Hey everyone! Well, tonight is probably my last post of the year and ever for me as an axewoman. We played in  the consolation game today against Regina, who was the number one ranked team coming into the tournament, and who were ranked number one throughout the season. We ended up losing by about 3 in a tough battle and a bit of a fourth quarter come back. We showed a lot of heart and stuck together right until the end. And that is what defines the Acadia Axewomen. It's the family mentality!
So this game ends the 2011/2012 season for us, and the final game today for Jazz, Stef, Kath, and me, and I'm so happy that we showed so much pride and determination. Thanks so much to all of our supporters who came to Calgary and those back in Nova Scotia and whereever else you come from. Our whole season was backed by the amazing support from all of our fans and other supporters so we thank you for that.
Also like to say thanks to Fred for purchasing a round of 10 mcflurries and 5 cookies and cream pies which were disgusting, but nonetheless, greatly appreciated. Much love on behalf of the axewomen!...15 strong

Emma Duinker #12

Day 3 in Calgary

Hello again!
Well to cut right to the chase, we lost tonight, pretty badly to Windsor by about 40 points. The reality is, we never really showed up to play. Congrats to Stef on player of the game and for really giving a great effort in trying to bring us together. It was a tough loss but we have to turn around and get ready to play Regina tomorrow afternoon @2. They were ranked 1st in the country and had been in that spot a number of times throughout the season. It will be a tough battle tomorrow, but through the year, we have proved to be a really cohesive group who can respond to any situation and we stick together no matter what. So, I really think we can do it tomorrow! Thanks to all of our fans who were here in Calgary to watch the game. We had some great supporters! This morning we had a good shoot around to get ready for the game and we got some good rest today but ya know, sometimes things don't work out, and today seemed to be that day for us. The awesome thing is, we still have two great games to play and we're going to come out fired up tomorrow for sure! Let's get it girls!! Until then, I'm off to get some rest.

Emma Duinker #12

Day 2 in Calgary

Hey guys!
Day 2 is coming to an end but it's been a fun and productive preparation day. We got to sleep in this morning which was great because we're all trying to work off the jet leg. I think one more good night's sleep will do the trick. Had a leisurely breakfast @ a buffet of course, nothing but the best for the Acadia Axewomen. Luckily today coach Fred was a better leader than yesterday and we didn't get lost or anything, and he waited for all of us before going on an adventure! We had a mid day practice which appeared to be very productive although we had a few people not feeling well caused probably by the lack of sleep the day before. But otherwise a productive practice with lots of energy, and the team atmosphere was really positive. I think that'll carry over to tomorrow's morning shoot and subsequently, the game. This evening we attended the CIS gala awards dinner. It wasn't an ordinary banquet though, there were red carpets, esquarts, fans, and media people. Props to U of C for a great evening. It was kind of long though and the presenters felt the need to follow every English speech by a French one, don't get me wrong, I love speaking French, but it was a little long. Luckily coach Harris kept us entertained with his strange eating habits and requests of the waiters. Apparently he has connections at every kitchen in Calgary where they'll bring him anything he needs, including a glass of milk to wash down out lemon tart dessert and chocolate basketball center piece. Dinner was fabulous and very filling, and the awards were just as nice. Congrats to all of the award winners, and a great showing by AUS athletes and teams. Quick side note, shout out to my brother Ted who surprised Abbey and I in coming unexpectedly from Yellowknife tonight to stay for the weekend! Anyhow, it's getting late here and we have an early morning shoot, so here's to getting some sleep!

