Aug. 15, 2001
This report was filed by Kara Kennedy, a freshman from New Braunfels, Texas. For other diaries from various players as the trip progresses, click here.
Hi everyone! How is it going? Things are great here. I am really having a good time. I didn't exactly know what to expect, but I'm adjusting well. The girls are being wonderful to me. I've never felt more welcomed or accepted. Volleyball is going well, too. I can see improvement on this trip alone, individually and as a team.
Well, it is Tuesday night here and I'm pretty worn out. We woke up this morning and had breakfast as a team at 8. The food is awesome here! I was hoping to drop a few pounds and just eat rice. That has definitely not happened. I'm eating very well ... sometimes too well. Anyway, breakfast consisted of bread, eggs, fruit, sausage and cereal -- Corn Flakes, actually! I usually drink a cup of coffee after each meal. Yummy!
After breakfast, we had to check out of the hotel where we've been the past two nights. It was very nice, by the way. We each had our own room, bathroom and bed! Did you get that? A BED, not a rice mat on the floor. I slept so well. We left at 8:45 for the Japanese Training Center for our 9-12 training session. This place is so nice. It is huge, too. We are training here the rest of the time and staying here, as well. The rooms have four beds each, but there are only three of us to a room. I'm with Tatiana Kenon and Laura Daniela Lloreda. They are so crazy and so much fun. They also say hello to everyone!
The morning session was good today. No A.C., but hey, it makes us tougher. The gym is unbelievable. It is so big and I feel so small playing in the middle of it. There is seating all around it, which makes it seem even bigger.
After our first session, we ate lunch in the dining hall. Wonderful! Huge, delicious buffet. There was some chocolate cake for dessert that really hit the spot. After lunch, we checked into the our rooms and rested until 2:30. Our next session was from 3 to 6:45. We warmed up for the first hour and then played the Pioneer Red Wings, a professional team. We did very well, actually. I saw definite improvement from Monday. One game we lost by only two points! We almost had them! It was exciting to feel the energy that game created. Hopefully we can feel that every time we play.
Dinner was at 7 and then we went to our rooms to shower. The showers here are community, but they are so awesome. After you clean, there is a huge hot tub to sit in and soak your sore body. It feels wonderful!
Tonight, we got great news ... tomorrow's practice is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then we get the rest of the day off. We are going to a spa in the afternoon! How cool is that? After tomorrow, we have only one more day of training. It's going by so fast. I've really had fun, though, and I am most excited about being a part of Baylor volleyball.
Before I go, I just want to say hello to Mom, Dad and Kyle. I miss you guys a lot and have thought about you everyday. Mom, your notes have really kept me going. Thanks a lot! Also, hello to Ashley. I know you've been online and reading the journals. I really miss you girl. You are about to start volleyball at Trinity. Good luck and have fun! Hi Jared! Miss you buddy. Hope Doug is treating you well. Ryan, don't work too hard now! Miss you.
Well, I can't wait to see everyone again. I am having fun, though. I am looking forward to coming home to tell all about my first experience with college volleyball. So far, I love it. It's tough, but I love a challenge. So bring it on!!!
Talk to you soon,
Kara Kennedy
Next journal ... Carol Selman, Sr., MB, Pflugerville, Texas
