US Team Handball Women's National Team

Kathy, Jennifer, and Megan after the game

On September 23rd, WNT members Megan Ballard and Kathy Darling found themselves playing against one another in Toulouse. The two are playing semi-professionally in France’s National 1 Division. Megan had played the week before, but it was Kathy’s first game as she was not qualified with the French Federation to play the opening game. Fellow teammate, Jennifer Farrell (who is playing for Jacou in Montpellier) made the trip to watch the game, thereby completing a reunion of WNT players in France.

As expected, Megan's team (Toulouse) defeated Kathy’s team (Bergerac HB) with a final score of 33-19. Toulouse dropped down from the level above last year and they are very serious about moving back up to D2, while Bergerac is very young and rebuilding. Bergerac gave a decent run for about 10 minutes in the second half, but it was never really close as Toulouse was much deeper and capitalized on every mistake with a fastbreak goal.

Megan guarding Kathy 

Despite the score, the WNT was well-represented by the exploits of both players. Kathy scored 10 of her teams 19 and Megan put in 5 for Toulouse.  Jennifer observed, “Megan and Kathy both played fantastic games. I had fun cheering for both of them despite the bizarre looks from the people in the stands who couldn't figure out why I was cheering for both sides....in English!” The Toulouse coach decided to take Kathy out man-to-man for parts of the game, with Megan, and the two could be seen joking with each other on the court about the irony of coming all the way to France to guard each other.

"My teammates were surprised that we knew each other,” remarked Megan.  “And mine,’” said Kathy, “were undoubtedly mocking me because we just went off in English when we saw each other. I think I talked so much, my French probably regressed.“

All the girls are just in the beginning of their seasons, but are so far enjoying their respective towns and teams and making the most of the opportunity to play handball in France. But Jennifer summed up the reunion best, “It was just a really fun weekend of handball and friends.”