Taylor Vigil: The Fight Through Adversity

First I would like to apologize for not being able to make my blog posts consistent, keeping all of you following fans updated like I would have liked to. However, as the saying goes, better late than never. Again I am sorry to have kept all of you "anticipators"waiting, but I hope this blog will make up for the ones I have failed to post.

I believe the last time I left off, I spoke about “The Right First Steps” and we were underway to play the Humboldt State Lumberjacks in late November. Now three months later, the women’s basketball team holds a record of 8-12. Having overcome a huge win against the Chico State Wildcats at Chico was a tremendous accomplishment for the Seawolves, who had not beat the Wildcats at home since 2002.

Throughout my four years playing, I have realized that in this league, anything is possible no matter what the match-up may be; one should never underestimate their opponent and be ready and alert to play any team, any player and at any place. It is what makes this conference that much more enthralling to know the outcome is always unexpected. With that being said, on the other hand, the outcome I find tend to be what you put in before the end result comes. For a team that works the hardest on and off the court, takes care of the little details and ensures their team and them as a player have a vengeance and passion to never give up whether in the practice situation or game situation. Now that does not mean the harder you work the more likely things shall be handed to you. We are in an environment of competition and that is what makes the game a challenge we love to tackle down.

I have learned that throughout this season, no team can escape adversity- and well, the Seawolves have been a victim of adversity. Whether it be injury or sickness or even having to deal with the stressors from day to day that simply make it life. As a result we have learned the term “bounce.” A common term used in the locker room after any game we have lost has been a term that has seemed to carry over in our daily lives on and off the court as a team. Down to the final stretch of the season, we have learned that we are a support system that thrives on one another and if we want to be successful, we have to want success for our teammates before we can want it for ourselves. We have learned that we have to want it for our teammate ahead and behind us- from the bench to the floor, in order to really be called a success. We have done just that and have come a long way since.

Now when I say success I do not mean by the number of games won compared to the games lost. I simply mean doing the things we have talked about and gone over and played the game to the best of our capabilities as a player and teammate. If you have done all that you can by working hard and being all that you could have been by bringing all your talents to the table with pride, heart and urgency then the final numbers on the score board is not what makes your success positive or negative. It is simply your effort driven with a purpose relative to your teammates and the accomplishments made in the process. Of course as a player, I want nothing more than to win- who wouldn’t? Yet aside from that the true moments of pure happiness come from the simply great defensive plays that turn into steals, that turn into great passes, that turn into great execution and great baskets made which all then have a domino effect for every possession. The one great rebound, the hustle play, the perfect pass, to the most amazing three point shot are the possessions of bliss. The Seawolves have learned that it is no longer about one but about many working together as one. Our success has not just been by the five players working out on the floor but every person from the bench to the floor. The rebound that lead to a pass that lead to a shot are the successful plays the Seawolves have learned to make consistently.

The game against San Bernardino will be a battle between two aggressive teams. I know the focus for the Seawolves lies within us and what we can do to be successful. This game is has a lot on the line for the Seawolves. If we win, we are entered into the playoffs, but if we lose then we are automatically out at having a shot at the playoffs. For our team, however, we understand that this is an opportunity for our seniors they will never get back. The sense of urgency becomes greater- from a freshman to a senior. We have all the tools it takes to be the dictator of the game. We have discovered it is want to over have to that will get the job done. After persevering through adversity we plan to go to great measures in fighting for the W. Regardless of what happens I have full faith that we will fight and deploy all we can to have a shot at the playoffs.

We all are many but together we form one ready to fight side-by-side 'till the final buzzer sounds. Be sure to come out and support your lady Seawolves!! The game is at The Wolves' Den TONIGHT @ 5:30pm!! And thank you again for all your support.