Nov. 1, 2010

It is Halloween back home and we all are reminded how much fun it is there with family and friends. The joys of little ghosts and witches roaming the neighborhoods in search of candy and treats. So from all of us here.... Happy Halloween!

Today is also somewhat of a holiday for us as we get our first scheduled rest day. We have had some long days lately. Our team was fortunate to get off to a good start at this World Championship with three victories over three very good teams in Thailand, Croatia and Germany. After a needed day off today, we will play two last matches in our first pool group against Kazakhstan and then Cuba. I am happy to report that with our three victories so far in this tournament we are now qualified to make it to the next round. That is of course rewarding, but not so important right now, as our team will spend the next few days focusing on the task at hand which is getting ready to play Kazakhstan and Cuba.

You may wonder what a rest day feels like during one of these long tournaments. The only thing restful is that we don't play a match. But the day is consumed with activities. We start with a practice later this morning on the main tournament court. Weight training is scheduled later in the day. Finally, a series of meetings all day to preview our upcoming matches and to analyze our own performances in the past few matches. Lots of film work. Lots of homework.

Many players will spend time in the training room getting therapy for bumps and bruises These are true professionals in every sense of the word. They take the task at hand very seriously. The coaching staff is also working non-stop to make sure that our team has as much accurate information as possible and to develop a game plan prior to every match. It is no mistake that when this team walks on to the floor they are ready to play at the highest level.

That's it for now. More to come as we continue through the tournament. Oh and one final favor, if you live in Laguna Beach and you see a five-year-old dressed in a Star Wars costume tonight, give him an extra piece of candy for me!