I received a really nice email that I thought I would share with you all. It's from a friend of mine who is the head coach at a Division 1 school. I got their pemission to put it on my blog but I have concealed the school and the coach's name as I am sure they would not want the whole world to know that their team is struggling right now. The email is obviously talking about Taylor but it might as well be talking about any of our players and the grit that our team showed in Chicago.
Brian -
Congrats on a great showing in Chicago. My assistant was there and saw your team play.
We are struggling right now and she sent this to one of our players in hopes of encouraging them and demonstrating what our expectations are.....
"On Saturday I got to watch some of the best high school teams in the country. My favorite player to watch was this 5'2" setter for Venice (a Florida school). Her team wasn't the most talented team in that tournament but she made that team look good. She was defending balls all over the court, jump setting every ball, and was the hardest worker in the entire tournament! In between plays she was talking to each player individually telling them what to expect from the other side or just picking them up after a missed play. One of my favorite things I saw from her was her reaction after getting nailed on the head from an overpass attack. She turned to her teammates and said "that was a nice hit but I'll make sure to get that one up next time!" The most impressive part was her face the entire time. She didn't even look fazed and kept pushing forward! Even when her team was losing and didn't really have a shot! at making a comeback, she was still working hard and leading her team through hard work and determination. They ended up finishing in the top five! "
My assistant didn't know that I knew you but I thought you might like to see what our staff thinks of your team and your player.
Good luck the rest of the season!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Chicago update
Tonight, Venice beat Downers Grove South from Chicago and beat one of the hottest teams in the counrty tonight, Notre Dame Academy from the Louisville, KY area, to win the pool and get to the gold round and the top 8 of the 24 team tournament. This tournament is tabbed as America's most prestigious high school tournament. Notre Dame Academy is one of the top ranked teams and also one of the hottest teams in the country. This week, they beat Mercy Academy and Assumption. (Mercy beat us in 4 last weekend) They have also beaten this seasons Pre season #1 ranked Sacred Heart. Tomorrow morning, the Indians will face #2 ranked Joliet Catholic and the #1 seed in the tournament. It was fantastic to see this team scrap and fight against an awesome team. Last weeks Berkeley Premier definitely played a part in tonight's big wins as they fought hard all night. Our team is really starting to come together and believe in one another. All our matches tomorrow, we will see the absolute best volleyball teams in the country. Our team has nothing to lose and all to gain as we just need to go out and let it ride.
Last night, the team took the L train to Wrigley Field. The train was an intersesting experience. We had to have a talk w the team that we were not in Venice anymore and to not look anyone in the eye as we came across some different characters on the train. Wrigley field was also an awesome experience. We sat right behind the cubs dugout and just enjoyed the atmosphere of one of the best baseball stadiums in the country. Even though the game got called after 3 innings bc of rain, it was still alot of fun. Did I mention that it was 40 degrees? I think it was a night that our players will never forget.
Today, we all slept in and went to breakfast at Maples. Now, I am not a breakfast guy but this was the best breakfast i have ever eaten. French toast, bacon, and these hash brown things. Also, the classic hot chocolate was awesome. All of the chocolate was at the bottom and you had to stir it to get through the cream. we were there for about 2 hours. There was a waiting line out the door the entire time we were there. One guy asked me if I was from Chicago. I said "NO". He said he didn't think so. Hmmmmmmmm.........
We play 3 matches tomorrow and the team flys back to Florida on Sunday morning.
War Eagle!
Last night, the team took the L train to Wrigley Field. The train was an intersesting experience. We had to have a talk w the team that we were not in Venice anymore and to not look anyone in the eye as we came across some different characters on the train. Wrigley field was also an awesome experience. We sat right behind the cubs dugout and just enjoyed the atmosphere of one of the best baseball stadiums in the country. Even though the game got called after 3 innings bc of rain, it was still alot of fun. Did I mention that it was 40 degrees? I think it was a night that our players will never forget.
Today, we all slept in and went to breakfast at Maples. Now, I am not a breakfast guy but this was the best breakfast i have ever eaten. French toast, bacon, and these hash brown things. Also, the classic hot chocolate was awesome. All of the chocolate was at the bottom and you had to stir it to get through the cream. we were there for about 2 hours. There was a waiting line out the door the entire time we were there. One guy asked me if I was from Chicago. I said "NO". He said he didn't think so. Hmmmmmmmm.........
We play 3 matches tomorrow and the team flys back to Florida on Sunday morning.
War Eagle!
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