The VolleyBlog... Now Live from Milwaukee
November 15, 2007 | Women's Volleyball
Each day, USF Volleyball players will document their experiences at the 2007 BIG EAST Conference Tournament.
Sunday, November 18th: Junior middle blocker Nakia Williams
Besides waking up at 5 to leave for the airport our trip to Wisconsin was a good one. Spirits seem to be up this morning on our way back to USF. Mariana Thon's spirits were definitely up since today is her birthday!! I think she's like sixteen now so she has many years to come! Hahaha, just kidding!
On a serious note, the past weekend was a time for people to recognize USF the team that we really are. Coming into the tournament many doubted that we would get far. They didn't understand the drive and passion that is hidden within ourselves and brought out as a team. There were many times when the girls and I would talk about the other teams and the personalities that they brought to the court. In our eyes we were the only team that brought personality and excitement to the game. I believe that this makes us enjoyable to watch and hard to play against. I would be lying if I didn't say that I am proud of my team and how far we have come this season. We have earned the respect of others, and are now looked at as competition. USF is not a team that should be taken lightly but a team that you need to prepare for. Just remember when they are preparing for us, we are working harder to prepare for them.
GO BULLS!!
#25 Nakia
Saturday, November 17th: Junior lilbero Stephanie Augustavo
After a huge win last night we all made sure to get a solid night's sleep. This morning we got to sleep in a bit, however some people, who have a problem sleeping in, woke up bright and early and enjoyed breakfast and Starbucks. After watching video of St. John's we all headed to the bus and went to Panera for pre-game meal. At Panera we were able to witness a semi-crazy woman. Fortunately, Brit got to have a great conversation with her. It was actually hilarious, but somewhat scary.
Now time for what we have been waiting for. The moment that all 360 hours of practice will pay off (Thanks for the calculation Kristina!). We were given the opportunity to face St. John's again, however this time was in the Semifinals of the BIG EAST Tournament. After a short serve and pass session I could sense we were all on the same page, we were all ready to go out strong. The Bulls came out strong in the first game winning it 31-29, but St. John's fought back. We were defeated 3-1. As we sat in the locker room we were all silent, filled with mixed emotions. We were upset we lost, sad the season is over, and proud of what we accomplished. I have to give major props and gratitude to Kristina Fabris, our lone senior. She has served as a great teammate, role model and leader. Thanks a lot for everything you have given us, you will be missed.
Now as we head home to Tampa, I realize how proud I am of this USF team and program. Finishing third in our conference was a great accomplishment. We bypassed everyone else's expectations. All along it was our own fight, belief and teamwork that got us this far. The 2007 USF Volleyball Team was truly the definition of team. When people got injured, others stepped up. Without each and every one of us, we would not have been able to accomplish anything. I would like to thank all my teammates, coaches and fans for making the 2007 season amazing. You're the best!!
Go Bulls!
Stephanie “Augie” Augustavo #1
Friday, November 16th: Sophomore outside hitter Marcela Gurgel
Today I woke up with the unique sensation that takes over most of us on game days. For the last three nights I haven't been able to sleep very well. I knew that today was going to be one of the most important days of my career. And after last night's award (ed: First Team All-BIG EAST), I felt that my responsibility became ten times bigger. On the way to the gym I put my music on, and started thinking about the game. I guess some of the girls thought there was something wrong with me. Relax girls! I was just starting my visualization a little bit earlier today. It was a really intense moment, not only for me, but for the rest of the team as well. This was because Soujia Boy (our pump up song) started playing and everybody decided to get up in the middle of the bus and started the "dance party." It would have been more than a common moment for us if Collin, our media guy, hadn't joined the dance with the rest of the group (ed: he was completely bullied into it). It was one of the funniest moments of the day. I must confess he was trying hard though!;)
Anyway... we got to the gym and watched the first two games from the match Saint John's vs. UConn. Then we went to the locker room and changed into our volleyball clothing. I did my hair as I used to do back in the day, and Johari (Williams) had asked me earlier in my room if I would bring my Tic-Tacs back and I decided that I should do this. I put my hair up in a pony tail, put my Tic-Tacs on and... YES!! I WAS READY!! I could feel the butterflies in my stomach as the game time was approaching. Now, I just needed to stretch a little bit and continue my visualization. We also did a team visualization, which has become a tradition for us before matches since our game against UConn.
