2nd MESAC; Several Firsts

 

By the time the first week of February rolled around Irini was walking around as if MESAC tournaments have been 'old hat'. But there was nervousness going into this season. She had worked hard, of course, and showed a lot of promise in defense. As the season progressed her coaches had asked a good deal of her, much of it new to her, from strategy to mechanics. She worked, and worked some more. 

By the time the MESAC roster was announced we were elated with the news!  We knew it wasn't a sure thing and so givng her a chance to rejoin a MESAC team was another validation of the work that she had put into the season. But this MESAC would be different than the volleyball one. It would mean a trip to Doha and this would be new both for herself and, as it turned out, for her family.

As she tries to become indpeendent it's hard for her parents to internalize the fact that their girls is slowly growing up and wanting to be, should we say, a little more independent than in the past. But we all wanted her to play (especially in her first basketball MESAC)! So a compromise was reached. 

We would all travel to Doha but Irini, of course, would stick with the team. The rest of us would make out way on different flights, different hotels, etc. so as to minimize any potential residual stress of having ones parents around. As it turned out a number of other families did the same and so the dynamics were too overwhelming for anyone in particular. 

And the tournament?  Well, it was a resounding success!  As it turned out our team was much stronger than the competition. For us, given that Irini wasn't a starter, it meant more opportunities to see her play. And play she did!  She played in all games (including the final) and we were proud as can be of her work ethic!  We were also impressed (as we always are) with the respect she showed coaches, refs, parents and other participants in the tournament too. Speaking of which, she returned with a phone full of contacts and all sorts of social media connections (as it done these days). Let's hope that these moments, short though they might be, might lead to a lifetime of wonderful connections!  

One of the things we talk about with most everything is to "make sure that you're proud of yourself when it's all over". In more ways that one it seems like she was. Very much so. We love you!!