September 15, 2005
Howdy!!
Well, it has been a very busy week for Aggie Volleyball!! We were really challenged this past weekend playing in the UTSA Dome Rally in San Antonio. We had three days of playing some of the nation's best teams and learning a lot about where we are as a team and where we want to be. We started out on Friday playing the 6th-ranked Florida Gators. We played a really tough match and came out ready to play but we lost to them in 4 games. It was a good game for us to see where we stack up against a really strong team and to see some of the parts of our game that need to be improved. The following day we played LSU and won in five games. The best thing about that match was the fact that we were down 9-3 in the fifth game and rallied from behind to win the match. Playing close games like that and fighting to pull out the win really gives our team a lot of confidence that even when we are down, we can find a way to win. The last match of the tournament was against No. 8 USC on Sunday afternoon. We lost in four and had a difficult time getting into a rhythm.
One really fun part of the weekend in San Antonio was that we got to stay on the Riverwalk and have a really good weekend of team bonding and playing some great volleyball. This was our first overnight road trip of the season and traveling with the team is always a good way to get to know each other in an atmosphere that is quite different than in the gym. Some of the funniest things I remember with the team are stories from when we are traveling on the road!!
We began our Big 12 Conference season yesterday in Lawrence, Kansas. It is always difficult playing away from the friendly atmosphere of G. Rollie and especially playing away matches in our very strong conference. We ended up losing to KU in three and we weren't playing the way we had prepared to. The important thing that we learned last night is what it takes to get ready emotionally and physically. We had a good team discussion and are prepared to do whatever it takes to win and prevent another loss like that.
We are so excited about returning home tomorrow night and playing against a very good Missouri team. They are a strong team and I know that our team will be ready to go and take advantage of a great opportunity to get a great win and compete in front of our supportive home crowd. I hope that you will all make it out to the game and continue to give the great support and encouragement that we appreciate so much!! Gig 'em Aggies!!
Kari
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