst movements.

Contact Me (Mati) at 425.344.0408 to inquire about putting together a fitness program for your soccer or volleyball program.

What to do in Grand Teton National Park and How to Figure Tire Size to Great Ratio on Trails.com

2009-07-07T13:41:00.000-07:00

Two more articles popping up on Trails.com.

10 things to do with Kids in Grand Tetons National Park

How to Figure Tire Size to Gear Ratio

Thanks for checking out all of my work and supporting the projects that I've got underway.

Seattle Sounders Women Held 0-0 by Real Colorado Cougars

2009-07-05T23:05:00.000-07:00

The Seattle Sounders Women are still undefeated in their 2009 USL W-League campaign, but with just three wins from 10 matches, the Sounders are now in danger of being eliminated from the Western Conference playoff picture by a familiar foe, the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Seattle has drawn in three consecutive matches and now must produce results in their final three matches of the year that will all be played on the road against the three southern California sides. Vancouver also finishes their season on the road with a pair of matches in Colorado. The runaway leader of the Western Conference, Pali Blues will likely host the second place team in a one game playoff that will decide who goes to the USL W-League Final Four. Seattle have made Final Four appearances in each of the last three seasons.

Puget Sound Region Volleyball Team Junior Olympics Update

2009-07-02T09:18:00.000-07:00

The USA Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships are in full swing in Miami, Florida. It hasn't been a sparkling tournament for the Puget Sound Region teams, but things are starting to look up going into the Holiday weekend.

Washinton Volleyball Academy's 16 Mizuno team has posted an impressive 8-3 record and won the Silver division of the U-16 National Division.

Kent Juniors 18 Baden got into the winning column for the first time in the tournament yesterday. They have a single match today and another double match day tomorrow.

The Washington Volleyball Academy's 18 Mizuno team have a 2-1 record in the U-18 National Bracket. They finish pool play today with a pair of matches.

The Sudden Impact 17 Storm squad posted four wins in their trip to nationals before being eliminated in the second round of bracket play in flight three of the U-17 National division.

Find the Results for your favorite Puget Sound Club at USAvolleyball.org.

Seattle Sounders Forward Lyndsey Patterson Signs with Los Angeles Sol of Women's Professional Soccer

2009-07-01T14:39:00.000-07:00

The Seattle Sounders Women lost the services of Lyndsey Patterson when she signed a professional contract to play the rest of the WPS season with the Los Angeles Sol. Patterson was the Sounders Women scoring and shots leader for the season.

The Seattle Sounders Women are back in action for their final home game of the season Friday July 3rd at 5pm against the Real Colorado Cougars. Tickets are available at the gate.

Renton High School Volleyball Schedule Two Scrimmages Against Lindbergh High School to Finish Summer Season

2009-07-01T10:11:00.001-07:00

The Renton Indians High School Volleyball team will finish their summer season with a pair of scrimmages against Lindbergh High School on July 28th and 30th. The matches will be played at Lindbergh High School and will be closed to the public.

Renton will start fall training on August 24th and will kick off their 2009 volleyball season on September 8th against Lindbergh at Renton High School.

Puget Sound Region Volleyball Teams Get Started at the USAV Junior Olympic Championships

2009-07-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

Star studded Kent Juniors 18 Baden got their Junior Olympic Championship tournament off to a tough start with a 3-2 loss to Wave 18 Brenn Spalding. 18 Baden lost the match in extra points 17-15 in the fifth set. They are back in action July 1st.

Washington Volleyball Academy 18 Mizuno, featuring soon to be University of Washington outside hitter Kylin Munoz, will play two matches to start their Junior Olympic Championship campaign on July first. They are competing for the National bid title.

University Place Volleyball Club finished the U12 tournament in 31st place in the country. Their U13 team placed 34th in the nation. Cascade 13 Blue finished the tournament 47th in the American Division.

See all of the USAV Junior Olympic Championship Results and Standings

Seattle Sounders Women Held to Draw by Ventura County Fusion

2009-06-30T10:02:00.001-07:00

The Ventura County Fusion came to the Starfire Sports Stadium for a USL W-League match against the Seattle Sounders Women Monday evening. It was the second match in three days for both teams and as a result either was able to find the right combination to put the ball in the back of the net.

Seattle benefited hugely from the pace and hard work of U-23 US National Team player Katherine Reynolds who was a constant threat to the Fusion back line, but was unable to find the right combination to unlock their defense.

Both teams found the cross bar on more than one occassion in the fast paced match. Seattle had the best chance of the match when Kelli Smith hit a volley in the dying minutes, but it deflected off the back of Chalise Baysa who was also trying to do whatever it took to get Seattle the lead.

The result leaves the undefeated Sounders Women in the second and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They are now only three points ahead of the Real Colorado Cougars who come to Seattle for the Sounders final home match of the year Friday night. Tickets are available at the gate.

Get Your Beach on With the Alki Volleyball Association

2009-06-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

It's summer time and the Alki Volleyball Association's (AVA) summer schedule is in full swing. Never heard of the AVA? They're the premier spot for beach volleyball competition in Seattle (West Seattle actually) and will be hosting a US Open Qualifier tournament on August 1st and 2nd.

Learn more about the AVA and Professional Beach Volleyball in Seattle

The First 90 is Back on 950 KJR Sunday from 11:30 to 1pm

2009-06-27T14:07:00.000-07:00

Join Mati Bishop and Matt Gaschk to preview the Seattle Sounders FC vs Colorado Rapids match. They will be broadcasting live from Jimmy's on First and talking all things Sounders and maybe even some US National Team as they watch the first half of the Confederations Cup Final featuring the USA and Brazil.

