In 2004, the University of San Diego had arguably their best season in school history. The Toreros not only went undefeated in the difficult West Coast Conference, but they also reached the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament, both program firsts. Finishing with an overall record of 24-5, USD produced six impressive wins over Top-25 opponents. One of the main reasons for San Diego's successful run the past year was due to the overall play of senior Devon Forster. The 6-1 outside hitter was responsible for a majority of USD's potent offense, averaging 5.33 kills per game, good for No. 9 in the country. In addition, her outstanding passing and digging abilities made her one of the most versatile players in the country. For her efforts in 2004, Forster was named the WCC Player of the Year and was honored as an AVCA Second Team All-American. The native of Boulder, Colo. completed up her Torero career near the top of almost every statistical category: No. 1 in career attack attempts (4,603), No. 2 in career kills (1,886), No. 2 in career aces (148), and No. 4 in career digs (1,189).

Currently, Forster is playing professionally in Puerto Rico for the Indias de Mayaguez (www.indiasmayaguez.com). Her team is currently near the top of the league and as a starter, she has been a key contributor to the success that Mayaguez has enjoyed this past season. In addition to Forster, other notable players on the roster include former collegiate stars like Shannon Torregrosa, 2000 AVCA National Player of the Year Greichaly Cepero (Nebraska), and 2004 Olympian Nancy Metcalf (Nebraska).

Each week, Forster will bring you a journal entry depicting her time in Puerto Rico: the good times, the bad times, and the truly bizarre events that make being a professional volleyball player so interesting...

March 22, 2005

Well, after some technical difficulties, I'm back for my third entry! I thought it would be funny if everyone could read something that I wrote for the end of the year volleyball banquet that I wasn't able to attend. I was really upset that I couldn't be there, but being away from everyone made me think about the early days of my time at USD. In the spirit of the banquet, I thought it would be interesting to make a kind of Top 10 list of things I wish I knew back then. There are a fair amount of inside jokes, but I think you guys will enjoy it nonetheless. Although I am very proud of the things I accomplished at USD, there are also some things that I'm not so proud of. And my hopes are that none of the other girls will have to go through what I did my first year at San Diego... anyways, here it is:

The Top 10 Things I Wish I Knew Back Then...

1) Don't ever forget your jersey on a road trip, because the "walk of shame" up to the front of the bus to tell the coach that you left it at home, is definitely too long!!!

2) Don't be so late to the first home pre-season tournament that you get to the gym as the game actually starts - bad idea

3) Don't ever forget your shoes - there are many things you can do without, but unfortunately, shoes are a vital part of the uniform.

4) Much to my dismay, you actually do need to lift weights in order to compete at the level that we do. Shockingly, I joined a gym here because, after taking a nice break, I realized that I wasn't strong enough to keep up. So, sorry Jen for all of the complaining you had to deal with throughout my four years.

Forster (No. 6) is a starter for the Indias de Mayaguez.

5) Don't take the laundry service at the JCP for granted. I have to wash my jersey and spandex and T-shirts every ten minutes, and I don't have my own washing machine. So needless to say, I spend a lot of my time down here at the Laundromat.

6) You guys really do get enough gear for practice and games. Over here, I only have one pair of game spandex, 2 practice shirts, one pair of socks, and one pair of shoes. So if you have any extra stuff around, feel free to send it my way! :)

7) Campus cash is such a wonderful thing! Being away from school forces me to purchase my own People magazines, and I'm realizing how much money I've spent in my life on those things. And the worst thing about being down here is that all the magazines are in Spanish, and I don't know the people that they're talking about.

8) West Coast Conference volleyball is world class. I play with and against some of the best international players (Kristee Porter, Nancy Metcalf, Kim Willoughby, Stacey Gordon, April Ross - among others) and they're all good, but I truly feel that the 2004 Toreros would do really well down here.

9) Our coaches are incredible. Not only do they speak English (which I really have come to appreciate these days), but they also know what they're talking about. Our coaching staff has the perfect combination of skills, knowledge and experience to take any player, and any team to the next level. And just as they have helped us, we can collectively work to help break that habit of Brent's tapered pants. It may take some time, but we can do it!

10) There is something about USD - more than just campus cash and People magazine in ENGLISH!!! - it's a community that I have grown to love. It's filled with great friends, tons of laughter, beautiful scenery, and most of all, convenient shopping. Okay, no seriously, it's an amazing place, and I am looking forward to being back there in just a couple months.

Anyways, now for the good stuff! We started the post season on the 10th, and we are currently 6-0. Although we finished second in the regular season, we are undefeated in the first round, and it feels really good. Our biggest rival is a team from Caguas, and before Saturday night they were 22-0. But the craziest thing is that in the six years that my team has been in the league, we have never once beaten this team. So I am happy to say that the Indias made history! But I can't get too ahead of myself because the season is long, and we still have a ways to go. Although we have four more games remaining, our sixth win on Sunday night ensured our entrance into the second round of tournament play. Two teams will be eliminated, and we will go into yet another round robin with the top four teams in the league. Our schedule is pretty grueling, but as Ms. Sherburne always says, playing is the fun part.

I hope everyone from school is having an incredible spring break, and I can't wait to write back next week!

Until next time,

Devon