Ella Myers – number 10 – junior at Randolph College – Co-Captain – Midfielder – our granddaughter!
This is the third season for her – the only Freshman to start every game and almost every minute and continued through her Sophomore season.
She sustained a nerve injury during Spring practice to her left leg from the back of the knee down to the ankle. Casing 24-7 pain – during many doctors – physical training – x-rays and MRI – she has chosen to continue her soccer playing.
The coaches are easing her into playing time – this game she played 30 plus minutes – limping off the field but knowing this is her choice and she excels at it while in the game.
Ella – number 10 at her midfield position after an out-of-bounds play.
On the throw-in-in – she took the ball and dribbled toward the box – seeing her teammate, she sent a bullet pass – the teammate broke free and went one-on-one with the goalie in the box –
firing a shot that went wide by inches – should have been a goal.
They ended up losing – 1-0 – the first loss of the season – from a perfect corner kick that curved into the far corner of the goal out of reach from the goalie.
A tired Ella – with her leg still bandaged – and holding bags of ice – with our family who came to cheer her on!
Ella is climbing back to that mountain top – painful as it is – living her dream of college and soccer.
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Our daughter Debby and her daughter Maddy – memories from long ago!
Debbby and Maddy – from 2001 – our first granddaughter!
Today – she is a senior – having completed her fourth year as a Hornet at the University of Lynchburg soccer program
and as a captain in her senior year.
Twice going to the NCAA tournament in her four years and winning the Conference title in her senior year.
Our little granddaughter will graduate this spring with an Environmental Science degree!
My two sons from my first marriage – Troy on the left and Shawn on the right.
Shawn and his wife – Trisha! He runs his own business contracting out to the state and energy companies for auditing energy and installation for the elderly.
Shawn is a ranked nine-ball player in both Canada and the USA – winning his way to Las Vegas numerous times.
Troy and his partner – Andrea visited us this past summer.
Until four years ago – Troy built houses from the ground up – doing it all – then he joined Shawn and runs the installation side of the energy auditing business contracting out to the state in insulation for the elderly.
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Randolph College – the University of Lynchburg – one a sophomore – the other a senior.
Both colleges are in Lynchburg, Va. Ella is a sophomore, Randolph – and Maddy is a senior.- Lynchburg.
Both start on their teams – Maddy a wing and Ella midfielder.
Sad this most likely will be the last game they play against each other – but as a family – MEMORIES!
Captains meeting midfield – Ella middle on left in white – Maddy on the right – middle in black.
Shaking hands
And then THE HANDSHAKE AMONG SISTERS! MEMORY!
And then the procession out onto the pitch – Number 10 white – Ella and number 13 black – Maddy.
For us as grandparents and as mother and father – there is no winner and no loser !
For the granddaughters – bittersweet as for the second time – Maddy’s team has won.
Ella never came out of the game – and she has now started and played every game as a freshman
and now as a sophomore – the only freshman to accomplish that.
She will be a very good player when it is all said and done.
Maddy is ending her career for a third straight year as a starter.
Lynchburg has gone to the NCAA tournament for 16 straight and won a national title in 2016.
Wearing the same numbers all the way through – youth – travel and HS teams.
Since they both could walk with their father working with them on ball handling and passing – shooting and footwork – they both take the corner kicks for their teams.
Today Ella has grown so tall – almost 5’10”
Maddy will graduate in Engineering Science with now a 3.85 GPA!
No one lost here – proud parents Debby and Mike – the tradition of the family – love of soccer and life.
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD and WHEN SISTERS MEET ON THE SOCCER PITCH!
It all started many years ago – youth travel teams – Maddy two years older –
They played together until Maddy left the travel team in Winchester –
to compete in the Ludoun soccer program 65 miles away!
She made this choice on her own as soon as she could drive.
It was soccer hot bed right outside Washington DC.
Ella remained as she was too young to travel that far.
She also suffered a broken bone in each foot different years that had her not playing.
Maddy secured a spot in the try outs and maintained a above 4.0 GPA all through HS.
Maddy selected University of Lynchburg to continue her soccer playing.
Today they are ranked nationally in the top 25 in Division III and at this date – 11 – 1.
Ella number 10 – was recruited by two colleges and selected Randolph College
She now plays for the Wildcats which are situated across town in Lynchburg Va.
Ten minutes from Maddy and the campus of the University of Lynchburg.
As a Freshman – she has started every game and played all the minutes except two per game!
Maddy number 13 – played 13 games as a Freshman and has started as a Sophomore and a Junior.
