Safe!

As an umpire screams in baseball when a player takes a base, by sliding on his side in dire hopes that he will make it, "SAFE!" This word signifies this year's season's end, Orebro Volley is in fact, safe, from dropping down to a lower division.

As we traveled to the other teams home court, oh a short SIX hour drive from homebase, I thought to myself, "We have to win this match! There is no way I am going to let them beat us!" We walked into their new gym, amped and ready to go. We decided that we would be 100% focused the moment we set foot in the gym. Meaning, if you had a friend on the other team you could say hi but thats it, no chit chatting until after the match. If you had someone in the crowd you can meet with them after the match. If there was enticing music on, you withheld from dancing like crazy until after the match. All of us held true to our commitment to stay 100% focused, even though some of us had a tough time refraining from dancing. Overall, we looked like a professional team coming into the gym, ready to do work.

The first and second sets were golden, we came out attacking the other team like our lives depended on it. The 3rd set was a slow start which led to us losing 25-27. This score sent us into the next set with vengeance and we then again, attacked! It took us 4 sets to finish them and what fun it was to do. Everyone was so happy and the locker room conversation was filled with positive notes and smiling faces.

Once home, we continued with practice as usual with the thought that we were going to have to play at home to finalize the qualifications. Tuesdays practice came around and our coach announced that the federation had decided to not have the last and final playing weekend of the qualifications because it would not matter. Of the 3 teams the top 2 were solidified to stay in the Eliteseries, us and Svedala. We were elated, relieved and excited to get the party started! I was happy to be done with volleyball for a little bit and of course hang out with a team that stuck by one another the whole season. I am proud of the team and how we performed through thick and thin.

The weekend we were supposed to be playing at home we instead partied. Friday night we had a BBQ and SingStar contest, Saturday night we went to a club and a Fika session (coffee and cake) on Sunday that lasted 3 hours. It was a wonderful way to end the season and I am so glad I got to hang out with all the girls outside of volleyball. Jet's boyfriend came to visit that weekend as well. Jake also made it to town for the fun filled weekend.

Now its one more week until Jake and I travel to Copenhagen, Berlin and Amsterdam!!! So Excited!!! Until then, take care!