Cassandra: The Hard Life of a "Sophie"

"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