May 20, 2013
STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford outfielder Cassandra Roulund talks about the team's trip to Nebraska in her final blog of the season.
We meet again!
Last night (or this morning) we arrived back on campus for the last time of our 2012-13 softball season. Of course, I have some sappy memories to reflect over, but first I'll rehash our stay in Nebraska (or at least the fun parts). Nebraska was not actually as terrible as I was thinking it would be. If I am being completely honest, it ranks much higher on my list of places-I-wouldn't-live-in-but-would-play-softball-in states than Louisiana. (I take that back. I actually would like to visit New Orleans... maybe it was just Lafayette?) Then again, Lincoln was covered in two inches of snow a mere two weeks before we arrived, so I may not have the whole story of Lincoln, Neb., to properly judge. Regardless, Nebraska was very humid, but not unbearably hot (Teagan and I both managed to NOT overheat - and trust me, that's always a minor miracle when it comes to us). There were thunder storms at night and during our games; the latter creating a slight problem because of the 30 minute `lightning' delays, the former creating problems only for Erin who had to deal with my incessant "oohs" and "ahhs" Saturday night. Lincoln also had a nice little downtown area `P Street' that was quite the happening place Saturday night.
After our last game on Sunday - after the multiple rain and lightning delays (these were real rain delays, people! Not `Seattle rain delays', which I now classify as a `drizzle' or `mist') - we trekked our way to the airport with the excitement of chartering a plane home. Last year, we charted a plane to Louisiana and it was grand. It was huge and we each had our own row. We were flying in the lap of luxury! So, you can imagine how much we were looking forward to this. When we got to the private Lincoln airport, we soon realized that our chartered plane was a little smaller than last time. After getting over my claustrophobia (thank you, KB!) and after the rest of the team got over the turbulence that seemed to be a tad bit more magnified in a small plane, the flight was actually pretty enjoyable.
Onto the sappy stuff. Yes, we had fun in Nebraska but we ultimately fell short of our goal of winning a Regional. This season absolutely flew by. I know that I am only a sophomore, but I can tell you that this year went by faster than last year, and I venture to say that the next two years will go by even faster. If anything, I have learned that it is extremely important to enjoy the journey. Conditioning in the fall may seem tedious (nope, wrong adjective - I meant exhausting) but I wouldn't change any of it. If anything, I reflect upon the year with a critical eye - could I have worked harder on any particular day? These questions and skepticism is what drives me to work so hard in the fall. It drives the team. Nobody likes to lose, but it's how we choose to channel our frustration that will determine how we change our future; how we create our future.
Our season is over, but our journey continues. Stanford softball does not give up. We are relentless. Stanford softball is determination and fight. I can guarantee that you will not find any one of us moping around and wallowing in our loss. We will be working harder than our competition in order to be better next year.
The time has come, folks. I must bid you adieu. I thank you for following me on this outrageous journey I like to call `season'. I've had a blast recapping our weekends and crazy antics and I hope you learned a little something about Stanford softball!
Inspirational Quote of the Week: "So chin up. Put your shoulders back, walk proud, strut a little. Don't lick your wounds. Celebrate them. The scars you bear are the signs of a competitor. You're in a lion fight. Just because you didn't win doesn't mean you don't know how to roar." -Grey's Anatomy
"The ties that bind us are sometimes impossible to explain. They connect us, even after it seems that the ties should be broken. Some bonds defy distance. And time. And logic. Because some ties are simply meant to be." - Grey's Anatomy
(Of course I have Leah to thank for inspiring me to use Grey's for my last quote(s) and for finding them as well... Seriously)
Standout Teammate of the Week: Shout out to Coach, Coach A, Coach Henderson, Letty, Brandon, Jesse, Regina, Jimmy, Joel, Jim, Barbara, Kevin, and anybody and everybody else who had to deal with us this year. (And by deal, I mean having the pleasure of being in our delightful company all season, of course). An extra shout out to Lorie for not only dealing with the team, but also dealing with Coach for 21 years (Happy belated Anniversary)! (If Coach is reading this... I am totally kidding. That was all a joke!)
Over and out
Boo
PS -- Before I forget. And finally, a shout out to my incredible roommate and pseudo-teammate Caroline. You have supported us, blogged about us, favorited every tweet, cheered us on, and tried so hard to be a softball player even though you can't catch a ball. You're the best... and hey! Look! You're on Stanford Softball's website now - you're practically a softball player.
Past Blogs
Thank You Seniors
Bring Out the Brooms
Find Your Inspiration
Rain Rain Go Away
Life without Softball
Oregon Trip Take Two
Our Time
Oregon Trip
Locker Room Frenzy
Photo Challenge
Staying in 'Tune'
Coaches and Support Staff
Opening Weekend
Rolling with Boo