2002 Orange Beach Preseason Diary
2/24/2005 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
2002 Orange Beach Preseason Diary
by Kim Zarzour (Senior Co-Captain)
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After an afternoon of traveling we have arrived in Orange Beach. Every year I’ve come to Orange Beach for preseason, I have a different feeling in my stomach. This year’s feeling beats all of the other years. I have a newfound excitement, leadership, and confidence. Although I’m much more at ease, I’m not quick to forget the way I felt my freshman year. I was terrified and intimidated. This is why my main goal as a leader is to help the freshmen feel welcome and included as a part of the family. The rooms are diverse in that they are comprised of someone from every class. This mix of experience and all degrees of anxiety is the perfect formula for making everyone feel accepted. Plus the fact that we are at a beautiful beach breaks the tension that goes along with preseason.
Tomorrow morning is our first fitness test, the 1100 yard run. Everyone is nervous, including me, but with the nerves comes excitement. I can only hope that everyone works hard tomorrow, because it is a given the actual soccer is never pretty the first day back. I will pray tonight that I don’t hear the words, “On the line!” tomorrow.
TUESDAY 8/13/02
As a team we successfully made it through our first practice. We heard the dreaded words “On the line!” a few times. Each time we did our sprints, learned our lesson, and tried again. Everyone passed the 1100-yard fitness test with flying colors. It’s apparent everyone worked hard this summer because the fitness level was much higher than usual. Taking the time to get fit over the summer is a true test of dedication. A normal student during the summer break is able to be more flexible with their time, but not an athlete. My typical summer day consisted of working from 8:00 to 5:00, whether that was soccer camps or office work. I would run and workout at either 6:00 a.m. or 6:00 p.m., depending on my ability to get my butt out of bed. Let’s just say my social life suffered. Luckily I have an understanding boyfriend... OK, I’m getting sidetracked.
After fitness with Jesper, Rena and Chase took over. The first hour was ball work, then we got into some tactical drills, which were very game-like and I thoroughly enjoyed them. Then came the first scrimmage of the 2002 preseason. I was thrilled to be surrounded by a squad of talented, hard working, competitive girls. Having a healthy dose of competition amongst the team is an important element to success. Every person on the field fought hard to make a name for themselves today, and most importantly to make a name for this team. It was definitely an arduous practice and I left being excited about tonight.
Besides learning to mesh on the field we are also bonding through Rena’s creative craft project. I’m a sucker for crafts, so I love it. We have each designed a small notebook/binder that best reveals something about us. This may be covered with fabric, magazines, or in my case, men’s ties (don’t ask). Then we created a page about ourselves for each person’s notebook. It’s an excellent way to get to know your teammates. Unity amongst the team, on and off the field, is key in the game of soccer. Of course there will be differences from player to player, but I can collectively say, ‘I love these girls.’
We have finished our first day of preseason, and I’m not totally satisfied, but I think those people that are have a problem. We have a long road ahead of us, with a lot of room for improvement, but at this point that’s ok. Although I’m not totally satisfied, but I can go to bed tonight knowing we accomplished things as a team today and that is always a step in the right direction.
I think the people of Orange Beach have a bigger heart than the rest of the world, or maybe there’s something in the air; but they are all so generous down here. Danny (Martin) and Preston (Pooser) have made us feel so at home. Tonight after practice they had a feast ready for us to eat. I’m so full, but I’ll probably manage to eat a bowl of ice cream in a little while.
On the way back to the condo we were riding along nagging Chase about his Grandpa driving when Phil Collins’ “locker room” came on. We had a good laugh mimicking a few of Coach Staley’s phrases he uses to pump us up. Don’t get me wrong, the speech and the song get us fired up every time, but all the same it was a good laugh. Ok, enough about that.
I’m very excited about the freshmen. The staff recruited a great group of girls, a few of them were put on the ‘A team’ tonight, which worked out well. It’s only the first day and nothing is ever permanent, but I’ll never forget the day I played with the ‘starters’ for the first time as a freshman. For those minutes you are playing, you are an equal with all the upperclassmen; you aren’t just a little freshman. Now, starting in your first D1 game is even better, but that’s two weeks away... let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Each day we become more comfortable around each other and today was no different. I can’t wait to continue playing with the girls and develop more of a niche with each other on the field. For the record I’ll go ahead and say that teams ARE going to feel the wrath of Alabama Soccer at its best this year. I feel like “The Rock” from WWF.
Ok, I smell, time to shower and get my rest for 6:00’s.
PS — Bake’s mom cooked us mac and cheese and it rocked.
