Tennis Team in Hawaii: Third Match against Chaminade University

March 23, 2008
tennis team member Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner:

I’m pretty exhausted right now but I’ll try to squeeze in a couple lines about today.

Today we played Chaminade University, also Division 2 but not as high up in ranking as HPU or BYU. So we went into the game with higher hopes than our other games since this would actually be sort of a battle, not just a slaughtering.

It turns out, though, they really weren’t that much less tough than the other teams. Apparently, they even put up a really good fight against HPU. Marc told us that their top three players were all really good but their lower ranks were easier to handle.

The girl I played was really, really good. Playing for 10 years. But at least in this game, we had a lot of really long rallies. I was surprised, in fact, that I was able to get to most of her shots. There were a couple I wasn’t sure I’d make it to cuz they were so fast but I’d just book it and I actually made it to them! That was satisfying. All of her strokes had huge top spin, though, which sucked but once I got used to it, it was cool. There were a couple of unforced errors I made though (unforced error = hitting out or hitting into the net, not because her shots were tough but because I just made the mistake on my own. ie unforced) and I'm pretty disappointed I couldn't get a game out of it. I was really bummed about that.

It was a good, fun match for me, though – I actually felt like a tennis player rather than just a pig waiting to be ripped into. Gross, I know, but true. A lot of the team was unhappy with the match, though, and I think that was because we all felt we should have done a lot better since this team was supposed to be the one team we could put up a good fight against. But from the beginning, the atmosphere of the team didn’t feel right to me – but that’s probably just me.

Anyways, after the match, we headed out to another beach – I think it was Haleiwa. It was a nice beach, and we had a picnic which was great. But all that sun today really wore on me so I’m out.

Tennis Team in Hawaii: Second match against HPU

March 22, 2008

tennis team member Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner:

Okay so this morning we woke up really early (8!) and went to the swap meet before our match against Hawaii Pacific University.

The swap meet is basically this huge flea market that stretches all the way around the Aloha Stadium and is always worth a trip. They sell everything from homemade jams, to cheap t-shirts (10 dollars for 20 shirts? Not bad) to local snack goodies (like dried mangoes, li-hing pineapples, etc) to paper lanterns to tacky tourist knickknacks (which are really completely useless) and basically everything in between.

Anyways, we spent a good hour just walking around and I bought this really cute dress and purse so I’m hella psyched. Yeah I’m kinda girly.

So after we went to the swap meet, we went to Central Oahu Regional Park (CORP) to play our match against Hawaii Pacific University, who gave BYU a run for their money and is also in Division 2. Now, this team had just played some team from Illinois and totally lost so they were all already pissed. Not to mention tired, since two matches back to back is tough. So this team was not only a challenge because they were more experienced but also because they were really, really rude.

Some of the girls wouldn’t even put up a real fight. The way they played was so incredibly disrespectful – it was written all over their face that they felt we were privileged to play them at all and that they needed to get the game done as fast, with as many big shots, and with as little effort, as possible.

When playing tennis, opponents take a short little break between every two games to grab water. Some of these girls, though, were in such a rush to get it over with that they actually tried to push some of my teammates into not taking water breaks. Actually we encountered this in our match against BYU also. My girl tried that on me. But that was so not gonna happen. If I’m gonna get beat, and beat real bad, I figure I might as well take my time with it.

This match, I had to play at number 1 instead of number 2, which is usually my ranking. The girl I was playing was on scholarship and was originally from Bosnia and had been playing for 12 years. But I wasn’t trippin’ cuz at least I got to win one game out of my entire match which really, really pissed off the girl I was playing. That was great.

I also played third doubles with my teammate Sena before my singles match and that actually went pretty well. We had some really good points and me and Sena were able to hold our own at the net.

In our usual team discussion after games, we all discussed how rude most of the players were but we also all agreed that most of us played better than yesterday, where nerves seemed to really take over most of our games.

