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!

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