The Hounds go Camping!

This past weekend, the Hounds made a road trip to Seymour, Indiana to visit Camp Lakeview for some leadership training and team building exercises. Our team split up into three teams and tackled various obstacles on a ropes course that proved to be very challenging but very rewarding as well. The groups were divided into defenders, midfielders, and forwards. Within our groups, we had to put our communication skills to the test in order to successfully complete each obstacle. It was so cool to see different people step up and take on leadership roles in different scenarios.

The Forwards navigating a tight rope obstacle!

The Midfielders working together to keep the "radioactive" ball from falling.

 



The Defense talking strategy :)

 



After our time on the course was over, we had a delicious spaghetti dinner followed by team bonding. Our competitive nature came through when tetherball turned into a round robin tournament, and volleyball and kickball were no different. At night, we had a bonfire fire, roasted smores, and performed some skits. Bentley, Adams, and Bryant brought their ukuleles and performed a song for us, and Crump lead the team in lots of fun games.

Throughout the camping trip, we learned several valuable lessons:
     1. Stacey Klene and I are pretty fierce tetherball players, but we don't even hold a candle to Coach Amanda Mason. She literally doesn't lose.
     2. Our team was exceptionally good at a Pitch Perfect-style riff off. I was very impressed.
     3. 65 degrees is way too cold to keep your cabin at night...
     4. Keki and Bentley do a perfect impersonation of Betty White on the toilet. If you want to know more, you'll have to ask them.
     5. Our team does not deal with bugs well. At all.
     6. I have never seen Lindsey Adams so scared as I did when her life flashed before her eyes as Megan Fee spiked a volleyball at her face.
     7. Do not drop your teammates through massive spider web obstacles onto your goalkeeper's neck when there is no one else to catch them. Gravity is real.
     8. Most importantly, we learned how to better communicate with one another in challenging and stressful situations. This will without a doubt give us an advantage over our competition this season.

The team :)

This trip was a great escape from the stress of preseason. It allowed us to further strengthen the team chemistry we have worked so hard to create, and it provided lots and lots of laughs! It is times like these makes me realize even more how truly grateful and blessed I am to be a part of such an amazing group of young women. I am so excited to take the field alongside them on September 6th and show the GLVC what we have to offer!

GO HOUNDS!!

Kait #5

Free2Play Viral Video!!

During our 2013 preseason, junior goalkeeper Megan Fee planned and choreographed a viral video about our team's journey with the Free2Play campaign last year. As a communication's major with an emphasis in electronic media, she has a lot of experiencing directing short films and commercials, so she was perfect for this job! Check out this video we made featuring statistics of the harsh realities of human trafficking worldwide, the successes of our team's campaign during the 2012 season, and our plans to make this year's journey bigger and better!

Click here to view the Free2Play viral video!

 

 

If this is a cause that touches your heart like it has ours, please take action and pledge! You can do so via the UIndy Women's Soccer web page. By simply pledging a monetary amount for each goal scored in the 2013 soccer season, you will join us in the fight to end human trafficking. Last year, we raised $870.75, and this year it is our goal to beat that!

 

 

Thanks for viewing! Please help us raise awareness and spread the word! :)

 

 

Go Hounds!!

 

Kait #5

 

 



Apparel Orders: FIVE DAYS LEFT!

Attention all Greyhound fans!!! The new UIndy Women's Soccer gear is in and you don't want to miss out!!! There is a very tight window for orders this year, so please order soon if you see something you like! Orders must be placed by July 31st at midnight! Please forward the great news to your parents, grandparents, friends and family so everyone can get all the UIndy Women's Soccer gear they need for the upcoming season! Below, I have attached the link you'll need to view the new clothing items from the online store. All pricing, images, sizing, gender, etc. is located on this website, and you'll be able to place your order from there as well.

http://team-shop.lidsteamsports.com/form/show/UINDYSC13

Enjoy your shopping! We hope you're all as excited for this season as we are :)

GO HOUNDS!!
Kait #5

And the volunteering continues!!

