Postcards From Argentina - Day 5
September 20, 2012 | Men's Volleyball
World Challenge Cup Results - Buenos Aires Unidos def. UC Irvine 25-21, 25-16, 25-17
Dear Irvine,
Yesterday was another great international experience for our team. We woke up, ate breakfast and then thankfully, due to our great support team, we were able to get to the gym early to get an excellent warm up instructed by Jim. This was crucial for us because the gym is very cold. Afterwards we had a team lunch and I spent the rest of the day relaxing/napping with the best roomie ever, Daniel Stork.
The next event on the schedule was a quick pre-game meal and video before heading to the gym for the match. The environment at the match was something I had never seen before. There were cheerleaders, a team mascot, and very prideful fans for the home team (we played Buenos Aires Unidos). The match went back and forth but BAU came out on top in 3.The value of getting to play a caliber of team like BAU will be very beneficial for our team in the long run to achieve our goals.
My favorite part of the trip so far was when the other night when Condor (Connor Hughes) and DMC (Dan McDonnell) and myself walked around the city at night and got to experience the culture first hand while hearing about Condor's experience playing on the beach in Brazil at the World Championships just a few days prior. This trip has truly been a once in a lifetime opportunity for us and I am so thankful to all who were able to make this experience happen.
Yours Truly,
Kniffin's notes:
Scores for UC Irvine vs Buenos Aires Unidos: 21-25, 16-25, 17-25.
Ian Castellana's post game reflection in a physically cold and emotionally frustrated locker room: "Baptism by fire."
Yes, Ian. That is true. And this is why we are here. This team, UC Irvine 2013, will be exceptional. But we are boys among men right now.
The road is long and we have much to learn, reinvent, and refine. I have all the faith in the world in each of you, the institution which we represent, and the value of the efforts and process that lie ahead.
Signing off for tonight. Kniff.
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