Northwestern University Athletics
"We Are Ready" - By Sydney Supple
5/19/2021 8:36:00 PM | Softball
As a little girl, I grew up watching the NCAA selection show every year. My favorite part was always seeing the joy on the team's faces when it was announced where they were playing in the regionals. I always envisioned what that moment would feel like but none of it compared to the real deal.
In order to advance to the tournament, we all knew we had to win our last series. The pressure that typically comes along with such high stakes never occurred because as a team we burned them before they could even become present. Yes, I am talking figuratively and literally. We put our feelings, past mistakes, and anything we were holding onto that was keeping us back on a piece of paper and into a pit of fire right on our field. Once the words we wrote went up in flames, I could see every one of my teammates and coaches let go of everything that has happened in our season so far and put all eyes on moving forward.
For four games I witnessed us put everything we had on the line for ourselves, for our seniors, and for a chance to play in the tournament. In the end, we won the series and received a bid to the Kentucky Regional. We EARNED that. People can say what they want, rank us where they want, bottom line we know we belong in the tournament. We are ready to prove to everyone in the country who we are and what we are capable of doing.
I am currently finishing writing this blog from the bus as we are on the road headed to Lexington, KY. I told myself to wait in case there was a message from our last two practices in Evanston that I wanted to share. The reality is, there was not anything special that needed to be said because we know we are ready. We are ready to take the field on Friday vs. Kentucky. We are ready to show how the Big Ten plays softball. We are ready to leave our hearts on the field for each other, our university, and for the little girl who grew up dreaming about seeing her team's name appear on selection night and playing in the tournament. This one's for us and her.
Sincerely,
"????'???? ???????????? ????????."
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) May 18, 2021
Inside Selection Sunday with the 'Cats!#GoCats | #FightForVictory pic.twitter.com/Je4o8POQAP
In order to advance to the tournament, we all knew we had to win our last series. The pressure that typically comes along with such high stakes never occurred because as a team we burned them before they could even become present. Yes, I am talking figuratively and literally. We put our feelings, past mistakes, and anything we were holding onto that was keeping us back on a piece of paper and into a pit of fire right on our field. Once the words we wrote went up in flames, I could see every one of my teammates and coaches let go of everything that has happened in our season so far and put all eyes on moving forward.
For four games I witnessed us put everything we had on the line for ourselves, for our seniors, and for a chance to play in the tournament. In the end, we won the series and received a bid to the Kentucky Regional. We EARNED that. People can say what they want, rank us where they want, bottom line we know we belong in the tournament. We are ready to prove to everyone in the country who we are and what we are capable of doing.
I am currently finishing writing this blog from the bus as we are on the road headed to Lexington, KY. I told myself to wait in case there was a message from our last two practices in Evanston that I wanted to share. The reality is, there was not anything special that needed to be said because we know we are ready. We are ready to take the field on Friday vs. Kentucky. We are ready to show how the Big Ten plays softball. We are ready to leave our hearts on the field for each other, our university, and for the little girl who grew up dreaming about seeing her team's name appear on selection night and playing in the tournament. This one's for us and her.
Sincerely,
Sydney #26
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