Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009

Today was our first match at 9 am against the local Australian team. Thank goodness we were able to squeeze in a practice the previous night because the ball moves differently here. It has a lot more movement on serves and we have had to adjust our passing to compensate for that anomaly. The net height is international regulation height for women, so we also needed to make an adjustment from what we are accustomed to at our USAV masters events.

The Australian team was a very nice group of ladies, but clearly our U.S. team was stronger, taller and more experienced at international play. We played solid volleyball from the first whistle and took the first set 25-2 and the second 25-8. Outstanding performances were turned in by Laura Coleman with 14 consecutive serves. Our team had minimal unforced errors and Linda McClellan and Shawn Hoover immediately connected on running the middle, with multiple set options included several impressive slides. Karin Thomsen also had an awesome game converting Shawn’s outside sets into numerous great spikes from the left side hitting position.

Tournament play was finished up early on Sunday to accommodate the Opening Ceremonies. All competitors were required to report to one stadium for “marshaling” and then all 25,000 participating athletes migrated in a 10 person wide human train to the adjoining Anz Stadium where the official ceremony took place. The sight of watching the mass of humanity walking at a snails pace the quarter mile between the stadiums was unbelievable. Everyone was snapping photos, talking and singing their national songs in attempt to entertain themselves and others as the process took several hours to culminate.

The official Opening Ceremony was kicked off with the entrance on the field of the competitor parade which resembled the incoming march of the Sydney 2000 Olympians. And we were all overwhelmed when we emerged from the underground tunnel to the roar of the crowd as each sport was announced. The event then proceeded with a native Aboriginal welcoming ceremony, followed by official speeches, the raising of the event flag, reading of the Games Oath and concluding in an impressive concert. We ended the night dancing in the isle and on our chairs to rock and roll songs of the past from 4 different singers. A great time was had by all.

Tomorrow we play 2 different Brazil teams which look to be a challenge…

Toni Clubb