We have started practice! Starting practice was different this year and I loved it. Although there was still some trepidation of the uncountable down-and-backs and of being at the beginning of another 150-practice year, the comfort of having three years of experience under my belt is calming those nerves. Listening to the sound of our first cheer fade into the background relaxed my nervousness too.

Let me stop here to note that sometimes I feel I am watching this year happen like I am watching a movie, one that I already know what is going to happen. This is probably good and bad. Good because I feel like I can see us achieving all that is attainable and I think I am ready for any twists and turns in the plot. On the other hand, it could be a bad thing because if there ended up being some sort of sucky, unexpected ending to the story I think it would end up hurting pretty bad. However, I am okay with that. Everything is going to be put on the line either way, so after that it is out of my hands. I have to at least try to keep telling myself that.

Anyways, my movie opens at our first practice; we're in the huddle about to send off the first cheer of the season. Luckily, I get to make the call and as the director of my own movie I make the magic happen. "The best we've ever been" is yelled out on three and in my head I honestly slow it down and I am listening to the words slowly fade out into the walls of the gym. I am only brought back down to reality when Coach Jabir chimes in with the practice plan. (And the coaches wonder why I don't retain information in time-outs, haha).

Besides moments like this, I think I am enjoying practice more than I ever have because of a surgery I had in May. On May 13th I had back surgery due to a herniated disc. My whole summer was dedicated to rehabilitation and getting back into shape, without playing. I am pretty sure it was the first time I put the ball down for more than a couple weeks since I started playing in grade four. Between basketball camps, travel teams, the odd AAU tournament, regional teams, Ontario teams, and Canada basketball, it's been a while since I've had a real off-season. When I found out I was having surgery, taking time off was a really scary concept for me. You just don't know how you're going to recover from something like that. I have never had a broken bone, surgery or any really serious injury. You hear horror stories of people having surgeries and never being the same player afterwards and it's scary. It was scary.

Looking back now, next to coming to Dayton, it was the best decision I have ever made. If I hadn't had the surgery I probably would have spent this season limping into games and barely being able to practice like the second half of last year went. Ultimately, without surgery, I don't think I would have the opportunity to be the player I want to be this year.

So feeling more refreshed than ever I walked into our Red-Blue game last Saturday with confidence. Of-course there are always a few jitters, for me anyways. We had a great crowd out, even if we tricked them into being there because the men's team signed autographs with us before our game and didn't play until after (Thank-you marketing!). Either way, being watched by that many people always makes me feel a little shaky. Looking around in our 5 minute warm-up I don't think I was alone. In those moments this year I am trying to remind myself, "you're a senior, you've done this before". It seems to help. I felt great in the Red-Blue scrimmage, just comfortable on the court. You always want to hit a few more shots but overall I exited the court after the scrimmage with good feelings for the year.

It is always hard to tell where you stand until you start playing against other teams but I know we're working really hard to get ready. So with just a scrimmage and an exhibition game standing between us and Michigan State the focus on getting our offense and defense ready is high. We're definitely hitting on all cylinders though, we'll be ready. Two weeks and counting... I hope you all come out to see it!

It's a great day to be a flyer!

Kendel