The Write Stuff: Mercedes Williams
In a new TexasSports.com feature this season, the six Longhorns seniors (Jody Bell, Kala Bowers, Jamie Carey, Annissa Hastings, Heather Schreiber and Mercedes Williams) will take turns writing a weekly diary entry, from their own perspectives on topics galore! This week, 6-2 forward Mercedes Williams writes about Texas' road trip to Denton, Texas where the Horns faced North Texas after a 12-day layoff due to final examinations. Up next on The Write Stuff (week of Dec. 20th): the "Senior Slant" from Jody Bell. The Write Stuff Hi Everyone! It's Friday morning (Dec. 17) around 10 a.m. and we're on our way back from Denton – a 3 1?2 hour bus ride! = where we played North Texas last night. We got off to a very slow start in the first half, but came ready to play in the second half. We don't want to use excuses like finals and a 12-day layoff, but for some reason we were a little sluggish at the beginning but picked it up. Jamie (Carey) really picked us up all game long – she gave us great energy and scoring and steals to get us going. In the last 12 days, we've spent all of our time practicing and finishing up our final exams and papers. During finals, which run longer than a week, we still continue to practice and lift weights so it's very stressful time for us. We might have had a break from playing a game, but not from practice or workouts. We went hard about 2-3 hours per day, and practice was intense. One thing which is hard for all of us is knowing we have to be ready to go and practice and study and take finals while at the same time watching everyone else take their finals, pack their stuff and go home for the holiday. Each year at this time, we also do something we all think is pretty special – work with our Student Athlete Advisory Council and collect money and buy present for the annual Adopt-a-Family program. Our team pitched in and gave money to buy toys for kids from one of those families in need. This year, Nina (Norman) and Trina (Katrina Robinson) collected the money and went and bought the toys from our basketball team (now there are two people who can have fun in a toy store!!!). For the first time since last Christmas break a year ago! - we are on a bus and not having to worry about studying or reading a text book! So, this bus ride will be restful. Once we get back, however, our day actually starts, as we have a couple of hours off before we go back to practice later this afternoon! This weekend, we will have practice and between those practices, I plan on STARTING my Christmas shopping! I am sure many of my teammates will be doing the same thing. We have one more game before the holiday break, and we'll be preparing for UT-Arlington on Tuesday (Dec. 21, 7 p.m. game in Austin). Then, Tuesday night after the game, or Wednesday morning, depending on travel schedules, everyone will leave to go home and be with their families. Since she is from Poland and cannot travel, Daria (Mieloszynska) is going to spend some time with Trina at her house in Grand Prairie, Texas and then she will visit with Stacy (Stephens) and her family in Winnsboro. Daria has a big extended family in our program! Hope to see everyone at our game Tuesday. We have four home games in a row coming up and we need and appreciate your support! Please enjoy your families and friends at this holiday time! Hook 'Em and Happy Holidays!
|
|
