Miami Gardens, FL - While many St. Thomas University students are still counting down the days of summer and maybe trying to get their bodies used to waking up for 8 AM classes the St. Thomas Athletes are already facing their first test of the semester.
Their test does not require a pen, number two pencil, or even paper it requires shorts, shoes, a shirt and the will sweat through the first day of practice. Practice day one of the fall sports season serves as a test for the athletes to see who faithfully followed the off-season workout plan given to them at the end of the previous season.
The volleyball and men’s and women’s soccer teams held their first practices August 11 starting as early as 8 AM. The strategy is similar to the saying that the “early bird gets the worm,” with the worm being a long and successful season for the fall sports. According to volleyball head coach Maurico Diaz the worm is with in reach for the volleyball team after evaluating the first practice.
“It was fantastic, the girls superseded my expectations,” Coach Diaz said.
Overall the coaches were pleased with their players’ performance but like most coaches more will be asked of the players and some days a second practice will occur. All in an effort to assure the players are prepared for their opening day. Cross Country has yet to have their first official practice, tentatively scheduled for August 19 but their season also starts after the other fall sports, below are the scheduled season openers for all fall sports.
Opening Day
|
Team
|
Date
|
Time
|
Location
|
|
Cross Country
|
9/5/2008
|
6:00 PM
|
Valrico, FL
|
|
Men’s Soccer
|
8/30/2008
|
4:00 PM
|
Miami Gardens, FL
|
|
Women’s Soccer
|
8/30/2008
|
2:00 PM
|
Miami Gardens, FL
|
|
Volleyball
|
8/29/2008
|
4:30 PM
|
Lakeland, FL
|