Katie Bergfeld

Past Entries

Entry 1

Entry 2

December 8, 2003

Last week was filled with various emotions for the women's basketball team.

Friends returning from their Thanksgiving dinners, classes starting up again, the imminence of finals, the ecstasy of a win, and the disappointment of a heartbreaking loss are just few of the checkpoints in this "roller coaster" of a week for all of us.

After welcoming back all of our friends, we all realized that not only do we have to deal with the stress of classes, exams are starting in a little more than a week. But, being the strong women we are, we held out knowing that relief would come on Wednesday when we played the "Stormy Petrels" at Oglethorpe's gym. We were well unaware of the hardships we would endure on the drive over.

First off, we had to spend a whole 20-minute car ride with no "catch phrase" or cinematic masterpieces such as "The Cutting Edge" to entertain us. No one had a sufficient amount of candy to sustain Sue, and I think we were all disappointed to see that all of the headrests on the new bus were perfectly intact. Nonetheless, we arrived at the gym with a positively intense feeling that this was going to be our game.

Being injured, I am able to do a lot of observing. Dutch and I, for example, were able to count the numerous times that Coach almost sat on me as she intently paced up and down the bench. We also boastfully noticed exactly how many times Lynn let her "alter-ego" come out and show a little 'tude on the court.

Throughout all of these distractions and hardships, we came out the victors, adding our fourth win of the season. We had some big plays from a lot of people, but I think the team was especially proud of Alex, who came out and made so many key plays for us.

As a reward to my teammates, I busted out my choreographed "Eye of the Tiger" dance during the men's game. (I only pull out this dance on special occasions, so everyone knew just exactly excited I was that we had dominated that game.)

With Wednesday behind us, we looked forward to Saturday, our second home game of the season, against Piedmont. I was told the day before that I would be taken off the "injured reserve" list. Because Katie had abandoned me the last game, I was really excited to actually get to participate in my first game of the season. I proceeded to project my happiness by again "breaking it down" with the post players during warm-ups with my famous (or infamous) dance moves.

After warm-ups, it was time to "take care of business," and get ready to play. Coach took us in the back room and gave us her usual speech about what sort of game plan we would be executing. She then gave us her quote for the day, which happened to be "Carpe Diem" or "Seize the day."

During and after the game with Piedmont, I realized exactly what this familiar Latin phrase means to me. Last week was especially stressful for all of us. But the one thing we do have control over is this moment. "Carpe Diem" is just about going out there and putting everything on the line. It's also about living in the moment, and not looking back by living in the past. And although we lost the game, and everyone was heartbroken, I think deep down we all believed that we would move on from this game, and there would be no reason to look back.

As a week of constant studying and stretching my brain to capacities I didn't even know was possible comes upon me, I realize something major about my team. I understand now that I really am lucky to have a group of 12 awesome ladies to keep me sane, even in times when I am most frustrated or stressed, or to back me up when my rendition of "Ice, Ice Baby" is just too much for other people. Thanks, girls. You guys rock!

Katie Bergfeld is a sophomore from High Ridge, Mo. She would love to answer e-mail questions from Emory recruits and fans.