Jeff KahntroffWelcome back Washington University Bears.
The women’s team returns to WU for a lengthy homestand after a trying road trip. Four states, two weekends, two time-zones, and four opponents later, the Bears returned victorious.
Four games in hostile environments produced a 4-0 record, and victories by no fewer than fourteen points in any game. More importantly, the Bears disposed of three UAA opponents in the process, turning back any dreams other teams might have had of beating everyone’s favorite Mid-America juggernaut.
After such a grueling road trip, the Bears are rewarded with four consecutive home games featuring UAA opponents, including the University of Rochester, a powerhouse in its own right, also boasting an undefeated record. The typical Friday and Sunday homestand kicks off tonight against the aforementioned Yellowjackets in a match up of titans.
The success of the road trip leading into Friday’s match-up cannot be overlooked. With so much traveling and so many games in unfriendly atmospheres, team spirit is likely to be rock-solid.
But with four wins and overall domination comes expectations.
“On this road trip, we certainly got a chance to know each other, and there was significant building of team chemistry,” freshman guard Kelly Manning said. “I am just a freshman, so much of this is new to me, but I felt that we all got to know each other better.”
“The road trip gives us momentum heading into our home-stand, we built camaraderie,” junior guard Sarah Mullen said.
Since the Bears and Yellowjackets play each other often, an inalienable rivalry exists. Many of the women on both teams have become exceedingly familiar with their counterparts’ games.
“We know each other on the court, and in some cases, off the court,” Mullen said. ” We know their tendencies from playing against them and watching a lot of film.”
Unfamiliarity will be no excuse on Friday night, as many of the players on both teams have faced off four, even six times in the past few seasons.
“We know that they are undefeated, and have been quite successful in the past, and [we’ve met] with the scout to find out even more about the team,” Manning said.
Confidence is certainly the norm on the squad these days. Rather than fashion their game to their opponents, the Bears know that if they continue to play their own style-a fast-paced, upbeat tempo, run the court game-they will come out victorious.
“We are using the same plan as always. We work on the simple things and continue to play our fast-tempo game,” Mullen said.
At this point in the season, WU can develop only the smaller aspects of its game, as the majority of the offensive and defensive characteristics have been perfected, and are not in need of any retooling, but simply enhancement.
Unfortunately, the Yellowjackets will have to do more than simply iron out creases to beat the Bears.
“They are well-rounded and can move the ball,” Mullen said. “But if we play our game, the game we had on the road trip, we are confident we will be successful.”