Here – Ella is about to get the ball and Maddy number 13 is guarding her.
In all these years this game is the first time they have ever competed against one another.
Here they are in the middle at the top – it was a very good game – tough – no one scored in the first half.
Each half is 45 minutes – and ended up 0 to 0 at the half.
Ella – number 10 – tallest in the starting line up – the difference was the bench – Lynchburg kept throwing fresh players into the game.
Because of the Pandemic and covid –
the coach could not travel to recruit – Ella was recruited before the pandemic!
She plays midfield defense – the coach wants her to shoot – five times a game instead of always passing.
She is young and it will come – she plays so effortlessly.
As soon as he can he puts her back in after she rests for two minutes.
So proud of Maddy number 13 who drove herslf 65 miles each way to practice – so she would get noticed – and now plays on a team that is ranked in the top 25 in the nation at Division III.
She is fast – quick and plays attacker both left and right and midfielder in the front.
You can just tell she has the skills – the coach tells the team –
with Maddy do the 1 – 2 – do not worry – she is fast enough she can break for the goal – just get her the ball – this is where she passes back to the middle and breaks for the front!
SISTERS – Ella – number 10 Maddy – number 13
Proud parents – Mike and Debby
Ella made the shirts representing both schools and their mascots and colors – she is such a artist!
Ella and Maddy – Randolph and Lynchburg – sisters going head to head.
Lynchburg gutted out a 2 to 0 win –
scoring both goals late in the second half –
they just had a stronger bench.
Sarah – sister – freshmen in H.S.
Sarah – will turn 15 later this month – she could of played soccer – but had no interest and will run track.
She already is just above six and one half minute miler.
She played soccer when younger and also was fast and good.
Our granddaughter – number 13 – she deked this player out and went right past her!
She is now a Junior at the Unversiy of Lynchburg in Va. Starting the last two years – and only one loss this season – currently sole possession of first place in their conference.
Papa – Maddy Myers – Sherry
This young lady not only starts and plays most of the entire games – but is a ALL ACADEMIC –
Into hiking – sunrises – and her major is Enviromental Engineering.
And coming down the soccer pipe line – is the youngest and only boy – BODE!
Will soon turn eight and already golfs with his dad – is all boy – bikes – running –
always looks at trucks – barefooted while outside – cold weather and all.
Loves and adores his older cousin Ella who as a Freshmen at Randolph College –
starts at midfield and plays most of the whole games.
I believe Bode will be the same!
FAMILY
Beyond those protected trees is our backyard and our home!
This drainage ditch is at the end of the cul de sac –
and allows the runoff to make its way to a very large second pond in the development.
We have seen a gator in each pond!
And we found some unknown tracks in this ditch going back and forth.
I told Sherry not to get too close to the high grass as we also have snakes around here.
Just down the street – two houses – two pictures were taken in the road –
A small gator was on its way to a third pond up the road and a large copperhead was also there.
Not at the same time – but N.C, has them both where we live.
I have also seen a very large black snake – which are good as they kill the copperheads!
All part of living in the South near the marsh and beaches!
Cassidy and Marley on football game day!
At least three times a week – she either calls her MorMor or zooms!
Sherry is MorMor – Swedish for Mothers- Mother!
She is very close to her and is the one who does not want us to leave
or asks when we are coming again.
She is sweet – but also very determined and head strong.
Marley is the new puppy – a GoldenDoodle –
who judging by her legs and feet – is going to be very large!
She is loving – likes to run and pull her leash – Taylor – Cassidy’s sister –
is the one who handles her the best.
She nips and chases both Bode and Cassidy!
Our front porch in October – Low 80’s to high 70’s in the daytime
low 70’s at night – beautiful weather – slight warm breezes – why we moved here!
Front porch sitting early morning with my coffee on this glider!
Protected from the sun and rain when it blows the other way.
I told Sherry – we had to have a front porch and this is one of the models
along with a office room – that was available!
The office was her wish list!
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Maddy – our oldest granddaughter – entering her third year at the UNIVERSITY of LYNCHBURG!
She has like it seems played soccer all her life – since she was old enough to put on a uniform.
Always the smallest on the field – at first the ball was almost bigger than her!
But – in her Junior HS year she had a grwoth spurt – and ended up being 5′ 6″ tall and a star soccer player.
She went to Lynchburg and as a Freshman played in 13 games and starting last year as a starter.
This past weekend – in their first game – lost a hard fought game to a team from Florida – a very good non division team – 2 to 1 – but the write up was about how she played and the skill set she brings – almost several times bringing them back for a tie.
