Professional PLL
06:00 PM
Jul 19
Phi
Den
Today was a very busy and eventful day, but it was a truly inspiring one.
It began with our first breakfast as a team in the new dining hall, followed by a short practice and then scrimmaging with the Czech Republic. The Czech were an awesome group of girls who helped us with 7-on-7 scrimmages as well as working on the draw.
After we were done with our one hour time slot, we all had to quickly shower and get dressed into our white uniforms for a team picture! We traveled back down to the field to take a team picture at the game field. Walking down to the field with everyone dressed in uniform felt like we were walking to a game.
After team pictures, we headed back down to the dining hall for a team lunch. It sort of seems like all we do is eat, but as Jay Dyer says, we need to fuel our bodies – and I certainly follow those directions. On the menu was grilled chicken sandwiches, potato wedges and salad bar. It was not my favorite day of dining, but thankfully, we have lots of snacks in our flats. After lunch, we headed back to our flats to get ready for the opening ceremony!
Opening ceremonies 2017 #usawlax #roadtotheworldcup
A post shared by Kayla Treanor (@kaylatreanor) on
The World Cup opening ceremony was a special experience that I will never forget.
Walking onto the field with the crowd in the stadium, cheering loud for USA with music playing, as I stood shoulder to shoulder with my teammates, made this whole journey seem surreal. While we were standing there, the Princess Royal, Anne, flew over the stadium in her helicopter to come to the ceremony. She had to leave early because she a dinner date with Spanish Royalty – I totally understand.
We walked in threes and I was beside Michelle Tumolo and Megan Douty. We were greeted by lines of young children clapping our hands and chanting USA, which at this moment, I got goose bumps as well as so many of my teammates. It is an indescribable feeling to wear USA across your chest and hear the cheers in the crowd rooting for your country.
After the opening ceremony was over, the first game of the tournament began. It was England vs. Wales. We stuck around to watch the first half of the game and it was such an exciting game, especially because the stadium was packed! Unfortunately, we had to leave early and head over to dinner. On the menu was spaghetti carbonara, potatoes and vegetables. The spaghetti carbonara was fantastic, but I am sure no one would agree with me on that one – yes, no one.
After dinner, we headed back over to the dorms and hung out for a little bit before a team meeting. Once the coaches got back, we walked over to our meeting room near the field. As we were seated, Coach Fried began to play a video. Popped up on his computer was a video of Geno Auriemma, the University of Connecticut women’s basketball coach and the USA national team basketball coach.
In the video, he spoke to us about the amazing opportunity we have to play for our country and the pressure that not only we feel but that our “enemies” feel as well. He described the pressure that they feel, that even if they play their A game, and so do we, they most likely will not win. He chose to speak to us in his office in front of his 11 national championship trophies.
Prior to coming to England, two weeks ago, I had just went to a conference called What Drives Winning, where Auriemma spoke. One of the reasons he is such an amazing coach and educator is because he is an amazing storyteller. I have never quite heard someone be able to captivate a room like he does.
My dad has been a basketball coach his whole life, and we are a basketball family, so this is a moment I won’t ever forget.
After the video, Coach Fried read a letter to the team from a national team alum, who was a part of six World Cups either playing or coaching. As he read the story aloud, tears came from so many players' and coaches' eyes. One thing that really stuck with me was the alum’s message that we will never hear the National Anthem the same way again.
Then Coach said, "The work is over. Let’s begin."
It gives me chills writing this and I can’t wait to begin the games.
– Kayla Treanor
(Twitter: @unKayTrain_able, Instagram: @Kaylatreanor, Snapchat: @kaylatreanor)
Player Profile
KAYLA TREANOR
Nickname: Kay or Treanor
Years with the U.S. Program: 5
U.S. Senior World Cup Teams: 2017
U.S. U19 World Championship Teams: 2011 (Gold)
Position: Attack
College: Syracuse 2016
Honors: Tewaaraton Award Finalist (2014-16), IWLCA Attacker of the Year (2014-16), ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year (2016), ACC Tournament MVP (2015), Big East Tournament MVP (2013)
Hometown: Niskayuna, N.Y.
Current Residence: Boston
Current Career: Boston College Assistant
What does playing for Team USA mean to you?
It is such an honor to be able to wear the red, white and blue. I feel so lucky to be able to be on the team and I still can't really believe they picked me.
What other sports did you play in high school?
Soccer and basketball.
What advice would you give your 8th grade self?
You are not going to be Mia Hamm.
Who is your favorite lacrosse player?
My sister, Alyssa Treanor (Siena 2015) and my cousin, Matt Thistle (High Point 2016) and Katrina Dowd (Northwestern 2010). They are all ballers and play the game with style.
If you could have one song played after every time you score or make a big play, what would it be?
"Where The Hood At" by DMX.
What is your go-to pregame meal?
Peanut butter and jelly.
What is something that most people don't know about you?
I have a phobia of celery.
What's the best advice you received from a coach?
My dad, who's one of the best coaches I know, told me that anyone could work as hard as me but don't ever let anyone outwork you. I lived by this as an athlete.
Is there one person who helped you the most to get to where you are today?
There are so many people in my life. It took a village to help me to get to where I am today. My college coaches [Gary Gait and Regy Thorpe] inspired me to try out for Team USA.
What advice would you give young players who dream to reach your level?
Love every second of playing this game.