Brooks Webster Crimson Corner #1
8/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Each week a different member of the University of Alabama volleyball team will chronicle the past week's activities in the form of a journal entry. The journals will provide insight into what it is like to be a member of the Crimson Tide for that week.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- This week redshirt sophomore Brooks Webster talks about traveling to Norman, Okla. and competing in the OU Sooner Legends/Nike Invitational. Webster is an outside hitter from Baltimore, Md. who set a career high in digs (10) against Seton Hall in the opening match of the tournament last weekend.
"So here we go....Two weeks of two-a-day practices, learning defenses, long days, short nights, brushing up on fundamentals, doing reps and team activities/bonding all paid off as we finally got into a real live game situation at the tournament. The teams that were in attendance were Seton Hall, Denver, Oklahoma and, of course, the University of Alabama (YEAH!!!).
We left Tuscaloosa Thursday morning at 5:30 a.m. (that is not a typo) and headed to the Birmingham International Airport. After what seemed like forever, we FINALLY landed in Oklahoma. From there we got on another bus and headed to the hotel and the University of Oklahoma campus. When we arrived at the hotel we ate dinner before heading to a two hour practice at McCasland Field House. Eating turned out to be a bad idea because everyone felt sick at practice.
McCasland Field House, a.k.a. Wild Kingdom, had so many amazing animals there that watched us practice such as crickets, gnats and flies. Not to mention the wild birds that flew up in the rafters and left "surprises" on the gym floor. One of my teammates fell victim to a "surprise" but I am not going to disclose her name in order to protect her identity and reputation!
Friday night we played Seton Hall and that was the first time we had played against another team in a long time. Everyone's adrenaline was rushing and we had butterflies in our stomachs. However, everyone calmed down after the first ball was served. We ended up winning the match, but for game scores you have to visit www.rolltide.com (just a little plug for the media department and Alabama Athletics).
Our second match was against Denver. Coincidentally, our tour guide from the team's trip to Europe in 2006 was the assistant coach for Denver. Isn't that funny? We emerged victorious again but they put up a great fight and it was a really good match.
Our final match was against Oklahoma in the championship. The atmosphere was great and the crowd was a lot bigger than any of the previous matches. We even got to warm up to OU's official warm-up c.d.! The animals of the Wild Kingdom were also in attendance and the little children were dancing during warm-up. Basically, everyone was excited.
The Tide didn't come out victorious in the last match so we came in second at the tournament.
This tournament allowed all the schools involved to see what works for their team and what the team needs to work on.
Now, the Tide is going back to the CAVE for film and practice and to get ready for the Bama Bash next weekend. Last weekend was only our first tournament and we are still under construction so I hope to see you all at the Bama Bash next weekend!!!"
- #33 Brooks Webster
