University of Tennessee Athletics
LADY VOL DIARIES - ABBI TERVEER
October 14, 2005 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Oct. 14, 2005
Senior Abbi Terveer Gives Her Thoughts in This Lady Vol Diary
It is a new season. With new coaches, new changes, and a new atmosphere, the Lady Vol Swimming and Diving team has been inspired. This year we have so many challenges placed in front of us. From Matt (Kredich) and Jen (Arndt) all the way down to our new freshmen we are all anticipating, with some serious enthusiasm, the start of this year. I do not think that a group of people could get more excited. Actually, I think it has almost become unattractive! As this is my fourth year at Tennessee, I have been used to the daily grind of previous seasons. It is a whole new ballgame now.
From the first day of voluntary practice, there was a unique difference among the team, especially the returning ladies. A new fire was ignited. Even with some of the upperclassmen still uneasy about all the changes, we took a chance and threw our trust into Matt (Kredich) and Jen (Arndt). We were quickly at ease as they both began to show us how to not limit ourselves. Matt (Kredich) is incredibly inspirational and fancies himself a wordsmith. He always knows the right questions to ask to get you thinking and has an answer for everything. Jen (Arndt) brings creativity and her unique sense of humor to each and every workout. Still living on the upside of the hill, her swimming knowledge and personality helps us open our eyes every morning at 5:15. The intense passion in both of their eyes also has helped. If you have not had a chance to talk to either of them within a mile radius of the pool, I suggest you stop them and have a chat. It is a blatant intensity. It is hard to walk away not completely inspired and motivated. If I even catch one of them in the eye, all of a sudden I'm hit with a surge of energy. Any coach that has that much influence over his student-athletes definitely has got something going on!
Our team has had some experiences in the last six months that have united us into one powerful force. As an already close knit team, we were pulled and tugged from every angle. Our bonds withheld the rough situations and were hardened. When our huge freshmen class arrived at Tennessee, they were immediately aware of our commitment to one another and loyalty to the entire team. They, as a group, held up their end of the bargain with ease. As a senior, with all the changes in mind, I could not have hoped for a better freshmen class. As a class, their personality is almost comforting. As we upperclassmen are adjusting to the changes in the program, our freshmen are dealing with the challenging transition to college life as student-athletes and somehow together, they are still finding humor in everyday struggles.
In practice in and out of the pool, we are rocking out! From week-to-week a different star rises to the top. Behind each new star will be twenty six very talented swimmers and divers sprinkling star dust on her, to make her shine brighter. We motivate each other just by each individual's presence. Everyone brings something unique to the team. Mary Kirk (Pollard) sings, while Laura Fehrman and Misty Cain dance. Every practice is a party. We know how to have fun and find humor in difficult sets our coaches place in front of us. Matt (Kredich) and Jen (Arndt) have taught us that everything has a purpose and is important. They have put that challenge in front of us every day as we must maintain a focus throughout every aspect of our workouts. Our coaches keep asking us `who we are? , and who we want to become?' I believe throughout a season there is a buildup to when you will understand who you are and what you stand for. I believe we know; we are just waiting for that one opportunity for it to break free. We are all focused on a vision that will take a lot of hard work and commitment to attain, but you can guarantee we will have a blast while laying it all out every tick of every practice.
At a university where women's athletics are so prominent and respected, the Lady Vol Swimming and Diving team has been hidden under the scope. We value the tradition of excellence in the Lady Vol Athletic Department. The road has been paved by the other championship teams at Tennessee after whom we model ourselves. Their accomplishments set a high standard, and we feed off the successes of the other Lady Vol teams. Although we have been respected in the country, we are easily overlooked as our program has been fortunately stuck in the Southeastern Conference behind the top-three programs in the nation. Fortunate because we thrive on this challenge, and we will not settle for mediocrity. We want to race the best, and in the SEC that is easily accomplished. We now understand the opportunity we have in front of us. With new coaches and a new attitude, we now have a spotlight on us. We are aware that people are now curious as to what we can do. Throughout this transitional year there will be maybe a little criticism and some skepticism from crowds across the country, but it will be confronted by great enthusiasm and desire. Can we do it? As a team, we intend to be counted as one of the best in the country. We are excited for the new interest in our program no matter the motivation behind the attention. We believe there will be eyes watching us now that normally have been focused elsewhere. As we have been repeatedly challenging ourselves, we'd like to challenge you to a game and question us, as we enjoy your skepticism. This uncertainty will only add to our desire to aspire to a higher standard. So we invite you to our show, as we believe it is OUR show. The Lady Vol Swimming and Diving team is eager to surprise you. GAME ON!
