Post by bwparker1 on Nov 22, 2005 12:55:55 GMT -5
A local reporter battles with the Penn State Women's Team
Seeing the sport from a whole new angle
Gordon Brunskill is a sports writer for the Centre Daily Times.
Talk about playing way out of my league.
I knew exactly what I was getting myself into, I knew it would be difficult -- I just hoped it wouldn't be dangerous.
At least the bruises have finally faded.
After watching numerous volleyball matches over the years, I wanted to get in there and really see how hard members of the Penn State teams could hit the ball.
The original intent was to write about the men who assist the women's team, but with the blessings of the coaches, I strapped on the knee pads and stepped between the lines. My thanks to both women's coach Russ Rose, whose No. 2-ranked squad finishes the regular season this weekend at Michigan and Michigan State before chasing after an NCAA title, and men's coach Mark Pavlik, whose season begins in January as they go after a ninth straight national semifinal appearance, for not laughing me out of the gym.
First, a couple of observations.
There is a reason why these men and women have scholarships and are constantly ranked among the nation's best. Part of it is their talent and part is because of the coaches pushing every player to their limit and beyond.........
Seeing the sport from a whole new angle
Gordon Brunskill is a sports writer for the Centre Daily Times.
Talk about playing way out of my league.
I knew exactly what I was getting myself into, I knew it would be difficult -- I just hoped it wouldn't be dangerous.
At least the bruises have finally faded.
After watching numerous volleyball matches over the years, I wanted to get in there and really see how hard members of the Penn State teams could hit the ball.
The original intent was to write about the men who assist the women's team, but with the blessings of the coaches, I strapped on the knee pads and stepped between the lines. My thanks to both women's coach Russ Rose, whose No. 2-ranked squad finishes the regular season this weekend at Michigan and Michigan State before chasing after an NCAA title, and men's coach Mark Pavlik, whose season begins in January as they go after a ninth straight national semifinal appearance, for not laughing me out of the gym.
First, a couple of observations.
There is a reason why these men and women have scholarships and are constantly ranked among the nation's best. Part of it is their talent and part is because of the coaches pushing every player to their limit and beyond.........
