Naiara Fernandes: Today has been one of the best days so far playing for UWF. For the first time ever we are in the regional semifinals and there is no better felling!! For the whole time I thought about this match, I had no doubts that we were going to win, but I wasn't expecting was to win like that!! We have never seen our team playing like that, so much energy, a huge urgency to win!! We are digging balls that seemed impossible. There were always arms flying every where!!! And passing that we had struggled so much in the past matches was also amazing! I have not enough words to describe how proud and happy I am for our performance. I had goose bumps almost the whole last game! Looking at coach's face after the match was over, I just wanted to hug and kiss her, even though she hates it!!! After the match I called my mom and she was screaming! For the first time in my four years of playing in college my mom was able to see me playing! She was so proud and happy! Thank gosh for Chris and the media here that gave my family a chance to see me play again! She was still in shock. The only thing she could say was how much she wishes she was here in the stands cheering us up! I really think that after today we proved to everybody that once had doubts about us that we came here for one reason... and the reason is TO WIN!!!!!! GO ARGOS!! WE ARE COMING BACK HOME TO PLAY IN THE ELITE 8!!
Marcela Cunha: After a long day traveling yesterday, the day started early today, again. A couple of us went to practice at 8 a.m., and we had a fun trip to Wal-Mart. After we came back, Calli decided to take a nap. Considering that she's the nap girl, I had to take a nap too. Now we are all here, at the gym, waiting to play Washburn. It was awesome that we get to be here and play at regionals. Even though we reached many milestones this year, everybody thinks we are not even close to being done. We just have to prove to everybody that we got here because we deserved it, and we worked hard. It's almost game time and all the girls are very excited. We can't wait!!!!
Judit Vass: When I woke up this morning, the minute I opened my eyes I was overwhelmed by anxiousness and anxiety. I thought, today is a very big day for our team. From the beginning of our season to now, we have traveled a long road to be here today. All the hard work has already been done, and now from the minute we walk out on that floor we are going to prove to ourselves, to each other and the our school that we are here to stand and we have what it takes to bring home the victory. Since this is my last year, every minute I spend out on the floor becomes intensified. Today for me is about heart. I have so much passion for this game and I'm going to leave everything that I have out there on that floor. Today and this whole trip is also about making memories. I can't help to think about the people that have been there for me and supported me along the way. I know that they would love to be here today and watch; my parents, my brother and Billy, but they are here with me no matter what, and I know that they are so excited for us to play well and WIN against Washburn. They'll be listening or watching the live broadcast online, along with many of our fans. Well, there is not much left to say, only that I am so proud of our team for making it this far, I'm proud to wear the West Florida jersey, and I just can't wait for the game to start so we can kick some major Washburn butt! We want to show everyone and each other how good of a team we are, and that our dream of being at the national tournament at home, to play on our own court, could very well become reality!
Danielle Spitzer: Well, hearing Melina knock on my door this morning wasn't the best wake up call, but I knew what needed to be done. I had to get up, try to match my clothes and find some clean socks. When we arrived to the airport, everything seemed to be going smooth until, oh no, Christina forgot her Drivers License! No need to worry, she passed through without any problems. As our adventure continued, we got on the first plane which had TV's in each of the seats. How awesome was that!! Since there were only 20 channels for us to choose, I decided to stick with the Food Network. Well, can we say big mistake!! I have never been that hungry in my whole life and within one foot of my face was the most delicious display of chocolates, pancakes, and fresh homemade pies I had ever seen, but this was ok with me , anything to take my mind of my big fear of flying! Oh yeah did I mention that the pilot announced our team over the intercom! Yeah, we felt like big shots. As our plane arrived into our first destination (Atlanta), it was quite shaky but we managed to land with all the wheels. When I walked through the door into the airport I saw the glowing lights of The Body Shop and knew I needed to find an ATM fast!! Louann and I spent the whole layover trying on makeup and putting on lotions. We were so preoccupied with this that we almost missed our flight!! The second I sat down in the second plane I passed out so I can't tell you what happened, but when I woke up we were in Missouri. After a quick stop to Enterprise, we were finally on our way in three soccer mom vans. Hunger set in real fast, so we stopped at Quiznos and all of the sudden it hit me, "we are playing tomorrow!" I felt my heart start to race as I pictured the game in my head, and yes we were winning. It was time to get focused, and keep my eye on the prize. It was then that we all agreed that it was time to show everybody who we were and why we were here. We all knew that in order for us to be successful, we needed to all come together and work as a team. Well, we have arrived at the hotel, so wish us luck!!!!
Louann Rusch: I definitely did not want to wake up this morning when my alarm went off and I don't think my dog did either. He started howling at the alarm! No worries, I got up and made it to the airport. I was even early. To embellish on the Christina story... Carly told Coach an extremely exaggerated story making the whole situation sound a hundred times worse. Ooohhh Carly, what would we do without your exaggerations? Danielle left a picture with a note on top of a dusty ATM machine for a guy she has only known for an entire two weeks that is going to Iraq. She is so crazy, but once again, no worries, he got the picture. Danielle and I were extremely loud waiting for our flight, well I would say we were entertaining, but Shelby might disagree. We finally got on the flight and we made it to Atlanta safely. It was in Atlanta that I realized I forgot to bring my volleyball shoes and ankle braces on the flight with me, so I was praying my luggage made it to Missouri. Don't tell Coach! Once again, no worries, my luggage made it! YAY! On the flight to Missouri, Erinn, our trainer who is VERY quiet, was talking up a storm with the guy next to her. The only thing she ever says loudly is "OOOHHH NO LOU DON'T TACKLE ME!!" I want to see her mad so badly; it would be so funny. I started to get a little cranky when we got off the plane because I was starving and it took us forever to find a place to eat, but no worries, we got food. For the past three hours, I have been staring at the same license plate on the lovely vans we rented. Oh wait, I lied we watched the darling movie 13 Going on 30. Nothing like reading subtitles for a movie on a laptop while driving. Well, I am going to hand it back to Danielle because I was just told we only have another 30 minutes left before we get to our hotel and head out for practice. I can't wait to play tomorrow. We are going to kick some serious butt! WASHBURN WATCH OUT BECAUSE HERE WE COME! They are never going to see us coming!