Scheduled guests include Sounders FC assistant coach Brian Schmetzer and defender Taylor Graham as well as the creator of theoriginalwinger.com Brian Dunseth.

Sounders Women Remain Undefeated with 1::1 Draw Against the Colorado Force

2009-06-27T13:36:00.001-07:00

Sounders captain Michelle French leveled the match at one goal each with a 58th minute penalty conversion.

816 fans turned out to watch the Seattle Sounders Women draw 1-1 with the Colorado Force at the Starfire Sports and Entertainment Complex Friday night. The draw leaves the Sounders Women two points behind the USL W-League Western Conference leading Pali Blues.

Seattle reintroduced University of Washington's Kate Deines and Veronica Perez to the starting line up and also added U.S. U-23 National Team player Katherine Reynolds and Seattle University product Tafara Pulse to the starting 11.

The changes took the Sounders some time to come to terms with and Colorado controlled the majority of play in the first half. The Force realed off shot after shot against Katie Hultin and the Sounders defense, but were only able to go into the half with a one goal lead courtesy of a long strike by Lisa Franke in the 14th minute.

Seattle seemed to have righted the ship in the second half, but struggled to replace forward Lyndsey Patterson, who is trainng with the Los Angeles Sol of Women's Professional Soccer. It was Chalise Baysa who finally stepped up to create an opportunity moments after entering the match when her shot in the box found the hand of a Force defender and captain Michelle French was sent to the penalty spot to tie the match at one goal each.

The Sounders Women are back in action Monday night when they face the Ventura County Fusion at the Starfire Sports and Entertainment Complex. Kick-off is at 7pm and tickets are available at the gate.

A Familiar Glasair Sportsman Makes News in Minnesota

2009-06-26T14:12:00.000-07:00

I've flown in this little plane before. It's actually the plane that Helen and I flew all over the Northwest on Memorial day weekend.

Check out the whole story in the Duluth Shipping News.

See the Pics from our Memorial Day Adventure

Sounders women Look to Continue Unbeaten Run Friday Night Against The Colorado Force

2009-06-25T14:24:00.000-07:00

The Sounders Women will be without the services of Forward Lyndsey Patterson, who is training with the Los Angeles Sol of Women's Professional Soccer.

The Seattle Sounders Women will put their undefeated record on the line Friday night when the Ventura County Fusion from Southern California come to the Starfire Sports and Entertainment Complex. Kick-off is at 7pm.

Seattle will be without the services of leading point scorer Lyndsey Patterson who has signed a developmental contract with the Los Angeles Sol of Women's Professional Soccer and is training in Southern California to earn the opportunity to be named to the full roster ahead of the July 1st roster deadline. The Sounders will be boosted however by the return of midfielder Tafara Pulse, who had been training with a W-League program in Chicago, and U-23 US National Team player Katherine Reynolds who has returned from Santa Clara University.

The Sounders Women were inactive last weekend and fell to second place in the USL W-League Western Conference when the Pali Blues earned three points against Vancouver for a total of 15 points through seven matches. The Sounders are currently sitting on 12 points through six matches and can move back into the lead based on goals scored with a victory over Colorado.

The Colorado Force will be looking to keep their slim playoff hopes alive against Seattle. They currently sit in fourth place in the Western Conference with seven points from six matches. Only the top two teams will make the Western Conference playoff match.

Tickets are $10 for Adults and $5 for Children. They will be available at the gate Friday night. Please allow extra time to find parking due to a youth soccer tournament taking place at the complex.

Sunday Afternoon Flying Photos

2009-06-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

This Weekend Helen and I took to the skies in a Glasair Sportsman Experimental airplane. We ranged from the San Juan Islands through the Olympic Mountain Range to Hoquim. There was some interesting weather along the way. Here are some of the pictures that I took. Enjoy.

Team Saigon Typhoon Finishes Runners Up at Coulon Park Boeing Employees Volleyball Tournament

2009-06-22T14:24:00.000-07:00

Team Saigon Typhoon put together a run of 13 games without a loss, but fell just short of finishing with the team's second championship in two years with a pair of close losses in the final.

Special thanks to team Big Bird for organizing the tournament that included 12 teams.

USA Volleyball Intrasquad Scrimmage Roster Has Puget Sound Region Ties

2009-06-19T14:16:00.000-07:00

Setter Courtney Thompson led the University of Washington to an NCAA Volleyball National Championship in 2005, now the Kent, Washington native is representing her country as part of the US National Team and has been chosen to participate in an upcoming intrasquad scrimmage to be played in San Juan Capistrano, CA.

Thompson has been with the National team since her graduation from UW. She will be joined on the roster by Jane Collymore who calls Seattle home and whose little sister Jill Collymore will be entering her senior season at UW in the fall.

Read the Whole Story at USAVolleyball.org

Image courtesy of gohuskies.com

Renton High School Volleyball Press Clippings

2009-06-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a collection of links to some of the stories that I've found about Renton High School Volleyball. If you've got a story link that's not listed, send it to me me at matibishop@gmail.com and I'll put it here.