The game finally started. Now was the time to show up, and we all did! We all showed up on a night that, if not perfect, was very close to perfection. We beat Villanova in three games. It was one of the best feelings I have ever had in life. In every moment of that match, I was sure that we were going to win. Even during the second game, when we were down 29-26, I had no doubt that we had that game. It was strange that I was so sure about this. Usually I am not so self-confident like this. Probably my extra visualization made me feel ready for that pressure situation. After the game, we went for dinner at Applebee's. We came back to the hotel to take get our rest for tomorrow, which will be a huge game for us!
We are ready for this... bring on St. John's!!
Thursday, November 15th: Sophomore right side Jarka Havlickova
In the morning I woke up, and the timid Wisconsin sunshine lit the gray chilly city outside my hotel window. It was the last morning before Friday, the last morning before the day that we worked for the whole season, the last morning before we play Villanova and decide our future in this tournament. I walked downstairs for fresh breakfast and the whole team was in festive mood, taking our time with the fruits and omelets, and we enjoyed this breakfast. At last a little calmer time in this season, calm as the air is before the storm awaiting us tomorrow. In this mood, we watched video of the USF vs Villanova match that we already won this season. And as we saw again how well we cooperated as team during the game, I had chills running up my back. I looked at the screen where my team won one of our hardest games and I knew that in that game every each one of us put aside our own selfishness and we played with the strength that is given only to those who are able to work for each other and trust each other. Let's play like that in few hours.
After the video, coaches had for us little surprise and they took us Chuck E.Cheese. We flooded the play place and started to climb up the tubes among surprised toddlers, tried all the games and after few hours we left the place feeling much younger than when we entered the restaurant. A quick change of clothing on the bus and we were headed to the gym, for practice in the already well-known gym of Marquette University.
If you walked at seven o'clock in the afternoon into the lobby of hotel Hilton in the downtown Milwaukee, you would probably not believe your eyes. So many tall beautiful women are not to be seen together too often. And yet, there we were, at the Banquet of Big East Tournament, dressed up, nervous, excited, anxious, and hungry. In the meeting room of hotel, where crystal lamps shone from the walls covered with magenta curtains, the eight teams sit down to celebrate their season. Maybe to measure each other with a critical eye, but foremost to honor teams, their exceptional players and coaches. USF was at this occasion mentioned right two times. Kristina was chosen for the All-Conference second team and Marcela was called on the stage as the outside hitter of the First All- Conference team, but luckily only the USF team is fortunate enough to have them as players and friends.
It was interesting to sit in one room with girls from all the teams that we met during the semester on the other side of the court. We prepared for them, we knew their numbers, their habits, and often we gave each other hard time on the court. Now we all sit at the same tables ready to beat each other tomorrow, yet for now we are friendly, because we all have one goal that makes us to value each other. We all have the goal to be the best we can.
#7 Jarka
Wednesday, November 14th: Sophomore middle blocker Alli Arbogast
Today is the start of our Big East Tournament weekend. Last night the team tried desperately to shove all of their gear into their travel bag. These bags are a bit small and I think it was a challenge for most of us to pack because we had to bring "nice" clothes for the Big East banquet. This team likes to look good and I know everyone brought elaborate outfits. Oh...and we had to bring our volleyball gear too!!!
Everyone went to class today as if it were a normal Wednesday on the USF campus, but really everyone was full of excitement and anticipation. One final practice was held today before our tournament play. Those of us who had class could not attend, but the few who went worked hard for the whole team and got better. Everyone is prepared mentally and physically for this weekend. On the bus you could feel the excitement in the air. Kristina, Stephanie, and Nakia all represented us in a very original video interview. They looked as if they were shooting a commercial, very official. The camera came on the bus and captured everyone's enthusiasm for USF volleyball. Everyone yelled and screamed and raised their Bulls sign. This is the start of something great, and this team is going to do unbelievable things!
Go Bulls!
#12 Alli
Tuesday, November 13th: Senior right side/middle blocker Kristina Fabris
So the day is finally here, and we've made it to the BIG EAST Conference Tournament. We go in seeded 6th and will face Villanova on Friday night. We've worked hard all season and now it's time to really make it count. We clinched our berth into the tournament this weekend with a win over UConn. We swept them in three in front of the home crowd and our families (it was Parent's weekend), and Sunday was Senior Day.
I'm the lone senior on the team this year, and it seems like yesterday that I was going through freshman orientation. It was quite the emotional weekend as I came to realize it was all coming to an end. I'm definitely going to miss playing beside these girls and having our daily "dance parties!"
We head to Milwaukee tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. (to the cold, which is petrifying most of the girls and making packing quite the task). We know this is our opportunity to prove ourselves to the Big East. We are all so excited to step on the court on Friday and get that W! We know it will be a battle since they are a tough team, but I know we are up for this challenge and the many more to come!
See you later,
#6 Kristina
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