Final Thoughts

Hey Hey, its Kerin, just finished our last game in Brazil, it wasn’t our best but defiantly a good learning experiences. The week flew bye I will miss the awesome beaches and yummy food. I can’t believe it’s already over I am sad to leave but happy to go back home.

It’s April now, this trip was definitely a learning experience for everyone! We learned sooo much from Jimmy in the two clinics that he coached us. We tried to implement the changes he suggested, but couldn’t overcome the last team we played. They were a very good club team and we learned a lot from this as well. This trip has been absolutely amazing and I am so thankful that we had the chance to go to Brazil and experience their culture and their game of volleyball. Tonight we go to the SAMBA!

Hi this is Alex now! This trip to Rio was amazing! I’m so happy we got to come here for the experience, our team learned so much from Jimmy in the little time we had with him. Tonight we go back to the first restaurant we went to, and can’t wait to stuff our faces once again. Brazil was amazing but can’t wait to get home!

Alyssa (Stank)’s turn now. Brazil was amazing, and I am very grateful for the chance to come experience it. We got to play some great volleyball teams, work with Jimmy who taught us so much and learned many new things as a team. I can’t wait to go back to the restaurant that we went to the other night and eat some amazing food and then go out and learn how to Samba before being on a plane for twelve and a half hours. Even though I have loved Brazil I am ready to go home! See everyone soon J

HELLLLLOOO! Its Brittany, Brazil was awesome and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to come with my team. We met great friends here that we will never forget, ate delicious food (going to the meat restaurant tonight again J), and made memories that will live with us forever. I want to say thank you to everyone who made this experience possible and thank you to my team for making this a great trip!! Now I am preparing myself to stay up for the next 24 hours!

This was a great time. I had so much fun! Coach Paulo!

Our trip to Brazil is coming to an end. This experience has been life changing, both on the volleyball court and in our personal lives. Thank you to our new Brazilian friends and everyone back home for your support! Coach Lisa

The trip was a tremendous cultural experience. I was amazed at the Brazilian’s love of sports. The volleyball was terrific and extremely competitive. We held our own against the Brazilian teams. Playing against them helped us learn from them. This experience will give us a jump start on our season. I am really excited to get that started! Coach Fred

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Clinic #2 and Game #3

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This afternoon we had our second clinic with Jimmy in Niteroi. We learned a lot, implemented a new offense, and again, went over two hours in length. Jimmy is a great coach, has a lot of patience with us, and works us really hard. Iggy had a chance to show his soccer skills as we played soccer to warm-up. We had lunch in a local mall food court and drove to Sao Gocalo for our third match with Club Niteroi. Along the drive, we saw some interesting neighborhoods and experienced the local flavor of Rio de Janeiro. The team was waiting for us and they had some really freindly fans. We played four games, won one, and had a chance to use the offense we learned in addition to some new skills we learned from Jimmy. Back at Copacabana, we ate at a all-you-can-eat pizza restaurant. We finished with chocolate pizza; with M&M’s, with strawberries and plain! Now, off the markets to pick up some gifts for friends and families!

Day 5 Sunrise

We started out bright and early this morning, heading to Copacabana beach at 5:15 a.m. Five of us played in the sand and water, taking many pictures, while waiting for the sun to rise. A little after 6:00 a.m.hints of light started to glow along the horizon. Over the next forty-five minutes we experienced the most beautiful shades of blue, purple, pink and orange surrounding the numerous mountains and islands.

Our group headed back to the hotel for a quick breakfast and changed into our swimsuits for a trip to beach #2 of the day!

At Ipanema beach we were met with very nice people and very big waves. The swells were getting to be 10-15 feet high. Everytime they broke we were yanked and twisted toward the shore. One of the locals showed Lisa and I how to dive under and avoid mouthfuls of water. It worked almost every time! We got out after awhile and built some sand castles that were soon knocked over by waves.

Trying to lie on the beach was made difficult by the gusts of wind throwing sand all over us. However, the views were incredible and the sun was gorgeous so it made for an amazing experience.

Rachel and Coach Lisa (with Boots, Alanna, and Mo)

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