Toni Jones

September 7, 2004

After a summer of training and an intense pre-season laden with two-a-day practices, random injuries, and getting to know new teammates, the Emory volleyball team was finally prepared to depart for our first tournament of the season in none other than Mobile, Alabama…MY HOME TOWN!

As we all scrambled to gather our belongings for the trip, after our classes concluded on Thursday afternoon, anticipation steadily increased as we grew closer to our first official match of the season. In effort to arrive in Mobile as early as possible, the coaching staff decided to have pre-ordered food waiting for us as we loaded bus driver Ralph's charter.

The distributed meals were intended to be dinner and many of my teammates observed that stipulation …but of course I didn't. My dinner was devoured before the bus moved an inch from the gym's loading zone.

As usual, we spent the duration of the bus trip napping, watching movies, and doing homework. Much to my growling stomach's luck, Ralph allowed a pit stop at a gas station in Alabama…and the Emory volleyball ladies always take advantage of the unique merchandise in nowhere towns' corner stores.

Following a sprint to the restroom to avoid the inevitably long wait that accompanies the combination of a 22-person team and three stalls, we scoured the shelves of the store for snacks and souvenirs. When our purchases were finalized and we were loaded on Ralph's Mobile Bound tour bus, the journey continued.

After gaining an hour as we entered Alabama's Central time zone, the team arrived at our hotel right off Mobile's infamous Airport Boulevard--home of some of the country's longest traffic lights. Ah!!! There's no place like home!

While it is only natural for one to feel she knows a teammate fairly well after spending an entire pre-season with them, sharing a room, and maybe even a bed, typically adds a brand new dimension to the relationship. Although, I was looking forward to spending some quality out-of-volleyball time with my roommates Monica and Maggie, I decided to make rounds to a couple rooms of my other teammates and my favorite trainer (YAY LEAH!!!) to say hello and shoot the breeze for a while.

Upon excitedly returning to my room, I was welcomed by a sleeping senior in one bed, the Republican National Convention on television, and news that I'd be sharing a bed with a young lady whose court style is unanimously reminiscent of last year's sole senior and diary author Lauren Campbell…and whose sleeping style is readily comparable to that of a tornado. "Toni, if you wake up with me holding you, just kick me or something!"

Well, I didn't want to be abusive, and I am completely sympathetic because as a child, I, too, awoke many mornings in a bedsheet cocoon with my head at the foot of the bed. So I decided to make the situation as comfortable for the both of us as possible. If we were going to cuddle, I thought it would be a good idea for me to at least smell good. So I showered.

Following a night of many sleepless and anticipatory hours in a bed with a human tornado, I woke too early the next morning to find I'd survived the night with a mere blow to the gluteal region. I was proud of her. For breakfast, we graced the employees of Cracker Barrel with our presence…and our appetites.

After fueling up at what seems to be the team's favorite country kitchen, we headed over to Spring Hill College to get ready to play! With a few parents present to cheer us to victory, we breezed through our two Friday matches, then exited the gym with a bus-full of hungry volleyball players en route to my house for dinner.

I was given the honor of riding shotgun as Ralph's navigator while listening to anecdotes about his precious granddaughters. As we cruised over Mobile Bay, Coach reminded us to wave to the U.S.S. Alabama Battleship, one of Mobile's few tourist attractions.

When we arrived at my house, the hungry troops unloaded the bus as my parents eagerly greeted their many, MANY guests. After a tour of my room and the embarrassing presentation of some of childhood pictures, we dug into the meal my lovely parents had prepared for us.

While the grilled chicken and salmon were intended to be the main attractions as my dad takes pride in grilling through rain, sleet or snow, the baked beans were a huge favorite. I also finally allowed my mom to unleash her famous Sock It to Me cake. It was also a huge favorite. She is happy now. Dad takes pride in grilling. Mom takes pride in baking Sock It to Me cake for satisfied consumers.

In effort to make freshman Jenny Macy's on-the-road birthday a little more special, we celebrated with the birthday song and a yummy confetti cake that Mom also prepared. Approximately two minutes later, when the cake was completely gone, everyone mingled and watched a little college football before it was time to head back to the hotel.

Day Two began with checkout and a trip to Atlanta Bread Company for a bite to eat. I guess it is merely the norm for a group of young people, but our team always manages to have a blast when we are together. Saturday morning was definitely no exception. We always make the most of our time together creating the memories that make college athletics so worthwhile.

Before our back-to-back matches, we decided to introduce one of our many pre-game dance rituals to the new players. Following all the bouncing, clapping and dancing that comprises Little Sally Walker, we exited the racquetball court we used for the warmup psyched and ready to play…and trying to avoid making eye contact with the seemingly disturbed senior citizens who had witnessed our "dancing."

Two matches later, we had developed a much better idea of where we are as a team and what we still need to work on. After a positive speech from Coach Jenny, we said goodbye to our faithful fans (aka our parents) and loaded Ralph's volleyball shuttle. Equipped with another pre-ordered dinner, we settled in for a six-hour ride back to our beloved Atlanta.

Overall, our first trip was successful. Although it was strange having all of Emory volleyball in my house, I had a great time hosting and proving that Mobile isn't as bad as many people assume it is. We established clearer understanding of areas of improvement as a team. And I managed to avoid any serious or long-term injury from my bedmate. I'd say it was a very pleasant and memorable trip to SWEET HOME ALABAMA!!!

Toni Jones is a sophomore from Spanish Fort, Ala. She would love to answer e-mail questions from Emory recruits and fans.