Quarterfinal Update

USA vs. Canada 17-25, 25-10, 25-23, 25-21


It was a rough start for us today.  Canada came out blocking, and digging like they have never before and we just couldn't get on a roll.  Luckily we had some players that could come in and change the momentum.  With a couple substitutions, and Canada going back to normal Canada, we got back on track to pull out the quarterfinal match.  Tomorrow we match up against the young and athletic Dominican team in the semifinals.  It should be a good one.

Quick Update

USA vs Costa Rica 25-7, 25-10, 25-13

Finally we played how we should play against weaker teams.  We got in there starting strong and never looked back.  It was a complete team effort, everyone got to play and kept the level up no matter who was on the floor.  I continued my strong serving minus one to the bleachers...had to wake up the crowd for a second.  Tomorrow we play Canada in the quarterfinals.  They are always a steady team and we will have to be on top of things to come out ahead.

The process continues...enjoying every moment of it.

Happy Birthday Sis!!!!

Today is my sister's birthday.  I wish I could be in North Carolina with the rest of my family to celebrate it with her, but I know they all rather me be here in Puerto Rico playing volleyball.  For all of you that don't know my sister...she is an incredible person.  I have looked up to her my whole life even though she probably never knew it.  She led the way in volleyball and life, and is one of my biggest supporters in all that I do.  She is a gifted volleyball player and coach, and in the last 3 years has become an incredible mother.  I hope to be just like her when I grow up.  I miss her with all my heart and hope to be in North Carolina with her soon.  I know she much rather me post pictures of her kids then her...so here are Lexi and Noa.  Look at those lil suckers.

Lexi

Noa

Happy Birthday Erin! Love ya.

Tough Loss

USA vs Cuba 25-19, 25-16, 16-25, 26-28, 10-15

Tonight we had a tough loss against Cuba.  We came out fighting and managing the game well winning the first 2 sets pretty easily.  But The Cubans never back down.  They came back banging their jumps serves, hitting high over our block, and coming up with some spectacular plays.  We finally got our act together in the end of the 4 leading 22-20.  Unfortunately we made some unforced errors to let then back in the set and ultimately gave it up.  The 5th set is always tough after loosing a close one.  Cuba jumped out early and we just couldn't catch up.  Overall, we had some great things going on, and obviously have a lot to learn.  Every chance we get to play is an opportunity to get better and continue the learning process.  It is great to be put in tough situations as this one and I am positive we will continue to learn from our mistakes and build off of our progress.

On a positive note, my old friend Jorge Alifonso (who played at University of Hawaii) was able to be at the match.  I got to catch up with him a little, remembering some great times in Hawaii. It is just great when you can go for years without seeing a good friend and pick up right from where you left off.  Great friends are hard to come by these days, and I am blessed to have some fabulous ones in my life.  Thanks Jorge for making my day.

And lastly I want to thank all of my blog supporters...this blog is a way for me to update my friends, family, and fans on my volleyball adventures and other passions.  I love writing in it and hope to continue entertaining all that read it.  I'm signing off for the night.  Next up is Costa Rica.

New Favorite Purchase

I am so excited for fall.  Sounds weird since I am from Hawaii, and cold weather should scare me...but after all my travels and new found (well not so new) love for fashion I can't wait to wear fall clothes.  I got a little head start and purchased a new pair of boots...one of the trends for the season.They are not just any pair of boots...they are one of the top five Heavy Hardwear Booties featured in a recent post by Who What Wear daily...a very popular fashion site out there.  And even better I had purchased them about 2 weeks before that top 5 came out...maybe I do know what I'm talking bout.  Here is my new favorite addition to my shoe collection.  I have worn them with a dress, liquid leggings, and white skinny jeans.  I have even gotten compliments from random girls...and girls don't do that ofter.  One word...FIERCE

                      

Alexander Wang's Hanne Three Buckle Booties

The picture does the bootie no justice.  I will get a full outfit picture soon. Here are a couple of my other new purchases...

