Christine O'Brien

Past Entries

Entry 1

Entry 2

Entry 3

March 15, 2004

Well, we are back in Atlanta, after a week at our UAA conference tournament in Altamonte Springs, Florida. We faced a great amount of competition and earned a second-place finish after two very tough losses to Washington University. Our team fought hard and overall, it was a great week for us.

On the way there, we usually pass time on the bus by working, reading, eating, sleeping, and watching movies. This year we tried something new and some of the players brought old home videos to show. By far, the funniest was of the "ever delightful" Ms. Emily Sunshine -- she really must have been a handful as a child!

We spent most of our free time in Florida by the pool laying out, playing cards, throwing a Frisbee, going to the mall/movies, eating out, and spending time with our families. One night the team went to a very small park with a few go-cart racetracks and some rides. While Coach A watched us with 20 purses wrapped around his arms, we ran around the park. You would never think college women would be so entertained by bumper boats and go-carts, but our team had a great time. Though, I think a few of us learned the hard way that we can't handle some of the spinning rides like we used to.

Every year Coach Siqueiros' dad and his wife invite the team and their families to their home for a home-cooked meal. This year they prepared a delicious Polish cuisine. (If there is one way to get to our team's heart, it is definitely through our stomachs!) During the night, Mr. Siqueiros hung up a piñata and picked our mothers' names out of a hat to swing for it. It was hilarious. Shortly after my mother almost put a hole through a fence with a flung broken bat, and Mrs. Wald's WWF-style takedown of the piñata while blindfolded, Mrs. Fay was able to break the piñata.

Almost every player's parents were there which makes the UAA tournament a very special week for us. The parents prepare food for us between games, make goody bags for the long road trip, cut out personalized eagles for our room windows, hand-paint Emory banners, launder our uniforms after games, and continually show support and enthusiasm during the games. They are all amazing people, and we are truly blessed and grateful for everything they selflessly do for each and every one of us.

This was Liz and Nicole's last UAA tournament and although it is still early in the season, I just want them to know how much they mean to our program and how much personality and leadership they bring to our team. They will be extremely missed next year.

So many little things happen along the way that make me love this team. The way we get along and the way we take care of each other are the reasons I play Emory softball.

Although we are still learning how to take on our new roles early in the season and haven't gotten all the wins we've wanted with our tougher schedule, we've battled hard each and ever game. Expect great things from this team this year.

Christine O'Brien is a junior from Feasterville, Pa. She would love to answer e-mail questions from Emory recruits and fans.