Post by Aikea on Dec 14, 2004 17:44:42 GMT -5
www.hawaiiathletics.com/diary.html?did=46&pid=12
So today, on this day of rest, all 17 Rainbow Wahine are truly at rest. It is two days after our loss to Wisconsin in five games ending with a score of 21-19. It was a rough night for us to say the least, because we knew we could have played better. Holding our heads high we fought back from being down two games while totally switching the lineup to utilize individual strengths. To say the least Dave reverted to his "Wahine Bag of Trix" putting in players off the bench that usually play very little. We utilized Tara in the back row where she played defense for Victoria, while Teisa added some stability and posed a threat in right front. Kelly Ong used her "height advantage" from the service line punching a tough floater at the Badgers, and Rae got her groove on in right back.
It is pretty amazing to look back and think of the first game, the excitement, confidence, and wonder that took place in the locker room as we prepared to begin the 2004 season. Those feelings will be unfamiliar the next time we run out onto the court of green and orange at the Stan Sheriff Center. Game after game we somehow managed to draw the community in, it may have been shock, but I think it was magic. There is something special about each and every girl on our team, something special about each and every play, and something special about each and every game. Thank you for those of you who fell in love with our team, because we have fallen in love for you and representing Hawaii. For two women they will never have that experience ever again.
Teisa Fotu was an incredible teammate; she joined our program last year with only one year of eligibility left, and left a huge mark in our hearts. She was not only the president of the local Kanak Attack club but a daily example of hard work and determination. Last year, she gave us wisdom from what she witnessed from the sidelines, but this year was very different. She started off with summer workouts getting after the weights and getting quicker in agilities every day. She was one of the lucky Island girls that reported to Tommy's weight four days a week at 8 a.m. May to August, at the end of the summer she maxed out cleaning over 165 lbs. When she needed extra motivation, Rae would encourage her by screaming, "You know sista we don't clean reds for nottin!" She continued to come up with big plays at key times, every time she was put into the game, and although her position on the depth chart may have been frustrating she never showed any signs of a negative attitude. I will always remember Teisa's silly comments, (I know she is going to kill me for writing that) the many times she cried during team meetings, her great real-life stories, and the way she was always there for any of her teammates. Thank you Teisa for being real, for being passionate, and for following your dream to be a Wahine.
Melody Eckmier has been through many generations of Wahine Volleyball, as some would say she was around for the Andrea Gomez-Jessica Sudith era, the Jen and Margret days, the Kim and Lily times, and finally the 2004 team. To say the very least she knows the ins and outs of Wahine volleyball, she could probably write a pretty lengthy gossip column. I know this year was the best for Melody, it was a team with no superstars, we were the real deal. It was a team that she led without being on the court during a year of frustration. There aren't many unselfish players such as Melody that could handle having two freshman play ahead of her. There were days when perhaps she was counting down the days until the end of the season but I know this team will never forget her and she will never forget us. Melody is a competitor under the big grin that she fronts to hide her discontent, I know that side of her. I know that after being injured in the beginning of the season and losing her starting spot she was willing to do whatever it took for the team to be successful even if it meant not playing. It couldn't have been easy, and I look at her with the deepest respect because there are not many people who would continue to be such a strong team leader day in and day out. She showed up every day to practice determined to get better, push herself and those of us around her to improve. Her knowledge of the game surpassed anyone on the court but she didn't flaunt it. That isn't Ody; she is a strong woman with a goal in life, and a man at her side. We will be looking in the stands for her familiar face next year, even though I know it will be hard for her to watch us, hold onto those jerseys Ody! I know Dave says it seems like you had the longest career in Wahine history but what's one more year?
Teisa and Melody aka Daisy and OD will be remembered as a Rainbow Wahine Forever in all of our hearts.
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined."
Henry Davis Thoreau
As for the rest of us, well be back again next year with high expectations!
"The secret of all success is commitment. No one ever received gained or accomplished anything in life without first being deeply committed to it."
