Wow. So Sectionals came and went- quick as that. Sectionals champs once again :) And it feels good to be back there. That being said, we have a lot we need to take away from this weekend
-close games happen to all teams. looking at the other sectionals results I'm seeing that almost across the board. Cal, Iowa State, etc.
-you can learn from those situations. In our case, I would say we need to remember and IMPLEMENT playing at our level at all times and valuing every team. you can't take for granted that you're going to win. It still takes work, whether you're the best or not.
-focusing on your personal game is important. I am proud of how I played at Sectionals, despite the things going wrong as a team unit. It was great that my parents got to come watch me play for the last time in my collegiate career.
-When you see mistakes/errors happening take the time to PICK YOUR TEAMMATES UP. You don't want to be that person bringing the energy or vibe of your team down. Take the time to tell someone whose head is hanging what you liked about their last point on the field- and be GENUINE.
-be a better sideline. Everyone. Always. Can improve this.
So, Melee definitely, undoubtedly did not play our best ultimate at Sectionals. We went to ultimate point against UNT who (thanks to coach Paul who hails from Iowa) played as a TEAM for the first time ever in the series. Yes, they've played in the series before but true kudos to them for actually coming together. Their work ethic improvement showed. Then, got to play our B team in what was a REALLY FUN game and seeing their improvement was a pleasure. Then, Texas State. So, finals next day. Played A&M. Their (fabulously talented) captain Meredith (you may know her from Showdown) took the game off (after beating Rice in ultimate point at the end of Saturday) to rest up for Regionals. Though they put up a good fight, 14-9 final score (after a 10 minute or so ordeal where my teammate ran head first in to a METAL SOCCER GOAL. DUMB. we need true ULTIMATE FIELDS. no line painting. just made for that purpose. hah I can dream. She is alive and well, sans concussion and going to rock a harry potter-esque scar from her 32 stitches).
Not peaking at Sectionals is a good thing. But we are going to have to play our game every game ALL WEEKEND at Regionals. Winning the pool in order to have the more desirable format Sunday would be ideal. However, I truly believe we can beat every team at the tournament. We just have to focus. From what I've seen, when/if we have poorer games it is NEVER something the other team is doing. And that fact alone is why I think we could do major damage at Nationals this year. Because there isn't a team out there that can stop us when we're playing our best. It's just a matter of making sure we are strong enough to keep it together ourselves. And those other top contenders out there are the same way. The mental game is the name of the game for Women's Ultimate 2012.
I have two weeks until my last assignment for grad school is due this semester. But worst case scenario my college career ends in four days. That is insane. We have to go out with a bang. And no regrets. Melee Love!
Libby
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Going in to the Series
Well, it's mid-April and in one week Sectionals will be ending. Then we will be one week from REGIONALS. The weekend that determines it all. Wow.
Looking back on five years of college ultimate.. is pretty crazy to think about. All the people I met and fell in love with that I would never have known if it weren't for this sport. All the places I got to go that I wouldn't have seen otherwise. There are so many things that Ultimate opened me up to that cross country, elite soccer, and the other sports in my past would never have been able to.
I try to imagine next year.. writing my thesis and finishing grad school without playing college ultimate. It's the weirdest feeling to imagine having those 15 or so hours a week (with travel weekends averaged in there) back and using it for something else. And it's bizarre! I almost don't know what I will feel next year. These girls have become my best friends. Obviously.
The part where I know that everyone moves on.. people move out of state, etc. It makes it easier. Knowing I will be in Austin one final year is nice because I can still be supportive and involved and help out a lot (especially if the team wants me around :)) will make that transition just a little bit easier.
Since I'm so future-oriented: looking ahead I think Ultimate will always be with me. I want to do my fellowship in an area with a decent frisbee scene (Colorado? North Carolina?) and good club options for me. I think, though Melee is on the national level, some of the girls were not meant to always play frisbee. You see it every year- some of the seniors continue on and others walk away. I think I can safely say I will be playing several years from now (as long as my old-lady body lets me), and coaching younger players and helping increase opportunities for women's ultimate are two things very close to my heart. I can't wait to see how frisbee (especially women's) will grow in the next decade.
In two weeks I will know if I get an extra month of college ultimate. Fingers crossed. I've had some heartbreaker endings to seasons and at the end of last year I just told myself "I want to walk away from my last game at regionals knowing that was the best we could have done and that there's nothing I would change." Let's hope that holds true. Melee can do this. Together.
Frisbee Love- Libs
Looking back on five years of college ultimate.. is pretty crazy to think about. All the people I met and fell in love with that I would never have known if it weren't for this sport. All the places I got to go that I wouldn't have seen otherwise. There are so many things that Ultimate opened me up to that cross country, elite soccer, and the other sports in my past would never have been able to.
I try to imagine next year.. writing my thesis and finishing grad school without playing college ultimate. It's the weirdest feeling to imagine having those 15 or so hours a week (with travel weekends averaged in there) back and using it for something else. And it's bizarre! I almost don't know what I will feel next year. These girls have become my best friends. Obviously.
The part where I know that everyone moves on.. people move out of state, etc. It makes it easier. Knowing I will be in Austin one final year is nice because I can still be supportive and involved and help out a lot (especially if the team wants me around :)) will make that transition just a little bit easier.
Since I'm so future-oriented: looking ahead I think Ultimate will always be with me. I want to do my fellowship in an area with a decent frisbee scene (Colorado? North Carolina?) and good club options for me. I think, though Melee is on the national level, some of the girls were not meant to always play frisbee. You see it every year- some of the seniors continue on and others walk away. I think I can safely say I will be playing several years from now (as long as my old-lady body lets me), and coaching younger players and helping increase opportunities for women's ultimate are two things very close to my heart. I can't wait to see how frisbee (especially women's) will grow in the next decade.
In two weeks I will know if I get an extra month of college ultimate. Fingers crossed. I've had some heartbreaker endings to seasons and at the end of last year I just told myself "I want to walk away from my last game at regionals knowing that was the best we could have done and that there's nothing I would change." Let's hope that holds true. Melee can do this. Together.
Frisbee Love- Libs
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