Well, the final semester of college ultimate is fast-approaching (for me, not the world..)
This semester Melee played Harvest Moon, where we ended up going 3-1 on Saturday (we had a brain freeze/inability to de blady throws). Then, lost a close one to A&M first thing Sunday knocking us out of the (poorly designed) single elim. championship bracket.. SO i constructed my own consolation bracket for the knocked out championship bracket teams on sunday where we won out and finished approximately fifth overall. good times can always be had in costume :)
we went as zoo animals.. i was a penguin of course! they're the best.
We also played at CCC in Conyers, GA (nice to not have to drive all the way out to athens!!!) and the weather was good (ended up in short sleeves both days and tight-less).
We went 2-1 on Saturday, solidfying our appearance in the Championship bracket and crushing our "9th seed" coming in. After our loss to Michigan we learned you have to finish games. Being down two after half getting to start on O we were perfectly poised to strike back. I like knowing what we were able to do against last year's Nationals finalists. We lost first thing Sunday to a Florida team who I will concede caught ALL their stall nine bailout hucks. Props. Came back from being down 8-4 in our second game Sunday to win it 15-11? It was fantastic! Then, lost by a few in the 5th place game to Virginia with no legs left.
Playing with even subbing was an important part of the Fall season for our team. Finishing 6th at CCC this year given we were the only ones doing even subbing in the champ bracket is totally fine with me. We grew a lot. Everyone learned they have a role to fill. Not to mention, all 17 people that went out to the tournament had one (or more) ridiculously sick plays. These include: hand blocks, layout hammer catches, skies, etc.
We need to nurse our injuries and take better care of our bodies. Our team as a whole does a poor job of that. We need to up our fitness yet again.. winter break is the time to kick it up NOT slack off. Our winter workouts will probably be killer again this year, like always.
We've got the last week of class then our finals week. then December 13th I reclaim my sanity from grad school briefly and throw myself in to travels and fitness for the five weeks I don't have to be learning. wahoo.
I hope everyone throws a lot, runs a lot, and gives themselves the opportunity to recover both mentally and physically. We've also upped the number of hours we spend practicing in the hopes it will put us back where we need to be nationally.
This Spring is so important to me, since it's my lost shot at college nationals. I hope Melee accomplishes all it's capable of and that we don't fall short of the prize this year. From what I saw at CCC this will be another one of those seasons where the teams in the finals have worked hard and pushed through but there's no clearly dominant force. I think it'll be up for grabs again like last year.
College ultimate is an experience you only get once. I hope no one takes it for granted. Having captained on the coed club level, it's completely different. The women we play with in college are friends for life. I hate every time they graduate, and I'm about to join their ranks.
Melee Love XO
Libs
ps the B team this year is a smaller group than it has been the past couple of years but they're dedicated and that's all it takes. I hope they have some success recruiting going in to next semester and that the number that stay on in to next year is bigger than from last year. The depth of a program is really important for the development of both the A and the B team.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
"The Beginning of the End"< as suggested by Turtle, who acknowledges its clicheness
I cannot believe I am about to undertake my final season of college ultimate as a player. WAAAAH. Well, I intend to make the most of it. I'm living with Julie (fellow fifth year Melee-er) and former TX Ultimate player Petey. Despite the likely stress of my first year of grad school I plan to have a good time :)
I've been bad about blogging (sorry Tool and whomever else this has hurt), but will try to keep up again when anything major happens.
Last weekend my coed club team won Texas Twofinger in Dallas and that was a good time. I just completed our roster and am looking forward to all the shenanigans to be had with them.
I got a text last night that someone had directed their friend's little sister to my email for information on playing with the women's team at UT this year and that made me immensely happy! From what I can tell we have at minimum four high school female players and three grad students from out of state planning to join our ranks. I love the growth of women's ultimate (especially for the south)! This will probably the first year with a strong freshman showing of girls coming in with frisbee experience. Takes me back to my high school days!
Classes start up next Wednesday (though I will be grad schooling starting this Thursday unofficially) so May-Lee will be kicking in to high gear very soon! Under the leadership of Janel and Sharon and a very capable though somewhat uncertain GB we will have a fantastic Fall of frisbee.
Club Sectionals at the end of September here in Austin is the next thing on my mind, but tryouts and training the girls will be the high point of the coming month!
