January 4, 2007

South Orange, NJ (CSTV U-WIRE) -- While most of the students are spending time with their families and resting up at home in preparation for the spring semester, the work has just begun for others.

The Seton Hall women's basketball team plays several games during the winter break, with six contests during the two-and-a-half week break.

Along with the continuing practices in between games, this leaves little or no time for the players to spend time with family.

Some players will try to make the most of their winter break.

Junior forward Nikole Sullivan will travel to a teammate's house during the Christmas season for a third year in a row away from her homeland of Australia.

"I'll be going to Amber Harris' house to spend time with her family," Sullivan said.

Just because Sullivan will be away from home, does not mean her mother will forget her.

"Mom will call me on Christmas Eve when it'll be Christmas Day in Australia, since we are a day ahead of the United States," she said.

Another overseas player looking to utilize their time off is senior forward Heta Korpivaara, who will hang out with friends from her native Finland.

"I've got friends from the area that play for St. John's and Binghamton and we hope to hang out in New York City for the holidays," Korpivaara said. "Nothing's really been set so far but I just hope to have a good time with some friends."

Junior guard Annick Labadie is luckier than her fellow international teammates in that she will spend the holidays with her family at home in Quebec.

"Right after the game on the 21st," Labadie said. "My parents are picking me up and we'll go out shopping at the outlet stores. Then it'll be a ten-hour ride to Canada to spend some more time with my family."

As almost everyone else is hoping to wake up to a PS3, Nintendo Wii, or a shiny new bike under the Christmas tree, these players value their family more than material possessions, especially during a time in which some people can lose sight of what the holiday season truly means.

"It gets harder every year being away from my family," Sullivan said. "This year is especially hard since I have not been home in a year and a half."

Korpivaara also mentioned how difficult it can be away from family.

"I hope not to miss home too much," Korpivaara said. "I do get homesick but more than anything I would like to see my family for the holidays."

Labadie is grateful to be with her family over the holidays, and will make the most of it, even though she will be home for four days.

"My mom is going to be cooking lamb for Christmas dinner," Labadie said. "My grandma is coming over as well and I hope to see my younger brother play hockey. I'm just happy to be spending a good time with my family."

After Christmas, it will immediately be time to get back to work.

The team will play back-to-back games in appropriately named Bethlehem, Pa.

"I'll only get to spend four days with Amber's family and then we're right back to practice," Sullivan said. "After Christmas, our winter break is just like our regular routine."

(C) 2007 The Setonian via CSTV U-WIRE