Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Boots With The Fuuuuuur

It was a challenging week for the Panther volleyball team. The week started out by playing in our home opener Tuesday night against the Iowa Hawkeyes. We had a great crowd that brought a lot of energy and really got the team pumped, and Iowa a little skittish. It was a very exciting five-set match, unfortunately the Hawkeyes came with the W. Although we suffered another loss the team had much to be proud of, for instance Julie’s wicked 21 kills and Myanna’s stealthy 18.

The only real problem I had on the night was the fact that one of our warm-up songs just so happens to be “All Star” by Smash Mouth, and you all know how I feel about that song. Nails on a chalkboard people!

Friday at practice we were gearing up and talking about ways we could beat Florida. Because there is never a dull moment with Susie, she had us laughing by writing on the board Flo Rida not Florida. For those of you who don’t know Flo Rida is a “rapper” (I use that term very generously because I think he is awful) who is from Florida and because he has as much creativity as I do in my left toe, he chose the name Flo Rida. Susie made the clever reference to the rapper and then started dancing and singing his lyrics “shorty got them apple bottom jeans, boots with the fuuuuuur.”

Before I tell you about the games we played at Marquette, I would like to take this time to thank the people in charge of playing the warm-up songs. I was so excited when I heard “All Star” by Smash Mouth played and making its mark as being played at every single tournament we went to this preseason. If anyone cares, yes, my ears are still bleeding.

Number-four ranked Florida showed up with some serious hops and mad blocks but unfortunately no apple bottom jeans or boots with fur, which was a bummer. Florida is the highest-ranked opponent we have ever played, and played they did. Committing on Rachel right away and insane jump serves restricted us a little, and we ended up losing in three.

Sunday we headed back to the Al to take on Marquette to wrap up the tournament. Things really didn’t go as well as it could have - put it to you this way, I got Susie’s book thrown at my feet. Marquette came out right away with no hesitation and basically kept constant for the entirety of the match. But not all frowns! Both the Taylors had pretty solid games, Golabowski collecting 10 digs in the back-row and the always cheerful, fun to watch Grubs got herself in the game and showed Marquette’s outside hitter that she wasn’t afraid of her, and got a bunch of touches on blocks.

Our preseason schedule is now over after this weekend and a big part of it was overcoming obstacles. Obstacles in which every team out is overcoming now as well - new roster, game plan, game mentality, and especially for us a challenging preseason. Michael Jordan said, “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around or give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”

This week starts conference play and the Panthers are home! I expect to see every single one of you at Friday night’s game against Oakland and Saturday against Wright State. And to the students reading this, you get in for free if you bring you ID and parties don’t start until after 9 anyways. I don’t want to hear about how you are poor and can’t afford to get in or about how there is some “killer” party somewhere around campus in someone’s basement. It’s going to get busted anyways, so we’ll see you at the game.

Lastly, for all you Twitter folks out there, follow me @kHegewald24 for Katelyn’s Corner for pictures and updates about the team and also @SusiesSidekick where I’ll be posting the all wisdom and humor of Susie Johnson. See you all Friday!

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