"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
I have to admit life has always given me many opportunities, but I also think it depends on each one of us to help make things happen. This is one of the best examples. I was comfortable with my life in Rome working for Volleyrò, a prestigious volleyball club that focus on the juniors program, and waiting for my change of federation paperwork to come along when, once again, life presents itself with a new opportunity: go to Switzerland for 45 days, play some good volleyball, have the chance to play an European Championship, make some money and new friends and say you've added one more great experience to your life.
Many people would not even considered the opportunity as they may be scared of what will happen next. Will you still have your job when you get back? What if they ask you to stay longer? What if...? What if...? I'm not a "what if" person. I'm the kind that takes life into her own hands and moves on... and so I did this time again (with the help of the people at Volleyrò and in my personal life) and went full-throttle on this new adventure.
Links:
Schaffhausen, Munot and Zurich
Schwerin, more on Schaffhausen and the farewell dinner
December 13th 2009 - Closing notes
The return at home for the CEV cup wasn't as expected. We fought again for the first two games but once again Schwerin's strong serve broke us at the right times and they took it for a convincing 3-0.
The Toggenburg game was a different story. We went expecting not to have to work too hard to brake them but we encounter a strong opponent willing to keep at home some points. As we struggled a bit during the first game we were able to make the right adjustments and take home the victory in straight sets (24-26, 19-25, 15-25).
After the game our fans took us for a great dinner at Schaffhausen and as a farewell present I got an original Victorinox, lots and lots of chocolates and a team picture signed by the girls. I only have to say thank you for the opportunity to have lived another great life experience, see more of the world, meet amazing people and keep playing volleyball!!!
BIS BALD!! (see you soon)
December 7th 2009 - A lot of games, not so much success.
After a couple of perfect weeks we run into defeat. We went to Schwerin (Germany) to play the first game of the CEV Cup but could not come back with the victory. A physically strong team, Schewrin showed a strong serve and an outstanding side-out game that we could not match up. Their experience to close the games really showed the difference and we returned to Switzerland after fighting all 3 games (30-28,25-23, 25-17) in front of 2300 spectators.
Then back to Switzerland, and again for the regular LNA league, we played Koniz, first place team at their home on Saturday 5th and after another long game, and after coming from a 2-0 deficit, we couldn't take the victory home and left empty handed (25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 26-28 and 15-10).
Just in case we didn't have enough volleyball last week, we also played 1/8 of finals for the Swiss Cup against Bellinzona. This time we showed a couple of loses are not enough to take us down and we are ready to fight back (25-20, 25-17, 25-17).
Now the rematch against Schwerin this Wednesday at home and then Toggenburg at their place on Saturday for the league.
November 14th 2009 - Good start!
Not a bad start with two games won 3-0! First game against Biel Bienne away was a great start and helped the team get organized after only 5 days working together. We went there and imposed our game. We played our middle game and blocked consistently and took the 2 points home with a clear 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-18).
Second game at home against Dudingen. A bigger team but with a lot of passing problems that we took advantage of. We served very well and played with our young outsides who did a great job. No problems on my first home game in front of a great crowd, about 200 people I think, that were very supportive. 3-0 (25-16, 25-12, 25-20).
Now is time to REGENERATE (as it says our schedule) and back to the court on Monday to prepare for Chesaux.