Frisbee Lovin. XO- Libs
I've been bad about blogging (sorry Tool and whomever else this has hurt), but will try to keep up again when anything major happens.
Last weekend my coed club team won Texas Twofinger in Dallas and that was a good time. I just completed our roster and am looking forward to all the shenanigans to be had with them.
I got a text last night that someone had directed their friend's little sister to my email for information on playing with the women's team at UT this year and that made me immensely happy! From what I can tell we have at minimum four high school female players and three grad students from out of state planning to join our ranks. I love the growth of women's ultimate (especially for the south)! This will probably the first year with a strong freshman showing of girls coming in with frisbee experience. Takes me back to my high school days!
Classes start up next Wednesday (though I will be grad schooling starting this Thursday unofficially) so May-Lee will be kicking in to high gear very soon! Under the leadership of Janel and Sharon and a very capable though somewhat uncertain GB we will have a fantastic Fall of frisbee.
Club Sectionals at the end of September here in Austin is the next thing on my mind, but tryouts and training the girls will be the high point of the coming month!
Frisbee Lovin. XO- Libs
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Season Reflection
Well, guess I fell off the blogging wagon somewhere between Sectionals and Regionals.
I will attempt to catch you up- as painful as this trip down memory lane may be
Regionals Day One we pulled an "upset" against the higher seeded A&M, but it wasn't enough to win the pool after a pretty substantial point diff loss to Colorado College first game. We had to come out completely strong, but it didn't pan out. We were happy to right our wrong in the within-Section battle, though.
One of the worst parts about Day One was game one losing our captain/MVP Whitney "Titty" Miller. Her wrist got smushed and I got to accompany her on her subsequent trip to the ER. She is entertaining on vicodine though.
Day Two we had our final pool play game then on to a game against Kali, who were also at Nationals last year. They had been let in to the tournament after Missouri State withdrew and had nothing to lose and everything to prove. They had thrown their pool play game that morning to focus on beating us (good strategy coaches).
We had an 8-3 lead on them at half with our upwinders against their zone driving a nail in to the coffin. Me and the other veteran handlers were really proud of what we were accomplishing and could see the win. Unfortunately, second half (despite our lead) we were unable to score the easier downwind points and let Kali back in to the game until it came to a hard cap loss. Really disappointing finish and crushing of all our Nationals dreams.
Looking back, I think we had all the tools and talent to have done major major damage at Nattys (few teams could argue that) but we didn't put in the work. We came in to the season all oriented and committed but didn't convert. The time in practice and out have to be 100%. Keeping 20plus girls all on the same level is tough, and one that any team in the finals at Nattys will have overcome.
I write this post from a roadtrip to National Parks (currently in Montana), while a lot of my teammates are spectating at Nattys and supporting our men's team.
This was a crazy season for women's ultimate. Victory is out there for the taking. I'd call UCSB in the finals.. and Colorado College seems to be doing some damage so I could see them making semis. I haven't seen any highlights or know any results since I've had such limited internet on the road but am about to go check that out now..
I want to say-- play a fifth year of ultimate if you can. I am so thankful for that opportunity next season and turned down Wisconsin and Colorado to stay and put my heart and soul in to one final go with Melee. I love them. I love ultimate. And everyone should play for those two reasons.
I will attempt to catch you up- as painful as this trip down memory lane may be
Regionals Day One we pulled an "upset" against the higher seeded A&M, but it wasn't enough to win the pool after a pretty substantial point diff loss to Colorado College first game. We had to come out completely strong, but it didn't pan out. We were happy to right our wrong in the within-Section battle, though.
One of the worst parts about Day One was game one losing our captain/MVP Whitney "Titty" Miller. Her wrist got smushed and I got to accompany her on her subsequent trip to the ER. She is entertaining on vicodine though.
Day Two we had our final pool play game then on to a game against Kali, who were also at Nationals last year. They had been let in to the tournament after Missouri State withdrew and had nothing to lose and everything to prove. They had thrown their pool play game that morning to focus on beating us (good strategy coaches).
We had an 8-3 lead on them at half with our upwinders against their zone driving a nail in to the coffin. Me and the other veteran handlers were really proud of what we were accomplishing and could see the win. Unfortunately, second half (despite our lead) we were unable to score the easier downwind points and let Kali back in to the game until it came to a hard cap loss. Really disappointing finish and crushing of all our Nationals dreams.
