So the first week of training and school is over and everyone is super excited about the up coming season. All the guys came back to school in great shape, so the team is looking good as the first meet creeps closer.
This season we will have nine solid guys running for Tarleton and every one of them wants to make a difference. We have set our goals high for season. Coach Ponder has always said, "Aim for the moon and if you miss you will land among the stars." So all the guys took it to heart and we hope to do great things this season!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
"At the Net" - with Shay Gracy
Well its 2 a.m. on Sunday and we are working our way back to Texas. We are somewhere in the middle of Nowhere, Kan. and I cannot sleep. I have so many thoughts running through my mind about this weekend.
The weekend did not go as well as I would have liked. I cannot stop thinking about how the games went and wondering why we couldn’t buckle down and get everything together. The teams up in Nebraska were great teams and I will not take anything away from them, but we did not execute in the way that we have the ability too. We had spurts of excellence, but the chaotic plays out weighed the excellent ones
Our very first match of the season against Nebraska-Omaha was crazy. It felt like we couldn’t do anything right. The heart and effort was there, but the fundamentals of volleyball were left back in Texas for some reason. The coaches tried several different line-ups to see if someone could get a spark going to where we could get on a roll and play ball – but nothing worked.
The second match against Minnesota-Mankato was a little better than the first. We won the first set 28-26 and we worked really hard. Everything was fluid and we were competing. It was like the real Texanns had finally showed up to play. Then the next three sets of that match we went back to the same TexAnn team from earlier that day.
The third match of the tournament was against No. 9-ranked Truman. Well, we played well for the most part and gave them a run for their money. I am never going to blame an official for a outcome of the game because there are always situations that could be executed differently to keep you out of predicaments. Well the last two sets were very close and we ended up losing them both by 2 points. There were some questionable calls, but those are always going to happen. Unfortunately the calls didn’t go our way today, but they may go our way the next time. I was not a very happy person. The referee called me over to explain the call, but at that point all I could think of was, “whatever, I don’t want to talk – let’s just play ball
In the fourth and final match of the weekend we played Dallas Baptist, who we had beaten several times in my career at Tarleton. Well, that was not the case this time. We played better and played close matches but just couldn’t execute.
It is so frustrating knowing the potential that this team has and the fact that we did not produce it. The good thing is that this is our first weekend of play and we have plenty of time to improve before conference play begins. Yes it is extremely irritating losing but sometimes you learn more about yourself and the team when you lose than you do winning.
Overall, the trip was an experience that I won’t forget. I have never been to Nebraska before and it was very cool. The weather was so nice. It was not scorching hot or extremely cold.
We have our home opener this Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Texas Wesleyan. We are going to come out strong and learn from our mistakes this weekend and do some damage on the court.
It is about 2:45 a.m. now and it’s about time where I am getting a little bit sleepy - so, I am going to try and get some sleep before we roll into the ‘Ville around 8 a.m. Thank you for all the support and put us on your calendar to come watch the team play on Wednesday night.
Go Texanns!!
Shay
The weekend did not go as well as I would have liked. I cannot stop thinking about how the games went and wondering why we couldn’t buckle down and get everything together. The teams up in Nebraska were great teams and I will not take anything away from them, but we did not execute in the way that we have the ability too. We had spurts of excellence, but the chaotic plays out weighed the excellent ones
Our very first match of the season against Nebraska-Omaha was crazy. It felt like we couldn’t do anything right. The heart and effort was there, but the fundamentals of volleyball were left back in Texas for some reason. The coaches tried several different line-ups to see if someone could get a spark going to where we could get on a roll and play ball – but nothing worked.
The second match against Minnesota-Mankato was a little better than the first. We won the first set 28-26 and we worked really hard. Everything was fluid and we were competing. It was like the real Texanns had finally showed up to play. Then the next three sets of that match we went back to the same TexAnn team from earlier that day.
