University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Day 2 - Monday, March 26
On the second day of the trip. The Team bussed to Antwerpen, Belguim to play a match against the Bells Temse team.
"IF IT'S TUESDAY, IT MUST BE BELGIUM!"
It's not really! Today is Monday, and we started off the day with a breakfast in our hotel in Amsterdam, and boarded the bus for a two hour ride to Antwerpen, Belgium. When we arrived in Belgium, we took a team picture in front of the city's famous cathedral, then hit the city for some shopping. We were all thrilled to discover cheaper prices and long inseams!
Also in the city, we met USA National Team hopeful, Kyle Robinson, who has been playing with the Antwerpen men's club of Zorgvliet for 3 years now, and plans to move to Colorado Springs soon. He filled us in on the local knowledge around the City Hall and the statues and pointed us in the direction for some more good shopping. He is also rumored to reach 11'11"!
We then headed to our hotel, had lunch, and a few hours to rest before our first match. We bussed to the local sports club of Bells Temse, and anxiously began warming up. Our nervousness showed as we began poorly, but rallied to make it close before losing 23-25 in our first European game. Game two was not any better and we dropped it 19-25, but came back in 3 to win 25-20. Game four and the match went to the Bells 25-21. Because we had a little extra time, we played a practice set, which allowed for everyone to get some playing time.
After the match, we met and socialized with the Belgium players at their club which is a part of the gym. Whether a team wins or loses, they can always be found socializing after the match. We met and talked with the other team for a while after the match. They were so interested in the States and our experiences so far in Europe. After leaving the gym, we went to a post-match dinner and tried to interpret yet another menu!
Wow, it is now Tuesday, it is Belgium and it is lights out. Back to Amsterdam tomorrow!