This is what we run out of before every game. I really couldn't tell you who taped the word 'win' high above the door, or even when it was done, but I'd just like to say "Thanks dude, job well done." It is comforting to relax, take a deep breath, and stare at that one word before every home game. Last weekend we weathered a solid effort in the first half by both Salve Regina and Stevens Institute of Technology, and came out strong to pull away for a solid win Friday (80-55) and Saturday night(71-57). There were definitely some nerves but we gutted it out and now it's time to take that refuse to lose attitude on the road.

It feels great to get back to the tournament after last year, and everyone has been ridiculously focused in practice the last two weeks. I try to provide a little comic relief every day, and practice are still fun and relaxed, but there is definitely a different feeling around Coles Sports Center. It is business time, and every last detail of every drill holds new meaning come NCAA time.

Our team's theme, if you will, for this season has been This Moment Our Time. And now, with a huge Sweet 16 game tomorrow against higher seeded Amherst College, it couldn't possible be more of our moment for the taking. NYU has never won a tournament game on the road, and this weekend we have the opportunity to change that and go far into the NCAAs. We have studied everything we possibly could about Amherst, a nationally respected program who we have not played in my three years at this school. It is an exciting opportunity, and I know that it is very much within reach. Let's go ladies- play our game.

p.s.- I love NCAA road trips. our bus had flat screens and we ate steak for dinner :) im down for many more tournament road games before I graduate!

Tomorrow marks the beginning of everyone's favorite season- March Madness!! Yes I realize tomorrow's date is March 6th, almost a week past the actual beginning of March, but you know what this is my blog so I say March starts on March 6th, the 1st round of the NCAA tournament for DIII! It is the time when everyone looks back on their season, and when 63 teams look forward to the difficult task of bringing home a national championship.

Here at NYU, this season was slightly different from the rest. Three different coaches, an almost identical returning team (plus 3 wonderful freshmen!), and a less than average season still fresh in our minds from last year. But this year was going to be different, and thanks to tremendous senior leadership and a refuse-to-lose attitude, it was! Compared to our 3-11 conference record last year, a 10-4 conference record and 21-4 overall makes this year already a big success. But the icing on the cake? A chance to dance!

Our last game of the regular season against rival Brandeis was important for many reasons. We wanted to finish with a win and also wanted to secure a host site for the 1st round of the NCAAs. The energy was especially high since it was SENIOR NIGHT! We were blessed with five amazing seniors and no one wanted to let them down on their night. Here they are- aren't they cute? lol  

Well it looked like it was going to slip away from us, as we were down 13 points in the first half. But we somehow managed to turn it around with a great all-around defensive effort and get a W.

Here is some pre-game and post-game silliness for your enjoyment. Half of our team has not been in the tournament before, so it was an exciting moment all around.  

 

So needless to say the nerves are high for tomorrow as we take on Salve Regina, a respectable Rhode Island team, in the First Round. If we play our game, or as Coach Trompeo would say, "Don't talk about it, be about it," we could be pretty dangerous. Either way, it's been an awesome year and I have the best team ever (of course I could be slightly biased...).

Thanks to all our wonderful family and friends who have supported us this whole season. And good luck to our men's team as they battle it out in the ECAC tournament. Let's go Violets!

http://www.gonyuathletics.com/index.aspx?tab=basketball2&path=wbball

 

Our UAA schedule is more than halfway done, with this past weekend marking the second half of our schedule. We went 1-1, dropping an important game to Wash U. in front of a rowdy crowd. But we somehow turned it around in time for Sunday, with a big win over Chicago by shooting almost 50% from the three and drawing yet again on our deep bench.

For us, the most important thing at this point in the season is keeping our bodies healthy. The wear and tear of UAA play cause skilled teams to let close games slip away (story of last year lol). So learning from our mistakes has been key. Coach Trompeo has been on us everyday about hydrating, getting enough sleep, stretching, icing, and my personal least favorite- foam rolling!

Every season, we sit down and talk about specific goals for the year- things we feel should be accomplished, things we just wanna do really bad. One of our goals is to win at Rochester. It is always a very tough gym to play at, and I have yet to do it in my three years. So needless to say, we are all very hyped for Friday. Rochester has only lost one conference game so it will not be easy, but I feel pretty confident in how our team has been playing. On and off the court, we actually enjoy each other's company and our chemistry is the best it's ever been.

I can't be completely sure, but I think a lot of our calm, confident style of play stems from our new team activity....MEDITATION!! It was amazinggg and I can't wait to do it again.

So after a few technical difficulties, I'm back on this blog. In fact, my new year resolution is to blog wayyyyy more. I'm not sure if everyone got to see the last two blogs I posted before they were somehow lost from the site. Just in case you missed it, here's a 10 second recap.

We are faster and stronger as a program than ever before, and everyone's preseason efforts have resulted in an impressive 10-0 record. Our men's team is also undefeated with a 9-0 record. We are all pretty excited because come to find out, we are the only undefeated program in the country- DI DII or DIII. Here is the New York Times article that came out today with a few quotes from some of the players on either team. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/sports/ncaabasketball/09nyu.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=nyu%20basketball&st=cse

Today we open up UAA play against Carnegie Mellon. I promise to get back to you much sooner this time with an update. Wish us luck, and I will catch up with you later.

     So it starts tomorrow, the 2008-2009 season. Hours and hours spent in the weight room, on treadmills and tracks, and on the court since season ended last year will finally pay off. As a member of the New York University women's basketball team, this year more than any is all about fitness and strength. Last year, we had a so-so season with a TON of talent. So over the summer, every player took it upon herself to improve, just like any serious program. We were tested as soon as we came back from summer, and again right before October 15 (first day of practice). The results were great...no one, and I mean no one, spent the summer laying on a beach. Even our three freshmen were in great shape. Needless to say, everyone's looking forward to this year to see what we can do with our new found strength- both physical and mental!

     Tomorrow we have our first regular season game against Mount St. Mary's. After a tumultuous preseason with our coach retiring after a trememdously successful career, we have a different kind of pressure to live up to expectations. At the same time, everyone is very confident in our new head coach Stefano Trompeo, as well as our assistant Chiene Jones and manager Houssein Choucair. We are in VERY good hands! So I gotta run- bus pulls out at 7, and I will get back to you after the game! Wish us luck!