Raines Reflects On Trip To China
7/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
July 8, 2011
FORT WORTH, Texas - TCU volleyball senior outside hitter Jordan Raines recently returned from a trip to China where she participated in the BIP/USA to China, Challenge Invitational. She took time to recount her experiences in China.
Q: Was this your first time to play volleyball in an international event and how did you come to be involved with this trip?
A: No, this was not my first time playing abroad. My senior year of high school I went on a trip with my club team (Sarah Joeckel was on this trip as well). We traveled to Italy, Czech Republic, and Slovenia to play over Christmas break. This past trip is how I came to be involved with playing in China this summer. Tim Kelly, CEO of Bring It Promotions led our trip to Europe my senior year. This summer he also led this trip to China. I got in touch with him and everything fell in to place after that.
Q: Did you find it challenging to have chemistry with your teammates, since the team was comprised of players from different schools all over the country?
A: I did not find it difficult to generate chemistry with new teammates. All of us were comfortable with each other from the start. I think when you've played the game long enough, especially at the collegiate level, there's a certain kind of bond that's easily attainable after a practice or two. It was really enjoyable getting to know these girls, though I'm sad I won't be playing with them again.
Q: How did the culture, language barrier, and other external factors like food and air quality affect your performance?
A: The culture/language barriers... lets just say, the refs in the heat of a play would all of the sudden not understand English when certain bad calls were being challenged. It was really humorous! But the girls we played against were wonderful. We were able to sit and talk with them for a bit after our matches. It was really inspiring to hear their passion for education. Most had hopes of one day coming to the US to study.
The biggest "shock" for me on this trip was the amount of pollution that surrounded the city of Beijing. It made me really sad to see such a thriving capital surrounded by smog. There are 5 million cars and 30 million people in Beijing alone, crazy! I never felt the pollution had an impact on my performance though. Thank you Claratin!
The food took some getting used to, everything is deep-fried, stir-fried, pan-fried fried, fried, fried! Though it was all very tasty, my diet consisted mostly of watermelon (best I've ever had), some kind of white kiwi looking fruit, and duck. The people that prepared meals at our hotels and restaurants were so hospitable. It was fun to try various Chinese dishes. (Not to worry, no dog-dish was ever served or consumed.)
Q: Do you feel you will be more prepared for the upcoming season having participated in this event?
A: Yes, I feel like playing in Beijing and Weifang, China did prepare me for this upcoming season. I improved a lot defensively. But more importantly it was great in the regard it reminded me why I play. My reason still remains the same 11 years later. I play because its fun and I love seeing the hard work of a team pay off in wins. I'm really looking forward to my last season being a successful one.
Q: What was the best part about this experience?
A: The best part of this experience? That's tough. My favorite part was that I was able to do two things I'm most passionate about in one trip; travel and play volleyball.
