September 23, 2002
| --Sophomore volleyball player Kendra Felder will share her thoughts on the season, and other things, with us each week in AggieAthletics.com's player diary segment. September 23, 2002 Well, I'm sitting here eating Triscuits, trying to put my thoughts into words as to how to write what I want to write. It's all on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't get it out. I guess I can start with our first conference game against Kansas, and then go into the Colorado game. That's the part I'm dreading. But I feel like if I don't write about that game, then it will be perceived that everything is always peachy keen in the world of sports. So I will do my best! I felt the win as soon as we stepped foot on the court against KU for warm ups. I saw it in everyone's eyes, the drive to come out on top. Not just to beat them, but to never give them a chance. The fact that we were about begin conference play in a matter of hours sent the feeling of urgency and determination through our veins. And, knowing this would be a tough match, it was prime time to prove ourselves. We were ready to support and play our hearts out for each other. Nothing can destroy a "team", and that night nothing did. The new addition to the atmosphere of Texas A&M Volleyball made us that much more excited. I know I never stopped grinning all through warm ups. The band allowed the Aggie spirit to shine, and I know for a fact it intimidated our opponents. It really showed that volleyball at A&M has been accepted and is fully supported. Thank you so much to all of you who support us, you guys are so special to the team! That match definitely added fuel to our fire! Now with our first match under our belt, we had to face our next opponents. Going in with a strong win against Kansas, and Colorado having a strong win against Baylor, the team was aware that we would have to give it our all. But, as livers of life, we all know that things don't always work the way we want them to. We definitely put up a fight, but knowing we were the better team makes it a bitter thing to accept. When they won that last game point in the fifth game, it was like a brick wall had hit. Not the brick wall that keeps you from progressing, but the brick wall that slaps you in the face, wakes you up, and strikes a mark in your book of lessons learned. So, as a team, we will get over this wall and come out stronger than ever. Today's practice was the first step, and we took a huge one. I think this was the first time the whole team was whole-heartedly focused on improving and we all had the same goal. Our fire never went out, that match just made it bigger! God bless you! |