If you have ever seen the movie Ground Hog Day, you will have a better understanding of what the daily life is like for U.S. Women's Volleyball team. Wake up, breakfast (rice and beans), video, practice, lunch (rice and beans), nap, get ready for match, play a match, dinner (rice and beans), video, then bed. The players have been doing this for the past five days. It is game day everyday here at the Pan Am Cup.

Tonight are a lot of big matches, especially USA vs Brazil. You can feel it in the air, there is something different about tonight's match. The USA players know many of the Brazil players from playing against each other in the pro leagues. The scouting report is more detailed. The message from the coaches was great: worry about what we can control, be ready to grind, we do not have to play great volleyball, just good volleyball for a long time. I have been impressed with the chemistry of the team and staff. Lots of great communnication going on and a level of respect going both directions.

Laundry, something that can be taken for granted, but something that is very important. The players do their own laundry and include the staff. I had my lanundry handed to me today by Nicole Davis. It had to be one of my coaching highlights. It certainly helps me to appreciate what we a have for support at the college level.

As I mentioned earlier, rice and beans are the main staple. The players were asked to bring their own protein sources. The USA team was warned about eating the meat and chicken in Mexico due to high levels of steriods in the meat. This could cause a testing problem later on. I believe one of the USA female basketball players tested positive. So, it is rice and beans along with canned tuna.

Finally, credit must be given to the two most important people in Mexico. Our bus driver and Lalo (Eduardo). These two guys make sure the team gets where it needs to go and Lalo takes cares of any problems. They have been great. They make the trip much easier because they eliminate a lot of interference for the staff and team. When we win the Gold Medal, they will deserve their own medals.

On to Brazil, John