2008

Renton Reporter
Year In Review: Slump Busters, Record Breakers and Much More in 2008-2009 Year of Renton Preps
PREP ROUNDUP: Lindbergh and Liberty playoff soccer updates, volleyball all-league teams Renton Volleyball in Playoffs for First Time in Two Decades
Fall Sports Preview: Renton Volleyball

Seattle Times
Community Spotlight: Renton High School

Renton High School's Sarah Nelson, Boryana Atanasova and Breann Benedictus made the 2008 Seattle Times Seamount All League Team

2009-06-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

Seamount League

Player of year — Ashley Eneliko, Kennedy

Coach of year — Tom Muckerheide, Kennedy

FIRST TEAM

MH Ashley Eneliko, Sr., Kennedy; S Julia Vigen, Sr., Highline; MH Amanda Zilke, Sr., Kennedy; MB Lynette Owusu, Jr., Highline; OH Kathleen Mulligan, So., Mount Rainier; OH Emily Jovanovich, Sr., Kennedy; M Chelsea Miller, Sr., Mount Rainer; OH Erene Togi, Sr., Evergreen; MH Sarah Nelson, Jr., Renton.

SECOND TEAM

MB Chelsea York, Sr., Highline; S Emily Lockett, Sr., Kennedy; OH Neta Tapealava, Jr., Foster; L Jessie Rendoni, Jr., Mount Rainier; OH Boryana Atanasova, Sr., Renton; OH/M Alena Ross, Sr., Hazen; MH Gertrude Toilolo, Jr., Evergreen; OH Erin White, Jr., Lindbergh; S Christina Postnikoff, Jr., Mount Rainier; S Alexis Lagonoy, Sr., Renton.

HONORABLE MENTION

Evergreen — Carolena Siliaga, Ratelina Siatunuu. Foster — Lote Sefo, Ashley Martin, Keli Moore. Hazen — Kat Jucker, M'Kayla Silva, Haley Zeylmaker. Highline — Tori Fesili, Sam Erben, Ashlee Junell. Kennedy — Katie Key, Jennica McPherson. Lindbergh — Kaylee Magat. Mount Rainier — Melissa Yapp, Alina Moss. Renton — Breann Benedictus. Tyee — Vanessa Marroquin, Yasmin Aguilar.

Renton High School Volleyball Calendar

2009-06-16T12:18:00.000-07:00

Please check back frequently for updates and changes to the Renton High School Volleyball Calendar.

Seattle Sounders Women Regain a Share of First Place with 3-1 Win Over Los Angeles

2009-06-14T20:43:00.000-07:00

Erin Redwine (pictured above) scored the opening goal for Seattle Sunday afternoon. Check out her soccer programs at RedwineSoccer.com

Six Sounders Women players found their way onto the score sheet with either a goal or an assist Sunday afternoon as the undefeated Seattle squad rolled past the Los Angeles Legends 3-1 at the Starfire Sports Stadium.

Erin Redwine, Chalise Baysa and Kelli Smith tallied goals for the Sounders Women while Lyndsey Patterson, Zahra Lechak and Michelle French assisted the goals. The Sounders moved into the lead in the USL W-League Western Conference thanks to the goals scored tie breaker over the Pali Blues who drew against Colorado FC earlier in the day. The teams are level on points and both sport a plus four goal differential, but the Sounders have scored nine goals on the season while the Blues have tallied only eight.

Redwine continued to make a strong case for a regular spot in the Sounders starting line up by opening the scoring on a far post header from a Lyndsey Patterson corner kick in the 32nd minute. Chalise Baysa found herself the recipient of a Zahra Lechak cross at the far post in the 53rd minute to make the score 2-0 Sounders.

Los Angeles quickly struck to bring the match back into reach with a deft 23 yard strike from Charney Burk that found the upper corner of the goal just out of reach of a diving Katie Hultin in goal for Seattle. A minute later, Sounders defender Kelli Smith, who played more of a right midfield role in today's match, set up to cross a ball into the 18 with several players making a far post run, but instead drove a ball past Alicia Lugo's near post and made the score 3-1.

Next up for the Sounders is a home match on Friday June 26 against Colorado FC. It is the first of three more home matches for the Sounders, who could potentially clinch a spot in the Western Conference Playoffs before taking a season ending trip to California in July.

The Rainier Volleyball Academy

2009-06-14T20:28:00.001-07:00

Summer Volleyball Camp

Rainier Volleyball Academy Summer Camp will run from July 20-23 from 5-9pm. This will be an outdoor camp in the Renton area featuring training on the basic skills of volleyball. The cost of the camp will be $60 per participant.

To receive more information about the summer volleyball camp, please email MatiBishop@Gmail.com or call 425.344.0408.

About Rainier Volleyball Academy
The Rainier Volleyball Academy is a non-profit corporation established to provide affordable volleyball coaching and programs to youth and adults residing on the west side of Lake Washington between Renton and Madison Park.

Procedes from the academy are used to support High School Volleyball in the area. Please feel free to contact Mati Bishop for more information. MatiBishop@gmail.com or call 425.344.0408.

To receive more information about the Rainier Volleyball Academy, please email MatiBishop@Gmail.com or call 425.344.0408.

Sounders Women Take on the LA Legends Sunday June 14 at Starfire

2009-06-13T12:43:00.000-07:00

The undefeated Seattle Sounders Women are back in action Sunday June 14th against the win less LA Legends squad at the Starfire Sports and Entertainment Stadium in Tukwila.

Seattle comes into the match two points behind the defending national champion Pali Blues for first place in the Western Conference. The Sounders have drawn in their last two matches and will be looking to the services of forward Lyndsey Patterson and captain Michelle French to get them back on the winning side of the score sheet.

Los Angeles has yet to win on the season and sits second to last in the USL W-League Western Conference with just two points from four matches. The Legends did however play to a nil-nil draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Friday, leaving the Sounders Northwest rivals still looking for a win after starting their season with four consecutive draws. Two of those draws were against the Sounders who can put significant distance between themselves and Vancouver in the Standings with a win on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 3pm and tickets are available at the gate. The price is $10 for adults and $5 for youth.

