Hey All,
I am back to dial up. And as I noted before in one of my previous entries, though wireless was available, I had problems with my computer signing on to it.
Anyway I am back home, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. So much has happened since my last entry. Though I hope and prayer that I am healthy enough to make the 2008 team, and that is my desire, I have been thinking a lot lately about my transition into the other side of volleyball. While I was in Colorado, a seminar was offered to the athletes to help propel that thinking process. One of my areas of interest post volleyball is sports commentating. At the seminar, I met two persons affiliated with USA boxing. They said that they were in need of another announcer and that if I was interested the competition would last throughout the week. The location of the competition was ideal and convenient but finding the time was challenging having to practice twice daily (even on Saturday!). I couldn’t let an opportunity like that pass and found myself in Sports Center One (located on the Olympic Training Center Complex) one Friday night. My intention was to check it out a bit and see how it was done. But I was actually introduced upon my entering the Gym and thrown right in front of the mike. WHOAAAA! I think I did OK especially having been put on the spot. It was very interesting learning a bit about boxing terminology, and seeing the young boxers compete. I am so grateful to the USOC for offering such a program.
Back to volleyball…for those of you who don’t know. USA continues to be the defending champions of the NORECA Championship! We beat Cuba in a five game battle. I tell you, we obviously stunned them the first set as we went on to beat them 25-13. Cuba had embarrassingly thump us in 0-3 during pool play. Our coach noted that this was definitely a history making tournament for USA volleyball…the worst having made 44 errors our opening match against Canada, and 21 serve receive errors against Cuba; and the better Ty serving a jump serve for 17 points in a row and finally USA capturing the NORCECA championship title three times consecutively! WOOHOO!
Next for me…I am off to Italy on October 2. Then I believe the plan is for all members of the USA team to meet directly in Japan for the Grand Champions Cup. Some exciting things to come.
Until then, blessings,
Danielle