University of Tennessee Athletics
LADY VOL GOLF DIARIES - JESSICA SHEPLEY
October 04, 2002 | Women's Golf
Oct. 4, 2002
This season, all seven members of the Lady Vol golf team will take turns writing entries in the team's bimonthly journal. Sophomore team captain Jessica Shepley is doing the second installment. Shepley, a native of Oakville, Ontario, is one of two sophomores on the squad and has led the Big Orange to the best start in school history. This week she talks about her post Lady Kat Invitational experience and her goals for the team's future success.
Well it has been a little more than a month since we've been back at UT and things are going very well. With a very new team, only four of us returning, there was lots of anticipation from outsiders on how our young team would stack up against the country. After experiencing a year of college golf and having a pretty good idea about our incoming players, I was so excited to get this season going. The season started well as we grabbed our first win [at the Lady Kat Invitational] in Kentucky. Although we did come away with the team title and the individual title thanks to Violeta, there was an interesting silence on the bus ride home. No screams or cheers but just six quiet players thinking about their play and all the work that was about to come. Some thought that this reaction was strange but I believe that it was the reaction of six very strong and determined athletes as that quietness was proof that winning isn't going to be everything this year. As a team we knew that the scores we won with were going to have to drop if we planned--and yes we do plan--on contending in EVERY tournament we play in.
I believe that one of the most important things that a winning team has is a group of individuals that know when it's time to come together. When, at any time, someone will step up and speak, you know there is an abundance of dedication and will. It's hard to explain the feeling between being on teams that say they want to win and being on a team that says it, but also goes through the motions to prove it that they want it BAD! I can only speak for myself, but I believe that I include my teammates when I say that I want it so badly that I will give absolutely everything I have so that at each given opportunity I will be completely prepared.
I really think that our women's golf team has all the right tools. Not only have we had the opportunity to combine two awesome freshmen and a wonderful transfer to an already solid squad, but also we have the coaches that want it just as much. I believe firmly that one of the reasons I came to UT was because of the support staff and most importantly the coaching staff. It makes all the difference in the world when you have two people willing to push you and constantly remind you what it is you're here for.
During a recent team meeting, I told my team one of my dreams. I told them that when I need something to keep me going or pump me, up I think of this scenario. I picture the 18th green at Nationals. I picture my team along with 23 other teams standing around the 18th green. I can see one of us, doesn't matter who, standing there looking at a birdie putt. This six-footer is for the National title. The only thing we can see is orange and you better believe that that putt goes in. Everyone is screaming and the crowd is a blur except for the National champions- wearing their orange with pride and knowing that the last eight months were preparation for this unforgettable moment!
GO LADY VOLS!!!!!
