July 24, 2014

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -

Every week this summer, we will hear from a different Lady Rebel as she catches up UNLVRebels.com readers with an account of how their summer is going, an update on their workouts and their goal for the upcoming season. This fifth installment is provided by senior forward Alana Cesarz.

Thursday, July 24

Well, let me start off by saying I cannot believe I am a senior! Where has the time gone? I have had an amazing summer so far, and I am still looking forward to the rest of my summer and what it may bring.

My summer started off with a road trip home. Many of you already know I am from Wisconsin, so this was quite the trip. Fortunately for me, one of my best friends from back home, Kayla, transferred to UNLV last semester. We made the drive together back in her car. After a 25 hour trip, we eventually made it safe back to Wisconsin.



Time has never gone by so fast before than it did this past time I was back home. It is always so crazy to see how all five of my brothers have grown and changed. While I was home, my 19 year old brother, Alex, graduated from Faith Christian High School. He just turned 19 on July 5th. I am so proud that he was able to graduate from a difficult private school and also play three varsity sports. We also had a graduation party for him at my grandparent's house where I got to see all of my family.

My two youngest brothers also celebrated birthdays while I was home. Erik turned 10 on May 27th, and Justin turned 12 on May 31st. I try to spend as much time with my family as possible when I am home. All of my younger brothers play sports and they are all very dominant at them. One of my favorite things to do with them is to play wiffle ball games in our backyard. My dad always joins in on the fun too. He also recently had a birthday on July 11th, and turned 41 (such an oldie). I tried to make as many of my brothers' games as possible, and was a proud big sister when I got to see my three youngest brothers all hit a home run. My 15 year old brother, Ethan, is an extremely gifted football player, and has been excelling at college combines and camps. You will have to watch out for him in the near future.



One cool thing about Wisconsin is that we have the world's largest musical festival, called Summerfest. I got to attend three of the days, two of them being with my mom. We got to see Zac Brown Band and Luke Bryan, and let me tell you, Luke Bryan was not very hard to watch shaking it on stage for the country girls. On the fourth of July, I went to the Delavan parade with my family, and later on at night my older brother, Josh, was home, and we all lit off some fireworks. I had a lot of fun this summer with my family, just like I always do.

I wasn't just having fun the whole time I was home, I worked out a lot too, but that's fun right? Four to five mornings a week I worked out with my personal trainer, John Alder. John always does a lot for me when it comes to working out. He made me personal workouts that helped in areas where I was not as strong, but I can tell now I have gotten a lot stronger. He also had me do conditioning on this huge, scary looking treadmill that has a crazy incline. I would run sprints up the inclined treadmill, and sometimes thought I was going to collapse, but again it made me a lot better. On top of my conditioning and weights I also did basketball workouts. I had a basketball trainer, Joe Lopez, help me through all of my basketball workouts. I did a lot of shooting drills and dribbling drills. He helped me open my game up so much. He broke down all of my last season's stats, and showed me exactly what I need to be doing to be one of the top players in conference. He also taught me a better way to catch the ball and shoot so I can have a better shooting percentage.

I went to open gym at Faith Christian High School and would be the only girl out of 15 or so guys, but it was a lot of fun. I attended a Wisconsin Laker's alumni scrimmage while I was home. I got to be on a team with a lot of my former summer basketball teammates and scrimmage against the current Lakers teams. It was fun being a part of my club team again that did so much for me. I was able to put a lot of work in the gym when I was back home. I also ran a camp at the high school I attended. I coached with my former high school teammate, Michelle Wenzel, and we all had a lot of fun. It was three days long, and I could see improvement in all of the girls that attended. I absolutely love being a role model for them. All of the work I put in back home will be able to carry over to my off season training and next season at UNLV.



Kayla and I made another road trip back to Las Vegas. We got back July 10th, and the road trip coming back was one to not forget. While driving through Nebraska, we happened to be driving right beside a rotating funnel cloud, as we heard a tornado warning blaring over the speakers. After that scary incident, in Utah there were flash flood warnings and so much rain we couldn't even see the road in front of us. We even hydroplaned on the highway. Fortunately we made it back safe and sound to Las Vegas, where we just moved into a house together, and I am so excited to be living in a house with my best friend.



Class started Monday, the 14th. I am enrolled in two Kinesiology classes, and I like them both. I am almost done with my degree, and am enrolled in a lot of pre-med classes next semester. Official workouts started Wednesday, the 16th. We had weights and conditioning and also a practice. Most people would think it's crazy having seven new incoming people on a basketball team, but I am so excited. All seven of my new teammates are extremely hard workers, and will help make a big impact on the team. I am so excited to be back and training in Vegas this summer alongside all of my teammates. It is different this summer because last summer around this time I was just beginning to run again after my ACL reconstruction surgery. It is such a great feeling to know that even after a summer full of rehabilitation last year I was able to come back and be an All-Conference player. This inspires me to work extremely hard leading up to this next season to be an even better player and teammate. I have so many goals for both the team and myself. I have not even accomplished half of what I wish to accomplish. Sky's the limit.

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June 26: Alexis BesinaizJuly 2: Diamond Major
July 9: Aley RohdeJuly 16: Amie Callaway