Marquette University Athletics
At Season's End
3/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Well our season is officially over. It really doesn't feel like it's over... we've only been back for one day and many of us are already bored! It's hard to get used to being so busy to being so free. We are all going to enjoy our season for a few days longer, before we gear up again, because there is so much to be excited about!
Our trip to North Carolina was very fun and very successful. Our team matched the most success any women's team has ever had in Marquette's history. We ended our season being one of the final 32 in the NCAA tournament, playing one of the best teams in the country. Of course we all wanted to beat Duke, but we played them as hard as we could, and we can all agree that we ended our season on a high note.
There are so many things to mention about this trip. One thing that made this trip so special were all the people who came and supported us. The band and the cheerleaders traveled with us - and they were so full of energy and enthusiasm! They gave us a send-off each day we left the hotel to go play. The cheerleaders made us signs that went on our hotel room doors. The band took on the hostile and vocal ODU band and Duke fans - I think they did quite well. And of course our devoted family and friends.... they stood in the small section of bleachers behind our bench and cheered with all their might against the overwhelming ODU and Duke crowds. And, when it was all over, the band and cheerleaders gave us their last final send off as we boarded the plane. Our support staff was also wonderful... they get to do all the dirty work so that the coaches don't have to do it.
There were many more memories made on this trip that we will remember for a lifetime. It was an exciting experience for all of us because we got to charter there and back. Being able to pull up right to the plane, load, and not have to take care of our own luggage, made us feel like celeberties! Also, Kelly and Carolyn made a video that we watched before the ODU game. It was a video of clips from games througout the season - it got us even more pumped to play. We ate at Champs a few days before the Duke game, and this gave us a bit of inspiration because we watched the no. 9 seed UAB beat the no. 1 seeded Kentucky.
The day before the Duke game, we ate at a restaurant where we taught Jasmine how to play the Picnic game. (Kelly can bring Kit Kats, Monica can bring Mangos, Carolyn can bring Candy... I think you get it.) It took the girl longer than you would think to figure this one out. Okay, in all fairness, I have to mention one other funny moment from this trip. (Katie, don't worry, this has happened to all of us.) Katie went in for a layup against an ODU player, and let's just say that the play should've been in ESPN's top ten, not because of her shot, but because her shot was swatted to the cheap seats. We love her and all, but we all had to laugh about that one for a minute.
It's hard to believe that the seniors are done playing. I think it's even harder for them to believe. But, as coach stated after the game, they started a tradition. They got the program back on track - back where it belongs in the NCAA tournament. Among many other things, they taught us that hard work and perseverance does pay off. If you want to be the best, it doesn't come easy. There's a high price to pay if you want to reach your goals, and our goals will only increase from here!
The three of them were a little emotional after the game, after it started to hit them that they are done. But, as soon as Terri mentioned post season, those sad faces turned to faces of glee when they realized that they never have to run a sprint again, and they never have to do leg press until their legs are going to fall off.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us this season! It's been so much fun, and we all wish we could keep playing. If only there was a post- the post-season tournament we could go to...
Take care, and keep watching this team. We have a lot more to accomplish in the future!
This is the 18th and final entry in a series of diary entries by junior forward Monica Frede. Her diary appeared every Tuesday on www.gomarquette.com during the 2003-04 women's basketball season.