               David Lerner's Half Ripped Leggings

                          

Current/Elliott's Moto Skinny Jeans (A hugh hit for the Fall)

National Team Update

Today was the first day of NORCECA Championships. Luckily this year it is in Puerto Rico...not a bad place to spend a week. But I must say it is raining and very humid...feels like Hawaii in a way so I am right at home. Last night we had the pleasure of going to the opening dinner. It was quite a production...a band, the Puerto Rican captain (and soon to be teammate) being introduced on a little tug boat in a fake river, fireworks, a rock museum, dinner where they ran out of chicken after the Cubans took it all, and a close brawl with the Dominican team to get on the bus home first. Luckily the night finally ended and we made it back to the hotel safely after the longest 4 hours of our life.  But thank you to the Puerto Rican Federation for caring so much.

We played Mexico today. A very young, scrappy, and energetic team that had one girl that would whistle so loud before, during, and after the play that my ears are still ringing.  We started very slow but eventually got our game together and came out with a 3-0 win.

USA vs. Mexico 25-18, 25-10, 25-13


Tomorrow we have our toughest pool play match against Cuba.  They have only 4 returning Olympians on this trip, but will still be banging jump serves and hitting on the 10 ft. line.  It will be an exciting match.  Hopefully we will come out stronger then we did today.

I have some great footage from the opening dinner but the internet here is a little sketchy.  I will try to post the videos tomorrow night.  Have a great one.

Let's Go USA

Fashion Week in New York

One of the most fabulous weeks in New York is...Fashion Week. I will one day make it there...I will just have to be done with volleyball. It is so fun to see all the stars get dressed up for the big event, and it is also exciting to see the innovative designs from all of the classic and up and coming designers. This fashion week is dedicated to Spring of 2010. Isn't it crazy that we are just getting into fall and they are already showing Spring 2010? Well that's how it goes in the fashion world...Fall was already showcased back in February. Here are some stars getting daring with their outfits...I love the freedom of fashion.

I love the simple black dress with the statement necklace

Rhianna being her fashion forward self...really pushing it this time

Amber Rose maybe the only one that can pull that off

This one doing a little too much..what do you think?

Lindsay Lohan...not her best look

Victoria Beckham...I actually like this

Fashion week has only been going on for 3 days now and it is creating quite a stir in NY. As much as I love playing volleyball here in Peru, I can't say that part of me wants to be there...

One day I will be...I love fashion

She's back...National Team Update

Finally after a year of rehab it was time for me to step back on the court. After the team returned from World Grand Prix, it was time for me to start competing for a spot. I landed a spot on the roster for the Final 4 tournament in Lima, Peru. We arrived here on Monday the 7th after a long day of travel. I forgot after a year how this life was. We immediately got to our rooms and changed for practice. One of the things that I have to admit I did not miss. Luckily I wore thigh high compression socks on the airplane so I wouldn't swell. It was a short practice but I always feel better after. Competition started on the 9th and right away we had the Beijing Gold Medalist...Brazil.

All I can say is it wasn't a great 1st appearance back on the court for me. You would think that practice would prepare me...not at all. It was rough, but I am very hard on myself and I think that ultimately makes me the player that I am. We ended up loosing a close one in 5.

USA vs. Brazil 12-25, 25-18, 22-25, 25-19, 13-15

Next up we had the host Peru. The gym was packed and Peru was ready to play us. Too bad for them we came out firing in game 1. Game 2 was a close one, Peru got hot and we just could catch up. Fortunately in game 3 and 4 we settled down and played USA volleyball coming out with a victory.

USA vs. Peru 25-10, 20-25, 25-14, 25-20

Our final pool play game was our fellow NORCECA rival the Dominican Republic. They are a very young athletic team that has the potential to be very good. Hugh (my coach) decided to rest Heather Bown, Nancy Metcalf, and I knowing that we would face the Dominican again the following day. The Dominican came out strong and finished strong. We unfortunately were flat and never really got it rolling until the 3rd set, but too late to make a comeback.

USA vs. Dominican Republic 20-25, 19-25, 23-25

Like I said before, no matter what, we would face the Dominicans in the semifinals. This time it would be a different story. We had a great passing practice in the morning, and did a thorough video session on them. Going into the match we were very confident that it was going to be better then the first one. Luckily personal game decided to come back at the right time. The team played great. We were finally playing some good volleyball.

USA vs. Dominican Republic 25-20, 23-25, 25-22, 26-24

Tomorrow we get another shot at Brazil in the finals. I think we have a great chance. We have already improved so much on this trip alone. But we are definitely tired. 5 games is a row is no joke.

Welcome back Lindsey Berg #4

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