Emma Duinker #12

Day 1 in Calgary

Hello! After a long day of traveling, we're all pretty well about ready to hit the sack here for a good and much needed 12 hour sleep! We had a 4:00am departure from Wolfville this morning, so needless to say, it's been a long day and by this time, everyone is perhaps just a little grumpy. I'd say that's fair considering firstly, we were an hour delayed landing and spent the first 45 minutes in Halifax, sitting in the plane on the runway, de-icing. This added to the already 4 1/2 hour plane ride. No biggie though. SO we get up in the air, and I'm getting into a great sleep, and all of a sudden I'm awoken by Lindsay yelling at the top of her lungs, "IS THERE A DOCTOR ON THE PLANE!?" At the sound of this I almost had a heart attack because I thought one of our coaches got injured or something, but it turns out that some man fainted and was slightly convulsing on the floor. Good thing head therapist Jim was there to save the day. After that all settled down, the rest of the flight was good. We FINALLY arrived in Calgary, fully ready to eat something. First we waited for our trusty mascot (who traveled all the way with us) to find his family and then we parted. The University held a pancake breakfast that we got to attend although they held the food there an extra 2 hours or so just for us and our delayed flight. I may or may not have eaten about 7 sausages and 2 helpings of pancakes?....After arriving at the hotel,  we all crashed for about 3 hours until practice. We had a great shoot around in the Calgary gym which is an awesome gym. Got a good feel for the rims, shook out the legs, and built up some energy. Coach of course got n interview about who knows what. Finally, after our eventful day, we sat down to a great team meal @ a steak house, Nick's, and we're starting to wind down here now. Trying to get everyone to bed early because we have a bit of sickness, mostly from lack of sleep and travel, so time to recoop. Tomorrow should bring a great day for focus and preparation for the game the next day though. Anyhow, Kristy and I are bout to put on some March madness and get to sleep.
I'll catch up on the other side. I'm out.

Emma Duinker #12

Eve of departure

Hey guys! Well this week seemed to just fly by and here we are the night before we head to Calgary and we're ready to make sure we take care of business on the weekend. Practice this week was physical and intense with high levels of mental preparation. I think we are all ready to get to Calgary and get the feel for the gym there and the atmosphere we'll be playing in. Practices this week, I'm sure my teammates can attest were a little intense at times. Personally I had a few episodes of pure lashing out, mostly at myself for not being 100% yet coming back from a sickness, and we had plenty of elbows thrown, but in the end, after this last week of home practices, we've worked out the kinks and we're ready to bring it.
As for right now, here in Yellow house, Abbey, Kathleen, Jasmine, Kristy and I are just scrambling trying to finish packing and lord knows that's always a challenge. Pretty sure we all have our jerseys and shoes though so we're good to go.
After tonight's practice, we had a little send off with some of our community supporters in the young girls that we coach and their families. On behalf of the team I'd like to say thanks for being there and supporting us in many ways this season and after tonight, I think we all feel like we're in the zone now and ready to bring home a banner to share with everyone (shout out to Clare for being there tonight and reading my blog:). Thanks also to all of our other supporters and well wishers too. Jasmine and I were commenting that we honestly don't think any other teams get this kind of support and we literally feel like we have a whole army of fans and supporters here at home, and in Calgary, so we thank you for that! There has also been arranged, a rally for alumni and any other fans who are in Calgary or are going before our first game so if anyone wants any info on that, gimme a shout on the post.
Alright well I think that does it for me tonight. I'm still not finished packing so perhaps I should get on that. I'll give another shout when we're on the other side of the country. As for now..... 15 strong traveling to Calgary! Yuuuppppppp!

Emma Duinker #12

And the countdown begins...

So as of Sunday unofficially, the seeding for the CIS women's final 8 in Calgary goes like this: Regina - 1, UBC - 2, Ottawa - 3, Windsor - 4, ACADIA - 5, Saskatchewan - 6, McGill - 7, and Calgary - 8. This means we'll be lining up against Windsor. Unlike the men's CIS, we got the respect we deserve and get to play a team who we should match up with really well. We actually have a little extra motivation for these guys because they are the defending national champions so lets goooooooo!!! As for our preparation for them, they have a strong collection of smart basketball players and athletes not to mention a bunch of players with some international experience so we're preparing to play a physical game that will be a tough battle. In practice this week, we're really getting fired up to come out to "lay the first hit" as we say so we're trying to keep up conditioning while working on continuously sharply executing things on O and D. We are a good offensive team when we move the ball crisply and move ourselves and keep our spacing past the three so defensively this week, we're trying to sharpen up our sets.
That's it for now. More to come this week.

Emma Duinker #12