Nationals

I have done a ton of traveling in college due to athletics.  I added another state to my list- Florida.  I had the opportunity to coach San Diego State University Women’s Club Water Polo team at the Club National Championships two weeks ago.  The tournament was held in Tallahassee Florida by the Florida State. 

Before it all began

The trip had some very rough moments.  It started with a two hour delay out of San Diego.  This meant we were going to miss our connector in Houston.  Needing to be in Tallahassee by 8:00 for the coaches meeting was not going to happen.  So southwest re-routed us to Ft. Lauderdale- this would make so that we arrived as early as possible in Panama City.  The original itinerary had been leave SD arrives in Panama City Florida at 11:00 pm. Get our 15 passenger van and drive the 2 hours to Tallahassee.  This would allow for me to make it to the coaches meeting at 8:00 and the girls to sleep in since we were not playing till 5:20 that night. Well that was plan was scratched very quickly.  Instead we flew to Fort Lauderdale arriving at 2:30 in the morning and would have the 6:00 am flight to Panama City.  However since the delay was due to weather southwest could do nothing for us- and we were reminded we should be thankful they would even re-route us.  This was a bit much for me, we spent over $10,000 to fly 15 people across the country and should be grateful. The girls raised every dollar to make the trip and be able to compete for the National Championship. 

So we landed in Ft. Lauderdale where we were told we could spend the 4 hour layover they called it- sleeping in the empty airport.  Within five minutes of sitting down we were asked to leave the airport.  This did not sit well. We ended up being escorted out and having to sleep near baggage claim- the airport employee told us we were fortunate they were doing renovation or we would have been outside on the curb.  Needless to say the girls who at this point I was extremely worried about took it in stride.  Many finding a way to get some sleep on benches. At one point there was a wheel chair race and a crash.  Hopefully I can get some video for you all to see.  

Small glimpse into what happens at 3:00 am in airports

Making an attempt to sleep

I ended up staying up the entire night watching over them like a mother hen.  We then got up early to go back through security and hope for something to be open to sell us some food.  Catching the first flight of the day we stopped over in Orlando (we were not told about this stop) then on to Panama City.  Thankfully I slept the whole ride.  Upon landing we got the rental van and started the second portion of our journey by car.  After about two hours we arrived in Tallahassee and were able to check into our hotel.  The girls got about 2 hours of sleep there before we left for our first game.

The bracketing for this tournament was like nothing I had ever seen.  Basically if you lost a game you were screwed with no way to win your way in back door.  Playing ASU in the first game was not ideal- especially after traveling for over 20 hours and sleeping in baggage claim.  To say I was worried would be an understatement. Luckily the girls railed to win by 4 goals.  It was a good game for us and we fought hard against ASU.  By winning meant we could get back to the hotel and would play first thing in the morning against CAL Poly.  Who we had lost two only three weeks earlier in our conference championship.  Did I mention the bracket system sucked. 

Entrance to the pool

The game would start at 9:00 am.  The girls had the game secured at one point we were winning by three goals.  I regret not taking a time out when the momentum started to shift.  This is where my assistant coach would have been handy. Cal Poly just had more in the tank then we did and started to outplay us.  We would go behind and fight like hell but we unable to get the win.  With 19 seconds left and the chance to tie the game we were unable to score.  This was heart breaking.  It was the game of the tournament and we were playing it on the second day.  By losing we could no longer get better than 5^th place.  That was what sucked the most, we would never get the opportunity to play the teams that got 3^rd & 4^th (Michigan & University of Florida). Both teams in which I believe we could have beaten.

Coaching

We would then play later in the afternoon against a team St. Louis.  We would go on to win this game and every girl on the team would get to play.  This was not a fun game to watch as the other team played a style of water polo that is not well liked in the water polo community.  My girls would do a great job with composure and I think they learned something.  After the game I would receive a compliment from the ref for my ability to coach against a team with that style and the way my team handled that game. I found that to be a great confident booster. 

