First week of practice is successful

It seems like time is flying by – our first game is only one month away.  
However, I feel like if we keep up our dedication and hard work it will show out on the court. We just finished our first official week of practice and I am confident in this group of girls. We are all very upbeat and positive and I know that it truly does make a difference in
the way we play as a team. We can maintain a positive mindset and have fun with the game, but I know that all of these girls are determined to get the job done as soon as we step on the floor. The team has built a very strong chemistry both on and off the court and I think that is a major reason why we all work so well together. We know that no spot on the floor is guaranteed and that each of us, whether a freshman or sophomore, are going to have to compete with one another. Nonetheless, having that competition makes us work that much harder.
As an individual, I would like to improve a lot more on my defensive quickness. I understand where I need to be on the floor at what particular time, but being able to get there is a proving to be a personal challenge. However, by having such talented teammates on offense it has given me the opportunity every single day to improve.  
As a team, I would really like us to be more vocal on defense. If we can get inside our opponents’ heads and throw off their offense we can be very successful. I know when it comes time to getting it done, we will be ready to show what we’re all about.

–Bree Domingo

October Newsletter available

Check out the October newsletter by clicking on the “Newsletter” tab above. This month, you can get to know sophomore Allie Davison and read about the Hall of Fame banquet. Enjoy!

Falcons pass first test

Cooler weather provided a great backdrop as our players arrived at Solano bright and early at 6:45 this morning to run the mile. Each player must make their mile time (as determined by the coaching staff) to earn their jersey. I am pleased to report that for only the second time in my career at Solano the entire team made their mile time on the first try this morning. It was quite a feat and I am very proud of these girls for their mental toughness. Freshman Kari Sly turned in an impressive run of 5:52 while sophomore Crystal Lee and freshman Carmen Belser beat their times by almost one minute. Congratulations to the entire team! This gives us great momentum heading into our first official practice on Thursday!

Former Falcon honored

Congratulations to Robin Williams, the 15th former Solano women’s basketball player to be inducted into the SCC Athletic Hall of Fame. Robin suited up during the 1999-2000 and 2001-02 seasons. She was a member of the 2000 Bay Valley Conference championship team and was an all-conference selection as a sophomore. Robin is the co-record holder for best 3-point percentage in a game (.714) and holds the record for most blocks in a game (7). Robin was joined at the induction ceremony by her grandmother, who Robin thanked profusely for supporting her throughout her athletic career; and former teammates Jennifer Causey and Shannon Roberts. Coach Matt presented Robin with her No. 30 jersey from her playing days at Solano.

The entire Solano women’s basketball family congratulates Robin on this outstanding achievement!

Robin Williams, second from right, is joined by Coach Matt (far left), Solano president Jowel Laguerre, and Solano Athletic Director and Dean of Physical Education Bob Myers.

Fun Friday at Stars

The team enjoyed a few hours with one another at the bowling alley at Stars Recreation in Vacaville for Fun Friday.
The competition was fierce and it came down to the last frame to decide the winner.
Several players were in line to call themselves the best bowler on the 2009 team but it was sophomore Crystal Lee who will have bragging rights for the rest of the year.
Enjoy some photos from the day!

Falcons working hard

We have reached the end of the first week of conditioning and what a week it has been!

The girls are working really hard in and out of the gym and doing really well in the classroom so far. It can be tough for the players to go from summertime, where there’s no school and only two days of basketball a week, to having a full schedule of classes and basketball every day. But this group has adjusted very well and they are all taking responsibility for what’s going on in their lives.

We had our first Fun Friday today – we tried on our Adidas gear. Fun Fridays give the team something to look forward to every week as they work hard in the classroom and in basketball. I try to mix it up with fun activities that will give the team the chance to get to know one another and develop better relationships off the court. In the past, we have gone bowling, played mini golf and spent a few hours at Chuck E. Cheese (you’re never too old for Chuck E. Cheese!).

This has been a big week for me as well. The newest addition to my family, Amy, has been home for two weeks now and it’s been great to have my entire family under one roof. She’s a great baby, growing fast, and my oldest, Diana, is helping out a lot around the house.

We have a busy next couple months in our program with football concessions, fundraisers and the like. It’s an exciting time as our team starts to come together and get prepared for what hopes to be another successful season!

August Newsletter available

The August version of the Solano women’s basketball newsletter is now available to download! Read about the Falcons’ summer workouts, get to know sophomore Goli Tavassoli and much more! Click on the “newsletter” link above.

Welcome Kelci!

Most of the 2009-10 team gathered at Coach’s Matt house on June 6 to meet and welcome Kelci Roberts to California.

Kelci comes to us from Caesar Rodney High in Camden, Delaware, and we are very excited to see what she can bring to the program.

Kelci is coming off a senior season where she earned honorable mention all-state honors. She helped lead her team to the semifinals of the state tournament, where the Riders eventually lost to state champion Delcastle 55-46.

The team was excited to meet both Kelci and her sister, Erin, who is stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield. It was a great party with great food, great entertainment (the Lakers and Magic game provided some light trash talking among the players and coaches) and great weather!

The party gave the players a chance to not only meet Kelci, but for some players, it gave them a chance to sit down and talk with their future teammates who they might not have had a chance to talk with at our end of spring meeting.

Team building sessions can happen in the most unique places – like Coach Matt’s backyard or living room!

The coaching staff was very impressed with the camaraderie already on display with this group of players and hope that translates over to a successful season!

Check it out…

The 2008-09 highlight film is now available to view. You can click on the “08-09 Highlights” tab atop this blog and watch the film in two pieces.

Also, the June 2009 newsletter is now available for your reading pleasure. It’s jam-packed with information about the summer plans of some of our players, our upcoming camp and much more! Click on the “Newsletter” tab atop this blog and read it for yourself!

Enjoy!

Now that’s a party!

Welana Toki, an all-state player at Solano in 2006, dressed in traditional Tongan garb for her college graduation celebration.

As coaches we know, even though it isn’t always easy, the results and appreciation of our efforts to guide players will usually come later than sooner. 

Players move on and experience new things and it is always a special time when they contact us to say thank you for helping prepare them to be successful in all that life has to offer.  Saturday, June 6 was one of those special times as several of us in the Solano women’s basketball family were invited to attend Welana Toki’s graduation celebration at the Foley Cultural Center in Vallejo. 

Welana played for us from 2004-2006 and then transferred on full scholarship to Texas A&M University- Kingsville.  Welana will be remembered as one of the best players in Solano history and she was an All Conference performer at Kingsville as well.  Most importantly she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice becoming one of the few members of her family with a college degree.  Hence the celebration!

I was honored to be seated at the head table with her high school coach Ann Talamantes-Ristow and other relatives.  The two words that immediately come to mind in describing the celebration are fantastic and phenomenal. And I don’t know if they even do justice. 

To witness the Tongan culture celebrate such a wonderful occasion was one of the great experiences of my life.  I was blown away when, as one of Welana’s former coaches, I received a separate cake along with blankets and mats as part of the culture’s tradition for such an occasion. 

Several of Welana's former teammates, and former Solano player and assistant coach Nadine Bacal (front in green) celebrated Welana's special night with her.

It was a special day for my family and our program to witness the traditional dancing and gift giving and to be reunited with players from those two years.  A very special day!  Thanks and congratulations again to Welana!