Feb. 15, 2011
Buenos dias from Puerto Rico! I probably shouldn't say this considering the current weather in Columbia, but it's a beautiful day! About 85 degrees and sunny! I have been in Puerto Rico for about and month now and I have to admit that I am really enjoying myself. The people are great, I really like the team and coaches, and our apartment is 5 minutes away from the Palmas Del Mar resort (the largest resort in Puerto Rico.)
I am definitely happy with the decision to come back and play again. I know some of you may be thinking, "....but she took 2 whole years off, can she still play?" Let me say, I am pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was able to pick it back up. I worked extremely hard to get back into physical shape before I came down here and it has paid off. Of course it has taken a little bit of time to get my consistency back in terms of setting location along with making the proper adjustments to different hitters, but I have been able to adapt pretty quickly. The team has named me the captain, so I find myself in yet another leadership role; a role that in not easy, but one I am excited about.
We are about 3 weeks into the season and our team is getting better every day. We have all the necessary tools to be a great team, just need me to be able to put all the elements together. Thankfully, the season is pretty long so we have time. There are 2 other Americans currently on the team, in addition to myself. It is great to be able to have other Americans to share my experience with. The league consists of 10 teams spread across the island. We play each team at least 3 times over the course of the season. The league actually kind of reminds me of the Big 12 Conference in that any team can beat any other team on any given night. It's a highly competitive league, which I love. So in a nutshell, that's really what's it's all about. Each day I am living the life as a professional volleyball player, working hard to get better as a player, and doing the best I can to make the team successful.
Even though the weather is nice outside and I don't have practice until 7pm, today is a bittersweet for me. Today I am being inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. I am not able to attend the ceremony, but my parents are going to be there to accept the award on my behalf. Being accepted into the Hall of Fame is something that I have dreamt of and something I never thought would happen at this point in my life. It is beyond doubt, a true blessing. I can say with confidence that it would not even be possible if it weren't for the support I have received from my family, teammates, coaches, athletic department and community at Mizzou. I truly cannot put into words how much it means to me and I am humbled to be amongst so many Mizzou Greats. So, all the way from Puerto Rico, Go Tigers!