While in Venezuela playing for the United States Junior team, Kirt Benedict served both her team and her classwork in a way that she never expected.
Benedict served as the team translator in Venezuela. She said that she is less than fluent, but she knew enough to get by. She helped the players to check into the hotel, get rides, and generally any other excuse to practice her Spanish.
Both Jill Pearsall and Benedict had their notes faxed to them daily to keep up with their classes during their three week competition. Benedict said that she had a friend take notes for her also, but she feels that she still has a lot of catching up to do.
“I am the type of person who needs to be in class,” Benedict said, “I kept up on the work side, but I’ll have to see what effect the absences had.”
“We didn’t have much time for a social life,” said Benedict, “let alone the school work.”
The team ranked fifth overall. Only the top three teams qualified to go to Spain. To eliminate ties in records, they based the ranks on points scored. To rank in the top three, the U.S. team would have to beat Canada by 2.
Both Pearsall and Benedict made reference to the Canada game as their most memorable experience.
“There was two minutes left and the game was scoreless,” said Benedict, “We needed the two points to win, then we scored. It all seemed in reach, we didn’t get the two points we needed, but we did win, and it was a great game.”
Pearsall agreed, “Both teams played similar styles, it made for an exciting game.”
Benedict said that she attributed the team’s low ranking and low score to inconsistent play. She said that her biggest difficulty was the constant adjustment in style. She feels that this constant adjustment will improve both her and Pearsall’s game.
“Playing at that level, among the best of the best,” Benedict said, “was a good experience, but now I am glad to be back and I’m psyched to play for Penn State again.”
Now both Pearsall and Benedict are back to Penn State and ready to hit the ground rolling. Both players started last season, but will find themselves in some stiff competition for their positions.
“I’m going to treat it as if they were injured starters,” Coach Char Morett said, “they will have to work their way back in.”
In Venezuela, Pearsall said that playing among all the top players, has helped her to become more of a team player. She said that she will help Penn State in any way possible.
“It doesn’t matter if I start or not,” said Pearsall, “I will do what ever the team needs me to.”
Benedict and Pearsall will only have one practice before Penn State’s game tonight against No. 4 Maryland. Penn State was ranked No. 5 in pre-season poll, and has steadily moved up the NCAA poll. Penn State is currently ranked at No. 3.
“The team developed a high level of intensity this weekend,” said Morett, “I would like to see that carry over into Wednesdays game, the return of Kirt and Jill can only add to it.”