Looking back, I think we had all the tools and talent to have done major major damage at Nattys (few teams could argue that) but we didn't put in the work. We came in to the season all oriented and committed but didn't convert. The time in practice and out have to be 100%. Keeping 20plus girls all on the same level is tough, and one that any team in the finals at Nattys will have overcome.
I write this post from a roadtrip to National Parks (currently in Montana), while a lot of my teammates are spectating at Nattys and supporting our men's team.
This was a crazy season for women's ultimate. Victory is out there for the taking. I'd call UCSB in the finals.. and Colorado College seems to be doing some damage so I could see them making semis. I haven't seen any highlights or know any results since I've had such limited internet on the road but am about to go check that out now..
I want to say-- play a fifth year of ultimate if you can. I am so thankful for that opportunity next season and turned down Wisconsin and Colorado to stay and put my heart and soul in to one final go with Melee. I love them. I love ultimate. And everyone should play for those two reasons.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
So, sectionals
It's funny because as much as I had heard about all the Sectionals seeding upsets across the country this season I thought that would never happen to us. But, today was proof that no team is immune to bad days. Frisbee is tough when you don't stick to what you know and your fundamentals aren't executed properly.
Loss to a&m after tying it up 9-9.
Loss to rice after being down 7-2 at half and bringing it back to fight in hard cap.
Well, we got some humble pie shoved in our faces. There was one moment I let myself be sad and grieve the way our second game was going and that was it. Back to focusing. Never take anything for granted during your season. Great teams have to play great every game. ALL GAME. Letting yourself get down several points (like we did in both games today) is never okay. You can't expect things to go your way just because that's how they're supposed to go.
I, and probably the team, look forward to Regionals. I can't wait to show the country that we deserve to be at Nationals. I can't wait to win every game with my best friends beside me. I know how it feels to win Regionals. I want nothing less this season.
So, I am thankful for our losses today. We get to learn from our mistakes and focus for the next two weeks.
Personally, I was very happy with how I played. The wind let me get some crazy de action on wing for zone and I got to throw and catch scores throw breaks even catch an errant frisbee layout score etc. I would have done little differently.
Mentality is so much of our sport, which we all may forget sometimes. Keeping your sideline energy up, your heads high, and smiles on your faces does wonders. Always be supportive.
Well, it's go-time. Regionals here we come.
Loss to a&m after tying it up 9-9.
Loss to rice after being down 7-2 at half and bringing it back to fight in hard cap.
Well, we got some humble pie shoved in our faces. There was one moment I let myself be sad and grieve the way our second game was going and that was it. Back to focusing. Never take anything for granted during your season. Great teams have to play great every game. ALL GAME. Letting yourself get down several points (like we did in both games today) is never okay. You can't expect things to go your way just because that's how they're supposed to go.
I, and probably the team, look forward to Regionals. I can't wait to show the country that we deserve to be at Nationals. I can't wait to win every game with my best friends beside me. I know how it feels to win Regionals. I want nothing less this season.
So, I am thankful for our losses today. We get to learn from our mistakes and focus for the next two weeks.
Personally, I was very happy with how I played. The wind let me get some crazy de action on wing for zone and I got to throw and catch scores throw breaks even catch an errant frisbee layout score etc. I would have done little differently.
Mentality is so much of our sport, which we all may forget sometimes. Keeping your sideline energy up, your heads high, and smiles on your faces does wonders. Always be supportive.
Well, it's go-time. Regionals here we come.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Easterns!
Wow, so easterns. First time in NC as a team, and my first time ever (yay for making it one state closer to my 50 before I'm 50 goal). The weather was good- if anything too hot on Sunday, but whatcha gonna do. Got to see some friends (Gapstur from Iowa State, Tool, etc.) Thanks to our UNCW host and her beautiful home btw!
Saturday our pool was TOUGH. Beat Maryland then Iowa State (Iowa State was really solid but despite losing the flip we earned our breaks and won in cap) then lost to UNC in a disappointing game. I won't say it was due to our missing players and lack of coaches, but we didn't come in to the game with the focus we needed. I had a feeling they'd lose to someone outside our pool on Sunday which ended up coming true.
First game Sunday against the undefeated UNCW Weed.. I don't think I can talk unbiasedly about this game, so, I won't try to. It was tied 7-7. We scored on a three-point run with another break.. and a side line player on their team called our captain out.. I get upset when I think aobut this but I think every person playing ultimate should make the best calls they can so what's done is done and I understand that was a big moment for them too. The only moment my captain has every truly wished we had observers.
