8 days, 4 games, 4 cities! Sounds tough, but it’s nothing beyond normal for the life of the players of the Detroit Shock.

With the playoffs in mind, the Shock were ready to do some globetrotting and take on some competitive teams. The first stop was Charlotte where they would take on the Sting. Of course players have to relax and unwind before a big game. So what better to clear your head than SHOPPING! With the mall across from their hotel, it was quite tempting. The ladies hit up such stores as Banana Republic, Louis Vitton, and Steve Madden. All that shopping must have made them hungry. HUNGRY FOR A WIN THAT IS! With Deanna Nolan, Swin Cash, Cheryl Ford, Ruth Riley, and Merlakia Jones all scoring in double figures, the Shock walked away victorious with a 66-58 win over the Sting. The team headed back to Detroit and geared up for the long trip out West. There was practice on Labor Day before leaving on Tuesday for Seattle where they would attempt to “weather the Storm” September 8th.

Beautiful weather rolled in as the team pulled into Seattle and would stay that way the duration of the trip. The fascinating sights of Mount Ranieer captured everyone’s attention with its amazing hills and skyline. Players enjoyed sightseeing as they made their way to the Seahawks Stadium and SafeCo Field right on the banks of Pugent Sound. Pike Street was another favorite especially for the coaches. Assistant Coaches Laurie Byrd and Korie Hlede went jogging several times up and down the steep city slopes of the downtown area and the famous Pike Street. The team took its first road loss since losing at New York in July. The score was 86-67, but there was no time to dwell. The team was up at 4:45 a.m. to catch a flight to L.A. for a game the next night.

The Shock earned their second road loss in a row to the Los Angeles Sparks 81-63. The team spirits were lifted as some players talked post-game with former Piston and current LA Lakers guard Chucky Atkins. He spoke with backcourt members Deanna Nolan and Elaine Powell about the game and the upcoming WNBA Playoff Picture. Current NBA players Karl Malone (Lakers) and Derek Fisher (Warriors) were also in attendance.

On their final away game during the regular season, the players traveled to Phoenix to bring the heat as they took on the Mercury. The San Francisco Giants were occupying the same hotel and players had a chance to meet the manager, Felipe Alou, in the lobby. After the shoot around, three players from the “Louisiana connection” plus Texan Chandi Jones went for some Southern cooking at a Soul Food restaurant downtown. While players Ruth Riley, Deanna Nolan, and Elaine Powell enjoyed a victory dinner at the Cheesecake Factory following the 80-72 win on 9/11.

To conclude the trip, Sunday the players watched the Lions beat the Bears 20-17 at Soldier Field on the TV on the team bus as they headed back to The Palace. The players went nuts cheering for their boys Shaun Rogers, Kevin Jones and company.