She has excelled and is one of the best players on a very young team – starting 7 Freshman.
The Freshman are all big – 5′ 11″ to 6.0 ‘ tall and all really good.
They won their second game 6 to 0 over a team from NY city.
Ella Myers – # 10 – a 5′ 9″ freshman at Randolph College in Lynchburg Va. just ten minutes away from her sister Maddy.
She was recruited by two schools and in a preseason interview – her now coach said –
“Ella Myers – will play and get a lot of minutes at midfielder”!
She has started all the preseason games – and both regular season games – and played almost the entire games!
They have won both games and in the second game – a 0 to 0 tie going into minute 64 of the second half –
she scored her first college goal in what would be the winning goal – ( one was added later) as a Freshmen.
She had a very hard journey to get here –
breaking a bone in each foot at different years –
losing a couple years of playing plus not having a couch that believed in her playing!
Yet – TWO COLLEGE coaches saw the potential and recruited her.
Her HS team came within one goal of a state championship!
She just missed by inches of scoring that goal!
HER MOTTO I have given her –
” I AM A SKILLED PLAYER – and NOW HERE I AM”!
Both of them overcame the odds – from being the smallest with huge skills – from overcoming broken bones and a coach who did not believe in her – to both of them starting on their respective COLLEGE SOCCER TEAMS!
And YES – they will play against each other come Ocrober 6th.
and we plan on being there to see it!
Cheering both of them on – a win for us no matter the outcome.
Sarah who is fifthteen – could of been just as good had she continued – Maddy – oldest and still the smallest of the three girls and Ella – proud of all three – you go Sarah and reach for the stars in your own dreams!
It will be a grand time watching this match and who knows – if the teams continue winning meeting in a playoff.
SISTERS
So proud of you Ella for showing them what they had and how they overlooked you!
” I AM A SKILLED PLAYER – AND NOW HERE I AM”
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Ella – our second oldest granddaughter – enrolling in Randolph College in Lynchburg Va.
We called her “TINY” as she was growing up –
Her father came up with that nickname –
Today she stands 5′ 8 1/2 ” –
Our little girl is all grown up!
Along with her entrance into the four year program – she will also play college soccer – being recruited – she had two schools to select from – and it just so happens to be cross town from the University of Lynchburg – where her sister starts on the soccer team there – and yes they will compete against one another!
Ella with her mother Debby – all three granddaughters are as tall or taller than their mother. Debby’s mother – Sherry – is 5′ 9″ – so they are most likely inheriting the Swedish genes from her.
It is a beautiful campus – nestled in the foothills surrounding Lynchburg.
The soccer field a easy walk from the dorms.
Ella with her father Mike.
She endured two injuries during her Middle school and H.S.
Both were broken bones in her feet.
One she was stepped on with a cleat
and the other she just landed wrong on it.
She lost two seasons of playing soccer
but when she did – was recruited by two different colleges.
Today she walks the path to her future!
Due to the Pandemic – her H.S. soccer season was moved from the fall to the spring.
She is about to begin playing –
Her travel soccer was played although the number of games reduced.
She competed and will move onto the next level in the Fall.
Ella – back when I called her ‘TINY” – a nickname her father to this day still calls her!
When she was small – she would follow me around –
when there was company she was not sure about –
she would hold my pant leg or climb up into my lap.
OH – TO HAVE THOSE DAYS ONCE AGAIN!
She has the kindest heart – always doing things you ask of her with no complaint.
Our only grand son – Bode – adores her – hanging onto her as she did to me.
She has had a trying past four or five years –
Twice braking a bone in her feet
so that she was in casts and crutches so she could not play soccer.
Missing valuable time – but when she did
she proved she belonged out there!
She caught the coaches eyes when she played – and when healthy – she was voted MVP of her JV team – alongside of her sister – who was voted MVP of her varsity team!
Today – she has sprouted up – four inches taller than her big sister
who is in her second year of college soccer at University of Lynchburg.
Ella and Maddy – loved these two little ones.
With all the adversity of her broken bones in her feet
and this past year – her senior year – because of the Pandemic
her soccer season was postponed to be played in the Spring
if they can!
The whole World has changed – but for Ella – she had choices.
Two of them – where to go to college and which coach to play for!
Not a easy choice for a 17 year old!
Taking classes on line – working her job and not playing H.S. soccer
although she did play travel team this past fall.
Ella – when she is able to play – shows great speed and control
Those two teams and coaches recruited her
attending her games when she played
It would be a hard choice to make!
