University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Playing Overseas: Jacqui Kalin Final Blog Entry
5/15/2013 1:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
5/14
Team USA wins the "Four Nations" Championship!!! We beat China last night 66-61, it was a great game! We played very well and managed to overcome tough officiating and home court advantage for China. We played in front of roughly 6,500 people. It was AMAZING! There was a nice closing ceremony afterward (we were presented with a trophy and flowers), and then of course more pictures with anyone and everyone (they let the fans come onto the court after). The most common expression they gave us after we agreed to take a picture with them is "thank you, you are beautiful." That always made us smile!
I didn't know this before, but our first game we played in Dongxiang (our last city) against Brazil was the city's first ever international basketball game and first game played in their brand new arena. It was very cool to be a part of that. I'm sure they will host several more exciting games as they easily packed the stands!
We finished the trip at 7-2, not too shabby for just meeting everyone two weeks ago! Australia and China finished 5-4 and Brazil finished 1-8. The entire trip was an unbelievable experience and I feel so lucky I had the opportunity to be a part of it. While I appreciate the experience I got as a basketball player and I know it has prepared me well for playing overseas next year, the basketball was only a small part of the overall experience. Being a part of the Chinese culture for two weeks (and seeing three totally different cities) was incredible. While I wouldn't label the food as "something I'll miss" I had a lot of fun trying new things! And I'm pretty pumped at how well I can use chop sticks now...I may just opt out of using a fork when I get back home! :)
We just arrived at LAX after a 15 hour flight from Guangzhou (and a two hour flight prior to that within China). I have a redeye flight from LA to Chicago and then a short morning flight from Chicago to Cedar Rapids before I am finally home! The team is all still hanging out together at LAX (one of my teammates' parents brought us Inn and Out burgers -SO good!) before we go our separate ways. As I have mentioned before, we have become such good friends so it will be tough to say goodbye. I know we will all continue to keep in touch.
Thank you for following the trip through my blogs! I will post an album with lots of pictures on Facebook when I get the chance. As always, I appreciate your support and thank you for helping me earn this once in a lifetime opportunity that I will never forget.
A panther for life,
