And I have a very good reason as to why.
This weekend, Orange County's very own band of Ultimate enthusiasts, the OC Disorder, made its way up to Oxnard for the 2008 UPA Mixed Sectionals Tournament for Southern California.
One can find the official results here, though numbers don't tell the whole story.
We traveled up Friday evening, packing some sixteen or so of us into a one bedroom apartment in Camarillo.
Saturday morning saw a hearty breakfast of griddlecakes, turkey bacon, orange juice, and potassium-rich bananas before caravaning to the tournament where the rest of the team assembled.
Our first day of tournament play was quite eye opening for the young team, and while the scores of the day may not reflect it, the OC Disorder's defensive play made sure that nearly every point was hard fought for the opposition. Unfortunately, the team was unable to find offensive consistency, whether due to inexperience and/or nerves, and left the day without a victory. Also lost was one of the team's six ladies to an ankle sprain.
Fortunately, the life of a discer is not all about Ultimate and we were able to relax over pizzas and some quantity beer.
Sunday had us donning our Sabbath Whites, returning to the field of play in various states of sobriety, and also minus our Coach/Guru, who had prior commitments, leaving us to see how we might fare with only what we had already learned. The day's first game was a hard fought contest with CSULB's What the Funk? that saw the OC Disorder rally at game point from 14-8 before finally be bested by the score of 15-13.
With growing offensive confidence the OC Disorder was able to best the scrappy Ghetto - Hot of USC by a score of 15-9. Unfortunately the victory came at a price, when Her Highness, team captain and one of the four remaining healthy & available OC Disorder ladies also fell victim to an ankle sprain.
With no remaining alternates, the final game, for sixth place and a rematch against Blowhard!, would require that the three remaining ladies play the entire game or else play a man down. Both teams were wearing but the half saw the OC Disorder up 8-2 and provided a much needed rest for the teams. The game's second half saw the OC Disorder come together around the relentless Ladies and finish the game with a tight, aggressive defense and quick transitions to finish the game 15-4 and with an overall record of 2-4.
