Keeping In Touch With Erica Schiefen

Nov. 2, 2006

Wow...This past week has flown by! It is amazing how that happens when the season starts. We all get so busy with classes, film sessions, individual workouts, lifts, practices, and all of the other things that we have to get done in a day. It is so crazy. One of the hardest things for us to do is to manage our time and get everything done and done well. First we have to focus in class and do our work and then we need to get to practice with a clear mind, ready to focus on what needs to get done. Sometimes we struggle with that concept, especially me, because I always have a ton of stuff going through my mind that I need to remember and get done. But it is just something that we all have to learn to do.

This past week we traveled to Akron, Ohio to finally get a chance to scrimmage against a different opponent. It was a great experience for us because it simulated a road game, something that we have struggled with in the past, and we went in not knowing much about the team so we had to learn to create our own scouts while playing. We played four 20-minute halves with referees. As a team, we did some really good things and we also had things that we need to work on. It was a chance for us to work on our offense and defense and figure out what we need to work on before games start. The scrimmage really made me want to get started with the real games!

Everyday we have a chance to play against an opponent different than each other because new for this year we have added on a male practice squad. There have been squads that played against the team in the past, but last year we did not have one. It has been a good challenge for our team to have the men practice against us. They are a more athletic than us so we have to overcome their quickness, heights and leaping abilities to be successful. I find it very helpful, especially as a post player having to play against a strong 6'5 player everyday. It helps us to fine-tune our skills so we are ready for whatever player the teams we play throw at us.

This coming weekend the Bonnies and I get our first chance to play in front of our home crowd. We have an exhibition game against Mercyhurst on Saturday. It is another opportunity for our team to play against another opponent and assess where we are, what we need to work on and how we can get better as a team before our games start. I am so excited to get into uniform and play in front of the fans! Of course, my real first home game will not be until the St. Bona Shootout at the First Arena. Only 15 more days!

Go Bonnies!