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.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
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!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Pres Day Day 1
Well, at the end of a veryyy long day I am happy to be in a day's inn with my roommates Lola, Sharon and Diana (and Kayla just got added to our floor, what a good rookie) outside of san diego
Our morning started with a first round bye
First game we played Carleton. Came out fine but had a mental lapse in the middle that hurt us and ended up losing by a few in cap.. bummer. We all knew we should have won that one which motivated us going into the next one.
Second game we played Humboldt. They're the team who played into the tournament from the qualifiers, which I thought was pretty cool. We kind of messed around a little first half so they got some points, but went on a six point run to close the game soundly. Yay winning.
Third game we faced our biggest regional competition: Kali from Colorado. We let them go on a run, regrouped at half, and ended up playing an incredibly intense point for all the marbles in hard cap. WE WON. I think that's a feeling we will get to have often- our team has so many strengths this year, and after four years in the program I think this is the most confident I've felt in our ability to execute what we've practiced.
Last, we played the Pie Queens. This was the game we played in the torrential monsoon/hail. For real. So, we put up four against them but after our recent win and change-up of subs the game got away from us and we were glad to have a last round bye and get to a warm place.
Thanks to Emily's relatives for treating us all to pizza and discounted hot cocoa at Starbuck's :) Yumm. AND successful first day by Michelle aka Tool. We were glad to not be stuck in the boys' situation..
So far, highlights of the tourny
-Janet getting out of the car and going up to close another car's gas tank while in traffic trying to get from Austin to San Antonio for our flight
-Wanting to steal oranges from trees and our absurd amount of excitement about that
-Dogpiling at the end of Kali on my roomie Shereen and the thrower Ashley
-Seals in the road.. nuff said
2-2 but knowing we could win the pool so now on to the next. we play at 12:45 tomorrow so team brunch and then our 30 minute-ish drive into the city
go melee! and good luck to all the other teams
Our morning started with a first round bye
First game we played Carleton. Came out fine but had a mental lapse in the middle that hurt us and ended up losing by a few in cap.. bummer. We all knew we should have won that one which motivated us going into the next one.
Second game we played Humboldt. They're the team who played into the tournament from the qualifiers, which I thought was pretty cool. We kind of messed around a little first half so they got some points, but went on a six point run to close the game soundly. Yay winning.
Third game we faced our biggest regional competition: Kali from Colorado. We let them go on a run, regrouped at half, and ended up playing an incredibly intense point for all the marbles in hard cap. WE WON. I think that's a feeling we will get to have often- our team has so many strengths this year, and after four years in the program I think this is the most confident I've felt in our ability to execute what we've practiced.
Last, we played the Pie Queens. This was the game we played in the torrential monsoon/hail. For real. So, we put up four against them but after our recent win and change-up of subs the game got away from us and we were glad to have a last round bye and get to a warm place.
Thanks to Emily's relatives for treating us all to pizza and discounted hot cocoa at Starbuck's :) Yumm. AND successful first day by Michelle aka Tool. We were glad to not be stuck in the boys' situation..
So far, highlights of the tourny
-Janet getting out of the car and going up to close another car's gas tank while in traffic trying to get from Austin to San Antonio for our flight
-Wanting to steal oranges from trees and our absurd amount of excitement about that
-Dogpiling at the end of Kali on my roomie Shereen and the thrower Ashley
-Seals in the road.. nuff said
2-2 but knowing we could win the pool so now on to the next. we play at 12:45 tomorrow so team brunch and then our 30 minute-ish drive into the city
go melee! and good luck to all the other teams
Friday, February 4, 2011
A cold week in Austin
Well, UT had a snow day today (crazy, right?) so, i thought i'd take the time to make another blog entry.. also, julie told me to and SINCE i'm a good friend i'm obliging her haha.
Basically, the team was at the Rec tues & thurs and gregory today getting our weight-liftin' on because (for us texans) the weather was intolerably cold. Plus, I've discovered I really need warmer/waterproof gloves. And a coat. And boots. I've lived in sweats for a week, which is pretty unusual for a jeans-lover like myself. That got off topic- So, we did our weights circuit that we established last year. Yesterday me, whit, ash, hannah, janel were led by di & baron in the P90X abs.. punch me in the face. There was one I couldn't do at all where you're on your side. It was upsetting.
