Under The Radar: A Redshirt Diary

On The Road Again

December 7, 2021

Shortly after 8am, the James Madison University women's volleyball team's charter bus was on the road for West Lafayette, Indiana and their Round of 16 match against Penn State. Some players zoned out to their music, others napped, but the two seniors quizzed the team sage about what to expect at this level of the tournament.

Rebecca: Did you ever get to regionals while at Vanderbilt?

Sarah: No. Went out in the first round in 2020 and 2019 and the second in 2018, but because of how the NCAA splits up the schedule for soccer, putting the second and third rounds on one weekend, it could be considered comparable to what this weekend will entail.

Rebecca: Compared to this past week, how different is this next level of the tourney?

Sarah: Some things will be the same, like the day-before walkthroughs and media requests. Whereas we were able to spread that part out over three days last week, this one will have all of them needing to be handled tomorrow. Also, unlike last week, the announcers will be on-site and thus the interviews are face-to-face. Another difference is there will be press conferences tomorrow and Thursday, with certain players chosen to attend them with Coach. My guess is that two of us three will get the draw for tomorrow. 

Savannah: Do we know when we're going to be having our training session tomorrow?

Sarah: Going off what I saw with soccer, the two teams in the first match go one and two, the ones in the second three and four, with the host going last. I would expect us to go first as the team from the lower-seeded pod and Penn State to go second, meaning we'll be before the mics after our session instead of before it.

Savannah: Becs, I know you're probably hoping not to draw the short stick here, so I'll volunteer for it.

Rebecca: Thank you, Savvy. Love you.

Sarah: You two are so cute. I'm hoping your parents have accepted your being a couple and aren't plotting to get in the middle of it.

Rebecca: Mine are totally for it. By the way, the Beach is calling my name and I am looking forward to kissing this wonderful woman under the stars to ring in 2022.

Savannah: We had "that talk" on Blackout Wednesday. I told them that I loved Rebecca and wanted them to be OK with that. I think Mom still needs to adjust to seeing me with someone other than Petur, but I feel like Dad has come to terms with my not being completely straight.

Caroline and Chloe came back and asked the other three if they could bend their ears for a few. After taking open seats nearby, the pair launched into what was on their minds.

Caroline: It seems our Chloe has a bit of a thing for my friend and our newest teammate. Any of you have ideas on how to move beyond the not-so-innocent flirting to find out if she is interested?

Sarah: You know she's going to be at Convention with us, right?

Caroline: All I knew was that she officially committed to JMU on Thursday.

Sarah: Lauren called her coach at MSU and asked her to bring Alden to Columbus since she wanted to include her in our on-court session. Also told Miette to keep the week open as she was expecting her to get an All-American nod when the AVCA announced the teams this week.

Caroline: Soooo.....maybe you and I can feel her out while there, then give Chloe the intel so she can woo her before she returns to Starkville in January?