Then, saw Michigan with our anger pulsing and energy low we didn't show what we needed to against a team lacking compared to past years. Melee will be able to handle them in the future.
Beat Pitt handily in our last game of the tournament for 7th to hold seed. I got a layout de after a personal hiaitus since the summer. Disappointing "finish" but we are so proud of what we were able to do and grew a lot as a team. We know how to work. And for the first time can tell we really may achieve all the goals we set. This is the year for Melee. We have started playing like it.
UNCW lost both the semis and 3rd place game.. and Iowa State ended up finishing higher than us (good job ladies), Iowa and Wisconsin both handled UNC and UNCW in semis (we weren't surprised) and the Finals were as they should have been given the quarters games.
Overall, well-run tournament by Tool yet again. Our pool was overly difficult when you look at the Top 8 finishers having 3 of our 4 but that's fine, we like a good challenge. I don't think I will want to play another East coast tournament solely based on cost of flights again but we'll see.
CENTEX approaches. Our danceoff is in the works, but our poorly timed spring break makes me worried it won't come together properly.. fingers crossed. I can't wait to see
I needed some rest after being sick. Two spring break workouts to be done before our first practice back! I booked three possible flights to denver.. and about to go throw with former Rice player current U of H women's team coach in my hometown.
oh frisbee, you're so all-consuming. I got in to UT and Wisconsin for grad school so far and just excpecting a letter from Boulder when I get home tomorrow.
Saturday our pool was TOUGH. Beat Maryland then Iowa State (Iowa State was really solid but despite losing the flip we earned our breaks and won in cap) then lost to UNC in a disappointing game. I won't say it was due to our missing players and lack of coaches, but we didn't come in to the game with the focus we needed. I had a feeling they'd lose to someone outside our pool on Sunday which ended up coming true.
First game Sunday against the undefeated UNCW Weed.. I don't think I can talk unbiasedly about this game, so, I won't try to. It was tied 7-7. We scored on a three-point run with another break.. and a side line player on their team called our captain out.. I get upset when I think aobut this but I think every person playing ultimate should make the best calls they can so what's done is done and I understand that was a big moment for them too. The only moment my captain has every truly wished we had observers.
Then, saw Michigan with our anger pulsing and energy low we didn't show what we needed to against a team lacking compared to past years. Melee will be able to handle them in the future.
Beat Pitt handily in our last game of the tournament for 7th to hold seed. I got a layout de after a personal hiaitus since the summer. Disappointing "finish" but we are so proud of what we were able to do and grew a lot as a team. We know how to work. And for the first time can tell we really may achieve all the goals we set. This is the year for Melee. We have started playing like it.
UNCW lost both the semis and 3rd place game.. and Iowa State ended up finishing higher than us (good job ladies), Iowa and Wisconsin both handled UNC and UNCW in semis (we weren't surprised) and the Finals were as they should have been given the quarters games.
Overall, well-run tournament by Tool yet again. Our pool was overly difficult when you look at the Top 8 finishers having 3 of our 4 but that's fine, we like a good challenge. I don't think I will want to play another East coast tournament solely based on cost of flights again but we'll see.
CENTEX approaches. Our danceoff is in the works, but our poorly timed spring break makes me worried it won't come together properly.. fingers crossed. I can't wait to see
I needed some rest after being sick. Two spring break workouts to be done before our first practice back! I booked three possible flights to denver.. and about to go throw with former Rice player current U of H women's team coach in my hometown.
oh frisbee, you're so all-consuming. I got in to UT and Wisconsin for grad school so far and just excpecting a letter from Boulder when I get home tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Crazy Week
Well, a lot has happened recently. I just got through a week's worth of academic misery only to be rewarded with an acceptance letter from one of my three grad schools- Wisconsin! Haven't gotten in touch with their captains.. waiting to hear from Colorado and UT still :)
Last weekend I played at Houston Indoor all day Sat. Lost in the finals, after a surprise upset to the favored winners. Losing to Stephen Presley in the finals wasn't so bad.. I was tired.
Sunday was my hat tournament to benefit UT's women's program and J Leon (a fellow frisbee player)'s brain cancer treatment. It was great! First time really TDing and it was tough but rewarding. After all those long hours and the assistance of Julie Paik and Charlie Stavlo I can say I'm proud of the result! I hope to host another one in the Fall of next year :) We raised over 1500 dollars which will go directly to Melee and Mayhem. Not quite sure what we will use it on yet.. but it won't go to waste that's for darn sure!