Check Out Mati on 950 KJR Saturday from 6-7:30pm

2009-06-12T09:58:00.000-07:00

The First 90 is back on 950 KJR this Saturday night at 6pm. Mati Bishop and Matt Gaschk will preview the Sounders FC match against the San Jose Earthquakes and talk about the Sounders recent struggles.

Don't miss the hosts of Seattle's best soccer podcast taking to the air waves on Sports Radio 950 KJR. If you're heading to the match, stop by Jimmy's on First and say hi to Mati and Matt while they broadcast live from the corner table.

See you at the match and GO SOUNDERS!

Renton Indians Volleyball Open House June 16 from 2:30 to 4:30

2009-06-11T14:55:00.000-07:00

Renton Volleyball will hold their first open house training session of the year on Tuesday June 16th from 2:30 to 4:30 pm in the Renton High School Gym. The session is open to all returning and hopeful Renton High School volleyball players.

Renton students are encouraged to come out for the training session and bring a friend for their first workout with the new Renton High School head Volleyball coach Mati Bishop.

If you have questions, please call coach Mati at 425.344.0408

Can You Help Out the Renton Indians Volleyball Program?

2009-06-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

As Many of you know I am the new head volleyball coach at Renton High School. I'm incredibly excited about the opportunity and am looking forward to getting out summer sessions underway so that the program can continue to develop and grow along the lines that outgoing volleyball coach Sally Eager has started.

Today, I ran into my first obstacle. This summer the Renton High School and Dimmitt Middle School gyms are closed for renovations. That means that our program is going to have to be conducted outdoors. The catch to that is that we need an outdoor net for the girls to really get the most out of their training sessions.

Here's where you can help.

Do you know someone who has a reasonable quality outdoor net the program could borrow during the summer?

Do you know a company who may be able to benefit from some exposure in the Renton Volleyball Community as a thanks for donating the money for us to purchase a net? We'd need about $400 to get a quality system.

Do you have any other ideas about how the Renton High School Volleyball program can go about getting a net so they can get their summer sessions under way?

Feel free to call me at 425.344.0408 with any ideas that you might have.

Thanks,

Coach Mati

1 on 1 Training for Soccer and Volleyball

2009-06-09T15:32:00.000-07:00

Summer is here, school is just about out and it is time to start thinking about fall soccer and volleyball season.

If you're the type of athlete that agrees with that statement, then you should be training with me this summer to get yourself into peak condition for the fall season.

All Summer Workouts Include:

Core Strength Training
Cardio Fitness
Plyometrics for Explosive Speed and Power

Soccer Workouts Will Improve:

Ball Control
First Touch
Passing
Soccer IQ

Volleyball Workouts Will Improve:

Passing
Footwork
Arm Swing and approach
Blocking
Individual defense

Athletes will train twice a week at a park or facility near their home or work. Training sessions are one hour long. The price of the program is $200 per month per athlete. Special small group packages are available as well as training for entire teams.

Space is limited, please reserve your spot today. 425.344.0408
Mati@coachmati.com

Four Foods to Add to Your Summer Diet

2009-06-08T12:02:00.000-07:00

Here are some foods that you should make sure are part of your healthy diet. Have you tried them all? Do you eat a selection of these foods regularly? You probably should.

Sweet Potatoes
When prepared properly they are tastier than their regular potato counter parts. They also have more nutrients than a regular potato which is primarily just simple carbohydrates. Free up your sweet potatoes home fry style with some olive oil for a healthy breakfast treat.

Quinoa
This South American grain has close to 6 grams of protein per serving. It's comparable to brown rice in substance and flavor, but has a bit nuttier taste and can be enjoyed as part of a cold veggie salad, as a side dish by itself or mixed with some honey for breakfast.

Fresh Cod
Fish is a great source of essential omega 3 fatty acids. Cod is an affordable and easy to prepare fish that is readily available in the Pacific Northwest. Toss it on the grill wrapped in tin foil with some of your favorite veggies or fruit and steam it. Or you can bread it with corm meal and fry it in olive oil for a tasty (healthier) fried fish dinner.

Soybeans/Edamame
Fresh or frozen, soybeans are a great summer time snack. You can boil up the fresh beans with a little bit of salt, then toss them in the cooler or the fridge and snack on them later. The best part about these is that they have enough protein to create the sensation of fullness better than other veggies.

There are just a few foods that you can add to your summer diet to make shedding those extra pounds before you head out to the beach.

Sounders Women Stay on Top after Pali and Vancouver Draw

2009-06-08T11:52:00.000-07:00

The undefeated Seattle Sounders Women are still on top of the USL W-League Western Conference after The Pali Blues and Vancouver Whitecaps played to a 1-1 draw Sunday afternoon at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, British Coloumbia.

Get The Stats from Vancouver vs Pali

The Seattle Sounders Women will be back in action again on Sunday June 14th when they host the Los Angeles Legends at 3pm. The match will be played at the Starfire Stadium.

Bodysurfing and Surf Photography as well as Scenes of Hawaii from Gregrimagery.com

2009-06-07T10:49:00.000-07:00

Aloha everyone. It's Sunday in Seattle and I'm sitting here dreaming of warm water and glassy waves. Just wanted to share with you gregrimagery.com. You can check it out to get a little break from the Seattle scene, at least on your desk top, and see what's been going on in the surfing world.

