Downey volleyball player helps senior team win gold and silver

DOWNEY - Downey resident Barbara Norbut and her women’s 55-plus volleyball team, Yadayada, took home the gold medal in the top division of the 2019 Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah.

The Huntsman World Games is the largest multi-sport event in the world for athletes ages 50 and older, hosting more than 11,000 athletes.

Yadayada has competed in the games for many years and this year captured the prize.

Thirty-five teams battled it out over the course of four days, competing for a coveted spot in the playoffs. After finishing third in 2018, Yadayada was determined to place higher in 2019.

Losing only one set in pool play, the team was seeded third heading into the playoffs. The team then proceeded to defeat every opponent they faced in the playoffs.

A nail-biter semifinal, which included a dramatic come from behind win in the third set, 16-14, solidified their place in the finals. A decisive 2-set victory in the final sealed the championship for the ladies of Yadayada.

The team’s roster includes captain Barbara Norbut (Downey), Carol Kokinakes (Aliso Viejo), Eileen Reza (Huntington Beach), Rhonda Jacoby (Virginia), Lori Griggs (Simi Valley), Linda Horenkamp (Tennessee), Renee Elsman (Illinois), and Tari Cody (Ventura).

Yadayada also competed in the top division of the 50-plus age bracket which was played the four days immediately following the 55-plus tournament.

This team consisted of half of the players from their 55’s team along with Angela Berrett (Camarillo), Virginia Banister (Oxnard), and two women from Brazil, Cica Cardim and Claudia Nava.

In the field of 27 teams, Yadayada was ranked fifth at the start of the tournament. On the fourth and final day of competition, the team made a remarkable run through the losers bracket (a total of 11 games) all the way to the finals.

Although defeated in the final match, Yadayada made an impressive showing and received the silver medal for their efforts.

All in all, both Yadayada teams represented Downey extremely well at the games. Proof positive that age is just a number and we should never stop challenging ourselves.

When not playing in competitive tournaments, Barbara and husband James run a volleyball program for youth ages 8-18. Their passion for volleyball and zeal to help children succeed are very apparent every time they stop onto the court.

The program is designed to teach the fundamentals of volleyball so that players will be better equipped to meet the challenges of high school and middle school tryouts.

The classes are held at neighboring Thompson Park in Bellflower on Sunday afternoons and Thursday evenings.