Coppa Italia

Finally this past weekend we got to play again.  It was time for the Final 4 of Coppa Italia (Italian Cup).  The Italians take this Cup very seriously and they have it for every sport.  We practiced hard for two and a half weeks preparing for this weekend.  First up in the semi-finals we had Jesi (Heather Bown's team).  We came up with a big 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-15) win, and some confidence going into the final against Bergamo.  Bergamo just the other week won Champions League, which is the Cup for all of Europe.  We knew we had our work cut out for us.  We started the match off great with a 2-0 set lead and 16-11 lead in the 3rd...then...well something happened and we ended up in the 5th set.  But with the hard work of our team and coach we pulled out the victory (25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 17-25, 15-13).  This was my first time winning Coppa Italia, and also the first for our organization.  It was absolutely incredible.  The support from our organization, staff, and fans was tremendous.

Here are some pictures from the weekend...

Manu, Me & Vesna

Celebrating

Me & Manu

Unfortunately we had very little time to celebrate.  Playoffs start on Thursday and our focus is now directed to winning the Championship.

What a weekend...

2nd free weekend...

As I previously said...we had 2 weekends off from games.  The 2nd weekend I had Sunday off...and Manu and I decided to go for a late lunch in Milan at our friend the Pharmacist's restaurant.  We ended up staying there for at least 4 hours enjoying great food and great company.  Then spontaneously I brought up going bowling...and all were for it.

Manu, Bianchi, Pharma, and I bowling...fun times...

Pre-bowling lunch...Pharma & Bianchi

Manu

Manu showing her skills

Strike for Bianchi

Manu & I

I love when we have a little time to do things that we normally can't do...now we are trying to make it a once a week thing...we will see...I need to practice on my own before the next round...

Easter Spa weekend...

One plus of having 3 weeks off from games was having Easter weekend off. I was having a very difficult time deciding if I should travel out of Italy, go to Rome, or just stay around Milan and relax.   Luckily one of my best friends from Hawaii made my decision a lot easier.   My friend Erica Lum and I grew up together in Hawaii.  She has now been living in Italy for the past years with her fiance Phil Martin who plays professional basketball here.  It worked out that Phil had a game close to where I live.  Erica decided to fly up the morning of his game so we could spend some time together.  I decided to surprise her with a spa day in my new favorite hotel in Milan.  After the spa day we went to Phil's game, had a great dinner, and then Easter brunch the next day before she left.  I had another day and a half off after that but chose to just relax in the hotel and have some Me time.

Check out this hotel...it was amazing...Exedra Milano

The spa

Entrance to Bar

Room w/ view of Duomo

Outside

Bar

This picture is similar to the room I was in...

I will be back to the hotel asap...It was so great seeing Erica & Phil...and hope to make their wedding this summer in Hawaii...

Spring is here...

Finally the weather is nice...I might be speaking too soon...but I hope Spring is officially here.  To tell you the truth I love the weather but not a big fan of spring and summer fashion.  As weird as it sounds I will be missing all the layers and what you can create in the fashion world with layers...

These woman are completely covered yet so sexy and stylish...bye bye layers...see you in a couple seasons...

Holy Ferrari...

Last week we got the opportunity to visit one of our sponsor's friends that has a garage full of Ferraris.  It was amazing...not only are there the cars, but the garage looks like a showroom with all different types of pictures, and collectables...absolutely ridiculous.  What an expensive hobby.  Maybe my parents wont mind my bag and shoe collection now...it could be worse.

Check out these pictures....

I have no words...

Official...

My favorite one...

Worth $1,100,000...really...

I got in...

The Inside...

Official race car...

The owner is in the middle...lucky guy

The real deal...

What an experience....

Volley Update

Regular season finally ended two Sundays ago with a big win against our rival Busto Arsizio.  In our first match up against them which here they call "The Derby" we lost in 5...but this time we weren't messing around and smashed them in 3.

Villa Cortese def. Busto Arsizio  25-15, 25-15, 25-21

It was a great way to wrap up the regular season and secure 2nd place going into playoffs.  It's also nice to see my coach, the organization, the sponsors, and all of our fans so happy.  We truly have the best fans in the league.

Look at our fans...so precious

Warming it up...

Article in the paper the day after...

Now we are on about a 3 week break...actually now only 2 weeks left before we play in the Final 4 of Coppa Italia.  It is the Italian Cup that the Italians take very seriously and is a very big deal to win.  We play Jesi in the semi-finals on Saturday the 17th.  Until then we have been and will continue to work hard in the weight room and with the ball to be in the best shape we can going into Coppa Italia and the Playoffs.

Can't wait for our next game...games are so much more fun then practice...

Stay tuned...