I was there when Greg first starting taking pictures of surf. It used to be a ritual for us to head out to the beach, then come home and plug his camera into the tv and look at the shots. The shot on the left side of my web banner was taken by Greg when we went to Molokai years ago. Now, he's an accomplished photographer with a great site and I'm sitting here wishing for those days when we would head out to Sandy Beach for an afternoon session every day.

Enjoy the pics and pick up some prints from Greg online so you can brighten up your Seattle on those cloudy days.

2009 University of Washington Women's Volleyball Schedule

2009-06-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

The University of Washington announced their 2009 volleyball schedule recently. It all starts at home as part of a joint tournament with Seattle University (the teams will play each other on August 29th) and then moves to several tournaments before the start of conference play.

The Huskies have won the USA Volleyball Open Championship this spring, defeating both USA A2 squads in the process, and will be tested early in the fall when they face Florida and Minnesota in the Tampa Twice tournament.

The end of the schedule is home heavy before the PAC-10 and NCAA Tournaments begin. The squad will feature seniors hitters Jill Collymore, Arial Salvo as well as two-time defender of the year Tamari Miyashiro in her senior campaign.

Last year the Huskies finished their season in the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament when they were defeated by Nebraska.

Click here to see the Schedule at GoHuskies.com

Sounders Women Come From Behind Against Defending Champions to Stay Undeated

2009-06-06T11:29:00.000-07:00

Sounders Forward Veronica Perez Tallied the Equalizer
Photo Courtesy of GoHuskies.com

Seattle Sounders Women Forward Veronica Perez (UW) tallied her first USL W-League goal Friday night to earn her team a come from behind 2-2 draw against the defending USL W-League champion Pali Blues. The draw is the second consecutive for Seattle and brings their record on the season to 2-0-3.

The Sounders, in front of a crowd of over 1,000 people, took the lead in the 32nd minute when defender Kate Warner (WWU) unlocked the Pali defense for captain Michelle French who slotted her second goal of the season. The Blues took offense to the goal and leveled the side just three minutes later with the first of two goals for Lauren Cheney. The teams took the match into the half tied at one goal each.

Pali Blues showed their class in the second half with US National Team Player Tobin Heath putting on a top quality performance. Jodie Taylor set Cheney up for her second goal of the match in the 72nd minute and Pali oozed class as they looked to control the ball and finish out the match with a 2-1 victory.

It was Kelli Smith with a trademark diagnal cross into the box that found Perez all alone in the 82nd minute for the Sounders equalizer. Perez controlled, used her time and space and powered the ball into the back of the net.

The final minutes were frenzied as both sides pushed and probed looking for an equlizer. After 90 minutes, they shared the points and Seattle retained the lead in the USL W-League Western Conference with nine points from five matches. Pali moved into a tie with Real Colorado with seven points from two wins and a draw.

Next up for the Sounders Women is a home match against the Los Angeles Legends on Sunday June 14th at 3pm.

The

Velocity '92 Green's Inagural Fitness Session

2009-06-05T08:44:00.000-07:00

Last night I put the girls from Velocity '92 Green through the paces for the first time in a half hour stability, strength and power training session. Temps were in the high 80s, which made the workout a bit extra challenging.

Through the first half hour of training the girls completed sets of ski hops, lunges, Peek-a-boo jumps, frog hops and crab walks. The workout is the first of 12 sessions that will take place over the next six weeks. The program is specifically designed to develop strength and stability in the players lower legs, increase the athletes core strength and develop explosive power and speed.

Coach Mati's 12 session fitness package is available for your team and the price starts at just $45 per player. Give your players the training they need to limit their chance at injury and gain a competitive advantage on the pitch this summer. Call coach Mati at 425.344.0408 or email mati@coachmati.com.

Sounders Women Battle to Second Draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps

2009-06-04T12:09:00.000-07:00

The Seattle Sounders women played to a 1-1 draw Wednesday night against their rivals from the North The Vancouver Whitecaps. The draw brings Seattle's record to 2-0-2 while the Whitecaps are still searching for their first win of the year with both of their draws coming against the Sounders.

In the 46th minute the Sounders found themselves trailing a match for the first time this season after Jodi Ann Robinson scored to give the Whitecaps a 1-0 lead. In the 61st minute Seattle brought forward Erin Redwine into the match and less than a minute later she unlocked the Whitecaps back line with a perfect through ball for Lyndsey Patterson who tallied her team leading second goal of the season.

Patterson had come close to opening the scoring in the first half, but misfired in the 18 yard box after she had been picked out by a quality ball from team Captain Michelle French. As the match wore on, an uncanny Seattle heat wave played a part in the match, with temperatures in the 80's at kickoff taking it's toll on the players and the tempo of the match. 11 substitutions were made by the teams as both head coaches tried to find some fresh legs and a spark that would bring a victory in the final minutes.

Neither team was able to break the deadlock and both walked away with a share of the spoils. Next up for the Sounders is a home match Friday June 5th at the Starfire Sports and Entertainment Complex. Tickets are available at the match.

What Constitutes a Yacht Anyway?

2009-06-03T08:45:00.000-07:00

I live in the shadow of the Rainier Yacht Club, which for most of the year really doesn't mean anything at all, but from time to time results in a bunch of people wearing nice white clothes wandering around the marina. One of the few things that I've learned as a liveaboard is that pretty white clothes and boats don't mix very well.

I'm not really sure that there are too many vessels in my marina that I would classify as yachts. What is a yacht exactly?

