Nov. 15, 2010

As we sit here in Korea waiting for our connecting flight back to the USA, I have time to reflect on a whirlwind three weeks in Japan. We competed against the best teams in the world. The team also had the opportunity to play against Japan in front 12,000 partisan fans at Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo. In the end, the USA walked away with 4th place out of 24 teams. That of course is a success considering our youth and inexperience on a stage of this magnitude. Are we disappointed that we did not medal? Sure. We had our chances and came up short on just a couple of points here or there. That's really all it is, a couple of points at critical junctures. That small margin at this level means the difference between first and fourth.

Our team is young and talented. Experiences like these will only make this team better. The future is bright. We are only halfway through the quad and positioned well to make a run at 2012. The 7-4 record with close losses to eventual medalists Russia, Brazil and Japan and another close loss to a fifth-place Italy reminds us that there is still much to do. For now, the players are off to play for their clubs all over the world and the coaches will take time to review the year and make plans for next year.

It has been my great pleasure to be in the gym with this team for the last year. Their progress has been impressive to say the least. They work extremely hard and are continuing to learn how to play together as a team. I feel confident they will only get better. We all leave here knowing that the best is still to come.

On a personal note, I want to thank the coaches for letting me be part on the inner circle. I also want to thank the players for their trust and friendship. Mostly, I want to thank my family for their understanding while I took this journey. To all of you who followed this blog I hope you will continue to support this great team. America can be proud of this team. Not only as players, but as representatives of the very best qualities that make our country great. Bye for now.

As always, Go USA!

Kenny Sullivan