Day 4: A wonderful experience with sea turtles and dolphins

The Olivet College volleyball team is on a week-long trip to Grand Cayman for its preseason training. While there, the players will be writing blog posts and sending them back to the U.S.A. to be posted on the website. The home page for the blog, where future posts will be linked to is: www.olivetcomets.com/sports/wvball/2014-15/cayman_blog/

SUNDAY, AUG. 10 -- written by Gabrielle Bauer

Day four of our team's Grand Cayman Island adventure. After surviving another day of beach volleyball in the blazing sun, the team hurried back to the hotel to prep for another fun-filled day.

Today our coach, Megan Merchant, surprised us with a visit to the Turtle Farm, where we were able to view and hold sea turtles. The turtles were unexpectedly massive, and their shells were ornately decorated with naturally occurring patterns. We were all in awe from their beauty. Thankfully, the farm had tanks that consisted of baby turtles. We were all able to take pictures and hold them. It was a magical experience to say the least.

The real excitement began shortly after. A walk across from the turtle farm was a dolphin sanctuary. We were greeted by many smiling faces. All of the dolphin trainers were eagerly ready to assist us in our dolphin excursion. Our team was split up into two groups. One group was with a lady named Loretta. Another one was with a gentleman named José. They both taught us how to use proper sign language that would allow us to interact with the dolphins. Each girl was able to touch, kiss, dance, and swim with the dolphins. This experience was surreal and most definitely unforgettable.

As we went to play another match with the International Cayman Island volleyball team, we were all smiles. Even though we were exhausted from the day's festivities, we came in ready to dominate. Our determination to succeed helped us to defeat our opponents yet again. What a great feeling it was to push through as a team and play our absolute hardest. It was hard saying goodbye to our new friends, but we will be forever grateful for the memories they have helped us make.

Click here for today's photo gallery.