Postcards from Argentina - Day 3
September 17, 2012 | Men's Volleyball
Journal Day #3 – by Scott Kevorken
Hey Eater Nation! Scott Kevorken reporting from Argentina with the UCI men's volleyball squad. Yesterday was a great day for the team! With the day off we were able to let our bodies recover from the volleyball and give us a chance to have some sweet team bonding off the court. Getting to experience the city here in Argentina is half the fun besides the volleyball! We started the day off with breakfast at the hotel with endless croissants and coffee (which I'm drinking way too much of) and then had a time for a nice nap afterward. Then we all headed down to the beach to get the blood flowing with a nice core workout from none other than our trainer Jim Pluemer. After getting our arms warm and our hips grooving, we rallied up for another game of ultimate tennis ball. Cap'n Kniff's team took the first set, 7-4. However, Deputy Dan's crew pulled out some big plays to end up winning the deciding third match with a score of 5-4.
After getting our workout the team had some time for lunch and another nap. Then the team headed to video to see what we can do to improve our game and beat BAU. Definitely one of the more interesting video sessions I've seen since Kniff had a nasty experience with the power outlet...(he's fine!).
The gang showered up and headed downstairs, piled into a giant taxi and we were off to go see the top 2 professional Argentinian basketball teams square off! The atmosphere in the gym was one of the coolest things I had ever seen in sports. Once the game was going, the fans never stopped chanting and cheering; you could feel the passion flowing from each and every one of the them. Jeremy Dejno and I decided to hit the concession stand and pick up some freshly cooked choripan, which is basically a cooked chorizo (chori) on bread (pan), hence "chori-pan." Needless to say after the rest of the team saw what we found they all had to get some for themselves. As the game went into the final minutes, the fans were louder than ever and started rallying around the court to cheer on the home team since they were struggling and falling behind. Unfortunately the home team lost, but the fans treated the players with great respect and applauded both teams. We piled back into the van and headed back to Hotel Dora for a nice dinner and then everyone headed to bed.
We'll keep the updates coming! Signing off!
Scotty K
Kniffin's notes:
The transition to the southern hemisphere's summer weather seems to have arrived with us. The beach was once again glorious in the morning as we went through a light training focusing on functional and competent movement that is quickly revealing its value in our defensive and offensive skill sets. As Scott alluded to, we are very fortunate to have Jim Pluemer (Director of Sports Medicine at UCI) on this trip. The work he has done with these athletes, enhancing their competency and functionality in movement in such a short time has already demonstrated its value on the court. Add to this that upon return, we will resume our work with Mike Nagler, who I believe to be one the best and most progressive strength coaches in the business, and the future looks bright indeed. This is a powerful combination of talent and knowledge.
Though both ancillary coaches know it, I would like to expand on the above for our supporters… As a coach, I couldn't ask for more in terms of a support staff. Jim, Mike, and the rest of the team behind the scenes are the stars here. The institutional effort that is required to do more than hoist trophies, to facilitate each individual's journey to their personal best, is often overlooked or overshadowed in the world of athletics. With this year's renovation of the Crawford Hall Athletics complex, we will soon have a strength and conditioning center that is second to none. But even with the new walls and new weights, we must remember that the foundation of Irvine has always been the quality, drive and genuine investment of the people who are guiding our athletes at every step of the way. So, thanks to those who make Irvine a way of life, not just a job. I'm excited to be back in the family!
Looking forward to pushing the ceiling of what we can do at Irvine…
Follow UC Irvine Athletics on Instagram #uciathletics to see more photos throughout the trip.
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