An indoor "favorite" (as in, best workout but least enjoyed) is running stairs! I did this tues with whit, ash, lola and hannah and it's pretty great for your calves. Some people ran our typical stair workout yesterday in this tall building on campus. It's run up, then karaoke up, then hop one footed, then bound every other. If you want a quick, intense workout that's for sure the way to go.
Pres Day is only TWO WEEKS AWAY. My roomie and I were discussing if we are where we need to be at this point. I think we are. We hope to have a really strong showing and beat some teams we will see later in the season. Maybe all the weightlifting will make my flick hucks that much further. Either way, I'm geared up for tournament season.
However, the BIG THING ON MY BRAIN is a fundraiser hat tournament I am hosting on the 27th of February at our UT Intramural fields!
Details here: http://utwomensfrisbee.wordpress.com/
there are signups and DONATION links there. I'm really hoping it'll help the women's program budget get a bit ahead and it's always great to support everyone in the ultimate community. This is my first attempt at hosting a tournament and hopefully with julie as my main assistant and the program behind me we can meet our goals! I've always said if I make enough money I'm going to start a frisbee scholarship post-grad.. it stinks how fast plane flights and all that add up, but money shouldn't be a reason someone can't play with Melee. So, that's something to think about.
Basically, yay frisbee. I want to be back running on a field with room to huck. For now, I will enjoy my snow day and stay in sweats and get some reading done etc etc.
To all the cold weather teams out there- I salute you.
Melee Love,
Libs
Basically, the team was at the Rec tues & thurs and gregory today getting our weight-liftin' on because (for us texans) the weather was intolerably cold. Plus, I've discovered I really need warmer/waterproof gloves. And a coat. And boots. I've lived in sweats for a week, which is pretty unusual for a jeans-lover like myself. That got off topic- So, we did our weights circuit that we established last year. Yesterday me, whit, ash, hannah, janel were led by di & baron in the P90X abs.. punch me in the face. There was one I couldn't do at all where you're on your side. It was upsetting.
An indoor "favorite" (as in, best workout but least enjoyed) is running stairs! I did this tues with whit, ash, lola and hannah and it's pretty great for your calves. Some people ran our typical stair workout yesterday in this tall building on campus. It's run up, then karaoke up, then hop one footed, then bound every other. If you want a quick, intense workout that's for sure the way to go.
Pres Day is only TWO WEEKS AWAY. My roomie and I were discussing if we are where we need to be at this point. I think we are. We hope to have a really strong showing and beat some teams we will see later in the season. Maybe all the weightlifting will make my flick hucks that much further. Either way, I'm geared up for tournament season.
However, the BIG THING ON MY BRAIN is a fundraiser hat tournament I am hosting on the 27th of February at our UT Intramural fields!
Details here: http://utwomensfrisbee.wordpress.com/
there are signups and DONATION links there. I'm really hoping it'll help the women's program budget get a bit ahead and it's always great to support everyone in the ultimate community. This is my first attempt at hosting a tournament and hopefully with julie as my main assistant and the program behind me we can meet our goals! I've always said if I make enough money I'm going to start a frisbee scholarship post-grad.. it stinks how fast plane flights and all that add up, but money shouldn't be a reason someone can't play with Melee. So, that's something to think about.
Basically, yay frisbee. I want to be back running on a field with room to huck. For now, I will enjoy my snow day and stay in sweats and get some reading done etc etc.
To all the cold weather teams out there- I salute you.
Melee Love,
Libs
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Diving Into the Season
Well, Melee is alive and kickin' (and also getting our butts kicked with all the 40's we've been running, though we do need it)
We've had our first week and a half of practice, including a mini camp all last weekend! Melee's been having a very zone-heavy season so far (not that I'm complaining.. I love zone.. but then again I'm not in the cup this season hehe sorry Shereen, Kayla and Ash). As a member of both the Zone O and Zone De line, I can vouch for the fact that there is plenty of room for improvement, but with a lot of less-experienced Zone players I think our learning curve should be nice and steep! I also hear that post-Pres Day we get to do some work on Ho which will be good to broaden some minds.
