Huskers in China Day 11: A Long Day in Beijing

Day 11: A Long Day in Beijing
The Huskers practiced hard for nearly three hours Saturday morning.  The Beijing Sports University gym was hot, making it one of the most strenuous days of volleyball since the first days in Shanghai. This was not a workout for the faint of heart.  The hitters also swung hard, something not very common in practices on this trip.  Usually, they save their shoulders and tip the ball when not in matches.

The team feasted again on traditional Chinese cuisine for lunch, about ten plates of vegetables, duck, chicken, seafood, and potatoes circling a lazy Susan.  There were a few American-style Chinese choices- sweet and sour pork and beef and broccoli - reasons probably that Paige Hubl felt "it was the best food so far on the trip." Self-interest has long since replaced meal etiquette, as players and staff reach for plates of desired food and let the more esoteric choices pass by.

We then toured the grounds of the Summer Palace. It was summer home of ancient Chinese royalty, which came here to escape the insufferable heat in their Beijing home, the nearby Forbidden City.  The man-made lake made this area much cooler.  The city's weather today was perfect: low 70s and blue skies.  We could see the mountains in the distance, a rare sight in this city normally covered by gray above.

We then experienced our first trip to the Silk Street Market - four stories of countless discount shops where the players countered rabid selling with aggressive negotiation.  The Silk Street Market is a passage into adulthood for any young Beijing visitor - either negotiate firmly or relax and enjoy the haggling, recognizing that you'll probably pay a few dollars - or Chinese Yuan - more than you'd have to for that dress, purse, or jacket.  After Saturday, Brooke Delano will not need a new purse until long after she's playing as a pro, if ever.

After another dinner around a lazy Susan, a meal notable for Paige eating an entire large fish head at the urging and cheering of teammates, the coach allowed the team to head out for an hour of dancing at a nearby nightclub - an hour of laughter and fun for this group of 15 players, at least half of whom have never been out of the U.S. before this trip.

They're really enjoying themselves here and the days truly are flying by, but you can see they're thinking about their return to family and friends.  Four matches versus pro teams this week will keep them focused on the task at hand.

Tara Mueller mentioned that the 2008 Huskers were uniquely connected once they stepped on the court together.  She had never experienced that desire to play selflessly together in practice and games.  She thinks this group might develop a similar on-court relationship.  It will be more difficult to establish as that group had only nine players available to play by December; there was little competition for playing time.  This 2010 team has depth at lots of positions.  However, the fondness they have for each other makes it possible that this group could exhibit 2008-like devotion. Remember that five key members of that memorable 2008 team will be a big part of this year's nucleus.

Today we climb the Great Wall, after a few hours this morning visiting the Forbidden City.

I'm John Baylor, describing what I see.  Ask the coaches and players a question or give us feedback at John@JohnBaylorTestPrep.com.

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