Texas Tech University Athletics
Just For Kicks: U.S. National Team Blog
January 15, 2010 | Women's Soccer
Jan. 15, 2010
LUBBOCK, Texas - In the first of several blog posts, we catch up with freshman Tiffini Smith, who is currently training with the U.S. Under-18 National Team at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
Smith will remain in California until Sunday. She is joined on the West Coast by sophomore Taylor Lytle, who is currently training with the U-23 National Team. Here is a look at what has happened with Smith so far:
How have the first couple days of practice gone?
"Well, they are OK. It was hard getting used to intensity of practice, but after I got the first couple sessions down, it has gotten to be a lot smoother."
Have you noticed a big difference in the everyday training at Tech and that of the national team?
"At first I did, but now it's still kind of the same. Now, I'm playing with more people my age than people that are older than me. I think training here has helped me a lot and will help me when I get back to Tech."
How is the weather in California?
"It's really nice. It's in the 70s, so it's really warm here."
Any interesting experiences so far?
"I played against Taylor yesterday, which was a little weird. Then we got to meet the full guys national team and took a picture and got autographs and such, which was a pretty cool experience."
Have you talked to Taylor much?
"I've talked to her a few times. Our schedules are really different, so we don't get to talk all that much."
Smith and the U-18 squad are scheduled to play the Los Angeles women's semipro team, AJAX, before the end of the team camp on Sunday.
