brotown

Tourney week. Gosh, it feels good to say that. It's been too long, Menace. I'm so pumped for this weekend, but nervous too. Last year we always had the seniors to fall back on. Joann to lay out for that off throw. Maggie to get off that huck. Kate to sky a bunch of people for that pass that went a liiiittle too high. KimmyD to be calm and play solidly when things got hectic. Alexis to make that perfect deep cut. This is the first time we're seriously going to be on our own. We've got big shoes to fill, but I know we can do it. We've all had our moments of great ultimate in the last year. That upwind throw that worked better than you could've hoped for, that sweet run-though D, and that disc you ran down when you thought you just weren't going to make it. Granted, for probably all of us, there were those other moments of "What was I thinking?", "Why. did. I. throw. that.", and "How did that slip out of my hands?!" that we need to work through, but I know we can and will work through it. This is our chance to take everything we've learned from past Menace players and apply it in a new way. There's no one else to fall back on but ourselves this time around, and everyone has a chance to step up and be a leader on the field. It's been said a million times- the best teams in the country are not just comprised of a few all-stars who have all the tricks, but the rosters stacked with solid players who do all of the little things right. We can be that team.

Last I checked, we're the last seed in this tournament. This means there's nowhere to go but up. I wanna see upsets, last year's rookies playing like ballers, and for this team to step up and give a preview of what's to come in the next year. So we don't have any seniors, so what? All that means is the team we've got this year will be bigger and better than ever next year. This tournament is going to be a learning experience for all of us. I wish we could have the whole squad there this weekend, but I hope all of Menace will be there in spirit.

We've only got 10 players coming this weekend. But hey, playing time is what summer ultimate is all about. It's the time to try new things. Take a stab at handling, or cut for a few points. Throw a hammer. See how far you can huck it. Figure out who our pullers are gonna be. Make up new cheers *cough*risa*cough* and start new rituals. I think it may take some time for everything to click in our new roles, but I know we can do it. We're gonna have to work hard against some of these club teams who have been practicing together for the last 2 months, but it'll be worth it if we can pull out some wins.

Menace is lookin' young, fresh, and oh-so-fine. See you ladies in Hartland.

-Jody