A yacht was originally defined as, “a light, fast sailing vessel used to convey important persons.” The word yacht is derived from the Dutch word Jacht, meaning "hunt” or “hunter.” Today, the word yacht has come to cover a wider range of vessels, either run by sail, power, or both. A yacht that is not powered with sails and wind is referred to as a motor yacht. -Wisegeek.com

Well, I'm happy to report that according to that quote, I live on a yacht. Although, I would never have thought to call it that. Helen lives on a motor yacht. Life just somehow got a whole lot better. I didn't even have to move and I have been upgraded from living on a boat to living on a yacht. I've also been reportedly upgraded to VIP status as well. I not thinking that you'll be catching me wearing pretty white clothes on my boat however. I do have my limits.

Not a bad way to start a Wednesday. It's supposed to be nearly 90 degrees today, so odds are good the day will finish well too.

Favorite Photos from Memorial Day Weekend Flying Adventures

2009-06-02T12:11:00.001-07:00

It's memorial day weekend and Helen and I have a brand new Glassair Sportsman at our disposal for the entire holiday. Sound like a dream? It was certainly dreamy. We flew to Libby Montana, around Neah Bay, had dinner in Westport, lunch on Monday with Steve and Erin at Friday Harbor and flew by just about every major peak in the state.

The highlights of the trip included a trip through North Cascades National Park following the HWY 20 pass. Throughout the weekend we hunted for signs on wildlife below. It wasn't until late Monday evening when we finally came across a heard of elk in a clear cut in the hills just North of Arlington that we accomplished that mission.

Here are some snapshots of our adventures:

Mt. Baker

Sunset on the Coast

Neah Bay

Mt. Adams

Libby Montana

Not as Scary as it Looks

North Cascades National Park

Mt. Rainier at Sunset

The Pilots

Writing Samples published by Trails.com

2009-06-02T11:31:00.000-07:00

It's awesome outside and I'm thinking about going backpacking this weekend. Summer in the Northwest is awesome. Trails.com published a couple more of my articles. Check them out.

Fun Facts about the Geological Features of Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Can You Upgrade a Garmin Nuvi GPS?

Undefeated Sounders Women Coming Home for June

2009-06-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

The Seattle Sounders Women won two matches in Colorado over the weekend by a score of 1-0 and brought home the USL W-League Western Conference lead. Now, the Sounders will play all of their matches in the month of June at the Starfire Sports and Entertainment Complex in Tukwila, Washington.

Wednesday night the Sounders Women will host the Vancouver Whitecaps, the only team to score a goal against them in their first three matches. The 1-1 draw in Vancouver is the one blemish on Seattle's record and they'll be looking to revenge after Vancouver's last gasp goal in British, Columbia.

Lyndsey Patterson, Michelle French and Kelli Smith have provided the goals for the Sounders, but the team has yet to score more than one goal in a match. They will be looking use the friendly confines of the Starfire Stadium to improve their scoring prowess. Their defense on the other hand has been the foundation of their early season success with Kate Warner (WWU) Beth Drollinger and Shannon Lovejoy anchoring the back line.

Tickets for Wednesday night's match against Vancouver will be available at the gate. The Sounders Women are also in action Friday night against the Pali Blues, who are currently second in the Western Conference standings. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

More Sounders Women info

Reach Your Goals with Coach Mati as Your Personal Trainer

2009-05-31T16:53:00.000-07:00

About Coach Mati
I've taken 10+ years of experience working with athletes and combined it with the principals taught by the National Association of Sports Medicine to put together a training philosophy that will help you have fun meeting your goals.

I specialize in working with clients who are trying to:

Lose Weight and develop a healthy lifestyle
Every day people make the decision to lose weight and don't realize that in order to lose weight and keep it off, they have to make changes to their overall lifestyle. I help people make these changes in a sustainable and enjoyable manner that results in an overall improvement to their quality of life. Do you want to live better and longer? If you answered yes, then you have what it takes for us to work together and to reach your goals.

Train for athletic and sporting events
I can custom design a training and nutrition program that will give you the added performance that you've been missing. I will be an invaluable part of your training program and take you to levels of performance that you have never imagined. If you're ready to set goals that you never thought were possible and reach them, then you are ready to work with me.

Recover From Injury
Dealing with injury is one of the most frustrating and potentially devasting thing that people and athletes face in their lives. Prescribed rehabilitation rarely completes the healing cycle. Getting back to where you were after rehab is over requires a lot of discipline and motivation. Working with me will get you back in the game (or just the game of life) faster than trying to do it yourself.

How I do It

Your Comprehensive Fitness Plan
Working with me means that everything is personalized to fit your needs. Most people will not see results from standardized workouts and diets. By having me personalize your workouts, you will be giving yourself a path to success that is fun and effective.

The Four Pillars of Fitness
My programs incorporate the four pillars of fitness to help my clients make changes in and out of the gym. The four pillars of fitness within my programs are:

1. Nutrition

When and what you eat can account for up to 80% of the success of any health and fitness program. It’s a critical part of every comprehensive program that I create for clients.

2. Cardio Training

A healthy heart and lungs are crucial to a healthy happy body. My programs include cardio training based on your needs, whether they are simple cardiovascular conditioning, or additional training for fat loss. Including quality, effective cardio training in your fitness program will help you attain a healthier and happier lifestyle.

3. Dietary Supplementation

The truth is that almost no one in the United States is able to get all of the nutrition they need from the foods they eat. Supplementation for your fitness program can be as simple as a multi-vitamin, or specific to a obstacle you face in your training. Whatever the case, I will help you find the right supplements for you without spending a ton of money on products that don’t provide the things you need in a way your body can use them.

4. Resistance Training

Increasing the amount of lean tone muscle on your body is the key to looking, performing and feeling better. My programs are designed to challenge and develop your body in a manner that is safe, effective and fun.