Today I decided, along with Julie Paik and Laura Markham, to make the journey out to Mardi Gras north of Baton Rouge for some frisbee with the TX State girls who had low numbers. We are excited and have made this drive many times since the three of us all played Mayhem three years ago. Whoo!
Weekend after Mardi Gras is EASTERNS. This is a biggie. We hope to exceed everyone's expectations and play to our POTENTIAL. Melee had a chat at a well-focused practice last night about re-committing to our aspirational goals of Nationals greatness.
I did our outside of practice workout and lifted by myself today, plus have an easier three weeks from school til just after Centex SO i am fully committed to that vision. This is just what I needed to remember what we are aiming for. Who knows where we will end up, I only know I am willing to do whatever it takes to get there.
Let's go Melee! And if you're playing Mardi Gras see you there ;) apparently we are wearing a themed costume to the party!
Last weekend I played at Houston Indoor all day Sat. Lost in the finals, after a surprise upset to the favored winners. Losing to Stephen Presley in the finals wasn't so bad.. I was tired.
Sunday was my hat tournament to benefit UT's women's program and J Leon (a fellow frisbee player)'s brain cancer treatment. It was great! First time really TDing and it was tough but rewarding. After all those long hours and the assistance of Julie Paik and Charlie Stavlo I can say I'm proud of the result! I hope to host another one in the Fall of next year :) We raised over 1500 dollars which will go directly to Melee and Mayhem. Not quite sure what we will use it on yet.. but it won't go to waste that's for darn sure!
Today I decided, along with Julie Paik and Laura Markham, to make the journey out to Mardi Gras north of Baton Rouge for some frisbee with the TX State girls who had low numbers. We are excited and have made this drive many times since the three of us all played Mayhem three years ago. Whoo!
Weekend after Mardi Gras is EASTERNS. This is a biggie. We hope to exceed everyone's expectations and play to our POTENTIAL. Melee had a chat at a well-focused practice last night about re-committing to our aspirational goals of Nationals greatness.
I did our outside of practice workout and lifted by myself today, plus have an easier three weeks from school til just after Centex SO i am fully committed to that vision. This is just what I needed to remember what we are aiming for. Who knows where we will end up, I only know I am willing to do whatever it takes to get there.
Let's go Melee! And if you're playing Mardi Gras see you there ;) apparently we are wearing a themed costume to the party!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Pres Day 2 & 3 & Aftermath..
The second day of Pres Day found Melee with another Sunday morning win! The day overall was a bit of a blur.
Won in ultimate point over Western Washington.
Lost to Arizona when we tried to come back too late.
Monday morning lost to Western Washington (yeah, played them again..)
Then handily beat Humboldt in our final game of the weekend. The key being BREAKING MARKS. who knew?
A memorable moment of mine was a layout score that had me on the ground for a while afterward.
It was great to see Tool! The tournament was very smooth, despite all the craziness of switching cities, etc. I also got to see Imli from UCSD and some other frisbee chums. Our men's team even made it to semis!
I love Melee. Everyone played awesome. We have a lot of work ahead of us but I see the path ending exactly as we had planned :)
My quad is in recovery before this weekend when I have houston indoor and the hat tournament I'm running is on Sunday! Being a tournament director is a growing experience, and I am excited to meet the challenge.
Easterns in t-minus 16 days. Bring it!
Won in ultimate point over Western Washington.
Lost to Arizona when we tried to come back too late.
Monday morning lost to Western Washington (yeah, played them again..)
Then handily beat Humboldt in our final game of the weekend. The key being BREAKING MARKS. who knew?
A memorable moment of mine was a layout score that had me on the ground for a while afterward.
It was great to see Tool! The tournament was very smooth, despite all the craziness of switching cities, etc. I also got to see Imli from UCSD and some other frisbee chums. Our men's team even made it to semis!
I love Melee. Everyone played awesome. We have a lot of work ahead of us but I see the path ending exactly as we had planned :)
My quad is in recovery before this weekend when I have houston indoor and the hat tournament I'm running is on Sunday! Being a tournament director is a growing experience, and I am excited to meet the challenge.
Easterns in t-minus 16 days. Bring it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)