Cassandra: 2008

"No one ever said it would be easy, they said it would be worth it."

I think I will make this my motto for the 2008 fall season and semester.

AU Vball in front of the capital

Thus far, my sophmore year, when I am considered a "sophie" (the name used by the older juniors and seniors who think they are so much better) has been all about hard work. Just to give you an idea of what I mean by hard work, lets take the first day of preseason for AU volleyball. 5:30 a.m. Wake up, 6:00 Walk out to the vans to drive to practice, 6:01... psych! Run to practice. Run 3.2 miles to practice!

Preseason this year was definitely full of hard work, and now that I think of it, I guess things really haven't changed. This year we have a new assistant coach who is super intense and really great. He pushes us all beyond where we think we can go. I feel like I have reached a new level of intensity and competitiveness, as well as improved my skills this season. For preseason, our team was able to go to Ocean City for a week to train, both in the gym and on the sand. Don't be decieved by the name "Ocean City." Yes, we went to the beach, but the beach is just the home of sand which is yet another outlet for conditioning: jump training, sprinting, and more! Overall, however, Ocean City was a good experience and our team bonded through the hard times. And oh yes, we were allowed to have some fun as well.

Driving to Ocean City

Ann and me at the beach

Sponge Bob at the carnival in Ocean City

The first couple of weekends we traveled tons and played some really good teams: BYU, Texas A&M, Long Beach State, Wisconsin, and more. We played well but fell short in some close and intense matches.

Team poster: "DC's best kept secret"
(AU vball at spy museum)

Welcome to Texas!

Trying to get some sleep before an away match

One of the many flights...

Next, our league games started along with the stress of classes. So far we are undefeated in the Patriot League and we are looking forward to the league tournament in a couple of weeks. Classes are going well, they are hard work (notice the theme) but I am enjoying them and I like most of my professors.

Doing homework on the road...

Spiketown!

Together

With all this hard work, you may be thinking: any time for fun? Of course! Our team finds room for fun in any circumstance, and maybe too much fun according to our coaches...

Luv the Rechts!

Magda (crazy Polish girl) jk love her!

me!

We fit in this locker at an away game

*Team*

I am looking forward to more hard work for the rest of this semester. Time to win the Patriot League and win First Round of the NCAA tournament! And then when I read this blog next year, or perhaps in ten years, I will look at all the hard work it was and think, "It was worth it."

2nd annual bender blue out

On a long bus ride

Czech and Albania!

My old roomie =)

Ahh, the life of no make-up and sweats!

Team dinner in Texas

AU in blue!

Over-worn and over-loved sweatshirt

Driving home, the future is bright!

---Our Team After Competing In An Unexpected Track Meet---

Its over. The year that I thought would never come. My long anticipated freshman year of college was, to say the least, a great success. It was everything I could have wanted... ok well almost everything. To make it more perfect, I guess I would need to have some magical power that could white-out that one, single, lonesome "B" that now appears on my first semester transcript. But I have accepted that B: it's my only vestige of imperfection from the school year of 2007-2008, so I embrace it.

I would say that American University is the perfect fit, for me that is. It had the right mix of academics and athletics which now leaves me sitting in my blistering hot house in Utah smiling about the wonderful times I had. It pushed me academically, as can be seen by the first (and last mind you) B that I had ever earned in my entire life... But seriously, I grew a lot academically, pushed my thinking and learning, and formed relationships with some amazing professors.

---The Science Building---

Now to the fun part: VOLLEYBALL! In short, it was spectacular. I love my team and I already miss them dearly while I am away at home this summer. I formed strong relationships that I know will last. On the court, I know that I improved my skills and matured as well. As Coach would put it, I went from playing "girls' volleyball" to playing "women's volleyball". And I know this is true. As an athlete I was pushed and I pushed myself more than ever before. I also loved the athletic support system that I was surrounded by everyday. The athletic coordinators, administrators, and others involved were passionate, fun, and ultra-supportive. Of course I can't forget my coaches, a huge part of my happiness at my school- they were incredible and believed in me. They set up an environment that allowed my teammates and me to reach our potentials.

---Bender Blue-Out Match---

So in terms of records and standings and what-not, I suppose it is important to note that our volleyball team was Patriot League Champions for the 7th year in a row. At the beginning of the season we had what was called the "Bender Blue-Out", and had a record number of people at a volleyball game in DC ever! (I think the number was 2,ooo plus.) We went to the NCAA tourney, and played against No. 22 Duke in the first round. In an intense battle we fell short of our goal and lost in the fifth game to the Blue Devils. (For those of you who don't know volleyball, this was a close game, its who ever wins 3 out of 5 games.) Despite this loss we all were proud of each other and are pumped to make it to second round next year.

---Team---

I loved every second that I was able to play for American University, and I can't wait for the next fall season. Stay tuned to see how well we do! NCAA tourney here we come!

---Me Hitting---

So here I am reminiscing about my first year of college, full of fun times that can never be forgotten: the AU volleyball filling in and competing at a track meet, eating in TDR (our cafeteria) for 4 hours, awkward elevator moments, Hughes Hall third floor, Wednesday morning conditioning at 6:00 am, 12 hour bus rides, Cracker Barrel, boys...haha or the lack of...., trying to "go out", dragging mounds of stuff miles to store at the Recht's apartment (and falling multiple times), all your marbles, rubber things being thrown, freshman duties, laughing till it hurts, dancing till we're sore, living life as an Eagle...

---At the BYU Tourney---

And now I am realizing I am no longer a "newbie" as our intimidating strength and conditioning coach calls all freshman when they come into the sports programs at American. Next year I won't be "new", but that's not to say things will get "old" =)...

---Kat, Deborah, and I---