Sisters – Ella will be attending Randolph College – playing against Maddy at the University of Lynchburg with youngest sister Sarah – only 14 years old!
First you gather the ingredients – then you gather the grand daughters and their mother!Mother ( Debby) Ella Sarah Sherry ( grand ma) Maddy
Memories are made each year during the holidays –
making Christmas cookies is one of them!
Sherry has done this for years – and they all love it!
They laugh and laugh at her and with her!
The results – or a small fraction of the results – all decorated by each of the grand daughters!
She teaches them her heritage and is passed down generation to generation.
Sherry is Swedish – her grand mother was born in Sweden.
She is 5 ‘ 9″ tall – and Ella is almost as tall – Sarah will be that also and Taylor at 10 years old
comes up to her chin!
The temptations are there – YUMMY!She is a educator – teaching them to be themselves – honor – compassion and self worth!
Respect is what they have for her.
Admiration – and laughing – both at her and with her.
Going shopping with Grandma!
MEMORIES for a lifetime!
Ella Sarah Sherry
We will come up once more and spend a couple days and Christmas eve.
Then we will go back to Tammy’s for Christmas day!
The little ones are so excited and she made cookies with them also!
To them she is not grand ma – but MORMOR – mother’s mother in Swedish!
After Christmas we will once again head back to S.C.
Knowing that Memories were once again made
and captured into this blog
for future reading – seeing !
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My little contribution to the cookie making!ELLA will be on a soccer team in college – and will play against her sister Maddy at the University of Lynchburg!
Good Morning Two months ago she left in the middle of August to attend the University Of Lynchburg
We had not seen or talked to her in that time –
She was at University – early – for the women’s soccer team.
She had been training all Summer –
running – she had to run two miles in under 12 minutes !
Team bonding late Summer
The coach – Dr. Todd Olsen – is a motivator –
Team bonding – both mental and working together –
achieving a goal placed before them.
His teams have reached the NCAA Division Three playoffs
TWELVE STRAIGHT YEARS !
Winning the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP in 2014.
Losing in the Quarter finals last year
Being involved building that trust in one another
I have watched from afar
His program is the real deal
” WE DO NOT REBUILD – WE RELOAD ” !
is what he says !
The Team bonding on the fieldBecoming one Maddy second from top left
Today they are in second place in their conference
out of fourteen teams
having won the conference last year
with a 23 – 3 – 1 record
Today they are 9 – 3- 1 having played a power early schedule
Playing the number two team in the country
to a 1 to 1 tie.
Not bad for having graduated TEN SENIORS from that team.
University of Lynchburg Va. HORNETS
Maddy as a freshman – does not start -very few do –
But she has played in 90 % of the games
They are stacked at Mid fielders –
So – he has moved her to defense
back line in front of the goalie !
Maddy protecting the goal
When she first started playing soccer
that is where they put her
because of her quickness and speed
Later – because of her ball skills and passing
they moved her to Midfielder.
Maddy defending
When you play this level in college
everyone is quick and fast !
With her time playing midfield she brings to that back line the ability to advance the ball and draw in the defenseMaddy bringing the ball up fieldDrawing the defense opens up the lane
I could see that she adjusted well –
She has the skill
She played a total of 25 minutes
He has 33 players on the team
With 11 being seniors !
Maddy is one of 10 Freshmen !
He subs in and out – keeping them fresh.
Maddy’s number 13 was passed down to her from a senior from last year who assists the team this year saying ” She wanted that number’s tradition passed down “
As a Freshmen – Maddy finished 5th. overall in the two mile
She finished first among the Freshmen.
Maddy bring the ball
She has handled the switch extremely well
She loves the team – the coaches and the school
A scavenger hunt designed for team building Each team had a color theme The coach does this team building once a week and twice a week in the off season Every FOUR years he takes the Team to Puerto Rico To do social work Helping others in need !Maddy – after the game with her three little cousins and Bode screamed the entire time she was playing “MADDY – MADDY “Sarah 13 sister Debby (mother) Maddy & Ella 17 sister
We brought her home to sleep in her own bed
after two months being in a dorm room
but more important –
for her Mother’s birthday
and spend time with her sisters & family.
Mike ( father ) Sarah and Bode Maddy and Sherry ( grandmother)
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Maddy
She is excelling – she is happy – she is now a “HORNET ” !
For University of Lynchburg , Va.
Women’s Soccer team.
SHERRY CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH for health and nutrition go to http://www.sf.juiceplus.com for business go to ssherrylynn49@aol.com TEAM BUILDING
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