Train on Your Own, Or In a Group
I offer both completely customized and small group programs. We can work together at the gym, at your home, at the park or just about anywhere else you want to train. Individual packages start at just $25 per session. Group training is available for groups of three more more and six week programs are available for as low as $45 per person. Contact me to figure out how we can get you started with the option that is right for you.

Make an Appointment and Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

Contact Mati@CoachMati.com or 425.344.0408

Allow me to introduce myself

2009-05-31T16:28:00.000-07:00

Aloha,

I'm Mati Bishop and I'd like to thank you for taking a moment to visit my site. As you can see, I have my hands in a few cookie jars out here in the Pacific Northwest. I make my living as a freelance writer, personal trainer. I also coach volleyball and soccer and have a radio show about soccer on the local sports talk radio station, 950 KJR AM.

Click Here See My Resume

Here are Some Writing Samples

Work with Me as Your Personal Trainer

I've had the advantage of living in three of the most incredible places in the United States: Colorado, Hawaii and Washington State. These locals have nurtured my adventurous nature and led me to be among the founding members of the Hawaii State Bodysurfing Association, hike to the bottom of the grand canyon and back in one day and survive a collection of Montana fishing trips plus a whole bag full of story producing sagas.

Read My Most Recent Blog Posts

All of these experiences have molded my personality and taught me a whole lot about telling an interesting story. Part of what this means to me is finding the right voice for the tale. I have experienced a great many cultures and delved into the motivations of people from all walks of life. All of this leads to my stories having a rich personality and entertaining view point.

One of the most rewarding things that I have found through my travels is involvement in youth athletics. I work to teach young athletes about both sport and life through the medium of my two favorite sports, volleyball and soccer. In addition to coaching, I take time to promote the accomplishments of athletes young and old as much as possible.

Read more about soccer

Read more about volleyball

I'm always on the look out for new adventures to continue my legacy. Perhaps it's time for me to start writing stories for you? Or, maybe you would like to share some of the training that I've put together to prepare you for your own adventures?

Either way, feel free to drop me a line and we'll work on putting together some ways that we may be able to work together.

Thanks,

Mati Bishop
MatiBishop@gmail.com

Top Eight Set for Prime Time

2009-05-31T16:18:00.001-07:00

The third round of USAV Puget Sound Region Power League play is in the books and the top eight teams through the first three tournaments have qualified for the Prime Time tournament where they will compete for a bid to the USAV Junior Olympic National Championships. Here are the top eight from each age division.

U-18
1. Kent Juniors VBC 18 Baden
2. University Place VBC 17
3. Washington Volleyball Academy 18 Mizuno
4. Rain City 18 Lokahi
5. Puget Sound 18 Gold
6. The Edge 18
7. Kent Juniors VBC 17 Baden
8. Sudden Impact 17 Storm

U-16
1.Washington Volleyball Academy 16 Mizuno
2. Washington Volleyball Academy 15 Mizuno
3. Kent Juniors VBC 16 Baden
4. Island Thunder VBC 16 Under Armor
5. Puget Sound VBC 16 Gold
6. Olympia VBC 16-1
7. Capital VBC 16 Ice
8. YMCA Blaze 16

U-15
1. Washington Volleyball Academy 14 Mizuno
2. University Place VBC 15
3. Puget Sound VBC 15 Gold
4. Above the Net 15
5. Capital 15 Ice
6. Kent Juniors VBC 15 Baden
7. Edmonds VBC 15
8. North Shore Juniors 15 Black

U-14
Not Released on Region Website

U-12
1. Power Surge 12 Black
2. Puget Sound VBC 12 Gold
3. Island Thunder VBC 12 Under Armor
4. Sudden Impact 12 Monsoon
5. Puyallup Juniors 12
6. Olympia VBC 12-1
7. University Place VBC 12 Gold
8. Power Surge 12 Gold

The Prime Time tournament will be held on April 4th & 5th at various locations thoughout the Puget Sound region. The winner of each Prime Time tournament will receive a bid to play at the USAV Junior Olympic National Championship tournament.

Kent Juniors Reclaim Top Spot in U18 Division

2009-05-31T16:16:00.000-07:00

Kent Juniors 18 Baden squad reclaimed the top spot in the U18 division from Washington Volleyball Academy 18 Mizuno in the Puget Sound Power League U18 division last weekend. Kent Juniors started the year as favorites to claim a bid to the USAV Junior National Championships this summer. Washington Volleyball Academy looks poised to claim the second berth to the big dance. The competition between the two clubs and their star studded rosters promises to be a crowd pleaser all season long.

See all the U18 Power League Standings

Washington Volleyball Academy 16 Mizuno holds the top spot in the U16 Power League Standings.

See All the U16 Power League Standings

Puget Sound Volleyball Club 15 Gold is on top of the U15 Power League Tournament

See all the U15 Power League Standings

Capital Volleyball Club 14 Ice is in the lead for the U14 title.

See all the U14 Power League Standings

Power Surge Volleyball Club 12 Black continues to lead the way in the U12 Competition

See all the U12 Power League Standings

The next round of Puget Sound Power League play will be the weekend of February 28th.

Second Round of Puget Sound Power League This Weekend

2009-05-31T16:15:00.000-07:00

The Early season U18 Power League Favorite Kent Juniors 18 Baden will look to reclaim the top spot from the Washington Volleyball Academy Mizuno squad featuring star outside hitter Kylin Munoz. Both clubs have two teams in the top flight of the U18 tournament.

See the U18 Power League Pools

Washington Volleyball Academy also holds the top spot in flight one of the U16 tournament after the opening weekend.

