Day 2 - Hallie Hanks
Our day started off with breakfast in the hotel, which included toast, watermelon, bananas, cereal, juice, and coffee. Then we boarded the bus for a team practice at a local club that is hosting us for two matches and two practices. The net was a little low, and the balls felt a little heavier than we are used to. However, we didn't let the differences get to us and we still had a good practice. At the end of practice we enjoyed the company of Susha, a black and white cat who waltzed in the gym at the beginning of practice.
After playing we were very excited to meet AD's (assistant coach Adriano de Souza) sister and his adorable six-year-old niece named Clara. They both gave all of us hugs and Clara was not shy at all. We introduced ourselves by doing our traditional chant that gives each player a chance to say, "My name's ______ and I say hi!" From the Miami program, Clara received a jump rope, a little American flag, and a stuffed animal monkey with a t-shirt that says "Miami." In return Clara gave us a magnet of Brazil's flag as she adorably said "for you!"
On our way back to the hotel we stopped at the mall we visited yesterday and had lunch at an Italian place that served delicious pasta. After eating we had a chance to do some more shopping, which some girls took advantage of and found cute shoes and other great buys. Upon returning to the hotel we had some time to call home, nap, or just unwind before the night's match.
Around 4 p.m. we were on the bus once again, eating our pre-game meal that was ordered from the hotel as we traveled to the city of Americana for our first international competition of the trip. This facility was rather similar to the place we played at in the morning. At 5:30 p.m., we had a practice that focused on serve receive and free ball plays. After that we changed into our uniforms and returned to the floor to help our coaches run a clinic for local girls around the ages of 8 to 14. They were so friendly and so talented! We were very impressed with their abilities at a young age. Many pictures and video footage were taken of the clinic, and all the instructions were translated by AD. The girls were very appreciative of our help and in order to thank Coach Condit they all huddled around her and were jumping around and hugging her!
Shortly after the end of clinic we started to warm up for the match. The warm-up routine was a little different than we are used to, but we accommodated. The match started at 8 p.m. as both national anthems were played. Then the teams shook hands and exchanged gifts. We gave them t-shirts with a big red "M" and "Miami Volleyball Brazil Tour 2007" on it. In exchange they gave us spiral journals and pens.
Miami had a great start to the match. We even were ahead 20-10 at one point, and we ended up winning the first game. However, Americana was not going to give in that easily as they came back to win the second game. After the teams split the next two games, we finally won the match in the fifth game!
The Miami parents were great supporters, but we also gained some Brazilian fans. After the match, several younger guys used what little English they knew to say things like "beautiful" and "I love Miami." One dashing young fellow, named Renalto, made a sign for Cristina Piazza and even shouted out a marriage proposal! Some of our new fans were outside as we loaded the bus, and some of the players took pictures with the enthusiastic fans. Finally, we had some pizza on the bus as we made our way back to the hotel for a good night's sleep!
-Hallie Hanks # 6
