A Great Year!!

   Well, a long and successful season has come to a close. Our season didn't quite end on the note that we had hoped, but we definitely had a great year and accomplished a lot of the goals that we had set for ourselves. We made it to the NCAA Tournament which was huge for us and such an incredible experience; even if it was shorter than we had hoped. It was good for our team to get a small taste of what that tournament is like and it set a great stage for our program. I know that we are not satisfied with just getting to the tournament anymore. The team is hungry and intends on getting back there and going further and further into the tournament each year!! 
   We know that we have plenty to work on and starting now we will have the time to work on those things to prepare for next season. Now is the time to give our bodies the rest they need and to look forward to the other things that are about to take place in other aspects of our lives (103 days til' I marry Mr. Wonderful!!!). 

We chartered a plane out of Provo on Thursday when we left for Chicago! It was really fun. We are definitely very spoiled!!

This was a very special team! Teams like this don't come around that often. No one cared who did the scoring or who got the praise or played the most minutes. Every one was fully invested in the team!! I have no doubt that is one of the main reasons we were as successful as we were!

Everyone busted their butts every single day for one another. The camaraderie of this team was unlike anything else and I'm so blessed to have been a part of it. 

Practicing in Chicago before we played DePaul.

The NCAA tournament is a big deal! I grew up watching march madness and I remember thinking how cool it was. It is a big reason why most players play the game... To have an opportunity to compete in the Big Dance. I loved having that patch on my jersey. I want to have it there again!! 

When you really think about it... One team is smiling at the end of every season. The team who wins it all. Of course we would have loved to go further in the tournament, but we really have little to hang our heads about. We accomplished so much and learned so much as a team and as individuals. Those, in and of themselves, are victories. I hope when all is said and done that each of my teammates remind themselves of that and feel nothing but pride looking back at this incredible season!

   I love each and every girl on my team and am so proud of what we have done! I learned so much as a person and a player and I am so incredibly grateful for that opportunity. This game has given me some of the greatest experiences, memories and friends I will ever have and I'm looking forward to starting a new year with some of the same people. 

 This year, we were able to have some great leadership in our seniors. We had a fairly young team and having players with the caliber of Haley, Dani and Riley to follow was a very special thing for our team. We wouldn't have had half of the success without each of their influences. Thank you seniors for doing such an incredible job on and off the court this season!!! I love you all and will miss you next year! 

Congrats on an excellent season girls!! I love you all!