Dear Redhawk Fans,

For the past few years, as you all know, the team has been raising money for our trip to Europe and it is finally here. With the fundraising finished and the trip right in front of us, we reported back to school Friday, June 14th to prepare for Europe. Our preparation included practice and team bonding.

This past week has been an opportunity for the coaching staff and the team to implement a new style of play, which includes more pressing and running. The team seems to be adjusting very well to the style of play and it looks like it will work out in our favor. Practices have been going well except for a few injuries. Mel has been given another broken nose and Beth went down with a serious ankle sprain. Beth has been going to therapy two or three times a day with Jen Beardslee to enhance her chances of playing, and Mel has gradually stepped back onto the floor. If all goes well, both of them will be back and playing in no time. Other then the injuries practice has helped us progress as a team, both with a serious concentration on learning the new style and also relaxing a bit and enjoying practice with some fun. The team has been very energetic and gets excited when things are going right at practice with some high fives and aggressive dives to the floor by Kim Smith. The coaching staff has been very pleased with how well practice has gone.

On Tuesday, the coaching staff decided to call off practice, and instead we met at Hueston Woods for some team bonding. We began with a wonderful picnic that included delicious chicken from KFC. After our stomachs were full, we decided to begin with an adventure with canoeing. The fun started when everyone was trying to board their boats with some swaying and uneasiness. When all was boarded and settled in we lined up for a boat race. The race began smoothly until Colleen, Kim Smith, and Beth took a vicious turn in the opposite direction of the race directly towards Jana and Heather. Soon after, Colleen, Kim, and Beth had overturned their boat and were trying to stay afloat with their boat completely full of water. When everything was settled and the boats were docked, we engaged in two more games to get to know each other even better. Our trip to Hueston Woods was a lot of fun and an opportunity for the team to become even closer.

Now, as our week has come to an end with much positive preparation in both the X's and O's and with team bonding, anticipation is in the air. We are beginning to decide on what to bring and what to leave behind. We are also looking forward for that long flight, especially Beth, who loves to fly more then anyone (well not really, Beth hates to fly). We are all ready to take the trip overseas to play some basketball and also learn a few things during our stay. Bon Voyage!!!

See you soon,
Katie Schwegmann

*** Thanks again to all of the generous people who have financially supported this trip. Joel Matauri, Karen Womack, Alums, family and friends, you're the best!