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Monday morning we landed at the Sandino Airport in Managua, Nicaragua. After settling in our rooms at Best Western my teammates and I immediately headed for the pool for some fun. Following lunch, we started touring the city of Managua. Many of us were surprised at how different the country appeared from the towns we grew up in. Our tour guide, Tim Kelly, educated us on the background of the city while we walked through the city. We learned about the history of the Nicaraguan government, and how the country was previously ruled under a powerful dictatorship. However the country’s current form of government is a socialist republic, which is trying to move away from the previous dictatorship.
During our tour, we found it interesting that there is not one street sign in the city of Managua. In order to give directions, landmarks must be used. We visited an artisan shop where an organization is making an effort to empower artisans to sell their goods in order to make money rather than lose it. The Gannon volleyball team contributed to this effort by purchasing several souvenirs to bring home. Although many Nicaraguans live below the poverty line, we quickly noticed that most of the citizens do not seem unhappy. This put things in perspective and showed each of us how blessed we really are. Day one of our trip has ended and we are already having the time of our lives. We cannot wait to start day two!
-Morgan Reineke
Gannon Volleyball made history today by becoming the first Gannon athletic team to travel to a foreign country to play their sport. After beginning our trip at 3:00 a.m. and touring the city, we arrived at the site of our first match against Nicaragua’s National Volleyball team. The facility we walked into vastly differed from what we were used to. As we walked into the gym every member of our group could do nothing but smile. I mean come on; we are in NICARAGUA playing volleyball!!!!! You can’t do anything but smile and take it all in.
We looked around and immediately realized how fortunate we all are for the playing conditions we have at Gannon. The gym was open so the 89% humidity hung heavy in the air. We began our warm-ups, trying to adapt to the different playing condition. As the match began, we were in nothing but high spirits. No matter how good this national team was to be, we had a mindset of just enjoying the game that all of us love. As the match went on, our talent and conditioning was put to the test. Central American teams play much more defensively than American teams and we knew we had to step up our game, in every way. With every play, I noticed the effect the climate had on us. Catching your breath wasn’t quite as easy with the humid air. And the sweat dripping down your face couldn’t be wiped off after your shirt and body were equally as wet with hard work and heat. But, no matter what the challenge Gannon Volleyball played with passion, excitement and pride.
We won the match after five very close sets. Even though beating the Nicaraguan National Volleyball team is at the top of the list of experiences in my athletic career, my favorite part was just being there. No matter what went wrong throughout the match: an error, missed serve or set loss, we were just happy to be there. Our usual competitiveness was nothing less than present, but the emotional rollercoaster that tends to get the best of us when things don’t go as planned was gone. Nothing was more fulfilling then playing a sport that I have a passion for, with a team and staff that I love, and enjoying this experience in Nicaragua.
I cannot wait to play the national team again, as well as the other national teams that will be arriving later in the week to compete with us. I am so lucky and proud to be a part of such an amazing experience with a group of people that will make this trip unforgettable.
-Alex DelPiombo
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