May 3, 2007
Well, we lost our game today against Henderson State. It was a tough one to lose. With the history we have with them we were supposed to get our revenge today and we didn't. It was a good game. Even though we made mistakes, we had some awesome plays. All I got to say is that Melissa is my hero, with those amazing catches out in left field. Emily pitched a great game too. I love the VM's .... VM's FOR LIFE! After a couple hours of being mad and frustrated, we all went to the Olive Garden to have dinner. What else better than to eat!! We had a great dinner of laughing and cracking up. I love these girls. Even through the rough times, we always pick each other up with a laugh because we know that even though we lose, we all are still dearest friends. I am so proud to be a part of this team and to be a friend to these people. We have great unity.
Tomorrow is another day...a new day. We are taking the hard road through this conference tournament, but it's nothing that we haven't faced before. I think we play better when our backs are against the wall. This team has so much heart that it is going to be hard to take us out tomorrow.
Go Argos!
Whitney Gay
Junior/ 2B
So we didn't get our revenge on Henderson State today, but I can guarantee that we will see them again, and we'll have the last laugh! Even though we lost we definitely played a good game considering both team's errors. I have to admit that being on this team has really made me appreciate the game of softball more now than I ever have. I wouldn't call UWF Softball a team; I call them my family. Each and everyone one of these girls mean so much to me. After all is said and done, I will take a piece of every one of them with me when I go!
We ate dinner at Olive Garden tonight and boy was that enough to forget about everything. This team is hilarious! Between Nicky ordering CHICKEN FINGERS at Olive Garden; I mean really, chicken fingers? To Heather Bell tricking Ellen into having a lemon race with sugar, replacing the sugar with salt!! HILLARIOUS!! As much as we all had the loss in the back of our minds, being together really helps getting over that awful feeling.
We play West Georgia tomorrow and I know our girls want to win this game bad. As we get closer to the end, the end of my last season and the beginning of a new chapter in my life, I realize how much softball has been there for me. Whenever anything went wrong in my life, I knew that I could always go back to the softball field; my home away from home. I have made friends for a lifetime that no one can ever take away from me. I have to admit writing this blog helps me get out a lot of unspoken feelings; things that I don't think I could ever really tell anyone to their faces. So knowing that we will win tomorrow and move on to Sunday, I want to let the most important people in my life know how much they mean to me and the lasting impressions they have left in my heart. And maybe knowing this, it will help them get past the hurt of a loss and inspiration to go out strong and will this whole tournament. (Yeah I know a lot of people are laughing cause of my accent).
But to Coach Cyr, Coach Corey and Stookie, you have been my family ever since I have been here. I appreciate you guys being there for me through everything, basically being my parents since I have been here! I really do appreciate everything you guys have done, and every moment that we have together is a lasting one. Coach Cyr, I will never forget all the times you have broken your clipboard although it is definitely NOT funny at the time, seeing one of our trainers fix it up for you is hilarious. Coach Corey, will everyone telling me that we look like sisters, cousins, whatever, I am even starting to believe that we could possibly be related somewhere down in that family tree. Stookie, I really enjoy you being my mentor when we room together. I am sure I have talked your ear off while possibly knowing everything about my "so called drama!!!" To Coach Eric, as much as I hate those workouts on the track and smelling that awful hot track, it helped me out in the long run. Well, I guess considering I have been hurt 95 percent of the year. And most of the time I got hurt on the track!!! Crazy trainer. =) SIKE...lol
Girls keep up the hard work. We will get through this and come out on top at the end. I love you all. Let's keep our success going. GO ARGOS
Valerie Staub "Jersey"
Senior/3B
What to do, what to do. This is the first bus trip that I don't have my lap over piled with a 10 pound textbook, binder and note cards. I can finally enjoy a movie on the bus without feeling guilty that I am not studying.
