Helping Create Success
Olymp Praha U16 Women: Czech Champions and a Journey of Growth
This season has been one of the most emotional and unforgettable moments for our family. My daughter, Elizabeth, and her team from Olymp Praha U16 Women became champions of the Mistrovství ČR ve volejbalu U16 ženy — the Czech National Championship for U16 girls volleyball in Czechia.
For us, this victory means so much more than a gold medal.
When we moved from the United States to Czech Republic, everything was new: a different culture, a different language, new teammates, new coaching styles, and a completely different volleyball system. As parents, we only hoped Elizabeth would find a place where she could continue growing both as an athlete and as a person. Olymp Praha gave her exactly that opportunity.
Olymp Praha is considered one of the most competitive and respected youth volleyball clubs in the country. The level of discipline, technical development, and mentality inside the club is incredibly high, and we feel truly grateful they welcomed Elizabeth and gave her the chance to continue her journey in Czech volleyball.
As a mother, I could not be more proud.
I have watched my daughter transform not only physically, but mentally as well. Becoming a strong athlete is never easy, and honestly, easy is not something Elizabeth looks for. She challenges herself every single day. Over the past few years, she has completely changed her lifestyle, improving her nutrition and learning how to eat like a professional athlete. Through discipline, consistency, and healthy habits, she lost nearly 9 kilograms in a healthy and sustainable way.
But her transformation was never only about appearance. It was about performance, health, confidence, and commitment.
She understands that dreams are built through hard work. Nobody achieves success sitting on the sofa waiting for things to happen. Elizabeth is always looking for ways to improve — extra gym sessions, better recovery, stronger mentality, and more focus on technique.
One of the biggest changes this season was her position on the court. She moved from playing middle blocker to libero, a completely different role from what she was used to. And honestly, I absolutely love seeing her energy in this new position. Her positivity and intensity are contagious. She brings passion, movement, communication, and determination to every match.
Watching her adapt and grow in such a demanding role has been incredibly inspiring.
At the same time, this success belongs to the entire team. As parents, we saw how all the hard work, discipline, sacrifice, and daily commitment finally turned into something unforgettable — not just a medal, but the reward of believing in the process.
Of course, huge credit must also go to the coaches and staff at Olymp Praha. They welcomed us with patience and professionalism, helping Elizabeth through the adaptation process, the language barrier, and the technical development needed to compete at this level. Their support has meant so much to our family.
The Czech Republic has a long and proud volleyball tradition, and we feel honored to experience this culture firsthand. We truly hope to continue this journey for many more years and, from the bottom of our hearts, we hope to be here again next season so Elizabeth can keep developing her technique, maturity, and love for the game.
This championship is not the end of the journey. It is only the beginning.
Congratulations to all the girls, coaches, and families of Olymp Praha. What an incredible season for the champions of the Mistrovství ČR ve volejbalu U16 ženy.
By Keilley Lee Marques
