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In Their Words is an exclusive, two-part series covering Kentucky volleyball players Kaz Brown and Ashley Duseks experiences with Team USAs volleyball training programs this summer. Brown was a member of the Collegiate National Teams China tour, while Dusek participated in the Collegiate National Team training program in Indianapolis.THE TRYOUTS:This year was similar for Ashley [Dusek] and I because we both tried out last year. Our coaches sort of left it up to us whether we wanted to try out again or not. We made the decision to go for it and flew out to Colorado in February.When I think back to what helped me stand out to the coaches, my blocking was a focus, and that helped me shine. When you go to team tryouts like the Collegiate National Team, a lot of people take an offense-first mindset. People are trying to put the ball away, make flashy kills at the 10-foot line and stuff. Im on the other side of the spectrum - Ive always taken pride in my defense and it feels like other people let that slide in those practices. With a lot of other middles trying to get kills, I made sure to make defense the focal point of my game, which stuck with the staff.The Olympic training facility in Colorado Springs was so cool because when you walk through those doors you know that every US Olympian has to walk through there before they go play in the Olympic Games. The history was incredible - there are the rings and flags everywhere and theres all of these records on the walls. You see all these names that you know displayed and its just a cool and important experience. To be in that position, to know you could potentially represent your country, is huge.Trying to build a hitter-setter connection with the other girls so quickly was one of the tougher parts to figure out. You can be on a court with someone for 15 minutes and then not see them again for the whole tryout. Between trying to build that connection and then setting up a connection to block with the outsides is tough. Its sort of a thing that clicks or it doesnt, but you cant force it. I really had to have that next play mentality, pushing forward when things didnt work out and staying focused when they did.Being able to tryout with Ashley and D-Mack [Darian Mack]by my side was probably one of the coolest parts. Its reassuring to know you have someone by you, and the three of us were the original 2014 class, so it was special to be able to share with one another. Seeing a familiar face when youre walking on to the court and being able to catch up is great. Knowing that I had a support system in case anything happened was reassuring. It was really cool to be a part of.THE MOMENT:I was really excited when I found out I was headed to China. Through most of the winter my biggest motivation was not being named an All-American. All during the offseason it was in the back of my mind and it still is a factor now - its motivation heading into the season. Getting notified that I was going to get to play for team USA with a lot of these people who were All-Americans and the best in the country showed that if you have a driving force and really dig deep and work hard that things work out. It was really awesome to see how all that work evolved in such a short period of time.THE TEAM USA EXPERIENCE:We didnt waste any time getting started once I got to California with an intense day and a half of training before we left for China. We got in a morning and afternoon session on the campus of El Camino College in Torrance, California. The Pac-12 also has an All-Star team that goes on the China tour as well so we shared the gym with them. We didnt practice together, but we traveled and practiced in the same space, so it was interesting with all of them around.Possibly the weirdest part of the experience was only knowing the girls from watching them play online or on TV, but never really playing against any of them. A lot of the girls were at Pac-12 or Big-12 schools and we dont see a lot of those in our non-conference matches, so it was really strange. Jordan Thompson, who plays at Cincinnati, I had the chance to meet beforehand for a few minutes when we played them this spring. She showed out when she played us - I cant remember how many kills she had, but it was a lot. We were the only two who hadnt been with the team before the China trip so we just jumped in.The first day of practice was an adjustment. I hadnt played high-level volleyball in a long, long time, so shaking off the rust was a challenge early. While we were there, we got to watch the USA national team play in the FIVB World Grand Prix, which was an extremely cool experience. Watching it first-hand, being in that gym and experiencing that atmosphere really opened your eyes to what youre playing for, whos watching you and what you have the potential to do one day.The next day we had one practice before we headed onto the flight - which I was completely unprepared for. It was 14 hours and I didnt sleep at all. It was rough. But when we got to the hotel you better believe that was some of the best sleep of my life.We spent our first full day in China sight-seeing in Shanghai. Shanghai was really cool because its very modern in comparison to how a lot of people view China. Its known for its downtown area and specifically the Oriental Pearl Tower, which lights up with different colors. All the architecture there is extremely modern and I was really impressed by it.We went to some traditional shops outside of town too that were really cool. That first day of tourism got us ready for people to stare at us everywhere we go and wanting to take pictures with us. Being 6-4 in China is absurd, we definitely stuck out as a group. Once they figured out we were with USA volleyball then even more people wanted photos. It was cool to have people interested in what you were doing and wanting to stop for pictures.We stayed in Shanghai for a couple of nights and I loved my