Nationals!!!

The season is done!!! I can't decide whether to be relieved or disappointed. :) On one hand, I am so thrilled to have more time for school and a routine! Though it initially sounds boring and grueling, I really do like being productive, which is much more challenging during volleyball season, at least for me (I have some friends who are very diligent and do this well). However, I am going to MISS seeing my team mates SO MUCH! These last two tournaments I have gotten closer to several of my team mates, and then leaving them was so sad. People just make me so happy, and it will be a bit of a shock to not see them almost every day.(Not a shock I wanted, either.)

Now, for national details. First off, out of the gold, silver, bronze, and bronze II brackets, we got 6th in the silver bracket, only four places behind the "all-star" varsity team that played two years ago. I was so pumped we made it into silver, considering last year we only made it to the bottom of bronze HOWEVER, it wasn't particularly easy. All three days we got early morning games that meant LEAVING the hotel (not waking up) at 7:00 a.m. every morning. I was very happy to discover the wonders of COFFEE at this tournament for more reasons than one! :)

Also, we played three of the teams who made it to the Final Four in the GOLD division so that was a bit tough(in case you couldn't read through the lines... we got clobbered).

 In addition, we had three injured teammates by the second game... Irma and Miranda sprained/twisted (could someone please tell me the difference between these two injuries!?!?) their ankles, and Mary Frances jammed her finger pretty bad. They all toughed it out, though, and played most of the tournament. (Irma was the only one who couldn't play, and that was only part of the first day.) That didn't stop us from going to the zoo after our games, although Mr. Weddle made sure they didn't injure themselves any more from all that walking!

He even pushed Miranda at first until I begged for a turn (I offered to let him push her again when we hit a big hill. :)

 

 

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Poor Irma was at the mercy of her sister, Lizzy, who had a little TOO much fun pushing her down the hill.

 



 

 

Highlights other than the zoo included a team Starbucks run, a movie night complete with jelly beans and pistachios to snack on, a cookout/s'mores fest with a local friend/volleyball competitor, and the final meal at Valentinos, where I got SODA! (I had gone off it from the season, and thoroughly enjoyed a tall glass along with coffee, my new standby! :) )

 

Oh, and in case you were wondering if we actually played any volleyball, here are some pictures to prove that we didn't just drink coffee and hang out:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Overall, both on and off the court, I had a blast. :) I'm looking forward to next year already!