After our match, we went to Ala Moana Mall, which is this giant mall in Hawaii with three floors of shopping. We went there to eat at the food court and then some of the team stayed. I left with Marc and our teammates Sena, Vicki, and Jen cuz I wasn’t about to stick around and spend more money then I had to. Believe me, though, I was tempted.

Tennis team in Hawaii: first match against BYU

March 21, 2008
tennis team member Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner:

Today was a pretty awesome day. We were all just giddy about being in Hawaii – I’m from here and yet I’d forgotten just how awesome Hawaii is – it’s beautiful, lush and green, and so far, I have yet to be cold. Before our match, we stopped at a beach along North Shore. It wasn’t really our planned destination – a pretty small beach and too much reef. But we all had a good time chillin’ on the sand.

The only part that kind of sucked was playing Brigham Young University, which is apparently number one in Division 2. They slaughtered us. It was horrible. In tennis, when playing singles, you have to play best out of three matches, and for each match you play best out of six games and in each game you must make five points to win. Confusing at first but eventually it all makes sense.

Anyways, out of my entire game, where I played against the number 2 singles for BYU (she was kind of intimidating – really tall and athletic) I won four points. Four. That’s it. Like, not four games, and definitely not four matches, but four points. In tennis, that’s called getting your balls handed to you.

The only thing that really carried us through was the fact that these girls were, again, number 1 in the nation in Division 2 - while we’re number something all the way at the bottom in Division 3. They were also all on athletic scholarships and had been playing for more than 10 years at the very least. Many of our teammates view tennis as a fun hobby, some just started this year, and the longest anyone on the team has ever played is maybe 5 years tops. So I didn’t feel too bad. I played as well as I could. Her serves were pretty tough and she was incredibly accurate – every shot was measured and calculated. All she needed to do was slam a shot all the way down at the other end of the court and that was it. What was also good was that most of the team was somewhat respectful.

After our game, we had a team meeting and some of my teammates were really upset about how they’d played. It’s tough, first of all, to play in Hawaii, where the humidity wraps itself around your throat like a fist, and then it’s even tougher to put up with an embarrassing beating. So a couple of the team was pretty upset. Marc said, though, that we should focus on the fact that we got the opportunity to play athletes with a lot more experience, and, as a tennis player, that’s a really good growing experience.

All in all, Beach : awesome. Game: unfortunate but also educational.

Tennis Team in Hawaii: Getting there

March 20, 2008
tennis team member Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner

So we’re on the plane on our way to Hawaii for our tennis tournament and so far, we’re all insanely excited. Jenn Johnson, my teammate, and Marc, our coach, are passed out on either side of me. But they still look pretty excited, even in their sleep.

We left Mills at 8:30 this morning and it took forever for them to take off (apparently a whole row of seats on the plane came loose. Doesn’t incite much confidence in the crew or the plane which we’re trusting our life with). We’re taking ATA which was the cheapest flight Marc could get (good one Marc!) except they don’t serve any food (bad one Marc!) for a six hour flight. So I’m starving. I bought this chocolate pastry at the airport terminal but airport food is way too expensive so I couldn’t buy much more.

They’re about to play the usual mediocre movie and then hopefully I’ll somehow pass out.

Six hours and we’ll be in Hawaii!

Appreciating the mornings that are left

Varsity coxwain Gloria Fong:

As my screeching alarm clock goes off at 4:30 a.m., after four and a half hours of sleep, I wonder why I do this to myself. It is similar to the feeling a rower gets when the pain is so excruciating that the thought of “what would happen if I just jumped out of the boat right now?” dances across your consciousness. I drag myself out of bed, and as I quickly walk down to Hass (in the dark, my biggest fear), my heart beats faster and faster. But every morning I feel foolish as I make it alive and well.

I hold my breath as we launch out into the abyss, into the darkness with nowhere to run. I clinch my teeth as I pray that my nervousness will not project into my voice.

