And so it begins...

Last Sunday was the first match of my professional volleyball career. I was excited and thrilled that our somewhat small and old practice gym could transform into such an amazing playing atmosphere. The gym only holds between 1,000 and 2,000 people but it is sold out every time. We have a super fan section that brings drums to the matches and starts chants that the crowd yells out.

Before the match when our team gets announced they turn the lights of and play some euro techno and the drums play. It kind of reminds me of the old school Chicago Bulls intro because its pitch black dark and then there is a giant spot light you run out to. We shake hands with kids lined up (aww like Wisconsin!) and then get ready to play.

Now, I mentioned that this was my first professional volleyball matcher ever, and the way our team started I thought for sure it was going to be my last. I looked up at the score board to see our team down 8-0. YIKES! Our coach subbed my roommate Erica from BYU in and she slowly helped us catch up. We once again got stuck in serve receive and our coach put Sheila in! YAY! We improved but still lost the first set 25-16. Sick! I was very embarrassed.

The line up stayed how we ended the 1^st set, and our team came back to dominate in the 2^nd and 3^rd sets. It was soooo much fun to play next to Sheila again. She played out of her mind, the best I think I have ever seen her play. Erica is a blast to play with too, and super easy to set for.

The 4^th set was a battle till the end. Back and forth the entire match with no team ever leading more than 2 points at a time. It was 23-21 when I looked up at the scored board and really knew we had to push. Behind some amazing serving and great defense by our other roommate Liv, from Brazil, we ended strong and won 26-24.

The post game celebration in the gym was amazing! You would have thought we won a national title. I guess the other team had 4 players who switched from our team to the opponent so there was some tension there and they is why it was such a big match.

I hope we continue to improve and get stronger. We are on the road next weekend so it will be interesting to see how we travel and play on the road.

Hope all is well with everyone at home!

Ciao!