RIO DE JANEIRO -- Strong. Capable. Enough.Those words, written on Rachael Adams water bottle, serve as a reminder. Along with the words below: Dont Dare Tell Yourself Differently.Its her affirmation, a message she heeds each day, and one she would like to share with girls and women everywhere.Just last summer, Adams wasnt sure she would be playing volleyball at the Rio Olympics. On Saturday, she will play for a bronze medal.With star player Foluke Akinradewo injured early, the top-ranked Americans (7-1) rallied from a 2-1 deficit before falling in five sets to Serbia on Thursday -- 20-25, 25-17, 25-21, 16-25, 15-13.Not chosen as one of the four American middle blockers for the World Cup in Japan, Adams knew she was out of the Olympic mix at that moment. Yet she also realized she had a supportive coach in Karch Kiraly, who would not give up on her, provided she committed to being a more consistent player.It hurt a lot, but deep down there was a trust and a belief, Adams said Wednesday. I didnt know where that would take me, but I knew that I had to embrace my journey. Everybody when times are tough is like, `I dont want to go through this, but I was like, `OK, What do I need to be learning, why am I going through this, what are the lessons I need to take? Last summer was very difficult. Everything shaped me for this moment and for this goal.Adams had eye surgery. She wasnt quite herself. Doubts crept in.Its not like I didnt believe in myself. But our thoughts become a reality, said Adams, who has embraced the mental side of sports and the expertise of high-performance psychologist Michael Gervais.Now, she has worked her way back so brilliantly Kiraly calls her the most-improved player in the U.S. program this year and named her an Olympic starter. Adams came through Thursday against Serbia, the very team that beat the Americans at the World Cup last year. That meant the U.S. had to earn its berth from a January qualifier in Lincoln, Nebraska.She made three leaping blocks in the middle during the decisive fifth set and a kill for a 12-10 lead, but she also had a costly serve into the net down the stretch. Adams scurried some 15 feet behind the baseline to save a ball in the must-win fourth that led to a kill by Jordan Larson.Over the past two years, Adams would be selected to travel for some tournaments and not others. Away in Italy with her club team last summer when her American teammates were elsewhere, Adams pledged to make progress. Her professional coach also challenged her to chase her Olympic ambitions.I set out to improve, she said. I had to think things through, `You want to go there, but you have to grow here.The 26-year-old Adams does much behind the scenes, too. Just this past spring, she launched her Proceed With Courage T-shirts featuring the hashtag journeystrength. The motto is To remind girls stay with it.Just the way Adams was determined. Kiraly noticed. Everybody did.Rachaels had a tremendous 2016, her coach said. They all have a special story and all of them have adversity that lots of people dont know about. Rachael is an example of that, fighting through some ups and downs and some real challenges to become part of this. Theres no player in our program more improved than Rachael in this 2016 season. Thats been phenomenal for her. Shes worked herself into a starting role.Adams, who figures she goes through more athletic tape for her fingers than anybody on the team, earned a spot on the 12-player roster from a deep pool of talented middle blockers.Her teammates are thrilled to have her.Shes steady. We trust her, libero Kayla Banwarth said. Theres no doubt whether or not shes going to get it done.As she celebrates each step toward the goal of the Americans first gold in womens volleyball, Adams takes pride in how far she has come in a year.It made me a stronger person, she said. There are lessons to deal with, hard and difficult times that you have in life. You have the capability to take on that mission that you want to take on. Tampa Bay Rays Shirts . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. Tampa Bay Rays Store . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. https://www.cheapraysonline.com/ .S District Court against Major League Baseball, the Office of the Commissioner and his own union, the MLBPA. Tampa Bay Rays Gear . Meanwhile, there were huge victories for Sunderland and West Ham over fellow relegation rivals, leaving the battle to avoid the drop up for grabs with the bottom 11 teams separated by just six points. Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres scored second-half goals to seal a fourth straight victory for Chelsea, which climbed above Arsenal and Manchester City in the standings ahead of their games on Monday and Sunday respectively. Rays Jerseys China . It says Pocklingtons lawyer filed the appeal Friday in a California court. CTV Edmonton also says Pocklington gave a $100,000 cash deposit as part of the conditions of his bail, and that he will be out on bail until his appeal is heard. Sydney FC are furious at Football Federation Australias decision to hold the FFA Cup final at Melbourne Citys home ground, labelling it a slap in the face to their fans.Melbourne City scored a 2-0 win over cross-town rivals Victory on Tuesday night to book their place in the decider against the Sky Blues on November 30 at AAMI Park.FFA boss David Gallop cited scheduling and maximising attendance for the call to hand home ground advantage to City, a call that was made before the semi-finals.AAMI Park was selected to host the final to maximise attendance and broadcast numbers while ensuring the cup final is played in a venue that embodies the unique spirit of the competition, Gallop said in a statement.Hosting the final in the Harbour City would have given Sydneysiders their first chance to witness Socceroos star Tim Cahill in action for City.That could have tipped the attendance scales in Sydney FCs favour with home venue Allianz Stadium - a venue that can hold 45,000 - holding a 15,000 capacity advantage over AAMI Park.Instead, the two in-form A-League teams will have to wait until December 9 to face off in Sydney.Sydney FC believe they had a stronger caase to host the final, with their fans not being granted one home game during the clubs run to the trophy decider this season.ddddddddddddOf the Sky Blues four FFA Cup ties, theyve played in Wollongong, Perth, at Edensor Park in western Sydney and Canberra.The FFA has got this decision completely wrong. Its a slap in the face to all Sydney FC fans, chairman Scott Barlow said.It was made purely to maximise the profit the FFA will make from the game.Barlow said Melbourne hosting the 2015 final - when Melbourne Victory downed Perth Glory at AAMI Park in front of 15,000 people - meant it was Sydneys turn.The fact that last years grand final was also held in Melbourne was completely ignored, he said.The fact that we have the best record coming into this final was completely ignored.The fact that all five of our FFA Cup games will be away games was completely ignored - despite Melbourne City having three home games.Make no mistake, this decision was made by the FFA purely for commercial reasons. It is an unfair decision to our club. ' ' '