Jan. 5, 2011

Hey Torero Fans!!

Happy New Year!!! For those of you who have managed to keep their New Year's Resolution after a whopping two days - I applaud you; easier said than done. After Felicia told me this week about a week long cleanse/diet that helps purify your body of toxins and makes you healthier, I figured that was a perfect way to start the New Year. So after buying fruits and vegetables in colors and shapes that I didn't know could be grown, I was excited and ready for my challenge. Oddly enough, 1.5 days later, I found myself in the In and Out drive thru!!....Ugh! I really hope the rest of you did better than me on holding to your New Year's Resolutions!! You can't do much worse than I did!

I'm afraid I don't have any funny or humiliating stories of my teammates to share this month. I know, bummer huh? (I did step in fresh dog poop in Hawaii, on my birthday, but that is a whole other story...And, well, since I am the blogger, I have full authority not to share- love how that works out!) Right now all of us girls are in intersession, and I speak for everyone when I say it is absolutely AMAZING! For those of you who aren't aware of such a thing- we are back on campus, have practice and workouts, but here is the kicker, NO SCHOOL! Pretty exciting right? I like to think so. Time where we can just focus on basketball and get a good solid night's sleep-- what could be better?! Don't get me wrong I surprisingly am excited for school to start back up and expand my educational horizons (being totally serious) but this break is much needed. Girls on our team are even pulling out novels left and right. Coach should be so proud. Izzy is practically reading a book a day, and they say I am the nerd.

With this break from school that also means more time for team boding. Just last week Coach Fisher had us all over for a Christmas dinner at her house. Olive Garden was provided and I was in absolute heaven. However, what made the night so special was that our alumni players were invited over as well. Morgan Henderson and Amanda Rego returned from playing professional basketball overseas in Germany and Kiva Herman was also in attendance for she just came back from playing in Portugal. I speak for everyone when I say it was sooooo nice seeing everyone. They and the rest of the Alumni have been greatly missed!! It is so hard to go from seeing someone everyday because of basketball to trying to figure out the time difference to know when to get on Skype. You should see the sheer joy that comes across my roommates faces when we hear them calling us on Skype!! It's like Christmas time for a 5 year old.

Just to recap all that has been going on on the basketball court for you; we finished 8-3 heading into the Holiday Break and came back December 26th to defend our title in the Maggie Dixon Surf and Slam. After beating Hofstra in OT, (yes I almost had an anxiety attack and broke one of my heals from jumping up and down) we pulled out a great win! Unfortunately, two days later, we lost to #23 ranked Texas in the Championship Game. However, shout-out to Dominique Connors for her All-Tournament Team for the second-year in a row!! We are so proud of you girl! Now with our overall record to 9-4 we are psyched for our Conference Games that lie ahead. With Pepperdine and LMU later this week we are ready to defend our home court and send a message to those who picked us 6th in pre-season Conference polls. Conference is going to be a tough road but with the New Year brings new goals, and winning the Conference Tournament is one New Year's Resolution we will not be breaking.

I hope you all had a great holiday season!! If you want to see pictures of Hawaii or dinner at Coach's house you can befriend "Torero Wbb Diego" on Facebook. Can't wait to talk to you all soon!!

Keep hoopin, Britt ☺

Nov. 29, 2010

Hey fans! Unfortunately the great Hannah Morgenstern has graduated from USD and will no longer be blogging, however I have some GREAT news - they left me to fill her spot! If you are uneasy about this, don't worry, I have never blogged a day of my life, nor do I understand blogging etiquette. But I must say, I have personality! ☺ For those of you who don't know or remember me, my name is Brittany Conger and I was a freshman on the team last year. I was the tall, skinny, gangly, kid who spent most of her time diving on the floor or better yet the one that seemed to drowned out the commentators while cheering from the bench. Yes, I am that one. I also made many appearances in Hannah's blog last year: the "incompetent freshman" that believed the laundry staff at the gym would wash ALL of your laundry, including jeans and blouses. I'm also the one who attempted to jerk (a particular dance move craved amongst our generation) and I miraculously made it look more like a river dance. Sadly, I must admit, all of it is true. If none of this is still ringing a bell, I guess that allows me to make some positive influence on you before my true quirky, and slightly embarrassing personality comes out. But enough about me, let's get to the heart of this blog: The Team.

We have five new players this year. Four freshmen, Nicole Ballestero, Amy Kame, Kameron Knutson, and Cheyenne Williams, along with one JC transfer, Izzy Chilcot. I must admit I am slightly grateful to no longer be the "new-be" - Hauling the ball rack up seven flights of stairs to the gym for practice or being constantly reminded of your "incompetent freshman" mistakes that never seems to get old; however, I am surprised none-the-less how well our new group seems to be handling it. That doesn't mean however that there aren't some hilarious and embarrassing stories that can't be forgotten. Unfortunately, I can't say a particular story comes to mind; more like one person- Kameron Knutson. I wasn't here over the summer but her stories are like legacies, passed on to every passer-by or anyone who is willing to listen. To put it simply, wherever Kameron is -laughter is sure to follow. A prime example was a few weeks ago up in the weight room. Coach Rochet had asked the girls to move the tumbling mats for a simple foot speed drill entitled, `dot droll'. With an eager exuberance Kam hustled over to the mat and pulled it. Unaware that Domo was still on the mat when she pulled it, she sent Domo flying in the air, only for her to land comfortably on her face. Lucky for Domo, the entire football team was in the weight room to take account of her EXTREME wipeout. Good one Kam. AKA (also known as) "Killa Kam."

Laughter is also seen in Kameron's "penpal" Nya. Practically inseparable, Nya is always there to laugh at Kam's "jokes." However, to her dismay, Nya has a funny story of her own worth sharing. About to begin our individual one-day, Nya, tried to be funny and sarcastic and walked over to a basketball laying on the court. She then proceeded to kick it. However instead of actually kicking it, she had rolled her ankle over the top of the ball. Next thing we knew, Nya had fallen backwards over the ball and landed flat on her back. Her reaction was priceless, eyes rolled back, with a blank stare across her face. In a matter of seconds all of us girls were standing over her pointing and laughing. To this day we continue to impersonate her epic fall.

With all the laughs and jokes of preseason behind us, we have officially headed into season. Yes, the long wait since March is finally over. With our first win against the road against University of Pacific behind us, we are ready to take on the Rebels at UNLV. Then we're back at home to defend our home court against Seattle University, Cal State Fullerton, and Columbia the following week. It is going to be a busy next few months until the Christmas Holiday, but we are playing games finally; it can't get much better than that

Well, fans that is all I seem to have for this month's blog. I hope I lived up to or came close to the success of the infamous Hannah Morgenstern. Can't wait to fill you guys in next month with what is going on with the team!! If you want you can follow us on Facebook (you know, that popular sight us "kids" are obsessed with) you can by befriending "Torero WBB Diego."

Hope you all have a great Turkey Day next week!! Britt ☺