The third match of the tournament was against No. 9-ranked Truman. Well, we played well for the most part and gave them a run for their money. I am never going to blame an official for a outcome of the game because there are always situations that could be executed differently to keep you out of predicaments. Well the last two sets were very close and we ended up losing them both by 2 points. There were some questionable calls, but those are always going to happen. Unfortunately the calls didn’t go our way today, but they may go our way the next time. I was not a very happy person. The referee called me over to explain the call, but at that point all I could think of was, “whatever, I don’t want to talk – let’s just play ball
In the fourth and final match of the weekend we played Dallas Baptist, who we had beaten several times in my career at Tarleton. Well, that was not the case this time. We played better and played close matches but just couldn’t execute.
It is so frustrating knowing the potential that this team has and the fact that we did not produce it. The good thing is that this is our first weekend of play and we have plenty of time to improve before conference play begins. Yes it is extremely irritating losing but sometimes you learn more about yourself and the team when you lose than you do winning.
Overall, the trip was an experience that I won’t forget. I have never been to Nebraska before and it was very cool. The weather was so nice. It was not scorching hot or extremely cold.
We have our home opener this Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Texas Wesleyan. We are going to come out strong and learn from our mistakes this weekend and do some damage on the court.
It is about 2:45 a.m. now and it’s about time where I am getting a little bit sleepy - so, I am going to try and get some sleep before we roll into the ‘Ville around 8 a.m. Thank you for all the support and put us on your calendar to come watch the team play on Wednesday night.
Go Texanns!!
Shay
Monday, August 24, 2009
"At the Net" - with Shay Gracy
Well, we have finally completed two-a-days.
I honestly cannot believe that I just completed my last two-a-days as an athlete. I am a little sad, but my excitement about the start of our season - in four days - overwhelms the sadness. As we have finished two-a-days, things are finally coming together. The chemistry that we have been looking for was shining through on Saturday’s practice. Everyone walked away with a positive outlook following the practice.
I am very excited that we leave early Thursday morning (around 6 a.m.) and start our adventure towards Nebraska. I can’t wait to put on that purple jersey with “Tarleton” written on the back and represent the university the way that I know we can. The competition is going to be tough, but that is what we need to become prepared for conference play. Our conference is very strong and every win is worth it. Our first match in Nebraska is against Nebraska-Omaha. The match is going to be a little crazy simply because neither team has played each other before - and it is the first match of the season. So no one really knows what to expect, but on the flip side that is what makes it just as exciting.
School started today and it was crazy. I went to go do my weight workout and it took me ten minutes to find a parking spot. I ended up parking on the visitor’s side of the football field house. I had forgotten how packed the first day of school is because my graduate classes are always held in the evening. We have practice this afternoon at 3:15 and I am super curious to hear about everyone’s first day of school stories. There are always the stories about how “my schedule rocks and it’s going to be so easy.” Contrasting that there are the stories about “holy cow, I have to get out of this class.” Then there is my story – well, I didn’t have class today so all I did was run errands and wait for practice to come around.
Anyways, as you can see our season opener is just around the corner and I do have some preparation I need to do on the “team talk” that Rachel wolf and I are going to give prior to the games this weekend!!!
Go Texanns!!!
Shay
I honestly cannot believe that I just completed my last two-a-days as an athlete. I am a little sad, but my excitement about the start of our season - in four days - overwhelms the sadness. As we have finished two-a-days, things are finally coming together. The chemistry that we have been looking for was shining through on Saturday’s practice. Everyone walked away with a positive outlook following the practice.
I am very excited that we leave early Thursday morning (around 6 a.m.) and start our adventure towards Nebraska. I can’t wait to put on that purple jersey with “Tarleton” written on the back and represent the university the way that I know we can. The competition is going to be tough, but that is what we need to become prepared for conference play. Our conference is very strong and every win is worth it. Our first match in Nebraska is against Nebraska-Omaha. The match is going to be a little crazy simply because neither team has played each other before - and it is the first match of the season. So no one really knows what to expect, but on the flip side that is what makes it just as exciting.
