Indiana University Athletics
On The Road With Emily Schmitt and Stefanie Winter
3/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
March 29, 2007
Throughout the 2007 season, members of the Indiana water polo team will keep a diary of their travels for IUHOOSIERS.com. Stefanie Winter and Emily Schmitt checked in from the trip to Pennsylvania for CWPA Western Division play.
Friday, March 23
Our annual weekend tour of Pennsylvania began at 9 a.m. After loading the bus, we bid good-bye to Bloomington and welcomed the open road. This weekend consists of many miles of driving in between six games. We like to think of ourselves as a touring rock band, riding our bus to play at endless locations, with water polo skills instead of musical instruments. After a relatively mellow eight-hour drive, we arrived at our first venue. The opening game for the weekend was against Gannon University. Gannon always enters the pool with energy and determination. We pulled together as a team and finished the game in the lead, 9-7. The team effort in Friday night's game laid the foundation for the weekend.
Afterwards, we stopped off for a replenishing dinner before returning to our hotel. At the hotel, Nicole (Sands), overwhelmingly excited about the roommate selections for the weekend, expressed her approval with glee.
Saturday, March 24
Early wake-up calls woke up the team and we met the morning with a filling breakfast. Saturday's schedule was lengthy - three games with much travel in between. With a positive overlook in tow, we began the day with more excitement than on Christmas morning. Mercyhurst was our first competition, and team effort once again put us on top. Shortly after, we faced Penn State-Behrend. We cheered each other on during warm up in order to really pump up the team. With another "W," we were on the road again. The team stopped at Wegman's, a favorite Pennsylvania spot, for nourishment. Next up was the drive to Grove City for Saturday's final game.
Grove City was the only game of the weekend played in a "deep-deep" pool (no shallow end). We all felt more in our element and enjoyed the usual setting. Grove City fought hard, but the Hoosiers were victorious again.
We returned to the hotel and then split off for a dinner of our choice. Britt (Brittany Estrada), JT (Jaclyn Tameris) and the two of us did what tasted right and hit up a local diner.
Sunday, March 25
Happy Birthday, Claire Nicholson! You're a big girl now - 22!
After a quick breakfast, we hit the road for two final games. First up was Slippery Rock, and that was another well-played game. Once more, we won the match and were back to traveling on the bus. The team enjoyed some sunshine and our favorite card game before hitting the deck for warm ups. Coach Kandace (Waldthaler), the unstoppable "Death Card" Champion, relinquished her title. Emily Schmitt now holds the (self-proclaimed) "Death Card Undefeated Champion of the World" title.
Washington and Jefferson was our last tour stop for the weekend. The final game was played similarly to all of the previous ones over weekend, with everyone putting in a solid team effort to garner the win.
The bus ride home was entertaining as usual. In true rock band fashion, Brittany provided a much overdue vocal performance. Maggie (Hannon) entertained all as Britt's back-up dancer. The birthday girl was grateful for the gifts.
Black Eyes: 1
Bloody Noses: 3
Pools played in: 6
Bruises obtained: too many to count
Record for the weekend: 6-0
You think you know, but you have no idea.....This has been the Diary of Indiana Water Polo.
