| |
 Don't
think for one moment that the Detroit Divas are unaware of the huge
target on their back."Being the defending
champs and having everyone aim to knock you off the top of the mountain
is tough enough," acknowledges Divas Manager Angie Dickinson. "But
having won the last two (VBL Championships), only makes the other teams
even hungrier. Their resolve is even greater."
Soon after sweeping the NL Champs, the Atlanta Vixens,
in four games, the talk of a three-peat began. But Dickinson went quick
to work to try to put it out of her team's minds. "We talked about our
accomplishments of the past two years, and yes, ultimately, our goal to
win the championship each and every year. But we have to treat it as
another year, making sure to prepare properly, come to work with the
right attitude, and put in the sweat and effort needed to be this year's
champs. It is not about winning three in a row, it is about winning the
2008 Championship. And we do not think it will be an easy task in any
way."
The biggest challenge to the defense of their title
may be within their own division: the New York Nighthawks held the lead
in the AL East nearly the entire season until Detroit overtook them in
late August.
"It was so disappointing," Nighthawks Manager Carrie
Fisher recalled. "We faltered at the end, but do not take anything away
from Detroit. Once they got on a roll, they were unstoppable. But we
hope to build on our record from 2007 and put up a challenge." |
