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July 30, 2001

Ally Marquand writes from Norway

Height: 5-6 Born: July 1, 1981Hometown: Irvine, Calif.
College: Stanford University

Since the tournament started, I must say that we really haven't spent that much time outside our hotel, or in the case of my roommate Devvyn Hawkins and I, outside our hotel room. We have created our own little world at the end of the hall of a floor that doesn't have any other U.S. players on it. We scored the biggest room of any of the players or coaches, and we have a couch, a living room area, a TV nook and plenty of space to move our beds around. Oh yeah, we also have our own snack area. Devvyn makes sure it is well stocked everyday.

It's not that we couldn't get out into the world, but we are very focused on resting for the matches and we kind of saw all that Gjovik had to offer in the first few days. We played Germany yesterday and it was by far the most intense game of the tournament. The German players are big, tough and skillful and they presented a great test for our team, but we pulled together and played our best game and got the result we needed to make the final. We play Sweden tomorrow and I know they will be just as tough as the Germans, but we are ready for the challenge.

When Devvyn and I do leave our room, if it's not for a team meal (which we never miss) usually we go down to the team meeting room to watch movies. Tonight, we watched "Princess Bride." Everyone had seen the movie at least 10 times, but we watched it anyway because it's a classic. One good thing about not having too much to do is that I've got a lot of reading done. During the school year, I don't have time to read anything that is not a biology textbook so it's been nice to read a few novels. I'm on my fifth book of the trip.

We have just one day left here and then we are going back home, finally. We all have had a wonderful experience in Norway and the team chemistry has been phenomenal. Too bad just yesterday I got adjusted to nine-hour time difference. I have been Devvyn's roommate for three weeks now and I will miss her, but we are planning on getting sushi when we both get back to the Bay Area as she goes to Santa Clara University. I'm looking forward to seeing all my friends in Irvine in a few days and then it's back to school. I am very much looking forward to the season as I missed all of the last year with an injury.

Well that's it from Norway.
Hope you enjoyed all the postcards from the players.

Take Care,
Ally

Ally Marquand is in her second year with the Under-21 National Team program. She also played for the USA on the Under-18 level. Marquand was a member of the 2001 Algarve Cup team in Portugal and scored her first and only goal for the full U.S. National Team against Norway in that tournament. Marquand has started all three games for the USA at the Nordic Cup at right back and has played all but nine minutes of the tournament. She red-shirted last season at Stanford due to a knee injury, but will play her sophomore season for the Cardinal this fall.