June 3, 2008
The following journal entries by former Lion Heather Hughes are courtesy of USAvolleyball.org. Please click the following links for the original releases:
U.S. Women's National Team Journal with Heather Hughes #1
U.S. Women's National Team Journal with Heather Hughes #2
June 3, 2008
These past few days have been extremely exciting for the USA volleyball team. Crossing the United States/Mexico border was an adventure in itself. After we flew into San Diego, we drove through the border to Mexicali. While pulling over at the border, we all were told to step out of the bus and play a fun little "game."
The federales had each of us line up and press a button that either lit up as green or red. If the green light lit up, then you got rewarded by going back into the air conditioned bus. If a person happened to get the red light he/she was selected for random inspection.
Fortunately, all of us had the luck on our side and received the green light...except for Stacy Sykora that is. Perhaps she jinxed herself by predicting that she would get the red light moments earlier. Shortly after, we were back on our adventure to Mexicali.
Once arriving in Mexico, the team has been busy preparing for our competition. We have had many practices in boiling hot gyms with little or no air conditioning. We have been toughing out the weather and giving our competition a run for their money.
The first match against Dominican Republic was a grueling five-set battle. We didn't end out on top, but the match had shown us what we needed to do for the next day.
Costa Rica was taken down by USA in three sets. We are really starting to come together as a team and are ready to play our third match against Argentina today.
Hopefully, the rice, mashed potatoes, beef and beans we are being fed every day will give us the strength and power to conquer the Argentinians in tonight's match.
June 5, 2008
Since my last entry there have been many new adventures for the USA volleyball team. Some of them being that we got to eat at a couple restaurants! Any chance to eat outside the hotel is an event in itself!
After winning our match on Sunday against Argentina, the team was taken to Applebees for celebration. We indulged in "American" chain food and ate out the restaurant. Following Argentina, we had the luck on our side and beat Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago as well.
What did we do to celebrate you ask? We went to the restaurant CHAMPS! A very fitting restaurant name might I add. Not only did we eat at a restaurant named CHAMPS, but we ate in a room filled with gold medals painted on the walls with famous athletes' photographs. Let me tell you, there is no coincidence that we were eating in the "gold room."
Yesterday was our first true day of rest. It meant the end of pool play and the beginning of playoffs. We took full advantage of our day of rest and lounged around the pool, watched movies, ate and played the game "Catch Phrase."
Our day off will really help us regain our strength and composure for the intense match we have tonight against Puerto Rico. Wish us luck as we attempt to get one step closer to reaching our goal of qualifying for the 2009 World Grand Prix!
