Life is Goodenough - May 7, 2009

It is very quiet around our office these days. The players have all completed final exams and have gone home for the month of May. We will have all ten returners and our five new freshmen in Charleston for summer school. This is an invaluable opportunity for the freshmen to make the transition from being a senior in high school (most awesome and supreme students on campus) to a freshmen in college (scum of the earth, affectionately known :-) ) The experience is similar to summer camp - take a couple of new classes, meet new friends, eat in the cafeteria, sleep in the dorm, participate in unfamiliar workouts, then go home. It’s long enough to possibly discover homesickness, yet short enough that the players are back home before they really need their parents to come visit. We have ascertained that having the freshmen in college for just one summer term, empowers them with confidence and courage about returning in the fall and beginning college for “real.”

As a staff, we are very excited about the 2009-10 season. But before we look forward, let me backtrack one more time into this past season. The 08-09 season did not bring us as many wins as we had anticipated, however we were blessed with a great team of young women who accomplished many goals this season through their hard work and perseverance. Our team led the Big South in points scored per game, assists per game, and 3 pointers made and attempted per game. We established a new CSU and Big South record for 3’s made and attempted in a game (17 of 39), and 3’s made in a season (260). Among all Div I teams in the country, we placed third in 3 pointers made per game (8.9) Kelsey and Pam both completed the season ranked respectably 23rd and 29th nationally for 3’s per game. Breaking a record set by Hall of Famer Crystal Carpenter, Kelsey also established a new standard for 3’s made in a season with 76. Katie, being out for 9 games with a torn mcl, was ineligible from being included in the national stats, where she would have placed 6th among the nation’s leaders in 3’s per game. Because of our loyal fans, we also finished 2nd in the conference in home game attendance.

Our team was well represented with All-Big South honors. Tina DeCarvalho was on the All-Academic team. Pam was selected 2nd team all-conference, while Kiki and Ali were recognized on the five person all-freshmen team.

Every team endures adversity and hardships throughout a season and we definitely had our share. Pneumonia, strep, foot hand and mouth disease, wrist surgery, torn mcl, knee surgery, shoulder surgery, stomach virus, and even I had two surgeries, just to name a few of our trials. However, our team and staff kept our sites on excellence and glorifying God through our actions and through our season. This was yet another season to learn from mistakes, enjoy successes, foster relationships, and grow through the many experiences in which we were blessed. And I speak on behalf of our team when I say thank you to all the many people who support, pray, and encourage our team. You are so appreciated. Have a great summer!

Rejoice always. Pray continuously. Give thanks in everything for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thess. 5:16-18