Editor's note: Ball State's Tamara Bowie, a former Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, is sharing a diary with ESPN.com for the third consecutive season.

Nov. 20, 2002

	Bowie

Hello, my faithful. It is me ... I am back for my last time around. I've missed you guys since last season. I feel like we have grown so close throughout the years.

Well, it's finally my senior year and I am the only senior on the team. That might be scary to some people, but to me, it's fun. I like the pressure of having everyone looking up to me and counting on me.

We had our first game against Kansas State in the Preseason WNIT. There is only one word I can think to describe our loss -- "broke." We couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Twenty-nine percent shooting from the field has to be a record low for our team in my four years at Ball State. But a wise person (she knows who she is) once told me, "When you're on, shoot... when you're off, shoot till you're on." And that is exactly what my team will do.

Overall, I thought it was a good game. It was a battle back and forth for most of the game. Unfortunately, we fell short in the end.

I have to take time to thank my teammates for the wonderful experience. I love my teammates. They have no fear and all the confidence in the world. We have five freshmen and two transfers. Let's just say that with seven newcomers, we have come a LONG way since the first day of practice. And I know we will continue to get better as a team.

I don't have much to say about my life. As any student-athlete knows, I go to class and then I practice. If I am not tired by the end of the day, I try to do some homework. I did get to see my mom last week and that is always a plus. I hadn't seen her in three months and probably won't see her again until Christmas break.

Well, I hope everyone is doing alright and I wish you all good luck in your respective upcoming seasons. I'll holla back next time.

One Love,
Bowie

To read Bowie's previous diary entries on ESPN.com, click here.