Monday, February 23, 2004

I didn’t expect us to come so far. Even before the zonal competition started I was worried and paranoid that history would repeat itself – to lose our calm in simple matches and give them away. But NO! This year’s team came out stronger than ever! When we won Unity I was flying! In C Div (2002) we lost our first game to them 2-0 and got kicked out of zone, and last year we lost to them again 2-1, and because of that loss we almost didn’t make it for Nationals. In our group we only lost to Jurong (one of the stronger girls team around) so that makes us second in the group. We were to play Hwa Yi in the semi-finals. Which is today.

Hwa Yi is better this year. They beat Shu Qun and was top in their group. I was hesitant and afraid that we would be defeated. In fact, before zones started, my predictions was that Jurong and Hwa Yi will be top 2 in zone. Hwa Yi was that strong.

When we played today, I was nervous like shit! Even more nervous than the Unity match. I tried to keep a confident front even though my hands were cold and my legs were unstable. Heck I am the captain! Any sign of weakness from me will affect the morale of the team! The game started with them leading 3-0, and I was so filled with fear and anxiety mixed together I could burst anytime! But after fighting our lives out we gained the upperhand and maintained a lead all the way! We won the first set 21-25.

The second set was even more uptight as they were desperate. At a point they were leading 20-17, and we were losing our cool, making our own mistakes (and I found out a new equation. Level of anxiety is directly proportionate to the no. of mistakes made). A last move by Dorothy saved the day – she subbed Pam in to replace our center spike. Thank goodness Pam was aggressive enough. We flipped the table and got back the lead to 24-21, and when the last ball was ours to take, I punched my fist in the air and jumped up and screamed!!!

We’re in the finals!!! We’re fighting for zone champ tomorrow! The years of hard work at least didn’t go down the drain. The whole team ran into the court and steady-aced! I ran to my coach and hugged her as hard as I could! Heck with all the sweat and stickiness and filth and stink! We won!

writing at 11:16 PM

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