Day 6: Last full day in paradise

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/

TUESDAY, AUG. 12 -- written by Gabrielle Bauer

Our time in Grand Cayman has finally come to a close. What an amazing last day we were able to have. Morning practice was very strenuous. As the sun's rays poured down on our skin, we finally felt the week's worth of exercise all in one session, but at the same time we were more energized. 

Coach had written out the practice plans all on a napkin. That, right there, made for a more tropically oriented time. We all came prepared for an excruciatingly hot practice. Each of us carried at least 3 bottles of water. What a sight it must have been for the other vacationers to see a bunch of girls, in spandex, carrying the equivalent to a small lake in our arms. During practice a couple local guys tried seeing if we would accept their challenge for a match of beach volleyball. Sadly, we had to decline, for our team was on a mission to complete the hardest and last practice of our trip. When practice was finished, all the water we brought had been consumed, and half of our body weight was gone due to the amount of perspiration we did. 

The rest of the day consisted of tanning, laying out on the beach, and trying to get a sunburn. Since the summer we all had in Michigan was quite cloudy, we decided to make up for it in a matter of hours. Might as well, right? Now if someone sees a very tan girl at Olivet, he or she will know that that girl is a volleyball player.

We had another wonderful dinner at the popular tourist destination called Margaritaville. Most of us ordered burgers that were delivered to us on solid wood guitar plates which each said,"Live life like a song". This quote was said by the musician Jimmy Buffet, who also has involvement with the restaurant. 

As dinner subsided, we all thanked coach for the phenomenal experience she provided for us and piled into the van for one of the last times. Now we sit in our rooms packing and preparing for our long ride back to the states. It is a leave none of us are willing to make, but one we knew was imminent. Tomorrow we have a lengthy plane ride. Most of us will try to wake up early to enjoy the beach one more time, but we shall see.

Until next time Grand Cayman!

Click here for today's photo gallery.