Fredrick Douglas
So today, on this day of rest, all 17 Rainbow Wahine are truly at rest. It is two days after our loss to Wisconsin in five games ending with a score of 21-19. It was a rough night for us to say the least, because we knew we could have played better. Holding our heads high we fought back from being down two games while totally switching the lineup to utilize individual strengths. To say the least Dave reverted to his "Wahine Bag of Trix" putting in players off the bench that usually play very little. We utilized Tara in the back row where she played defense for Victoria, while Teisa added some stability and posed a threat in right front. Kelly Ong used her "height advantage" from the service line punching a tough floater at the Badgers, and Rae got her groove on in right back.
It is pretty amazing to look back and think of the first game, the excitement, confidence, and wonder that took place in the locker room as we prepared to begin the 2004 season. Those feelings will be unfamiliar the next time we run out onto the court of green and orange at the Stan Sheriff Center. Game after game we somehow managed to draw the community in, it may have been shock, but I think it was magic. There is something special about each and every girl on our team, something special about each and every play, and something special about each and every game. Thank you for those of you who fell in love with our team, because we have fallen in love for you and representing Hawaii. For two women they will never have that experience ever again.
Teisa Fotu was an incredible teammate; she joined our program last year with only one year of eligibility left, and left a huge mark in our hearts. She was not only the president of the local Kanak Attack club but a daily example of hard work and determination. Last year, she gave us wisdom from what she witnessed from the sidelines, but this year was very different. She started off with summer workouts getting after the weights and getting quicker in agilities every day. She was one of the lucky Island girls that reported to Tommy's weight four days a week at 8 a.m. May to August, at the end of the summer she maxed out cleaning over 165 lbs. When she needed extra motivation, Rae would encourage her by screaming, "You know sista we don't clean reds for nottin!" She continued to come up with big plays at key times, every time she was put into the game, and although her position on the depth chart may have been frustrating she never showed any signs of a negative attitude. I will always remember Teisa's silly comments, (I know she is going to kill me for writing that) the many times she cried during team meetings, her great real-life stories, and the way she was always there for any of her teammates. Thank you Teisa for being real, for being passionate, and for following your dream to be a Wahine.
Melody Eckmier has been through many generations of Wahine Volleyball, as some would say she was around for the Andrea Gomez-Jessica Sudith era, the Jen and Margret days, the Kim and Lily times, and finally the 2004 team. To say the very least she knows the ins and outs of Wahine volleyball, she could probably write a pretty lengthy gossip column. I know this year was the best for Melody, it was a team with no superstars, we were the real deal. It was a team that she led without being on the court during a year of frustration. There aren't many unselfish players such as Melody that could handle having two freshman play ahead of her. There were days when perhaps she was counting down the days until the end of the season but I know this team will never forget her and she will never forget us. Melody is a competitor under the big grin that she fronts to hide her discontent, I know that side of her. I know that after being injured in the beginning of the season and losing her starting spot she was willing to do whatever it took for the team to be successful even if it meant not playing. It couldn't have been easy, and I look at her with the deepest respect because there are not many people who would continue to be such a strong team leader day in and day out. She showed up every day to practice determined to get better, push herself and those of us around her to improve. Her knowledge of the game surpassed anyone on the court but she didn't flaunt it. That isn't Ody; she is a strong woman with a goal in life, and a man at her side. We will be looking in the stands for her familiar face next year, even though I know it will be hard for her to watch us, hold onto those jerseys Ody! I know Dave says it seems like you had the longest career in Wahine history but what's one more year?
Teisa and Melody aka Daisy and OD will be remembered as a Rainbow Wahine Forever in all of our hearts.
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined."
Henry Davis Thoreau
As for the rest of us, well be back again next year with high expectations!
"The secret of all success is commitment. No one ever received gained or accomplished anything in life without first being deeply committed to it."
Fredrick Douglas
