Lauren Adams' Volleyball Diary: 11/21/06
11/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 21, 2006
This weekend we traveled to San Antonio for the conference tournament. We left Thursday morning so we could practice that afternoon at UTSA. After practice we checked into our hotel, the incomparable Best Western Fiesta, and then went to eat. At T.G.I.Fridays we were able to watch the football team win back the chief. Football's win versus Northwestern State was quite an inspiration to the team, and it served as an added boost for us.
On Friday we woke up and ate breakfast at the hotel. When the breakfast bar ran out of butter and syrup, Laura Cramer and I decided to go into the back and restock. We retrieved more butter and syrup out of the refrigerator and served it to the other patrons. As Laura began pouring the syrup into the container I noticed that it was slightly pulpy. When she stopped pouring and we realized it was apple juice concentrate, we did the responsible thing and put everything down and walked out of the room.
After our delightful breakfast we hung around the hotel until lunch. We ate at La Madeline, which was located in a shopping center so as soon as we were finished we shopped. Assistant coach Erin McClanahan and I made our pilgrimage to Starbucks and then continued on to Victoria's Secret. As I was checking out, Erin's ADD got the best of her and she sampled the "lip plumper" that was at the register. I warned her against touching the applicator directly to her lips, but I was dismissed. So, when her lips were tingling and burning the rest of the trip I felt no sympathy.
The game against Northwestern went quite well. The game was merely a hurdle on our way to the championship. When the game was over we changed and stayed at the gym to watch UTSA vs. Texas State to see who we would play in the second round, and of course, it was Texas State. We went back to our hotel that night already preparing ourselves to beat them.
Saturday morning, we met in one room and went over what we needed to do to win. Never had I been so excited and so ready to play; I was just wanted to fast forward the day straight to game time. Immediately following the meeting, we went to eat lunch. Around this time the team began noticing that our setter, JJ Jones, was not feeling well. Everyone decided that it was just her nerves getting to her. She didn't eat any of her lunch and when we arrived at the gym she was complaining of nausea. I thought she was nervous too so I tried to crack a few jokes to relax her, but nothing worked. Then just as she was about to walk out of the locker room she whipped back around and threw up into the trash can. She said she felt better after she threw up, but as we began warm-up, she had to sit down, and that was when my anxiety attack began.
The whole warm-up I was waiting for JJ to come running back out of the locker room, ready to play. My hopes were shattered and my dreams were realized when Coach told me that I was starting. I hadn't started a game in nearly three years, and now in what was one of the most crucial games of my college career, I was thrown in. As I tried to regulate my breathing, I began to comprehend the seriousness of what I had to do. We had beaten Texas State twice already this season and I was the only change in this game so, if we lost, it would be my fault. On the other hand for the first time in a long time, I felt like I had some control over the outcome, as well as the length of my senior season. If I couldn't produce I would be done with volleyball forever. Dramatic, I know.
The first game was the most traumatic, but after it was over and I realized that we had won (with me), I calmed down and was able to catch my breath for the first time. The team played so well, and I realized how amazing each member of the team is. We were able to win in four games. It felt like we had already won the championship. Everyone was so excited, but all I could do was think about how thankful I was that I didn't screw it up. It was truly a religious experience.
The next morning everyone woke up ready to win a championship. JJ was feeling much better after she got some really good pills from the doctor and some TLC from her mom. We all met to discuss our plan of attack for UTA. The coaches told us the shots that would be open and knew what they were most likely to do offensively. The coaches' scouting report was fabulous; everything they said would work did. When we had match point, Shelly Swendig went back to serve and couldn't help but smile as Cristin Hopkin and I hugged on the sideline. We won the match in three games and finally earned our NCAA bid.
After the game there was an awards presentation. We received our conference championship trophy and our conference tournament champion trophy. After the trophies were handed out, they announced the all-tournament team. First they announced the ones from UTA and then our team. Tournament MVP was Stephanie Figgers, and Lauren Railey and I (yes, me) also received a spot on the team. I was told, after the fact, that my face when my name was announced was priceless. When I went up to get my award Railey and the girls from UTA had to instruct me on where to go and what to do.
All in all, I'd have to say it was a pretty good weekend. I am a part of the most amazing team with the most amazing and supportive parents. I haven't seen that many tears in a long time. I think our bus driver Jim said it best when he said "Those other teams are good, but our girls love each other."
We find out what is in store for the future next Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN News when they announce who we will play in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
