NAIA Nationals Insider Special
The Lady Cavs women's volleyball team wanted to give all of the fans an "Insider Special" look behind the scenes of the program's first trip to the NAIA National Championships in Columbia, Missouri.
Head coach Steve Dallman and senior defensive specialist Cara Hamilton will provide daily insights in their experiences from Missouri.
Please check back daily or more often depending upon how often they email their daily journal to get the insiders look into the trip.
Trip Photo Page
Defensive Specialist
Cara Hamilton |
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Day 4 - Matches vs. Lewis-Clark & Texas-Brownsville (Nov. 29th)
We played the #9 team Lewis and Clark this morning. We lost 3-0, but we should have won at least one game off of them. However, I was pleased because we still played as a team and were constantly encouraging. At 3:45 we played University of Texas Browsnville. We lost 3-0. We played great the first two games and lost with close scores.
After the game there were a lot of mixed emotions. I realize we have had an unbelievable season and no one expected us to make it this far. At the same time I also realize I will never play volleyball again. More importantly, I will never wear a Lady Cav uniform.
I came into this program expecting to be an average team. This team has exceeded my expectations and made the journey worthwhile. I am so blessed to have such amazing teammates and coaches. I believe that this trip to the National Tournament will set the standard for furture UVA-Wise volleyball teams. The girls now see the level they need play in order to compete with these teams.
Being part of the Cavalier volleyball team has been a great experience and I believe greater things are in store for this program. It has been a true honor to play for Coach Dallman and I have been so blessed to have such amazing teammates.
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Day 3 - 1st Match vs. #2 Cal Baptist (Nov. 28th)
We woke up early this morning to play the #2 team, California Baptist. After we got our jitters out of the way, we played well. I believe that we can give the two other teams in our pool a good, tough match. The opening ceremonies were also tonight. It was so exciting. We walked out with a spotlight and music. After the introductions the Missouri high steppers came out and perfromed. It was so awesome. Today was an eventful day. We will be up early for games tomorrow too. We play #9 team, Lewis and Clark in the morning then University of Texas-Brownsville in the afternoon. Hopefully we will play to our full potential.
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Day 2 - First Full Day/Day before 1st Match (Nov. 27th)
Today was a busy day. We had to wake up early for practice and our picture in front of the National Championship banner. We had a good, productive practice. After that we helped with a Champions of Character clinic with the local elementary school.
We then went to eat lunch with our host parents. They are locals that are sponsoring and taking care of us. They were extremely nice and friendly people. We came back for a quick nap before the banquet. At the banquet we got to meet the other teams. Then we attended a praise and worship service, which was good for team bonding.
Even though today was hectic and busy, it was an exciting day.
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Day 1 -
Trip to Missouri
I guess it all hit me today. This is so exciting and amazing. I can't even put into words what this experience has already meant to me. Today was a long and tiring day which mainly consisted of traveling. We drove past University of Louisville stadium and the stadium where the Kentucky Derby is held. We also saw the St. Louis arch, which was very exciting. The land here is so flat, you can see for miles.
When we arrived at the hotel in Columbia we had care packages waiting for us in our rooms. They each had a volleyball, shirt, and things for school. After unpacking we looked around at the hotel and took pictures of the National Championship welcome signs. This is all so amazing and such a great experience. Tomorrow will be a busy day with practice, meetings, and the National banquet.
I am excited to see what else is in store for us.
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Head Coach
Steve Dallman |
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Day 4 - Matches vs. Lewis-Clark & Texas-Brownsville (Nov. 29th)
Well our run has come to an end. As exected all the Calif international teams will be battling it out for the chamionshi. Chancellor prior and Faculty re Tom Costa were there with us at the end and saw our team continue to fight and do their best. We played well but was not enogh against all the older international players we faced. We did represent our university first class and were told we are on eof the few teams under consideration for Champion of Character award for the tournament and they will let us knowby Saturday. The seniors took the game their last real hard.Katilyn Collins came up big the last few matches . That was a nice surprise.Everyone got to play and the experience they had here will never be forgotten.I am so proud of what this team accomplished this year when no one but us thought possible. We are going to stop in St Louis today on way home and enjoy some sights. Thanks to oall our loyal fans and supporters. You made the ride awesome. We will take a few weeks off and start our offseason workouts to try to do this again.To my seniors,I love you with all my heart and appreciate so much what you have done for me and this program.It has been an honor to coach each of you. As i shook each parents hand their and told them it was an honor to coach their daughter. We hav egreat support from the top down and to all of you who have helped us I truly thank you. It has been an honor and a privelege to represent UVA WIse. We all promise to continue to work hard and build on this. We hope to see alot of you at our victory celebration banquet in Jan. It will be good to get home to Wise tonight around 11pm or so. Signing off from the NAIA National Championships in Columbia ,Mo . |
Day 3 - 1st Match vs. #2 Cal Baptist (Nov. 28th)
We had early mrn breakfast at McDonalds and headed to our first match against Cal Baptist #2 in country. We were extremely nervous the first game and lost 30-10.Second game was alittle better 30-12 and by 3rd game we totally played and pushed the hard 28-30 was the result. We earned alot of respect by how hard we played and people were commenting everywhere how well we played and we were the team that upset King to get here. Hopefully we can get a good start tommorrow because we can beat the other 2 teams in our pool if we play our top game. Had lunch at Subway and girls have gone shopping at mall. Later we will have team studyhall and opening ceremonies tonight Very proud how classy our girls have been on and off the court.They really stepped it up the last game and almost took a game from the #2 team who had international older Olympic players on it. Look forward to tonight's ceremony and tommorrow's games.
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Day 2 - First Full Day/Day before 1st Match (Nov. 27th)
Been a busy day with team pic,practice,clinic and lunch with our host parents here. Banquet tonight. Leeza and Britney named Academic All Americans and will be honored tonight.Our host arents Fran and Gene were awesome. Practice went well and team seems to be having good time and focused on task at hand. Baquet is later and we look forward to ool place starting tommorrow. |
Day 1 - Trip to Missouri (Nov. 26th)
We had a very nice safe ride and got here alittle earlier. Got some great pics of the arch at St louis. Hotel is awesome and girls are very excited. Ate at hotel tonight and long day ahead for tommorrow. We apreciate all the support letters and packages we received today. We are up early for practice,clinic and banquet tommorrow.
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