A year ago today, I was sitting in the same chair, figuring out what the heck to put in my Ultimate pack. Three weeks prior in early October 2009, we had qualified for the 2009 UPA Mixed Championships in Sarasota, FL, by taking 2nd in the Southwest Region and by Sunday, had finished 11th overall, with wins over Slow White, TAU, Bashing Pinatas, in addition to close losses to Slow White, 'Doh, One Trick Pony, and eventual champions Axis of C'Ville.
Fast forward to this year. On 10/10/10...we had upset the #1 seed at Regionals to secure the top spot in the Southwest Region and a coveted spot at the new USAU Club Championships in Sarasota, Florida. It's been quite a change from 2009. Not only is the "UPA" no more, but we go into this year with higher expectations and a more experienced and energetic club. Of the three years I've been with this club, the 2010 campaign has been the most dramatic and eventful. Devastating losses, unpredictable injuries, two teammates contracting mono (not from each other), this season had it all. Being completely dominated in the finals at Sectionals did not help either, but we bounced back... and here we are.
We come into these championships with a greater hunger than we had last year, and know that we will be bearing the weight of being the sole representatives of Los Angeles Ultimate in Florida.
game 1 vs. (#2) District 5
When the schedule came out, this scheduled game instantly reminded me of 2009 and our first round game against eventual champions Axis of C'ville. It was a hard fought match with Axis pulling out the win 13-15. The lasting impression I had from that game was that the game was very winnable. Maybe it was the heat/humidity during warm up, maybe it was the time adjustment, but simply put, we weren't ready. It is imperative for teams to be playing at their best right at first pull and this game will most certainly demand it from us. District 5 has been rolling all season and if it wasn't for a loss to Slow White in the Regional final, they would most definitely have been the #1 seed overall. Watching them at ECC, they're solid. They're a first year team, but you can never discount those teams who put together solid women with very athletic male players. I'm excited for this match up and know that the tempo will be set right from the get go. It will be 85 degrees-ish with 80% humidity at first pull, 6:30am PST.
game 2 vs. (#7) Polar Bears
These guys have been in the thick of talks all season. They demand a lot of respect because simply put, they are a very good team. With solid throwers in Raty, 808, and Greg, to athletic cutters in Zip, Lisa, and Robot, they have been relevant since day one. A universe point loss to rivals Mischief is the only reason for them not being a top 5 seed at Nationals, but rest assured that despite being a new team, they have what it takes to win. We have only played them once this season, with us squeaking out a universe point win at CalStates. It's a completely new ballgame now, and what better then a rematch on the polo fields in Florida? The matchup has explosive potential as both teams pack a lot of talent with a lot of desire to win. Slugfest anyone?
game 3 vs. (#15) Dirty Birds
We owe these guys big. A tough loss against them at Labor Day has left a bitter taste in our mouths. All we really saw from them was a difficult zone to break. The wind was definitely a factor in San Francisco, and it can potentially do the same in Florida. Last year at the '09 Championships, the wind was the calmest it had been in years. We won't know about the wind until we get down to the fields on Thursday, but despite them being the #15 seed, they are the favorite because of their Labor Day win over us. It will come down to desire and patience if facing the zone, and winning with our legs and not with only throws. By the third game, exhaustion, fatigue, and dehydration become relevant, and I remember feeling dizzy and nauseous in our 3rd round game against TAU in '09. It becomes a battle of wills and against a zone-heavy team, that desire to win must be mixed in with patience, intelligence, and a gritty work ethic.
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Two more days until first pull. Two more days until again, I get to play on the best fields on earth. I've had the following picture up on my bulletin board since January 2010. It was something I looked at everyday, something I burned into my brain as I began preparing for the 2010 season.
Honestly, after the shalacking we took at Sectionals, there were doubts in my head and I was unsure whether we would make it to Florida this year. My team proved me wrong, and never have I had more desire, more motivation to win for my teammates. This is why we ran all those miles, this is why we did all those stairs. A chance to perform at the highest level of Ultimate, with the best people and personalities in the world. I love you Metroids. Let's go to work.
#10
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