As the sun begins to rise and reflects off the blades to warm my face I remember, I remember why I wake up. At that moment nothing can touch me — no stress from mid-terms, no responsibilities, no expectations, no masks —just a split millisecond of bliss and content. How many people do you know can say that they see the sunrise six days a week? How many people do you know see the dawn for all the glory that it deserves? How many people do you know feel like they’ve accomplished determination and discipline by the break of daylight?

As the dock approaches so does reality; my fantasy vanishes. I remember that day by day I am counting down my time on the water. I remember that day by day my crew career approaches its end. Life is composed of many chapters. Saying good bye is never easy. People come and go. But know that you have entrenched my heart with unforgettable memories and I hope I have given you good ones as well. But every chapter has to end for the next one to begin. Though these kindly unspoken words are never mentioned, are never praised, and are never taught, they are embodied in all good things. For all good things must come to an end, for it is only life.

"A Coach's Perspective"

March 6, 2008

Swimming Coach Neil Virtue:

Inspiration. That is the word that kept coming to mind this past weekend as the Mills College Swimming Team competed at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Swimming and Diving National Championships. It began at 4am when we met to catch our flight to San Antonio. There was no complaining. Well, maybe a little.

The team was all dressed in their warm-ups and looked sharp, like a team. I loved listening to the answers the student-athletes gave for where they are going and what are they doing. It inspired me and made me proud. While in Denver waiting for our next flight, we ran into the women’s basketball team from Chapman University. Did they know that just over a month ago we were swimming their school? Athletic teams in airports are a great site, you can’t miss them. And it seems there is a mostly unspoken respect, sense of community and shared inspiration from seeing these teams as we travel.

Then, once we arrive at the airport, the team is always excited to see what kind of car we get. It makes me chuckle. We hurry to the hotel as I am late for a coaches' meeting. This meeting steers the direction of the NAIA and it is important to represent the smaller schools that don’t offer athletic scholarships. Just getting to this meet as a school that does not offer scholarships is inspirational, as is being on all teams at Mills. It is a choice, a commitment, a community and a sense of pride, I hope the students realize this.

We head to the competition pool for a pre-meet warm up. This is important after traveling for 7 hours. A few swimmers mention how cold the pool is. This could be because the pool is indoors, but also there is a range of temperature that is optimum for fast swimming. It might feel good to get in what feels like warm bath water, but working out or competing in it? No, thanks.

After a quick change into some fancy clothes, we are off to the banquet where 200+ athletes are sharing a meal. It is a great sense of community and common goals, not to mention some much needed food.

As we compete throughout the weekend I get to watch other teams and how they seem to be at the meet. Some humble, some not, some intimidated, some not, some silly and friendly, and some not, but all are inspirational. This is our fourth year in a row at this meet and it is getting faster every year. Chrissy Fisher was there for the first one and she would agree it is getting much more competitive. Good for the athletes, coaches and teams. Seeing as how this is the ‘big one’, it is an opportunity not to be taken for granted. It is a chance to go all out. Not to say every stroke, practice, workout, competition, test, homework, and life’s work for that matter isn’t an opportunity to go all out. But to work out for 21 weeks with this as the goal can seem a little abstract. Hence the importance of making it all count and being present at all times.

As Hettie Belle Ege said; “Remember who you are and what you represent.” This rings so true. You can get lost in what everyone else is doing. The important thing to remember is to do what you need to do while keeping your eyes open to what others are doing around you. To get out of yourself while being solid in who you are. In these high anxiety situations doing just that can be challenging. This is an opportunity that will be valuable for life. There will always be times where ‘others’ will make you question. Questioning is good and making adjustments is good and learning is critical. This meet is an opportunity for all of that.

