Sorry for the incredibly long delay in posts! These last few weeks of my life have just FLOWN by and I am still just now trying to catch my breath!
Long Beach, NY was obviously a great trip! Taking a first place there helped my ranking out a ton and it's always fun to get a WIN!!!
Turkey (which we flew to straight from NY) was absolutely AMAZING!!! Everything about that trip made for an incredible experience. The volleyball was fun and challenging, hanging out with my USA teammates and coaches was a blast, and getting to experience a new culture was so fun! Overall, it was just an awesome trip. Emily and I finished 7th. In our pool, we had the teams that ended up finishing 2nd and 3rd in the tournament. We beat the Germans who finished 3rd, and lost to the Czech Republic team that finished 2nd. 7th was not a bad finish by any means but we were definitely good enough to medal! Oh well, now I just have to keep working hard for next year!
After Turkey I went to Milwaukee and spent some QT with my Dad's side of the family that lives in Wisconsin. It was so fun to see the Wisconsin Moriarty clan (Uncle Bruce and fam, and Grammy)! I always have so much fun when I'm with them. And, I just can't believe how grown up my little cousins are!! Tommy and AJ are college boys now and Pierce is starting high school! Craziness... The other reason I was out in Wisconsin was for another AVP U26 event. I played in this event with Dana Kabashima and we finished 3rd. It was tons of fun to play with her again!
Then, my sister Courtney and her husband Anthony came out to visit! It was SOOO wonderful to see them! Courtney is about 8 months pregnant so I'm lucky they were even able to make it out! I had so so so much fun and really appreciate them coming! We spent July 4th BBQing and watching the Astros play the Padres, then fireworks! Then, we got to hang out and enjoy the rest of the cloudy week together :)
This past weekend I played in a CBVA in Mission Beach (San Diego) with Diane Copenhagen. I grew up doing indoor USA Volleyball stuff with her so it was fun to be reunited! We played well together (especially since we never practice together) and finished 3rd! It was also a fun tournament because Scott was able to be there and his parents were in town so they got to see me play! It was so nice of them to come by!
Next up on the list is Hermosa Beach this weekend! I have the Hermosa Beach Qualifier on Friday, then the Hermosa U26 event on Sunday. Should be a fun weekend of volleyball, not to mention my sister Jennifer and her family are coming in, my Mom and Dad, and Avery (a girl I coached when I was in Austin) and her mom are coming in!
More exciting times to come!!! :) In the mean time, here are just a few pics... Also, my new website is up www.michellemoriarty.com and I will probably just start posting blogs on that site sometime soon!!!
