Kevin McCarthy

September 8, 2003

In August, the majority of the team arrived at Emory a week before the official start of the preseason, with high hopes for this season. Coming off a disappointing season, the returnees entered this season with the intention of securing the team's first UAA title in four years. So far, it seems like the returning players have made the conscious decision to play up to the team's potential, rather than underachieving as we've done the past few years.

With the addition of eight freshmen and a key sophomore transfer, the team is significantly deeper than it has been the last two years. Competition for playing time has already been fierce and we're only three games into the season. This depth has contributed not only to the role players coming off the bench, but it has forced the starting eleven to perform their best.

As a third-year player, this team seems different than previous teams in that the atmosphere during training and games is very positive and there is a stronger sense of camaraderie. Perhaps this is due to the extra time that the team spent together prior to the season.

It may simply be a result of adding new personalities into the mix. Each player brings something different to the team's chemistry and the effects are impossible to predict.

For example, who can predict how the team will change after the addition of a personality like Karl Dix, a sophomore whose hobbies include swiping burgers, performing napkin magic, and shouting "Arrrrrrgghh" like a pirate at passing cars. With men of many talents like Dixie, I can only imagine what this group will be like on road trips.

At the end of three weeks, I'm very excited about this team. We know that we have the talent and we've demonstrated that we can play well together. I just can't wait until we get our shot against teams like Christopher Newport and Greensboro in the next couple weeks. Make sure you pay attention to this Emory squad. This season should be a lot of fun.

Kevin McCarthy is a junior from St. Louis, Mo. He would love to answer e-mail questions from Emory recruits and fans.