WEDNESDAY 8/14/02
We’ve discovered our rival enemy, Auburn, is in the condo next to us. My sister is a freshman at AU so we both went down on the beach today and hung out. The only difference was she had to ask permission to leave her condo. I’m glad our staff trusts us enough to be responsible for ourselves. Coach Staley, Rena, Chase, and Jesper have made a sincere effort to make preseason fun and hard work all rolled into one. Speaking of our staff... they are great.
Jesper has been pleased with our fitness level, which makes running time with him more bearable. He’s been helping out on the field as well. Today he even busted out with his “turtle” impression.
One word best describes Chase - hilarious. He has been diligently training the keepers. It’s a battle between Lowman and Rogers. They both bring so much to the table. They are both fighting for playing time. Anyway, Chase is a laugh a minute and I think he should be a stand-up comedian.
As if Chase isn’t a riot himself, he’s got his sidekick Rena. She busted out the chicken dance tonight; I think the freshmen are starting to see what a goofball she is. As a coach, she’s the best I’ve ever had. If you take full advantage of her knowledge of the game you won’t walk away from practice without learning something. I hope someday I can be as inspirational to my players as she is to us.
Of course, I wouldn’t be where I am today without Coach Staley. He encourages me all the time to be an aggressive, smart player and I think I’ve grown in both those areas. He teaches the pride that goes hand in hand with UA soccer. His players always have heart and use it as their number one weapon on the field. We’ve all knocked heads with Coach a time or two, but we all know we can turn to him for anything. Not to mention, we travel like queens thanks to his generosity.
This morning's practice was good and tiring. I’m very sore, even though Brian supplies us with trash cans of ice to cool down our muscles... ice can only help so much. It’s inevitable everyone will get sore during preseason. It even hurts to laugh after Rena’s 300-ab count workout. Once again, fitness went well and we were all sedulous with each drill. We played a tournament of six vs. six and the team I was on made it to the finals, but the game ended in a tie. I hate ties, especially 0-0 ties. No one wins. You both lose. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow. The scrimmage tonight was good. Both teams played so hard. This team has so much depth that it’s easy to fill-up two teams of solid players. Everyone is out there giving 110 percent, which makes every scrimmage a true battle. Luckily, the intensity and speed helps to prepare us for season matches. Nothing can totally prepare you for SEC games, but our scrimmages sure help. Your first SEC home game is hard to explain, but I’ll try...
You wake up and you already have butterflies in your stomach. Throughout the day you promote the game and daydream about destroying a team. At some point you go shopping for your big/lil’ sis. Then pre-game meal at McAlister’s, let the superstitions begin. Missy always wears the same outfit, people order the exact same thing every game, and sit in the exact same seat while eating. Then on to the Coliseum where everyone gets treatment and the party begins. Missy and Baker get the music kickin’ before anyone else gets in there. Usually, the locker room is decorated and your “sis” has left good luck goodies in front of your locker. Then the traditional entertainment begins. Jeanette grinds on the floor, Baker raps to some Salt n’ Peppa (“It’s none of yo business,”) and Missy and I close it out to “Turn Around” with our infamous dance moves. Coach comes in and gives one of his many inspirational speeches, which leads us to stomping out of the locker room to Roll Tide chants. We bang on the Coliseum garage door as loud as possible before loading up into our carpools, which are the same, every game (even the music). On the way to the field we are hanging out of the windows and sunroof screaming at the top of our lungs. By this time the nerves are out of control. We pull into the parking lot and more dancing takes place. What can I say, we’ve got rhythm and we love to dance. Then the single file line march out to the field begins. Once we enter the gate “Sweet Home Alabama” comes on and the crowd goes crazy. You confidently march in under the lights trying to hide the nerves and flash a smile at your parents. From here the warm up begins and the rest is history. No matter how many times you march through the gate, the feeling doesn’t fade. I’m so proud to be a part of the University of Alabama’s women’s soccer team!
I believe some girls are down in the sand writing “Roll Tide.” How convenient AU is next door.
THURSDAY 8/15/02
We didn’t have a fitness test today, but we did have fitness. Today was definitely the toughest day, but also the most productive. All of our bodies were sore and tight, so Jesper gave us a thorough warm-up and we made it.
During days like today, when everyone is hurting, it’s important to encourage your teammates and push through practice together, which is exactly what we did. As a leader you have to be conscious of what your teammates are feeling and put them first. I always step on the field and try to be a strong example of someone who gives 110 percent. Of course, I have breakdowns, but there is always someone to pull me out of my slumps as well. A team is all about being there for each other; whether that means telling someone to “pick it up” or complimenting them on a great day’s work.
