Sept. 16, 2004

Dear Diary -

Another week goes by, and we are currently 9-1. The UTA Invitational was really exciting because we got to see some really good competition. We were a little bummed about our first loss of the season to Alabama, but it was one of those games where everyone gave all they could and just came up short. I was really pumped about our final game of the tournament against Indiana. It was awesome to beat a Big 10 team in three games. The thing about beating all these "big" and "nationally respected" teams is that those wins don't mean anything once you get to conference play - and that is where we find ourselves.

Texas State - well first off, the weather in San Marcos was terrible. You know that Houston humidity everyone always complains about calling it "the armpit of Texas?" Well, times that by about ten and that will give you the kind of humidity we faced at the home of the Bobcats.

Challenge number two was playing the second ranked team in the Southland Conference. I'm going to quote Heather Dunn here by summing up the match in one word: "CLUTCH." Beating Texas State in three on their home floor was a definite victory. I laughed a lot that night and I could elaborate more but I don't think the athletic department would appreciate me mercilessly making fun of other schools so I'll just leave it at that :). I don't think we even played our very best, so I know we should be able to continue winning conference matches.

Well after my first week's installment, I received a question via email. Hannah asked how I manage to balance schoolwork, practicing, traveling, and socializing. The truth is, volleyball does seem to take up the majority of my time. The good thing is I really love my team so its not miserable or anything. Managing schoolwork is simply self-discipline. Our coaches require us to go to class and be on time, but we have to study on our own whenever we can, whether we are home or on the road. As far as socializing goes, the girls and I still manage to have a good time. It can be hard to hang out with my friends outside of volleyball and my boyfriend sometimes. Basically it all comes with the territory because we all give up so much of our time to this sport. It is rough keeping up with everything but the reward is huge and I wouldn't trade playing here at UTA for anything. So Hannah, thanks for the question and I'm hoping to get more "fan mail"-haha.

Here's where I shout out to my team, "Love to buck `em!"

-#6 Ellen Murray GO MAVS!