First Club Practice

          What I have been looking forward to all year, our first club practice has finally come. We had our first practice tonight and it was a success. My team has so much potential and I can’t wait to get on the court and start competing with them. I can already tell it is going to be an awesome season. We play so well together already I can’t wait to see where this season takes us.

          Our team consists of 10 girls, 4 new and 6 returners from last year. Every single person on my team has the same passion that I do for volleyball and that is an awesome feeling, to be playing on the court with girls that have the same dreams and aspirations that you do. We are playing in 10 tournaments this year plus either New Orleans or Florida for nationals. I am really looking forward to going to Colorado Crossroads because I have never been there and I love Colorado.

          Tonight at practice we played against 18 black (they won nationals last year). It is an awesome experience playing against them, and it is so much fun at the same time. I learn so much from playing them it unbelievable. My team stuck with them and I think we had a great first practice to start our season.

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Out of Town Tournaments

        If you play club volleyball you will most likely travel out of town for tournaments. These can range from an hour to 10 hours in the car, or maybe even flying. Most teams will travel out of town for National Qualifiers or to play in tournaments with a higher level of competition. If you are going to play in a 2 or 3 day out of town tournament there are a few things you should remember to do; stay hydrated, bring snacks, make a list of what you need, and take ice baths.

          Make sure you are drinking plenty of water in advance and during your tournament. It helps if you bring a cooler of water or Gatorade to your hotel and then you can take some with you instead of buying expensive drinks at the convention center.  You should also bring some healthy snacks, something that gives you energy so in between games you have something you like instead of buying greasy concession stand food.

          Every time I go to a tournament out of town I always think I am going to forget something, to avoid this I make a list of everything I need and make sure I have everything before I leave. Examples of things you would not want to forget would be your jersey, spandex, or your volleyball bag.

          After the 1^st day of the tournament you will probably feel a little sore but even if you don’t, take an ice bath! Ice baths help so much and they make a difference the next day when you play for another full day. When you take an ice bath just fill your bath up with ice and cold water so that your legs are completely under water. It is really hard to get in the first time you take one, but just know your legs will feel so much better when you do.

          Most of all just have fun! Play the best you can and the results from your hard work will pay off. Be thankful for the opportunity because not everyone gets to play in these awesome tournaments. Good luck!

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My First College Visit

            On Friday I visited the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota. The coaches had seen me play recently at a club tryout in Waterloo, Iowa. They took me aside after the tryout and told me how excited they were about me and wanted me to come visit some time. Nothing is more reassuring than having someone believe in your dreams, and they did and I wanted to see what their volleyball program was all about. I scheduled a visit and before I knew it the day had come for my first visit.

            It is a 5 hour drive from Cedar Rapids to the Sioux Falls campus, so it’s not that bad but still a pretty long drive. When I got there with my parents we met with admissions and then took a tour around campus with a tour guide and the assistant coach. The campus is pretty small so it didn’t take that long to see all of the buildings. I got to see the freshman dorms, upperclassman dorms, classrooms, the science department, the athletic center, the volleyball team room, and the best part was seeing the volleyball locker room. We walked into the locker room and hanging in one of the lockers was two #20 jerseys, a backpack, a volleyball bag, and all of the clothing items the players receive but with my number on them. When I saw that, it suddenly hit me that my dream of playing college volleyball could actually come true.

            After that we went out to eat with the coaches to a restaurant called Grille 26, and then to the women’s and men’s basketball games at Sioux Falls. I hung out with the team there and got to know them and what they like or don’t like about Sioux Falls. I know one of the player’s pretty well because we went to the same high school when I was a freshman and she was a senior. So after the game I spent the night in her dorm room with her and her roommates that also play volleyball. It was fun, they really made me realize that I could be a part of that soon. In the morning the coaches picked me up and we met my parents at a pancake place for breakfast. We talked and ate probably some of the best pancakes I’ve had in a long time. After that they took my parents and I to see the athletic complex where the team lifts weights and conditions. The football stadium, soccer field, and track are just behind the complex. It is really nice and they were talking about the future plans of having three volleyball courts put in so that they could practice there instead of where they play.

            The whole experience was awesome and I could really see myself playing and going to school there. It just scares me because college is coming so soon and it seems unreal. Best of luck on your college visits!

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