“Notes From the Field” with Erin Matson on Chapelboro.com is proudly presented by Chapel Hill Tire.
Erin Matson is a Tar Heel, world-class athlete, team player and champion. Here, in “Notes From the Field,” she’ll be sharing some of her thoughts in an ongoing series set to cover anything and everything on her mind. You can find the full series so far here, on Chapelboro.
Did anyone else throw temper tantrums when their parents came to pick them up from playdates when they were younger? Or have a HISSY when they were told they couldn’t sleep over at their friend’s house?
Sorry, Mom and Dad. I love you!
But it all worked out, guys. Because now I get to have a sleepover with my best friends almost every night of the year!
You probably heard about this past weekend being UNCFH’s 2022 season opener. And if you didn’t, get with the program! Kidding, of course. But it is going to be a special season, so you won’t regret tagging along with us.
Besides the obvious significance of the season officially and FINALLY beginning, it also was the first weekend on the road together as a team. Okay yeah, it was only a short bus ride to Winston-Salem, but that’s still an away-trip, people!
Still nights spent in a foreign room, hit-or-miss hotel meals, and a wrench thrown into everyone’s routines. How is it that hotels seem to have the SLOWEST wifis only when it’s time to get work done?
No one ever talks about the annoying, complicated, sucky parts of traveling. I mean, c’mon. If you had the option to stay in Chapel Hill and play every game at Karen Shelton Stadium, wouldn’t YOU?!
However, this is a classic case of the good outweighing the not-so-good.
You know the glorified stories of the memories made on away trips? Well, they’re actually not glorified at all. Being on the road with your team and spending days and nights in hotels together are when some of the most priceless moments of the season happen.
Those walks to discover the best coffee shop nearby are somehow more refreshing. And by, “Let’s find a spot to do work” you actually mean, “Let’s open our laptops to make us feel better but actually gossip the entire time.”
I’m sure the majority of you have also uttered one of these phrases if you’ve ever shared a room with someone: “You can shower first tonight,” “Is 68º good for you?” or “What time are you setting your alarm for breakfast?”
There’s also the rushed showers before dinner because you have just enough time to squeeze one in. If you’re not showing up to eat with sopping wet hair and skincare already done, you’re doing it wrong. It’s givinggg… “wet sewage rat.” But did someone say pasta? Carb-loading?! Twist my arm.
What about breaking a sweat on the fast-walk home from getting ice cream, causing a SCENE downtown? Sounds about right. When has a group of college girls with no inside-voices rushing down the street ever gone unnoticed. Gotta make sure we’re “back before dark!”
Finally, the game of “How Many Girls Can We Fit in One Hotel Room” never gets old. What movie is on Freeform? Honestly, it doesn’t matter because you won’t be able to hear it over all of the chatter anyway. But it can’t get too crazy because “lights out at 10!”
Whether you relate to any of these memories or have a collection of your own, I hope you understand how special away trips are for any team.
It’s exciting to come off such an amazing first weekend with this season’s memories already piling up with plenty of opportunities to keep it rolling. Snapchat, we’ll look forward to opening you up in a year!
Anywhoo though … That was LAST weekend. We’ve got our home-opener coming up, everybody!!!!!! Who’s showin’ up at KSS for the Heels? You won’t want to miss the entertainment.
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