Cowley Volleyball, arrival

We have all arrived in Arizona. Seems that everyone's flight was pretty uneventful, which is always nice.
The team arrived Tuesday evening and got settled in to their rooms.

The Lady Tigers had their first practice at the Scottsdale Junior College Wednesday morning. It was a spirited practice.
"We were focused. Everyone was excited out there," coach Joanna Pryor said.
She was pleased that the sophomores were being vocal and leading the way.
THey were here last year of course, and know what to expect.
The freshmen seem to be enjoying everything and are not intimidated at all.

At the morning practice session they were in the same gym as Kishwaukee and Johnson County. Those two and Cowley are the top three seeds at the tournament.
There might have been a temptation to watch the other teams a bit, but Pryor kept them focused on their own work.

At this point you are not putting new things in. Its just a matter of getting loose and getting familiar with playing in a new environment.
The girls also had a practice Tuesday before they left Arkansas City.

"We know what they do, what they have," Pryor said of the other top two teams, so there wasn't a lot of looking around at other teams.
To a great extent volleyball teams need to concentrate on themselves and keeping their own game sharp, instead of worrying too much over other teams.

Cowley is to open play at 10 a.m. Thursday against Grand Rapids College.
They don't know much about the team, but again, they will be focusing on themselves and trying to play their own game.

If they win they will play again at 6:30 p.m. in the round of eight.
There is also a "opening ceremonies" to be held around 5 p.m.
That is a nice ceremony where every team comes in and is recognized. Of course it does seem a bit silly to have it after the tournament has started.

Assuming Cowley wins their opener in the morning, they would play right after the opening ceremonies.

After the first game the team will eat at the school and hang out for awhile and watch other teams play.

Ill let you know what happens in the morning soon as I can.