Sarah Drury's US National Volleyball Team Training Diary
February 18, 2003 | Women's Volleyball
Feb. 18, 2003
Hello from the USA National Volleyball Training Center in Colorado Springs.
Upon arriving in Colorado Springs, the weather was amazing. It was probably in the high 50's, low 60's. As I walked out of the airport I immediately saw mountains everywhere, Pike's Peak to be exact. It was beautiful.
That day I met all 12 girls that would be my new team for the next 3 months. They all were very nice and comforting. They helped me out a lot the first day. The Olympic Training Center campus is beautiful. They just built a new Olympic-sized swimming pool that is so beautiful. The dorms that I am staying in are very nice and pretty big.
But the best of part of this whole place is the DINING HALL. It is awesome.You can go in there at anytime and get almost any kind of food you can imagine.(Of course, my personal favorite is the ICE CREAM. It's delicious & since they offer it -it must be healthy?!? I have some at least once a day, how pathetic. I guess it can't hurt, as much as we workout, right?)
The next day, January 30th I started practices. "Two-a-days" are 8:30-12 and 3-6 every single day. It is like UofL's pre-season for 3 months straight.The first weekend was very quick. We had a USA High Performance Seminar where we had to practice in front of about 40-50 coaches. So we were completely thrown into new drills we had never done before and expected to do them right. It was good for all of us newcomers because we were forced to catch on quick or we would look really silly. I felt pretty comfortable in the practices. I was also very lucky to have a friendly face nearby. Ron Kordes, Assumption High School's Volleyball Coach, was at the seminar and he made me feel so much better just to see a familiar face in such an unfamiliar setting.
The first three days of two-a-days were finally over and we got Sunday off for our bodies to recover and, believe me, we all needed it.
After week two I felt much more comfortable on the court. Although I was being taught many different techniques,I felt that I was really getting the hang of it. The coaches are great and they always find a way to motivate you even in the most boring drills.
So far it has been a great experience, something I will NEVER forget - my whole life. Of course I miss the community of Louisville because of all the support you all have given me. Luckily all of that support has extended 1500 miles, all the way out to Colorado Springs. I have received many encouraging e-mails from our huge support staff in Louisville-especially my Cardinal teammates and family. I cannot even begin to express my appreciation for all of you back HOME.
Thank you so much & GO CARDS!
Sarah Drury
