March 24, 2011

Hey Torero Fans!!

I hope you are all having a great week. I am currently writing this blog while driving back to San Diego from Arizona with Kameron Knutson, and let me tell you, we are having a blast! There isn't anyone else I would rather drive six hours with. Jamming out to Taylor Swift and reminiscing about old times, it's hard to believe our season has come to an end. For those of you who did not follow our climb in an effort to win the WCC Tournament, you missed a great run.

I have never felt more proud, more spirited, and more love for a group of girls than I did that weekend. Ranked as a 7th seed, we were expected to lose our first game against LMU, a 6th seed. However, although statistically we may have been the weaker team, what the ranking didn't account for was our heart and determination. With four seniors, Emily Hatch, Nya Mason, Sam Child, and Sara VanderHorst who were determined to leave their mark, it is fair to say our leadership carried us on to a 20+ blowout against LMU. The camaraderie and team spirit was contagious. Before our first game I challenged the fans to match our energy and cheer like they never have before. Let's just say they did a phenomenal job. They did so well; they even drowned out the defensive chants coming from our bench - yeah for our fans! And for those of you who don't know, I am loud; and when I say loud, I mean I come equipped with my own built-in microphone. I would also love to give a shout-out to the Knutson family and their "colorful spirit." Nothing gets you more pumped for a game than seeing 10 people, most of them grown adults, covered in Torero Blue body paint and equipped with foam fingers. From screaming defensive chants to doing jumping jacks while the other team shot free-throws, they truly were a force to be reckoned with. our fans and the infamous words of Justin Beiber, to "Never say never" gave us even more of an edge over our competitor. For those of you who are unfamiliar with The "Beiber Fever", let me tell you, it isn't just found among tweens anymore. Yes, it has made its way to grown college women. Nicole Ballestero might be in love. She tweeted him before every game, every road trip, and every practice hoping for a USD Women's Basketball shout-out but to no prevail. So, Justin, if you are reading my blog (which I am sure has reached viral sensation by now) can you tweet Nicole back, please, it is the least you can do!

Before our first win against LMU, Justin Beiber's single "Baby" came on over the radio while we were stretching. I wish you could have seen all 15 of us break out into what looked like synchronized, yet spastic, mosh pit of a dance. Domo even had a Whitney Houston face going on as she mouthed the lyrics. Needless to say when the coaching staff got word of our "musical performance" speakers and a projector were set up in our locker room so we could jam out to his music video for part of our pre-game warm-up. And let me tell you, we drowned out Justin so bad it sounded like a herd of tone-deaf walruses attempting a mating call. But believe it or not, our Justin ensemble made us even more pumped up for our Pepperdine game. Once again an upset went down and the Toreros had proven their fight and heart could not be outmatched.

Unfortunately, putting back-to-back-to-back games together proved harder a feat than anticipated. Our third game had us facing St. Mary's, a second place seed, who had the luxury of us being their first game. Despite the fatigue, despite the exhaustion, and despite the wear our bodies had faced, we once again battled and left it all on the court. Unfortunately, this time we were a buzzer beater short from coming out on top. Although we did not win the West Coast Conference Tournament which we had hoped for, we left behind a mark. A mark so strong, a mark so big, that other teams now know who we are and fear who we can become. Although we may not have obtained our ultimate goal, we have created a surge of momentum that cannot be ignored. We are, and we will continue to be, an elite contender in our conference next year. Even though we have to say adieu to our seniors, they will never be forgotten. For they taught us in the inspiring words of Justin Beiber, to "NEVER SAY NEVER." With this mindset, with this spirit, we will do great things next year. This is all because we are preparing now and all of us have our eyes set on going to the NCAA Tournament next year and there is nothing that can, or will, hold us back as long as we, "never say never."

Keep Hoopin,
Britt