Shelly Swendig Dirary: 11/21/07
11/21/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 21, 2007
After rave reviews SFAJacks.com is bringing back the 2007 volleyball player's diary, this year with junior outside hitter Shelly Swendig.
Last Thursday morning, we set off for the conference tournament in San Antonio, just a few short hours from El Paso according to Dwight. After a seemingly endless bus ride, we stopped at a chic café by the name of Luby's and subsequently headed to the gym for a short practice. It was not the prettiest of practices, but that is what a five-hour bus trip will do to you. Nevertheless, we worked up quite an appetite and went to Friday's for dinner.
Believe it or not, we arrived at the hotel relatively early in comparison to what we are used to, so we decided to have a movie watching party. In sum, it was quite the hopping party.
Friday we went shopping for a short period of time, and then proceeded to eat at La Madeleine - or what some of us call Chipotlé. We lingered and conversed there for a bit until it was time to head to the gym for our first match of the tournament versus UTSA. The tournament did not start as well as we had originally hoped, as we dropped the first game, but we fought back and managed to win in four games.
We loitered in the gym talking to our friends and family until they started turning the lights off on us, and only then did we saunter to the bus and go back to the hotel.
The next day, Saturday (I know, it's hard to keep track), we were to play Northwestern State, who had upset UTA on Friday. Most of us were happy for the Demons, as this was their first win in the conference tournament in many years, but that did not keep us from having a little bone to pick with them. Let's just say that Northwestern was not going to set any more precedents this year, and we sent them on their way in three games. I failed to mention that I had the breakfast of champions - barbecue beef and roast beef from Golden Corral - on this day.
With two wins under our belt, we headed back to the hotel for a quick shower, and then returned to the coliseum to watch the last semi-final match between Lamar and Texas State. I cannot watch sporting events without getting stressed out, and this game was no exception. The game was intense, and I had trouble watching it without secretly rooting for one team or the other. In the end, it was decided that we would be playing none other than Texas State in the championship match. "It wouldn't be a conference tournament unless we played Texas State," quote Lauren Railey.
After that, we went to Friday's again, where they already had our food out for us. We quickly ate, and returned to the hotel for the last time. After we showered, we amalgamated in Schotty and Cheryl's room for a team meeting. We waited a while for the coaches to arrive, and after a few minutes, we began to analyze/yell at the people on Titanic. When we lost interest in that, we decided that it would be fun to pretend like we were asleep. And we reached the conclusion that it is impossible for us to be quiet for even the shortest period of time. Eventually the coaches came and we had our meeting.
Sunday morning, we awoke to go to "when I say `La', you say `Madeleine', La!" ...I didn't hear you. I am very disappointed. Anyways, we had a good breakfast, and JJ continued to try to be best friends with Erin, which she failed to do. We dawdled for a while, and then jumped on the bus bound for glory. Sorry if I deceived you, we lost in five. We played well, they played well, but we made a few untimely errors that worked to our disadvantage. It definitely was not the way any of us wanted to end the season, but I think we can all agree that this season was amazing. I am going to miss JJ, Traci, Jami, and Ash so much next year, as they are four of the most wonderful people I have ever met.
Best of luck to Texas State - go out and make a name for the Southland Conference. And no, I am not being facetious.
Well, unless I am granted the privileges of writing an epilogue, I shall be back in about eight months, so mark your calendars. Until next time, stay classy Nacogdoches (or where ever you may dwell).
Franglais phrase of the week: Savoir faire - n. the ability to act or speak appropriately in social situations. Ex. Some people, or teams, have recently confused savoir faire with snobbery.