Road trips are one of the best parts of college softball. Everyone has their particular spot they like to sit in. Mine is to the left and three televisions back. We are fortunate enough to only have to share our seat with a comfy pillow and fleece blanket. However, your feet and neck do get cramped and maneuvering to the bathroom requires stretching and performing acrobatic moves over outstretched feet. But the random conversations, crazy picture posing, catchphrase wars, blockbuster marathons and aisle dancing are more than worth the long and cramped bus ride.
Aside from the bus mayhem, I am especially looking forward to this trip because it's our chance to continue showing everyone what we are capable of doing. Finishing second after a bumpy season has given us all an adrenaline rush for the upcoming games. The returnees from last year have an added push to win the first game since Henderson State put us out of the conference tournament last year. But regardless of the pressure, we are ready to face whatever comes because we can count on each other to pull through when needed.
I hope to say that in four days we are conference champs and preparing to take another road trip. But for now, the mindset is one game at a time and the near future holds Little Caesar's and a date with Grey's Anatomy!
Taren Walton, "T"
Junior, P/OF
Considering this is my last season as an Argonaut, this away trip is extremely special to me and not to mention there is so much on the line for the team. The best part about going away is our bus rides of course with the movies, games and ridiculous conversations as well as spending quality time with my teammates. As we all know, everyone gets a little restless and tired of one another, but nevertheless the time we all spend together is definitely stress relieving for me to say the least. I have never met a group of girls that can keep me laughing for hours.
I do have to admit that not having any school work with me is throwing me off a bit, but knowing that my long road ahead is coming to an end is definitely starting to become more of a reality. I never thought that this day would come, and honestly I have been hoping that it wouldn't. There are some girls that I have just met and some girls that I have played softball with my whole college career, and I am just not ready to let all of it go. I have complete confidence in every girl on this team that we're going to pull together this weekend and come out on top and be conference champions. Like Coach Cyr says every game, "It's not how you start, it's how you finish!" We have been fighting since our seventh game, to be exact, to try and win a spot to the conference tournament, and because of the relationships we have created on and off the field, we were able to pull together last weekend and win five out of the six games we played.
This team is on a mission with our minds set on one goal. NOTHING can stop us. The one thing we have that other teams do not have is team chemistry. We all believe in one another and know that anyone can make a difference on this team. There is not another group of girls that I would want to go to war with. I love them all and every one of them has made my last season a part of my life I will never forget! Girls, I know we can and will win this weekend. But no matter what the outcome, if you go out there and honestly say you gave it your all, then nothing else matters. I love you all and believe that we will come out on top. Have confidence and believe in yourself!
Go Argos!
Valerie Staub "Jersey"
Senior/3B
Hey Argonaut Fans! We are just about ready to leave for the Gulf South Conference Tournament in Southaven, Miss. (a suburb of Memphis). This is always an exciting time of year since so much is at stake.
West Florida has advanced to every GSC Tournament since the Argonauts entered the conference prior to the 1995 season. Thirteen consecutive trips to the conference tournament! It is the longest active streak in conference history.
This year has been different since our conference tournament future was in doubt going into the final weekend of the regular season. Usually, the team has clinched a conference tournament berth by the GSC Crossover. Last weekend, the Argonauts knew they had to go at least 4-2 to advance to the tournament. Not only did the team go 5-1 against North Alabama and then 10th ranked Alabama-Huntsville, but the Argonauts moved from a fourth seed to a second seed in the GSC East Division!
The character that this team showed last week was amazing. Playing with their backs to the wall, everyone came through. Whether it was a clutch hit, making a putout or advancing a runner into scoring position, everything seemed to go right last weekend. The team played to their full potential, and it could not have come at a better time!
Last year, the Argonauts went 2-2 at the GSC Tournament, but it was not enough to claim a berth in the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament. West Florida will probably need to win the tournament this year in order to advance, but the Argonauts are playing their best softball of the season. If the Argonauts can continue their solid play from last weekend, who knows how far this team can advance!
Chris Woodley
UWF Sports Information Coordinator & Broadcaster
May 3, 2007 10:55 a.m. CST
