This was our final event in the qualification period.  By this time Rach and I are both pretty beat up.  Poor Rach has been dealing with multiple injuries, but still hanging in there.  Yes, hanging was a perfect choice of words.  She strained a tricep in her hitting arm, but the injury seems to be moving upward causing neck pain as well as upper back and shoulder spasms.  We just need a week off, but there’s no time for rest.  We needed to take a podium finish to remain in the Olympic hunt.  Boss/Ross was knocked out by the pesky Brazilian team and we were up against Ey and Nicole.  We won the first convincingly and then fell apart the last 2.  Ey and Nicole took the podium finish we needed.  Disappointed is a complete understatement.   I could write about it, but it would take 10 more pages and someone might try to admit me to a clinic.  So, on to the next funny Russia picture.    I always wanted to sit in a Mercedes Benz, I just never thought it would be during a time out?????  There was so much more to this journey and I hope you have enjoyed my little tid bits.  Traveling the world playing the sport I love is such a blessing and I look forward to more adventures.  Many thanks to my husband Chad as well as my family and friends who have offered continuous support while I’m off playing in the sand.  I love you all.

TEAM USA @ THE RED  SQUARE (Matt, Rosie, Kelly, Jake, Jane, Rachel, Tyra)

 

  Our Favorite team to train with. The Brazilian sisters Maria and Carol Salgado.

 

There’s a shining light.  After a pretty disappointing week, Rach and I bounced back.  We decided to kick a little China booty.  We beat China’s top team twice in this event capturing the Silver metal.  Yes, this was our second one this season.  Felt pretty good to improve from our bronze metal last year.  I think it’s the white sand.  It reminds me of my home in Florida minus the huge Eiffel Tower. 

 

This event again demonstrated the athletic prowess of the USA women.  We had an entire USA podium.  Misty and Kerri with the gold, Rach and I with the silver, and Nicole and Ey with the bronze.  We are friends as well as each others greatest competition.  I truly believe we could bring home 3 metals in the Olympics if more than 2 teams could go.   We currently have 4 women’s teams ranked in the top 7 in the world.  It’s safe to say WE ROCK! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 coach Kerri Pottharst 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week #7 Stavanger, Norway

 

Also I had to pay an extra $348 bucks for my bag weighing over whatever stupid KLM’s weight is. I had to pay for every kilo it was over.  I will never fly out of the star alliance again? This is why I’m a United girl. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jane Gibb, Kelly and Nicola our PT’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Wacholder, Rach, me, Kelly our Physical Therapist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rach and I had a disappointing loss to fellow Americans Boss/Ross this tourney, 16-14 in the 3rd game.  It was an epic battle as always.  Both teams know each other so well and there’s always added emotion with the Olympics approaching and the number of events dwindling.  We had our revenge the next event in Poland.  We hammered them.  This win improved our record to 3-3 against them this year.  Crazy.  Love those girls, but you never know who’s going to come out on top when we play.  I’m sure if you were to ask each team would always say themselves, but the statistics this year say it’s a flip of a coin….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice back drop.  Rach and I played 3 matches on this court.  It was beautiful.

  

 

 

 

 

 

Week #4 Stare Jablonki, Poland

 

 

 

 

 

 

How did we manage to get ourselves in Stare Jablonki?  Well, it’s more important and exciting to ask how did we get out of Stare Jablonki.  We did the planes, trains, and automobile thing.  I’m not a snob and normally travel pretty well, but this was a nightmare.  Overnight trains were made for backpackers or people traveling with a light load.  We were neither.

Each of us came complete with a rolling suitcase, a computer bag, a duffle bag and a backpack.  Remember, we had packed for 8 weeks.  I think we managed to tick everyone off as we dragged our luggage down the narrow halls knocking into everyone and thing.  Ahh, and at around 2:30am we had to switch trains and do it all again….

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big glass trophies just don’t travel well.  Sorry to say, this one never made it home in one piece.