View of the pool

Since we had lost earlier in the day we would play for 5^th and 6^th Sunday morning against Cal State Santa Cruz who was in the same situation as us in losing to their conference rival Davis.  We would beat them to secure 5^thplace.  It was a great game to watch and a ton of fun to coach. This would end our season with another win. Having only lost to Cal Poly was not too bad since they had won 5 National Championships.  Still hard to face when we could have been playing for the entire title. 

                                             

It was great to be a part of the weekend.  This was the first time in club history that we had qualified for nationals.  And we had a great tournament and represented San Diego State to the best of our ability.  Would have loved to been able to win back out but oh well.  To play so well in our first tournament on that stage was awesome as a coach.  Plus I learned a few things.  Before leaving the tournament I was complimented by many of the coaches on doing such a great job with the program and having a team that was a true joy to play and have on the deck.  The ref’s also congratulated me on a great season and what a pleasure it was to ref a team that worked together and played great water polo.  Many of the coaches also asked what I thought of the bracket system- we all agreed it sucked.  Basically it is set up so that California schools don’t dominate and go 1-5. This leads me to believe they are not crowning a national champion just a tournament winner this particular weekend.  No matter we had a great tournament I had players up for all tournament 1^st and 2^nd team. I even received a nomination or two for coach of the year.  I was excited about that due in part because I think I was one of the best coaches there, was by far the youngest and one of only 3 female coaches. 

5th at Nationals!!

The girls had voted that there was no need to stay and watch the championship game so we headed for a quick trip through the campus and then to the beautiful beaches of Florida.  Driving through Florida State was fun.  The girls were taking pictures and referencing how different it is from San Diego State. Always fun to see different colleges.       

Florida State University

Football Stadium

We would go to St. George Island.  It was where they had shot the Sports Illustrated Swim Suit addition this year.  We thought why not see it.  We decided to take the scenic route- going up the coast on our way back to Panama City. It was a beautiful drive along the coast through cute little beach towns.  The girls loved it.  Once on the island we headed straight for the water.  We spent about 3 hours out at the beach.  It was so great to swim in the water. Man if California’s water was that temperature I would do a lot more open water swimming! The girls had a great time and seemed to really enjoy the day even if we had no won the tournament.  Plus had we been playing for the title we would have never gotten to go to the beach. So you win some & lose some. The girls overall seemed to be winning. 

Headed to the beach

Absolutely Beautiful!!!!

Enjoying the great weather & beautiful beaches

I enjoyed the sun as well!!

We would then finish our drive to Panama City another 50 miles.  Getting to the hotel with the plan to get 15 girls showered and dressed to head to dinner.  Only getting into our rooms to find they had yet to be cleaned. Traveling for us this particular weekend was not ideal.  The girls had planned to go out and party after dinner. Well funny story by the time we finished dinner they were exhausted.  Their coach was thankful!!

Monday would start early- we had the first flight out at 6:00 am.  Hoping our return trip would be smooth was thinking the Pacific Ocean would be warm when I got home.  We would end up with a 6 hour delay due to plane issues.  Once again Southwest was not very helpful or accommodating.  The girls again would take it with a smile (thankfully).  Each girl ended up with a $100 voucher which does not help us in terms of staying out of debt for next year.  But guess it will benefit them to travel somewhere down the road.  Wonder where I will go with my $100?? Any suggestions?

All in all I would say it was the travel portion of the trip was hell! Spent so much time in the airport it was horrible. Wish we could have won the whole thing or at least had the chance to really play for a title but if you don’t lose you don’t have to worry. We learned our lesson.  Plus first the program had qualified; I also believe it is the first time in San Diego State University women’s club sports history a team qualified for the national championship tournament.   So losing one game to a great time was not enjoyable but we earned our respect that we can play with the best in the country. Plus we left a great impression and memories to last a lifetime which was also important to me as there coach.