Aug. 11, 2001
This report was filed by Sarah Braga, a sophomore from West Hills, Calif. For other diaries from various players as the trip progresses, click here.
Today started off with an early sunrise. The coaches came in at 6 a.m. and gave us two minutes to be outside with our running shoes on. We had no time to brush our teeth or hair, or even to go to the bathroom. We were all shocked and had no clue what was going on. Aaron Shepardson and Frank Gray got a kick out of us all running around frantically trying to figure out what was happening. As soon as we walked outside, we were met by Jaimie Lee, who conditioned us for an hour. After that was over, we ate breakfast and got ready for our last practice at Sendai.
Practice was pretty light with just a few scrimmages. It was so humid in the gym that the floor was wet. We were slipping everywhere. The games started out rough, but ended on a good note and we won our last game. After we said our goodbyes to the teams, we rushed back to the dorms to get ready to leave for Yamagata.
The bus was so small that we were jammed in for the hour-and-a-half ride. Once we got to the hotel, we were so excited to all sleep in a bed. We got the rest of the day off to shop and see the town. We ended our night with another surpise: we went to an authentic Japanese Karaoke club. All the coaches got up and sang, and we had a really good time. However, by 9 p.m., we were all ready for bed.
Editor's Note: Head coach Brian Hosfeld stole the show at the Karaoke club with a rousing rendition of Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York." Perhaps he will treat Baylor fans to a verse or two at the Green and Gold Scrimmage. Make your plans to be at the Ferrell Center at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26. You never know.
Next Journal: Dana Chuha, Sr., S, Yorba Linda, Calif.
In the coming days: Senior MB Sunny Nicholas talks about the importance of this trip for the 2001 team and for the Baylor volleyball program. She will also talk about this trip being the beginning of the final year for this season's senior class.
Plus a report about Yamagata, Japan, and the team's host for this week, the Pioneer Red Wings.