Missy and I represent captainship in two different ways, simply because we are two different people. I would consider myself more wound up on the field and the words that come out of my mouth are very impulsive (hint: why I hold the record for the most yellow cards). Missy is more constructive and composed in her feedback to the team. But in the heat of the moment I say a lot of things I regret after the game. This is one of my huge faults and something I am consciously working on this season. I hate losing and this mentality brings out a whole different personality on the field, for better and worse. I know with the help of my teammates I will learn to control my temper, which will lead me to be a better captain for them.
Each night at the scrimmages we improve by leaps and bounds. We are really coming together as a team, which is exciting to see. Kristin McRee and I were the “players of the game.” That’s a nice recognition that Rena decides on. I don’t know how she picks two people, because everyone is working and playing so hard.
Coach reminded the upperclassmen and taught the freshmen how important the “little things” are in the game, whether that be time management, the important difference between a sprint and a jog, or how crucial every pass is. Off course there are several areas he discusses and you are able to learn more and more with exposure and experience.
Tonight’s dinner was the best by far... Shrimp and crab legs! Kylie Boyd eats her shrimp so funny. She doesn’t peel the boiled shrimp, she eats the shell and all; the best part is she’s always thought that was normal. As long as she keeps working as hard as she does on the field she can eat her shrimp however she wants.
Tomorrow is our last two-a-day at the beach. We get Saturday afternoon and evening off. That is incentive enough to bust some butt tomorrow. I love when I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s motivating.
Ok, milkshake time!
FRIDAY 8/16/02
This morning’s practice was slow and we were all dragging. At the end of practice Rena asked, “Do you feel like you could go longer?” We all answered, “Yes.” She went on to explain that when you are feeling physically and mentally drained it’s important to convince your body you can always go a little more, because that little bit makes a big difference. Her point was that we didn’t push ourselves the extra yard when times got tough and she’s exactly right. Nothing is worse than finishing a drill or a practice knowing you could have gone longer. Would’ve, should’ve, could’ve... too bad, the chance has passed. Well, we lived and we learned and tonight’s scrimmage was much more productive. We played the last 20 minutes “starters” vs. “everyone else” and “everyone else” won 1-0. It was very frustrating, being as I was one of the starters. But like I said before each scrimmage is like a showcase and on this particular night a few people stepped out of the shadows and really shined. I love the competitive atmosphere and I know I shouldn’t get frustrated. We’ve been playing together, as a team, for four days and things don’t get together over night. It’ll come and when it does we will be unstoppable.
I’m so excited for the first game and we still have two weeks of practice before that time comes; but when it does there will be so much anxiety built up it’ll be like unleashing a wild animal. Tulane isn’t going to know what hit ‘em!
Tomorrow is our last practice at the beach. We get the afternoon and evening off to lounge on the beach and shop. Then dinner at Baker’s... yummy!
It was sad saying good-bye to all the Orange Beach masterminds at the field. They make all this happen for us and we are so grateful. They’ll be getting one heck of a 'Thank You.' The other sad part is that this is my LAST preseason. I have found myself referring to everything as my “last.” It’s my last meal with the team in OB, it’s my last van ride down here, it’s my last preseason, and the last time I run the beep test... you get the idea. It’s very sad to realize a huge part of your life will be over in three months. I’m going out with a bang and there’s no two ways about that. Whatever it takes we will be in Oxford at the SEC tournament and we will prove something to every team we play.
I trust all my teammates and I know I can rely on them to bust their butt, just like they can rely on me.
Tomorrow will be a great day. I look forward to a well-deserved break with my teammates and a fun time on the beach. It’s about time we actually got to enjoy the beautiful beach.
SATURDAY 8/17/02
The last day of practice at Orange Beach... Jesper took the team through a few technical endurance drills at the beginning of our workout and we looked really good. Despite being sore from the previous three days or two-a-days, the team found something deep down to finish the week out strong. We scrimmaged for the last time and finished with a 1-1 tie. Although the score was low, the intensity was high and both teams strung together passes well. The outside midfielders worked hard as usual and will no doubt be one of our team’s strengths this year. The offense still needs a few tweaks before we start filling the back of the net consistently, but after the progress we’ve made so far we will get it all sorted out by Tulane. The coaches rewarded us for our hard work by giving us the evening off so we could go to the beach or shop in the afternoon before dinner. The Bakers prepared a feast for the team: artichoke dip, fruit trays, snacks - then two types of lasagna, a great salad, spaghetti, and bread. It was all so wonderful. After the team stuffed themselves, we still managed to make room for ice cream and cake. We had to eat it, we would be rude not to. After thanking the Bakers, we headed home all very full and very tired. Then Coach Staley got lost, or so we thought. We went to the track and raced go-carts. As competitive as Alabama Soccer is on the field, the go-cart track is even more competitive. After a few enormous pile-ups, everyone managed to leave with all their fingers attached. Overall, a great day at Orange Beach and our last. Tomorrow we head home.