Megan and Ashley went as representatives for the UIndy women's soccer team to a Free2Walk event held at a local church here in Greenwood last Sunday. This may sound familiar to some of you reading this, and that's because we participated as a team at this event last year as well. This is a 5K event held to raise awareness of human trafficking as well as money to donate to the cause. The event is very similar to the season-long Free2Play campaign we completed as a team during our last fall season.

Megan and Ashley representing the Greyhounds!

Having a common cause outside of the game of soccer that we are all passionate about makes us that much stronger as team. Creating the identity of a team who plays hard on the field, succeeds in the classroom, and works diligently to bring awareness to such a worthy cause is a great feeling that I am proud to say I am a part of. Stay tuned for more news regarding Free2Play in the upcoming fall season :)

Go Hounds!!

Kait #5

Springtime Service with the Hounds

When it came time to schedule some volunteer opportunites for the team this year, the first thing that came to my mind was Race for the Cure. This event, held annually in downtown Indianapolis, is dedicated to the cause of fighting breast cancer. People currently battling the disease, cancer survivors, family members, and community members from all over join up to participate in the festivities to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for breast cancer. We volunteered as a team two years ago, and I really wanted the underclassmen to have the same great experience the upperclassmen have had.

Having fun at Mile 1!!

We volunteered at Mile Marker #1 as cheerleaders for race walkers and runners. We chanted cheers supplied by I Am The Cure, and even got creative and made up our own. We spent the morning encouraging participants and creating a positive atmosphere in support of an incredible cause.

Creating a tunnel for race walkers and runners

The experience is very rewarding and touching. The participants often thank us and are extremely grateful for our efforts, which always baffles me because cheering during the event is so minor compared to the challenges they face every day with battling cancer. They are such strong and courageous people, so it makes us feel really good that we can bring a smile to their faces and maybe provide a little distraction for the morning.

The team absolutely LOVED this experience. I have heard discussion amongst them already that they are very interested in running in the race next year as long as our spring schedule will allow for it. Days like these make me so proud to be a part of this amazing group of girls!

Halloween in April: An Annual Tradition

The tradition lives on! Our annual Halloween in April themed practice took place on Friday, April 19th. The rules remained the same; costumes had to be appropriate and functional, meaning we had to wear them all practice. With the standards set high last year, we channeled our creative sides and this is what we came up with. Hope you enjoy!

The whole team :)

Tracie, Nicole, Bryant, and Bentley were the Avengers!

Megan as a nun and Kait as "salt" (Grindlay was "pepper")

Keki and Adams were ghosts!

Honey Boo Boo, a Jazzerciser, and Superwoman :)

We always get a good laugh out of Halloween and April (and so do those who catch a glimpse of our practice!) It's a fun way to end the spring season and enjoy one of the last days we can all train together before summer rolls around. I can't wait to see what the girls come up with next year!

Go Hounds!

Kait #5

Introducing the 5 Newest Hound Pups!

Our family has grown this week with the addition of five incoming freshman who signed on National Signing Day. Liz Behrends of Noblesville, IN, Jocelyn Evans of Cincinnati, OH, Jenna Linxwiler from Greenwood, IN, Hannah Mangus of Noblesville, IN, and Whitney Whitehouse from Cary, IL are the newest pups to join the Women's Soccer Team!

Click here to read the link from the UIndy Athletics website!

The team and I are very excited to welcome this talented group of girls on campus in the fall and hit the ground running! [literally... :)]. I've been lucky enough to meet most of these girls, and I have no doubt that they will bring a lot dedication and passion to our team, and will definitely contribute both on and off the field in our pursuit of a National Championship. Our 2013 preseason schedule is coming along great, and we will open up play on the second day of preseason at Indiana Wesleyan, who's always a strong opponent. Regular season opens up September 6th with a home match against Ashland! I'm already getting goosebumps!

Again, to all the incoming freshman, WELCOME! We're so happy you've decided to bring your talents to UIndy, and we look forward to meeting you in the fall. If you've got any questions at all, don't hesitate to contact me or any of the girls on the team. Good luck finishing up your senior years and club seasons, see you in the fall!!

Go Hounds!!

Kait #5