School started today and it was crazy. I went to go do my weight workout and it took me ten minutes to find a parking spot. I ended up parking on the visitor’s side of the football field house. I had forgotten how packed the first day of school is because my graduate classes are always held in the evening. We have practice this afternoon at 3:15 and I am super curious to hear about everyone’s first day of school stories. There are always the stories about how “my schedule rocks and it’s going to be so easy.” Contrasting that there are the stories about “holy cow, I have to get out of this class.” Then there is my story – well, I didn’t have class today so all I did was run errands and wait for practice to come around.
Anyways, as you can see our season opener is just around the corner and I do have some preparation I need to do on the “team talk” that Rachel wolf and I are going to give prior to the games this weekend!!!
Go Texanns!!!
Shay
Saturday, August 15, 2009
"At the Net" - with Shay Gracy
The first week of two a days is over and it was moving along very smoothly - until the first session of workouts Wednesday morning. After all the preparation that was I put in over the spring and summer to prevent unwanted injuries, it still did not go as planned. I slipped and fell during a drill and reinjured my back. I was so frustrated because I slipped on a wet spot that was on the court instead of actually completing a volleyball skill. I have not been able to walk normally nor participate in any practices over the last three days. I was feeling really good on Friday morning, but was still not allowed to suit out and practice. I was a little disturbed about being held out again, but deep down I knew it was the best for my back. The coaches gave us off on Saturday, which I was super pumped about because that is two less practices that I will miss. I am hoping to be back on the court practicing Sunday afternoon
Sitting on the sidelines is extremely hard for me, even though, you do learn a lot from watching. It almost makes me angry because I want to be practicing with the girls and putting in all the hard work that they are putting in. I catch myself playing with a ball up against the wall and modifying the drills that are being done in practice so I can keep getting touches on the ball. I won’t lie - I am the athlete that always tries to find a way for me to get in some sort of practice when I am injured. Although, that was not the case with this injury as the trainers have put a short leash on me, :).
As a team, we are looking better each with every practice. We still have a lot of kinks to workout, but that is what practice is for. I can’t explain the amount of leadership that we have in this group of returners. Every single one of them are amazing. All nine of us are strictly about business on the court and we are not going to let anything get in our way of reaching our goal – Lone Star Conference Championship!!!!! The six new girls are fitting in more and more every day. It’s so funny because not only have we learned so much about the new girls in just a short span of one week, but the returners have learned so much more about each other as well.
Week Two begins on Monday and it is going to be very crucial. I pray that there will be no more injuries on our team - so that we can focus solely on what we need to do to win our first match in Nebraska.
Go Texanns!!!
ShayThursday, August 13, 2009
"At the Net" with Shay Gracy
Our season is finally here. No more lifting weights daily and running out in the hot sun on the football field. We are officially in our element - inside Wisdom Gym and on the Texann volleyball court. We have filled out all of our compliance papers, completed our annual physicals, and have finished four workouts in two days.
The first night of practice was absolutely awesome!! The energy in the gym was bouncing off every wall. Everyone was jumping out of their shoes, putting heat behind the ball when swinging, and touching balls that most wouldn’t usually be touched during the first workout.
I personally am super pumped about this season. There is a special feeling that over comes me when it comes to this volleyball team. We have nine returners and every single girl gives something special to this team. We are all extremely close - on and off the court. The six new comers are awesome and they have the potential to be the missing pieces to the puzzle in order for us to reach our goal of winning conference championship. We have a very tall team this year. It is so nice to look to my right and to my left and see five other girls just as tall as me. We are going to be huge this year on the front row and our back row defense is so quick nothing is going to get past us. We have the determination and the drive this year to bring home Tarleton's first-ever conference championship.
These last two days have been AWESOME!!!! Our first practice was the best first practice since I have been at Tarleton. It gives me chills when I think about it. I can’t wait to see what is going to happen this season. We are going to do great things and its going only up from here!
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