Jannik summed up the day for me because I got injured at go-carts. Michelle Worman and I got in an accident and before the slowpoke go-cart workers could get us sorted out, someone flew into the back of me. The whiplash didn’t feel good and the repercussions still don’t feel good. I have a headache and my neck is sore. It was nice of Coach to take us to go carts, that’s one of the best parts about Alabama soccer we entertain ourselves first class all the time. Most people had a blast; I think I was the exception. I left the park with ten bug bites I didn’t have previously and a headache.
I want to end this journal with a bang and I’m having problems focusing so I’ll continue this when we get back to T-town tomorrow.
SUNDAY 8/18/02
We are back in Tuscaloosa and it feels so good to be home. The only bad part about being home is now there are distractions. For example, I get home and my computer is broken, the engine light in my car is on, bills are sitting on the counter and then there’s the hassle of class starting Wed... did I mention my air conditioner in the apartment is broken, yeah it’s 82 degrees in here. I’m good at complaining. Practice tonight was cancelled, it got rained out; but not before we did some field work. With the instruction of Coach Staley, we moved ten sets of bleachers and I’m not talking a couple of inches. We carried those things from Peru! There I go complaining again... oops. Lauren Imwalle came over for dinner and then it was off to bed.
MONDAY 8/19/02
It’s truly the last day of two-a-days since school starts on Wednesday. We were supposed to have Tuesday and Wednesday off, but since last night got rained out, we may practice Tuesday morning.
BEEP... was the sound of the morning. We took our beep test and some people did well, others didn’t (I didn’t). I know I could have done better because about ten seconds after I finished I was wishing I had pushed myself harder. The good news is I never have to run the Beep Test again! Yeah!
This morning’s practice was good. Rena had to get on to us a little at the beginning, but with just cause. People were walking to the field, who were late, and others (me included) were taking forever putting our gear on. We were slipping but Rena snapped us back in check. At practice we worked on runs of the ball and finding the long target player. We had a few mental lapses, but Rena helped us to refocus. She is so great! It seems like she always knows what to say. Whether that’s reaming us or praising us, we’ve earned it. I better stop; I don’t want to make Rena’s head too big.
Coach Staley had his hands full, trying to get us a place to park our cars. They (I don’t know exactly who “they” are) have torn up both our roads we park on because of all the construction going on around our field. I can remember being promised a new complex by the time I graduate when I was being recruited. Unfortunately it did take all the way up until my senior year to get it started so I won’t get to play in the new soccer stadium. But it’s not like I will actually be playing on the new bleachers or in the new bathrooms and I definitely won’t be eating food from the concession stand at halftime, at least not while I’m playing. So really, the timing couldn’t be any better because next year is when I’ll actually get to take advantage of all these wonderful new facilities, and next year is when they’ll be complete. All we need this year is a field with grass that will help take us to the SEC tournament.
Rena made a point today about not simply talking the talk, but also walking the walk. This journal has been a great way for me to “talk the talk” without actually talking. I’ve never been one for verbalizing goals or talking serious smack (I always talk fake smack), because all that is just words and words will only take you so far. What really matters is what happens out on the soccer field. You can say your goal is to have a better first touch, but you better be sure your touch is not going to get better by simply saying it is. Every goal has to be backed up by hard work and that’s what makes a goal attainable. While this journal has been very therapeutic, it is only words. In life the tangible things are what people will remember. No one remembers a player who says, “I will improve my finishing.” But everyone will remember a game-winning goal. Nobody remembers the team who says, “We will win the SEC,” but no one forgets the team that gets out there and wins.
Throughout my three years at Alabama there have been several ups and downs. I can look back on my time here and smile, but I'm not totally satisfied. Sure it’s great being a captain and earning academic honors, but those things are only self-gratifying. I want to be able to look back know I was part of a team that worked our way up from the bottom and surprised people. While we didn’t go to the SEC Tournament my first three years, I would like to think those three years were stepping stones that will lead us to a grand finale finish during our 2002 season.
