Greetings from Gainesville, Fla. I’m out in the Sunshine State swampland for the 2009 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship. Forgive me if I spell everything out as if I’m writing one of my match recaps or something. I’m in a mode these days.
Just one week ago, I was in Columbus, Ohio, for the first and second rounds of this postseason tournament. The Cal volleyball team won both of those matches and advanced to face an upset-minded Baylor team in the Gainesville Regional semifinal, which takes place tomorrow afternoon. As difficult as it is to be away from April when the team is in season, and as taxing as living out of a suitcase and doing work from sun up to sun down can sometimes be, I really do enjoy myself in these situations. And for that, I am truly thankful. Life is too short to not enjoy your day-to-day.
I’m having a hard time adjusting to the Eastern Standard Time that we’re operating on even after returning to the Bay from Ohio last week. Of course, if the team wins its next two matches, we drive down the road to Tampa, Fla. for the NCAA national semifinal. That would mean I could be away from home for as many as 12 straight days. I mentioned to someone on this trip that it’s been both unnerving and exciting at the same time to not know whether we’re going to be away for four days or 14 days. I’ve learned over the years to take things in stride and much like the team, I’m still kicking.
At Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.