Notes From Nichole

Friday - August 28th, 2009
Unlike other sports, fall sports have an "unknown" aspect to their season. The months prior to the season's start, many players go home and conditioning is to be done independently. Whereas winter and spring sports have months together before season's start, fall sports have a few weeks. The success of the team usually depends on the level of preparedness individually attained preceding camp. Last spring our team worked hard on and off the court, and significant improvements were made. But when final exams ended, the team dispersed and accountability became a personal choice.

When August 5th arrived, we were on the track before sunrise for our fitness test. Regardless of your condition prior to pre-season camp, there is a permanent nervousness embedded with the pressures that camp brings. The 6 AM track workouts and mid-day weights in addition to 2-a-days, wears on you physically and mentally. All of this coupled with the fact that it is unknown the condition of your teammates and how the incoming freshmen will respond creates tension of unknowing and uneasiness knowing that within the next few days you will be able to predict your season's success, all gauged from this simple fitness test. An hour later my excitement for my team was drastically increased. For the first time in the four years that I have been here, every single player passed the fitness test.

As a senior looking back on previous pre-seasons, it was then that I realized the sense of ownership and commitment our team possesses. Everyone held themselves and everyone else accountable. We have taken pride in our team, and I'm confident and excited for the team to show off all the hard work we have put in. In previous seasons, our team was disregarded for being young. Now, we have matured and encompassed a new attitude about the game and our team. This season will be long and challenging. But the Lord has blessed this team and I'm confident in the success to come.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
GO BUCS!

-Nichole Diller