First Road Trip for Erin Reynolds '15 and The Spartans!

Pictured left, Erin Reynolds is a first-year member of the women's basketball team at Case Western Reserve University.

The journey started out like any other, just the men's & women's teams on their way to show their appreciation for the hallowed game that we call basketball. Thought the four hour bus ride was long, the ten mile hikes to our individual chateaus once we arrived in Rochester seemed even longer. The comfy beds, full kitchen, and free popcorn helped mend our weary bones. The next day we set off for the gym to prepare for our game against Rochester. Shoot-around started off rough, but with brilliant fight the team pulled together and ended the practice on a high note.

That evening we faced the Yellow Jackets of Rochester. The first half of the game, to put it politely, was streaky. We had our good moments, we had our moments, and we ended the half trailing by 14. We rallied at half time, and did what we do best; come together and play as a team. We came within three, but ended up losing the game by 12 due to some sharp free throw shooting by Rochester.

The next day we headed to the airport with our sights set on Atlanta and defeating Emory. Our progress was slowed by a two hour delay at the Rochester airport, but we found ways to fill the time. Some, being the studious Case students we are, worked on homework, others played card games, and some passed out on the floor of the airport (see Rachel Beaty '15 sleeping in the picture below.) Due to the delay, our Saturday’s practice time was cut in half but we worked hard on preparing to face Emory the next day and left the gym tired and hungry.

That evening, while some team members left for dinner with their families, the rest of the team went to a nice pizza place in downtown Atlanta, where we were serenaded by a swarthy man with a guitar and entertained by old women trying to hit on the musician. We completed the evening by returning to the hotel and stuffing our faces with some delicious Double Tree cookies (and if you have ever had a Double Tree cookie, you know you can’t eat only one).

Sunday brought warmth and hope to the team as we prepared for our game further by watching film and eating the hotel’s 5-star breakfast. We then went to support our men’s team, who gave it their all but unfortunately lost to the Emory Eagles. Next it was our turn, and once again we came out of the gate slow. After trailing by ten at half time, we once again rallied to gain the lead by three points. We couldn’t hold on to the lead, and had another disappointing loss.

We have had a rough few weekends, but I am so proud of the team’s fight. We refuse to say, “Hey, we just played some of the best teams in the country and competed with them; that’s good enough.” We are constantly striving for perfection and can’t wait to catch these teams the second time around.

“Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best.” – Tim Duncan