If you're interested in purchasing any of the images you've seen in these galleries, please click here. They're a better quality and less expensive than the "amazing, professional pictures" you can get at the tournament.
The 12-1s played this morning at the Convention Center. They wound up going 1-2 for the day, placing them third in their pool. The day was interesting as all of the teams in their pool were really closely matched - meaning every game was an intense, close game and each match went to three - which then means that the court was behind, and I mean really behind! It got so bad that the Championship Desk decided they needed to play both the 12:00pm (C vs D) and the 1:00pm (A vs B) matches at the same time! So, they found a bunch of referees and an unused court and they played both matches at the same time. You can see photos of the 12-1s from today by clicking here. After their tiring day at the gym, the 12-1s headed off for Cocoa Beach.
The 14-1s played at the Convention Center this morning. When I asked the girls how they did, I got about 5 thumbs-down and this quote: "it was bad.... like beneath the surface of the Earth!" The wound up going 1-2 in their pool, leaving them third to play a challenge match to stay in contention for the gold. After grabbing a quick bite to eat back at the house, they were ready to go, but just couldn't get it started. To see photos of the 14-1s from today click here. Even though the girls felt their playing was not stellar today, they did make some new friends with one of the Puerto Rican teams which left them all excited - they even got to practice a little Spanish!
The 15-1s had an exciting first two matches this morning at the Convention Center before dropping the last match to Kiva (the reigning National Champions). Erin and Ashley were excited about their "switcheroo" they did in the last game. Erin played outside while Ashley tried her hand as a middle. They finished second in their pool which still leaves them in contention for the gold! You can see photos from the day by clicking here. After their day at the gym the girls just hung out at the house. They played an intense game of Poop On Your Neighbor with candy bets, and then several of the girls decided to sit out side and wait for their "hot" neighbors to come outside as well. However, the chaps kept them on a short leash as they were not to go past the sidewalk line on the driveway - I was impressed with how well the girls actually listened!
The 15-4s and 15-5s each had tough pools at the Wide World of Sports this morning. They both finished 0-3 for the day, but played really well. All of the teams in the 15-4s pool were number one seeds their first day and the 15-5s held their own against A5 as they pushed them to 28-30 in the second game. You can see photos from the 15-4s matches, taken by both Curt and I, by clicking here and you can see photos from the 15-5s matches, taken by Curt and I, by clicking here. This evening both teams just hung out and relaxed. The 15-4s made cookies to take with them to Cocoa Beach tomorrow and the 15-5s received Dilly Bars from Curt for all of the trouble they have had this trip.
The 13-1s played at the Convention Center this afternoon. They went 1-2 for the day, finishing up third in their pool. The last match they played was against OVA. The girls played really well and put up a good fight, but in the end they just couldn't pull it out and let the game go at 23-25. To see photo from their first match today click here. The coaches told me that the girls were really smelly on the way home, so I suppose that means they worked pretty hard. Tomorrow they were going to be going shopping, but for tonight, they should all be fast asleep!
The 14-2s had another great afternoon at the Convention Center! They swept their pool, again, finishing first. They didn't even lose a game! So they are still in contention for the gold. When I went to talk to the girls tonight, they were still on a high from beating Union in their last match (the team with the nasty parents). You can see photos of the 14-2s from today by clicking here. I asked the girls what the highlight of the day was, besides beating Union. They all said they LOVED the "make your own pasta salad" dinner that they had - way to go chaps!
This afternoon the 15-2s played the 15-3s at the Wide World of Sports. The 15-2s won in an intense match. The 2s won their second match as well but then fell in a close match against Sky High. They wound up taking 2nd in the pool which leaves them in contention for the gold. You can see photos of the 15-2s, taken by Curt and I, by clicking here. This morning, before playing, the girls were allowed to sleep in until 10:00am. They were all very pumped about that. After getting up, they celebrated Rachel's birthday while Michelle graced her with an impressive rendition of Happy Birthday. The 15-3s went 1-2, taking third in the pool. Click here to see photos of the 15-3s matches today. Then they had a very interesting time when they returned to the house. They opened the door to find a live lizard on their floor! In an attempt to shoo it back outside, this lizard's tail got "smushed-off" and this cut off tail continued to wiggle around - I'm sure you all can hear the squeals back in Minnesota! After the lizard incident, they all calmed down to watch TV and eat pizza.
That is all for me for today. Tomorrow the older girls get in, so travel safe everyone and have a good weekend.