This blogger might have been on vacation, but some former DODDS-Europe standouts have wasted no time making names for themselves at the next level.

Former Heidelberg High School All-European Fallon Puppolo registered two assists last month as the Naval Academy won the 2009 Navy Soccer Invitational, according to the Academy’s Web site. Puppolo, a freshman, was one of four Middies named to the all-tournament team.

Vilseck soccer coach Brian Swenty reports that three of his former stars have picked up right where they left off in Europe. Shamyra Coleman, now playing for Mountain State (West Va.) University, scored all three goals in a 3-1 opening-game victory over Ohio Valley University, according to Swenty. Coleman’s former  teammate Stevi Hood also plays for Mountain State.

Vilseck’s other All-Europe performer last season, Tamaria Hollis, has been named a starter on defense for Southwest Baptist University of Bolivar, Mo., Swenty says. The NCAA Division II institution is 2-0-1 so far this season, according to the school’s Web site.

Another Heidelberg grad, Lauren Brosseau, a sophomore at NCAA Division III Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., assisted on one of her team’s goals in a 4-0 victory Saturday over Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, according to the college Web-site. Brousseau played in 13 games for Hamilton as a freshman.

In volleyball, former Wuerzburg All-European Allison McKearn has made the U.S. Military Academy volleyball team as a freshman middle blocker, according to her former coach, John Sullivan. McKearn played center for the USMA Prep School last season, according to the Black Knights’ Web site.

That’s just scratching the surface, of course. Let us know about the exploits of other former DODDS-Europe performers.