So, since I last wrote, we earned our third appearance to the NCAA Tournament. I am so blessed that I am here at Pitt and have been able to help this program rebuild.

We got sent all the way across the country to Seattle, and it isn't easy - especially playing two teams that are close to that area. But we knew that the Big East had prepared us, not only with the type of play you see, but going on the road in hostile environments too. We were honored when our name was called regardless of where we play and who we were to play. I just really enjoyed the moment and took it all in.

Our first game against Montana we knew wasn't going to be easy. In the second half we did a great job defensively. The first half wasn't our best, but I put the team on my back and in the second half we all pulled together and it was a complete team effort. That is what we all do. If someone is down, we help pull them back up until we are all working together again.

Gonzaga was a team packed with scorers and players that had won awards within the West Coast Conference. Obviously we knew we had a big task in front of us and we knew their fans would be there, but we are always ready for a challenge.  It was a close game - a game of runs. We really fought through adversity though. I was in early foul trouble, but I wasn't going to let it stop me from supporting my team, even if it meant I had to do it from the bench. We stepped up in the second half and Chelsea Cole played such a big role. She had some blocks that saved the game. We hung together and came away with the victory.

Now we are about to leave to go to Oklahoma City for our second Sweet 16 appearance. We have to travel to another city that is close to our opponent's home court so our first two rounds helped us out with that kind of adversity. Oklahoma has an All-America candidate in Courtney Paris. She has won some big awards and we have to look to stop her and not be afraid of their crowd. I'm just not ready to stop playing. We want to keep this going as long as we can!

Tae

Even though we finished the Big East season as third, which was our highest finish in a while, we knew the tournament wouldn't be easy. It never is! But the two-game bye helped us to prepare for our opponent -- either Providence, West Virginia or DePaul.

We ended up playing DePaul and we had a little added motivation to play them because they gave us our only home loss of the season. Even though we started out slow, we played hard and we fought back. That is the thing I love about this team is that we always stick together and work to get the job done. That was our first game and it definitely wasn't easy, but we got the victory.

Our next game was Louisville in the semifinals. We played them just over a week ago and we knew how hard they would come at us. We had a slow start against them too but we knew what we needed to do to recover. In the second half, we played maybe our best basketball of the season. We came back and put them on their heels for a few minutes. But it came down to the wire and we made critical mistakes and lost the game.

We learned from that game though. We know we can't make those mistakes again. So, we're back in Pittsburgh working hard for NCAAs and waiting to see where we will go. We can't wait to get back on the court!

Tae Tae

Senior night was March 2 against St. John's. It was a great experience, but watching it last year, I didn't think it would be this emotional for me. It wasn't my last game with Pitt, but it was my last in the Petersen Events Center and it was hard. I have been so honored to be a part of this program and help it to rebuild. When I came here, I didn't think I was capable of having an impact like this. I will miss this city and my teammates, but I will be back to visit!

I know as a senior, I don't want to leave on a bad note. It is time to focus on the Big East Tournament and NCAAs and to play like we know we can. It is time to handle our business. Everyone always asks us if we feel pressure to get back to the Sweet 16, or to make it further this year. I know it sounds funny, but we don't feel any pressure at all. We just expect that kind of success now. It isn't pressure, but we believe in ourselves to get back there and I think that is what has made us successful -- our belief in ourselves and our teammates.

Before we even think about that though, we have the Big East Tournament, which is such a great event. We are excited to be in third because we were picked fifth in the preseason. We have a two-game bye so we have no idea who we are going to play, but, like I said earlier, it is March and it is a business trip so we have to be ready no matter who we play.

Tae