time there. We practiced there over the next few days before heading to Jintan which is a smaller district between Shanghai and Nanjing. While we were there we played our first game against Chinese teams.The way in which the Chinese teams play is so different. Its really efficient, really fast and really clean. They dont make a lot of the same mistakes that we do over here in the states. They also approached practice very different than we do. They may practice for six hours a day but only compete in one or two drills. At a normal practice well probably cover five or six drills in two or three hours. When I heard that they may only do one or two drills over five hours it was mind blowing - I felt like it would be so monotonous. But after watching them play, their diligence and routine definitely showed. Later in the day we played them in a five set match and they only hit two balls out of bounds the entire time. It was unheard of. They just dont make stupid errors.Jintan was a much more traditional Chinese town. We first got really introduced to the culture surrounding Chinese food there, which was an experience within itself. You may not know what exactly was on the table but you tried a little bit of everything just to see what it was and to make sure youre being respectful. I got to try a lot of new things and was prepared for it after all the girls on the team gave me a heads up after they went to China back in 2014 with Kentucky.As the trip went on, I really got to know the two girls from Kansas - their setter Ainise Havili and Madison Rigdon who plays outside for them. Both were really cool people. We had some funny conversations about going to big basketball schools. Kansas volleyball made it to the Final Four this year and shocked a lot of people along the way and their story about that journey was special. Im really looking forward to keeping up with them.After Jintan we went to Nanjing. We did some sight-seeing including a museum on the Nanjing Massacre. It was really interesting and a very heavy day. I had heard of it before, but obviously its not a major part of historical curriculum growing up in the states. In the greater scheme of things it wasnt that long ago, so it was important for us to learn as a big part of their culture and history. That trip was probably one of my favorite parts of the entire experience.We played the same team we played in Jintan again in Nanjing and it was great for us to see how far we had come. In our first match we were still rusty, switching in and out and trying to get used to the system. In the second match we were executing much better and came together as a team, so that growth was great to see.The next town we went to we didnt play in any matches or practice. We went to a childrens school where they had girls and boys volleyball programs. We exchanged gifts and played volleyball with them which was a highlight of the trip. Sports are amazing in the way that they break down all kinds of barriers - age, language - which was really cool because they might not know much English, but they know what peppering is, so once you toss them a ball its on. They were really happy to see us and to see their faces light up when you gave them a shirt with UK on it or played with them for 15 minutes was rewarding. It lets you know the impact you have.We finally arrived in Beijing, where we spent most of our time. The first two days were strictly practice and sight-seeing. We went to the Great Wall which was amazing. The silk market awesome too. We went to the Forbidden City too which was so cool, it was just so much history. Their passion and dedication to preserving their history is great to see.We got the tournament started on the third day. We tuned up by scrimmaging the Pac-12 team the day before the tournament started and it helped a lot. I think thats where I got my transition into a starting role. In our first two matches I was coming off the bench and was really discouraged by it. It was frustrating and between the bench role and adjusting to teammates, the time change, the sleep schedule and the new area it all weighed on me a bit. When I wasnt playing as much as I wanted to early on it was tough, but I kept pushing to try and find that light at the end of the tunnel. I made sure heading into the scrimmage that I gave it all I could and it was reassuring to earn that starting spot after we finished.In the first round of the tournament we fell in five to the Chinese Junior National Olympic team. They were incredible, and like a lot of the teams we faced just really, really clean. Their offense moves fast and as a blocker thats hard to match up with. Their setters are tough to read. It helped me get ready for what was to come.After that wakeup call we faced one of Chinas professional teams the next day. We won in three which was a good, confidence building win. The score margin was a lot wider and we were pretty pleased with the result.In the championship match, we ended up playing the team from the first day and won in four. It was cool to see how far we had come over the span of three days and how we could improve that chemistry as a team thats been thrown together. Going through the winning ceremony and taking pictures with the trophy was a really rewarding experience because Chinas tough. The competition is difficult and its a different type of toughness it takes to win there. You may not be down two sets at home, but youre battling no A/C in the gym, you may not have eaten much, you dont know how long the bus ride is going to be or the gym is filled with smoke from the crowd watching. Its just a totally different environment that breeds a different style of toughness by overcoming that adversity.Getting the start in the final tournament was extremely rewarding. Every team Ive ever been on its been a goal to start. I still remember my first start at UK and on my high school and club teams, so it was another big moment for me. The start was more rewarding having