Injuries do seem to follow Melee like the plague. We've got about 5 players out this week (including our two ACL tears) so our practices are 18 strong for now. Pres Day we hope to have a great showing, especially with our first game Saturday morning against Kali. Personally, I think that the UPA should see reason and give us two bids to Nattys.. but if not, I guess we'll just have to be the best fair and square.
Our buddy groups for workouts come out this week.. I did this week's workout on my own and found the shuttles/agility/strength/throwing a good complement to our drill-heavy first several practices. Mayhem's actually been making Melee look bad lately doing all their fitness on the field over ;)
On an unrelated note, laying out on not well-grassed fields has my shins all nasty looking. I guess we'd never have to lay out if all our throws were perfect, huh? Shoutout to rookie Kayla for feeding us old ladies on the team with her on-campus food wealth. Much appreciated. And as I expected I am just as in love with all my Meladies as always. They're really great. And diverse, as has been pointed out recently!
So, I know every frisbee team thinks their teammates are the best in the world.. but I still posit that that holds true for Melee.
I find out in about three weeks if I get to stay at UT for grad school.. fingers crossed.
"what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" cliche.. yes. but, I've applied it to soccer, cross country and now ultimate. Always push yourself. Unless you fall over dead, it's going to make you a better player. And from my experience, death by 40's is rather unlikely. *knock on wood*
'Til next time-
Melee Love xo
ps Julie aka Turtle is very insistent my photo get fixed.. but don't be fooled, I haven't gone to a computer class or something. I will leave that to her.
[[Edit from Julie]]
Instead of working on my physics homework due in less than 2 hours, I fixed the header so now y'all can all see our beautiful team on your screen at once instead of having to scroll :)
We've had our first week and a half of practice, including a mini camp all last weekend! Melee's been having a very zone-heavy season so far (not that I'm complaining.. I love zone.. but then again I'm not in the cup this season hehe sorry Shereen, Kayla and Ash). As a member of both the Zone O and Zone De line, I can vouch for the fact that there is plenty of room for improvement, but with a lot of less-experienced Zone players I think our learning curve should be nice and steep! I also hear that post-Pres Day we get to do some work on Ho which will be good to broaden some minds.
Injuries do seem to follow Melee like the plague. We've got about 5 players out this week (including our two ACL tears) so our practices are 18 strong for now. Pres Day we hope to have a great showing, especially with our first game Saturday morning against Kali. Personally, I think that the UPA should see reason and give us two bids to Nattys.. but if not, I guess we'll just have to be the best fair and square.
Our buddy groups for workouts come out this week.. I did this week's workout on my own and found the shuttles/agility/strength/throwing a good complement to our drill-heavy first several practices. Mayhem's actually been making Melee look bad lately doing all their fitness on the field over ;)
On an unrelated note, laying out on not well-grassed fields has my shins all nasty looking. I guess we'd never have to lay out if all our throws were perfect, huh? Shoutout to rookie Kayla for feeding us old ladies on the team with her on-campus food wealth. Much appreciated. And as I expected I am just as in love with all my Meladies as always. They're really great. And diverse, as has been pointed out recently!
So, I know every frisbee team thinks their teammates are the best in the world.. but I still posit that that holds true for Melee.
I find out in about three weeks if I get to stay at UT for grad school.. fingers crossed.
"what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" cliche.. yes. but, I've applied it to soccer, cross country and now ultimate. Always push yourself. Unless you fall over dead, it's going to make you a better player. And from my experience, death by 40's is rather unlikely. *knock on wood*
'Til next time-
Melee Love xo
ps Julie aka Turtle is very insistent my photo get fixed.. but don't be fooled, I haven't gone to a computer class or something. I will leave that to her.
[[Edit from Julie]]
Instead of working on my physics homework due in less than 2 hours, I fixed the header so now y'all can all see our beautiful team on your screen at once instead of having to scroll :)
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