I found out there is Mills College alumna class of 1964 in San Antonio from 1964. She and I met and she told me about the migratory birds that flood downtown San Antonio, they are called Grackles. She also told me That she initially found out about Mills in a Life Magazine story about their Occupational Therapy Program. She has also helped the history department out by giving decades of Gourmet Magazines to for the History of Cuisine Course at Mills. I am inspired. About by what Mills meant for folks in the past, is for those students now, and will be in the future. I am refreshed by then sense of community Mills creates and inspires in California, Texas and around the world. This alumna and her husband own a restaurant in downtown San Antonio called “The Original Mexican Restaurant” where we happily ate at our final night in town. That night, I was also inspired by the parents of one of the swimmers coming out to support. They have been doing the”swimming parents” thing for a long time and this was, the last time since their daughter will be graduating.

Getting up at 6am to leave on Sunday (the team will tell you it isn’t a trip with Neil if we don’t travel at VERY early hours and if we don’t get lost at some point) and checking in at the airport again my ears perk up to listen to how the student-athletes respond now to the questions from other travelers of “What are you here for?” and “How did you do?” There was a sense of pride, a little more confidence, and also some talk of next year. Already. A few student-athletes sat next to a person who is going to be in the 2008 Para Olympics for Judo. She said there are many people who challenge her spot so she travels to compete against them, and so far she is heading to Beijing in 2008. Inspiration is everywhere.

I want to thank the entire team for the a great season. They teach.

You have taught me a lot, challenged me a lot and make made me grow. Your support and commitment is inspirational.

Coach Neil

"Practice makes perfect"

Feb 15, 2008
Tennis Coach Marc Weinstein:

Gorgeous Friday afternoon, everyone at practice! Started with our standard warm-up and ab work, then grooved strokes for 45 minutes. Then we sat on court one and had a team meeting. We went over the “Tennis Team Guidelines” that everybody signs each season. Had a very engaged conversation about commitment to the team and everyone’s goals and expectations. I really stressed that the more everyone commits to the team and each other, the more valuable and worthwhile the experience is for everyone. Sena and Claudia both requested more support and coaching from Christine (our asst coach) and I during match play. Easy enough for us to do, I committed to that on the spot. Jenn suggested we do a check-in during the last ten minutes of practice each day as we do our group stretch. Great idea, we’ll implement that beginning Tuesday. Lisa implored the group to not miss matches, saying only a test that you cannot reschedule or a death in the family are sufficient reason. She stated that “matches are the most important part of the season and everyone is affected when someone isn’t at a match”. I reminded everyone (again) that I have a full packet players should give to their profs with our match dates, a letter from Themy, etc. I also shared w/ the team my experiences as a college athlete. First off, I never missed a single practice, in fact was never late for a tennis team practice in four years. Christine also was never late to a practice in four years of college tennis.

I also shared my experience on the UMASS ultimate Frisbee team. We had a ton of talent and were always in the hunt for the National Championship. Unfortunately, we always had divisive factions and a handful of selfish players who cared more about their own playing time than the team. In fact, though we were “Zoo Disc”, the East Coast frisbee community (not so) affectionately renamed us “Zoo Dicks”. We finished third in the country my sophomore year and second in the country my junior year.
We lost a ton of talent that year, including possibly the best player in the history of the sport. But my senior year we had great chemistry, everyone was rowing in the same direction, no one was more important than the TEAM and we beat Stanford in the finals of Nationals. It doesn’t matter if you are vying for a Championship or simply trying to have the best possible experience in a team environment – commitment, support for each other and placing the team ahead of self can turn a group of people playing and competing together into huge fun and an incredibly valuable life lesson. I think my team is starting to get that and that is exciting!!

After the meeting we ran our first mile as a team this season. Half the players finished under 8 minutes, and everyone finished under 9 minutes. I’m pleased with the overall fitness of the team at this point. More importantly, everyone sprinted or at least pushed hard for the last couple of hundred yards. That willingness to push yourself when your body would really rather fade is a big part of what being an athlete is all about, and every single player exhibited that today!

We all headed down to Haas after to finally do our team board. When I had to leave a bit after 4 PM, several of our players were staying late to finish up the wall. Overall a great day in terms of defining our team’s culture and building chemistry, should set us up for a good week of practice next week.