See the U16 Power League Pools

Puget Sound Volleyball Club holds the top spot in the U15 division, but will face stern challenges from Kent Juniors and other clubs this weekend.

See the U15 Power League Pools

The top spot in the U14 division is held by Narrows Volleyball Club.

See the U14 Power League Pools

Power Surge Volleyball club is currently on the top of the U12 Power League table.

See the U12 Power League Pools

The Puget Sound Power League tournament series will run through April, and the top eight teams in each age group will have a chance to qualify for the USAV Junior National Championships.

First Round of Puget Sound Region 2009 Power League Volleyball Tournaments in the Books

2009-05-31T16:14:00.000-07:00

Washington Volleyball Academy holds first place in the U18 and U16 brackets of the Puget Sound Volleyball Region's power league events after the first round of compeition. Kent Juniors Volleyball Club is in the top three in every division except for the U12 compeition where they placed eigth. Puget Sound Volleyball Club has also placed consistently in the top five through the first round of play.

The Next round of play will start the first week of February. From here until regionals the teams will be devided into eight team flights based on their performance in the qualifying round and individual tournaments. The top eight teams at the end of the competition will compete in the Prime Time tournament with a bid to the USAV Junior National Championship Tournament on the line.

U18 Power League Results

U16 Power League Results

U15 Power League Results

U14 Power League Results

U12 Power League Results

Kylin Munoz Controversy after WVBA 18 Mizuno Go Top of the Standings

2009-05-31T16:13:00.000-07:00

Kylin Munoz has asked to be released from her letter to intent to BYU in Utah. The great news for Washington volleyball fans is that she has apparently had a change of heart and wants to play in Seattle at the University of Washington.

This news dropped today in the Seattle Times, less than seven days after Munoz and her teamates on Washington Volleyball Academy's 18 Mizuno squad took control of first place in the Puget Sound Region Power League standings, moving ahead of the Kent Juniors 18 Baden squad favored to represent the region at the USAV Junior National Championship this year.

See the Standings After the First Round of 18 Power League

The 14s and the 12s are kicking off their power league schedule this weekend. Check out the schedule for the youngsters here.

Kent Juniors VBC Holds the #1 Seed in the First U18 Power League of 2009

2009-05-31T16:09:00.000-07:00

A stacked Kent Juniors squad that features Kentwood High School's All-State outside hitter Jessie Genger and Metro 3A Co-League MVP Janelle Chow from Mercer Island alongside a host of other players all ready committed to college programs tops the seeding for the opening weekend of the 18 Power League schedule.

Washington Volleyball Academy saw two of their teams seeded in the top ten with their 18 Mizuno squad featuring Monroe's Kylin Munoz holds the number 2 spot and their 17 Mizuno squad is initially seeded number seven.

During the two day tournament the teams will be sorted out based on results into pools of eight for the next round of Power League play. Only the top eight teams in the power league table will qualify for the Prime Time Tournament in April where one team will earn a bid to the USAV National Championship tournament. The other national championship bid will be awarded to the winner of the regional championship tournament in May.

Teams to Watch

Kent Juniors 18 Baden
Featured Players
Jessie Genger, Kentwood High School, 2008 All-State 4A
Janelle Chow, Mercer Island High School, 2008 Co Metro MVP
Outlook
The region has chosen KJ as the early season favorites. There aren't many scenarios that you can imagine where this team doesn't come away with a bid to the national championship tournament. There will be solid competition coming from elsewhere in the field and despite the fourth place finish by the KJ 17 Baden squad in last year's power league and the high number of returning players, this year's team will face all new challenges and anything can happen. That's why they play the matches.

Washington Volleyball Academy 18 Mizuno
Featured Players
Kylin Munoz, Monroe High School, 2008 All-State 4A
Outlook
Despite claiming two of the top three spots in 2008's 18 Power League and featuring the player who garnered the most national attention from her high school season in Munoz, WVBA 18 Mizuno will have their work cut out for them if they are going to take the top spot away from KJ. There are two bids to the National Championship up for grabs and WVBA 18 Mizuno will be a favorite to challenge for one of them.

Puget Sound VBC 18 Gold
Featured Players
Ashley Pollard, Rogers High School, 2008 All-State Second Team
Outlook
Puget Sound 18 Gold won the 18 Power League in 2008. This year they are tabbed early season to finish number 3. They are a long shot to finish in the top spot, but should find themselves in the Primetime tournament and could walk away with a bid to Nationals.

See all the Power League Seedings for this weekend.

See last year's power league standings

2009 Puget Sound Region Power League Dates Announced

2009-05-31T16:07:00.000-07:00

The USAV Puget Sound Region has released a tentative schedule for the 2009 Power League and Regional tournaments. They also announced that a USAV Coaches Accredidation Program clinic is scheduled for January 2&3. Updates will be given when the schedule becomes official. Here are the tentative dates.

Contact the Puget Sound Volleyball Region for more information.

Puget Sound Region Power League Schedule

Jan. 10&11 U18 Power League
January 17&18 U12 & U14 Power League
January 24&25 U15 & U16 Power League

February 7 U14 & U18 Power League
February 8 U12, U15 & U16 Power League
February 28 U12, U15 & U16 Power League

March 1 U14 & U18 Power League

April 4 U14 & U18 Power League
April 5 U12, U15 & U16 Power League

May 2&3 U12, U15 & U16 Regional Tournament
May 9 U12 & U13 Regional Tournament
May 17 U17 & U18 Regional Tournament

Dates times and locations will be confirmed by the region as the tournaments approach.