to prove myself. It gave me faith in my game and got my confidence back up. Its tough to play your game with a group of people you dont know, so to know the staff trusted me was huge.My time in China definitely put things in perspective, and its something I hope to bring back home. This team - our Kentucky team this year - is definitely going to face some tough times and challenges. I think theres already some people asking the question how good is Kentucky actually going to be? Is Kentucky going to be a contender? Pushing past those voices is going to be a challenge were going to have to face. Im just hoping that my experience overcoming adversity in China is something I can bring back and will translate to the team this year. Patrick Corbin Jersey . Fernandez, coached in Toronto by former two-time Olympic silver medallist Brian Orser, scored 267.11 points and is the first champion to successfully defend since Russias Evgeny Plushenko in 2005 and 2006. 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NEW ORLEANS -- The widow of NFL star Will Smith took the stand Tuesday at the murder trial of her husbands killer, disputing the defense claim that Smith was the aggressor and telling the jury, He didnt have to do that to my baby.Racquel Smith said she thought she had defused the loud, profane argument that broke out after Cardell Hayes Hummer rear-ended Smiths Mercedes SUV on a busy street in New Orleans last April.The men got out of their cars to challenge each other, but she described locking eyes with her husband, reminding him of their three children and feeling his anger diminish.I thought it was done and I think he thought it was over, too, she testified as she was questioned by New Orleans Assistant District Attorney Laura Rodrigue.Then, she heard two gunshots.I hear a pop, pop, she said. I didnt think it was me.A burning sensation spread throughout her body, and as she stumbled around to the other side of their car, she said she heard more gunshots -- the ones she learned later had killed her husband.I didnt do anything for you to shoot me, she told Hayes.Her recollections presented a vastly different picture from the one being outlined by the defense. She insisted that she heard Hayes yelling profanely after the shooting, apparently at her husbands lifeless body, making a reference to a white friend of the Smiths who also got out to challenge Hayes.You want to show up for the effing white boy, she recalled Hayes shouting.Anticipating her testimony, the defense had already disputed that claim in opening statements. They also insisted that Hayes felt threatened by Smith and his friends, who were traveling together in three cars that night after the Smiths attended the annual French Quarter festival, had dinner at a steakhouse and then met friends at a sushi restaurant.On cross-examination just before Tuesdays proceedings ended, Racquel Smith acknowledged that her husband had had alcoholic beverages throughout the day of the shooting, beginning with one at the festival, more at a bar they visited later, wine with dinner and more drinks at the sushi restaurant.Lawyers have said a toxicology report showed Hayes was legally drunk the night of the shooting. But Racquel Smith insisted her husband did nothing to provoke the gunfire.Attorneys on both sides have suggested that Louisianas stand your ground law will be at issue during the trial. Hayes, 29, faces life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder. Hes also charged with attempted murder after wounding the retired NFL playyers wife.ddddddddddddVideo showed Smiths SUV appearing to bump into Hayes Hummer before, blocks later, the Hummer slammed into Smiths car. Both men then got out and exchanged angry words as Hayes displayed his handgun. Exactly what happened next is the focus of the trial.Racquel said that she and her husband didnt believe their vehicle had actually hit the Hummer when they drove away.Hayes lawyer, Jay Daniels, says Smith and the friends were the aggressors, and Hayes only fired because Smith was reaching for his own gun.Will Smith went to his glove box to get his gun, Daniels insisted.Assistant New Orleans District Attorney Jason Napoli rejected that idea in his opening statement. He said nothing corroborates the defense claim that Smith was going back to his car to get a gun when Hayes shot him, but even if that were true, it wouldnt justify shooting him in the back.That isnt even close to self-defense, Napoli said. Thats murder.Smith was shot once in the left side and seven times in the back. Napoli said physical evidence indicates that Smith was facing Hayes when he was first shot, and not reaching for a gun in his car.Napoli also said Hayes provoked the confrontation by willfully ramming his Hummer into Smiths SUV. Hayes lawyer countered that it was an accident, and blamed it on Hayes looking at his phone and trying to dial 911 to report the SUVs license number after Smith drove away from the earlier contact.Napoli conceded that Smith was intoxicated that night but downplayed the significance, telling the jury that the irony of Smiths death is that the defensive football star died defenseless.Smith led the defense on the 2006 Saints team that helped lift the stricken citys spirits with a winning season after Hurricane Katrina. He also helped New Orleans win its only Super Bowl three seasons later.Hayes played football, too -- in a semiprofessional league -- and owns a tow-truck company. Friends described him as soft-spoken and even-tempered -- not the type to erupt into a lethal road rage.Jurors will be sequestered during a trial lawyers said could last seven to 10 days.The courtroom audience Tuesday included quarterback Drew Brees; former safety Steve Gleason, now battling Lou Gehrigs disease; safety Roman Harper; and guard Jahri Evans. Former running back Deuce McAllister was the first person called to testify, choking up at the loss of his friend. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '