Authors Note: This was in fact written in October of 2009. I used my super secret computer skills to change the date it was posted to match. 
-k
With a determination unlike anyone I’ve ever known, Michelle Ng sold her soul to Melee to make it to nationals in her final year of eligibility. She cancelled her plans to study abroad in the fall so she should to captain the team with Rebecca Shelton. Both stepped into the roles of handler and were able to control the field with their quick movement and solid breaks. Stephanie Redfern gained confidence and became a huge receiver on Melee, faster than almost any women in the game and 2nd year Katie “BS” Blyth, finally back from injuries keeping her out most of the first season, was a powerhouse on the field with aspirations to surpass her sister Slider in skill. Gina Phillips dominated on the field with her huge throws, and consistent breaks. The big surprise came from rookies Janel Venzant and Rachel “Chump” Massey. They became two of the best receivers on Texas their first year and were solid defenders. Chump rivaled Steph in speed but they refused to ever race each other. Janel, at only 5’6 was huge in the air, and was feared by many for her power and intensity.
The season started off less than perfect. With Michelle and Shelton out due to injuries, Melee’s performance at harvest moon was less than desirable. The matchup with Truman was surprisingly civil. There’s only so much you can hate a team dressed like lady bugs. “Easy” games were closer than one would like, and the tournament ended with a loss to a club team that carried around bones on the sideline.
A trip to Gainsville filled the team with confidence when they took Florida Winter Classic beating out Wake Forest and North Carolina. Texas was also able to beat Wake Forest at an impromptu game of slackjaw when the teams ran into each other at Olive Garden.
Vegas handed Melee some trouble, especially with a less than desirable format. A one point loss to UCLA planted melee in the 17th place bracket while UCLA was in the running for 1st. Melee rolled all of the teams the final day, proving they belonged in the championship.
Michelle Ng and Texas hosted a tournament in Columbia, MO as a way to bring teams from the South region. Truman State was destroyed in a snowy, muddy mess, 11-5. Crush crush crush. Melee will hate Truman forever on the field, and vowed to crush them at every game after the results of 2007. Conditions eventually moved games onto icy turf. Surprisingly Wisconsin only pulled of an 11-9 win. Given our lack of experience on turf, ice or icy turf, we expected much different results. The game against St. Louis was the biggest surprise of the weekend. The 6-4 loss wasn’t too disconcerting taking into account the icy conditions, but their ability to catch everything did give them credibility as a legitimate threat to Texas.
Stanford brought out some of the best playing Melee had ever seen. Up 7-1 against UBC (2008 National Championships) Texas had a flawless game without a single turn. Then they dropped the ball, or the disc in this case, again and again and the final score UBC 12, Texas 9 showed, yet again, that their headgame was not as strong as it needed to be. Melee pulled out a win against Berkeley on universe point, and crushed Brown. They beat Wisconsin in a heated and somewhat questionable game in regards to time limits and caps. Regardless, the memory of this win would later spur Melee on to victory, and Bella would eventually forgive them after Michelle housed the team for Centex the next year. Texas lost to Washington Sunday 15-4 but had a satisfying win against a very aggressive Carleton team and lost to Oregon the last game of the weekend.
As usual, Centex brought trouble, but Texas went 3-1 in pool play and would beat Dartmouth Sunday with overall record of 4-3. Winds picked up and yet again Melee matched up against Oregon for the last game of the weekend. Revenge did not come, with a 12-9 final.
Sectionals started out as expected, with Texas beating everyone easily. The last game, however, could be marked as the worst game in the team’s history. Windy as usual (sectionals is ALWAYS windy) Melee battled Texas A&M one of the ugliest games I’ve ever played. Calls were made left and right and tempers flared on both sides. After beating A&M 12-3 Saturday, Texas lost 10-8. The biggest shock of the section, as well as the region.
Regionals was surprisingly easy and not a single team scored double digits. WashU put up the closest game scoring 8. Truman State didn’t stand a chance in the finals. With a years worth of preparation for this one game against this particular team, there was no stopping Texas. Not wanting a repeat of the previous year, tempers were all but non-existent. The game was played with respect from both teams and was quite spirited. Though a tall team, Tsunami was unable to stop the athleticism and speed of Texas. Finally keying in on the Gina to Steph connection, Truman stopped Redfern only to realize that Chump was just as fast. “They have two of them!” Someone yelled from the sidelines. Texas took the region and the only bid to nationals.
The first game of nationals proved the legitimacy of Texas. Complacent after their multiple victories, Washington did not appear mentally prepared for the game. Ng and Shelton’s quick movement offense surprised Element, catching them off guard and providing a few easy points. Ranked #10 coming in, Texas beat the #3 seed 15-11. The next game against BellaDonna was to prove the win at Stanford wasn’t a fluke. Texas was up as the end of the game neared. The slight wind could have been enough to give Melee the edge if they could make it a downwind game. Nearing the end of the game, Gina Phillips went down hard with a cramp. The Colorado altitude was not kind to most players at the tournament. Wisconsin started to rally. In what was called “the heartbreak of the tournament” Melee lost 15-13 in the final minutes, crushing their hopes to take the pool. Disappointment struck again when the team was unable to execute in the next game. A combination of altitude, and the intensity of the previous games, Texas just couldn’t find strength to finish out the day. Melee lost 15-4 to Michigan State, an unknown team that beat Illinois for the 2nd bid to nationals. The next day Texas won every game, ending tied for 9th. Most of the team set their sights on nationals, but never really had goals for once they got there. There’s always next year.