We Are The Champions!!

Since I formatted last weeks' blog posts prior to the occasion, I am behind on formally [blog] celebrating one of the most exciting news in our volleyball history. Our PHS girls did it.

THEY DID IT!!!

I credit this photo to my good friend and old teammate, Jessica! You can also catch up on more of the state final details over on her page!

This was a moment I knew was bound to happen. I just knew it! I mentioned that quite a few times here. Unfortunately due to scheduling conflicts, I was not able to attend the event. That was a real upset!! A stream of text messages were coming through every other minute from my best friend who was lucky enough to witness it all firsthand. So as I sat in my car, on the road, I waited... point by point.

That was until my amazing, never disappointing husband whipped out the laptop and found the LIVE STREAM airing the State Final Championship game!!! Now I was watching the game for myself.

I don't know what was worse. Waiting for a text message of scores, or actually watching it live! I seriously thought the anxiety was going to put me into labor.

The girls had taken over the first two games easily, but [a winning match being 3 out of 5] they now needed this third game to finish it.

Point by point, rally by rally, I found myself clinching the seats, covering my eyes, hollering at random. Chris was not appreciative of my antics. I don't blame him. But I couldn't help it. I was on edge, ready for that final point that I just knew was going to happen. They were going to finish this in three. I just KNEW IT.

But when that match point finally came, I was not prepared for my overwhelming emotions.

I just cried.

These girls finally did it for our program. After numerous trips to the state finals, coming up short, these girls were bringing home the championship title! Anyone who has ever been part of this program would understand that overwhelming pride that set in the moment those girls received their medals.

Especially, our Coach.

Arms clenched, face full of emotion. It was the exact image I could have imagined if I hadn't seen it for myself. I just know in that moment she was proud; not just of her girls or for herself, but for the entire program.

I think the most emotional part for me was that there. Seeing her finally get that championship medal.

The medal she so heavily deserved.

This was a moment that was special to not only the most recent years of the program, but as far back to the past 10+ [one of them being our own team].

Congratulations, Providence!!! PHS!!! PHS!!!

Providence STATE FINAL Championship!

I promise this will be the last time I mention my high school history, and Providence volleyball. I like to use the "scratch out", because it makes me feel less guilty of a fib. I don't like fibbing. It's only in those rare occasions when Audriana asks me where the chocolate is, and I tell her it's gone aka I ate it. But that is completely irrelevant to my thoughts on today. So let's just leave it at the scratched out promise, accept it and move on.

TODAY is the day. The day that our girls will heading to Indianapolis, to play in the CHAMPIONSHIP STATE FINALS match.

I just got goosebumps.

As mentioned more elaborately here (by my fellow volleyball teammate, and friend), the meaning behind this match is more than what's on the surface.

Yes, they had a good season.
Yes, they are an incredible team.
Yes, this is special because it's the final match of the season.

But this is the match that's finally come for our dearest Coach. After 14 years of coaching, teaching, guiding, listening, preaching, and 3+ trips to semi-state in her career... she deserves this more than anyone I know. And TODAY IS THE DAY. I wish so badly we could be there to witness this (guaranteed) victory. I don't want to jinx them, but I strongly believe that a jinx can only be casted on people who believe in luck. This my friends, is not about luck. These girls have it, mentally and physically. When it rests in the hearts, the victory is soon to come.

Good luck today, lady Pioneers!!!! I'm cheering for you, even miles away!!!! XOXO

Flashback Friday: State Finals!

I remember it like it was yesterday....

State Finals. Nov. 9, 2002: in the fifth game (best 3 out of 5) the opposing team serves, we play it out back over the net, they set up for a kill, we block it --- out of bounds. Game over. Score 12-15, them. Moments like those will never be forgotten. But the memories leading up to then?....even more embedded in our hearts for a lifetime. 

My own story and memories began back in the year 2000. Six players, six friends. We first began playing volleyball together when we were 14 years old. Our coach? The one and only, Coach Purichia. We were a pleasant bunch, as you can clearly see. At that time, the game of volleyball was just beginning to settle into our hearts as one of the best sports ever played. 

As the years passed, our bond as players and as friends only grew stronger. We weren't just teammates during a seasonal fall sport. We were sisters through a program that taught us the values of working hard together, and accomplishing goals while motivating one another every step of the way.

I credit that to our coach. Anyone who has crossed paths with this incredible woman knows the meaning behind her title "Coach". To me, she will always be the idol of that particular title. We not only exceeded in our individual talents through the years, but she taught us values that we carry on in our everyday lives; respect, honor, pride, and encouragement. 

I'm grateful to have played for her, and enjoy witnessing the multiple lives she's touched years after our own. With the current season at a close, they have now found themselves drifting through the Sectionals, and Regionals. With those victories behind them, that means only one thing. They are heading back to the state finals!!! Why this year, among others, has more meaning to it than ever? It's the infamous date of our own state finals history, November 9th. With the experience and relative emotions, I know they are beaming with excitement. This volleyball program will always be one of the most cherished memories in my life. What an accomplishing moment for these girls. I'm just so overwhelmed with pride! BLUE PRIDE!!! I wish them the best of luck and hope they can take it all the way this year.

Good luck, Providence!!!!! 

Here's a little diddy only those few of us will appreciate. Throughout our season we had the never-disappointing tracks of Garth Brooks to boost our energy before every big game! How it came to be him, it just was. This song will always be a true staple of those memories. Listening to it now just brought chills down my spine.