Michele Matyasovsky
Oct. 21, 2002 -- Hey everyone! Well, I sat at my computer for a while trying to think about how I would start my first diary
entry. The first thing that came to mind was to talk about preseason because it was such a memorable one!
As much as I love to do sprints with coach (Jeff) Howser (and those of you who know me really do know that I love to do his workouts), my memories from this preseason did not come from our difficult training. I have decided to make a list of my favorite things that have made the beginning of my senior year so great:
1. Understanding Jessica Foley's Australian accent and her new terms. This has been so much fun and I know it will continue for the rest of the year! Jess has the Aussie accent that everyone wishes they had! Because I'm obsessed with her country, and I will definitely live there one day, I decided to try and pick up on a few of her terms and incorporate them into my vocabulary. The fist word is dodgy, an adjective meaning "not so good," according to Jess. For example, "that restaurant is dodgy." The second word is cupboard, a noun meaning your locker area. For example, "I have placed my basketball shoes in the cupboard." The third word is jumper, a noun meaning a warm cover-up (or a sweater). For example, "It is really cold outside, let me get my new jumper." Since I have been learning some of these words, I have secretly been trying to get Jess to incorporate the word "dude" and "y'all" into her vocabulary. I'll let y'all know how it goes!
2. The day Iciss Tillis wore Jess' body suit to class. This may have been one of the funniest things I have ever seen while walking across campus. Jess' mom sent her old uniform to her, which is basically a blue body suit. It is sleeveless and comes down right
above the knee. One day during sprint workouts, Iciss decides to put it on. We decided that we would bet Iciss that she wouldn't wear it to class the next week. Well, of course she did and it was hilarious! Not only did she wear the blue body suit to class, but
she wore it with a pair of white high heeled shoes!!! From about 200 yards away, all you could see was a 6-foot-4 black girl in a blue unitard, white shoes, carrying a Coach purse!!! People are still talking about it on campus!
3. Our pool workouts. Now this is probably one of the greatest workouts we have during preseason. Every Wednesday, we swim because it is an excellent non-impact, cardio workout. I consider myself a fairly good swimmer, but there are those people that
definitely struggle. Struggle might be too nice of a word. Let's just say that they can't swim! Although there are a few of these non-swimmers on our team, Alana Beard is by far my favorite to watch. Her swimming attire consists of a cream-colored swim cap
to protect her hair (and sometimes she puts plastic wrap underneath it for added protection), a blue Styrofoam flotation device and black flippers. She only knows one stroke, the doggy paddle. And although it is absolutely hilarious to watch, it is so awesome
and cute because she tries so hard to keep her head above the water. When we do relay races, I always try and get her on my team because those flippers are a key!! Next year I would not be surprised if she comes back as an Olympic swimmer because she plans on training with Jess and Brooke in the pool!!
Well everyone, I hope you enjoyed reading about my memorable preseason moments! I'll let you know about the progress of my Australian vocabulary in my next entry! |
|
Caitlin Howe
Oct. 27, 2002 -- We all made it through the first week of practice! On Oct. 15, we began the 2002-03 season. Coming into the practice, not knowing what to expect, I was nervous. We began with a defensive circuit, which set the tone for the practice, which was intense with an emphasis on defense. The intensity level remained high for the entire session (just less than three hours). Physically, the practices are demanding, but they are more mentally challenging because of the level of intensity and focus that coach (Gail) Goestenkors demands of each player for the entire practice. We have learned a lot over the past week, but as Coach G is constantly reminding us, we have a long, long way to go.
Friday night, some of my teammates and I decided to take a trip to the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh. (Don't all Division I basketball players celebrate the end of their first week of practice by paying 50 cents to see the world's largest pig? Well, if they don't, they should reconsider because this animal was amazing; over 1,100 pounds of pork!) We enjoyed walking around but mostly we just bought food -- it was delicious. Sheana Mosch, the lone senior among us, demonstrated her veteran savvy by spending the least money and getting the most food. She knew that our eyes were bigger than our stomachs and she was willing and able to "help" us underclassmen out.
One of the highlights of my weekend was a visit from some special people from my hometown (Fairport, N.Y.). (Duke men's) Coach Mike Krzyzewski held his annual coaches clinic and the majority of the boys basketball program from my high school attended. I think they all enjoyed seeing Cameron Indoor and they learned a lot from Coach K. Thanks for the meal, Scott!
Everyone on the team is sore (I know at least I am) but we're rearing to go. This team has so much potential to be great. We just have to work our butts off in order to realize this potential. Our exhibition games are quickly approaching but they will be a good test for us.
Oct. 15, 2002 -- Hello everyone! Hopefully, I can share some insight into the lives and times of the Duke women's basketball team this season. But first, let me introduce myself.
My name is Caitlin Howe. I am a freshman from Rochester, N.Y. I will tell you about my family now because I'm sure I will write about them this season (this also helps to explain my personality because I am fourth out of six kids). We are often called the Brady Bunch because we have three girls and three boys. My family is my inspiration. My parents are probably the most amazing people I know, but as you might have guessed, a little crazy (they did have six kids!).
Speaking of my mom, she and my high school coach, Karen Thull, came to visit me this weekend because Duke had fall break. Jessica, my teammate from Australia, and I were the lone team members of the basketball team still on campus because the rest went home. The next chance we'll get to go home will be Christmas (for only two days). We start practice officially on Tuesday night. I'm a little nervous, but mostly just excited. Every time I think about practice starting on Tuesday, I can't help but smile. We could have started earlier according to NCAA rules but Coach G wanted to give us a few days off between preseason and starting practice.
Preseason consisted of lifting weights (three times a week), playing pick-up, and vigorous conditioning (both in the pool and on land). Unfortunately, for most of preseason, I was limited to watching and cheering on my teammates from on top of a stationary bike due to injuries. I spent more time with Joe Angus, the women's' basketball trainer, and the rest of the medical staff than anyone else on campus. We joked that I should move my mattress into the training room! I was really proud of how my teammates consistently worked hard and kept a positive attitude, especially when preseason got hard. I think our strength and conditioning coaches, William Stephens and Jeff Houser, did a great job getting us physically prepared for the season to come. I can't wait to start practice -- we will all be challenged.
|
