We lost a hard, tough game v. Mt. Union on our Senior Day Saturday. This was a tough game in many ways; certainly because it was not the outcome we wanted, but also because this was the last home game for our 3 seniors (Tripod) Emily Culbertson, Alisha Rinehart and Tricia Fuller.
These 3 have done good things for our program. Although this season is not what we envisioned from a record standpoint, these 3 have been a vital cog for all 4 years, none more important than this one in providing structure and leadership for our young team. In spite of the reality of their time here being almost over, we like to take our senior day as an opportunity to celebrate our student-athletes like our tripod that make it for four years - that is a tough task, and after our game, we make our celebration about them, and rightfully so. Above, our captains Brittany Bogart and Heather Armbruster begin the highlights by introducing the infamous mock awards.....
Above left, our Tripod address the crowd with awards in hand. To recap the infamous mock awards, above and to the right, Emily gets the "roadrunner award" because she is lightening fast; Tricia (below), well, has always been called "man hands" and so her award was rightfully named (say yes to Seinfeld episodes). And of course, Alisha ( I don't have a shot of this one), could probably have several awards, but Kara Dysert gave her the "biggest flopper" award...self explanatory.
So, in spite of the tough loss, I think it's important to still have a little perspective about what this is all about. As our seniors addressed the crowd yesterday, what helped me gain perspective was when Alisha mentioned that this was her favorite year of all 4 years because this team is as close a team as we have ever had. In spite of the obstacles, they have all grown, individually, and most importantly, as a team.....
With Alisha, she set the single season scoring record on Saturday surpassing a record that stood here at ONU since 1984. Not to mention, Alisha never started a game until her senior year, always playing behind All-OAC guard Jenny Markle. She embraced this role, and for 3 years served as our spark-plug off the bench. What I have been most impressed with Lish this year, is the fact that she has worked on her outside shooting. Every night before a game her and Kara Dysert stay after practice and shoot (there's a lot of smack talking) but this extra shooting has made Alisha more versatile and I believe 1 of the toughest #2 guards in the league. This is the type of growth that I am proud of....she has tried to make her self more than 1 dimensional in order to help this team....Tricia has served as a role player for her time here. She has never received the notoriety that Lish and Em have received, and that is tough because she will do things that don't show up on a stat sheet. But as coaches we always need these players on our rosters - the ones who are willing to hustle, get a loose ball, get a key rebound or maybe step into a role on a scout team. Tricia has done this, and handled herself accordingly this year and I believe recognizes more this year what team really means....sometimes, it's difficult to be the one that doesn't always get recognized, but we all have choices in how we choose to handle our situations, and I give Tricia credit for growing personally and recognizing how her team needs her and also needs her to embrace her role.
Lastly, of the tripod, is Emily Culbertson. Em's had a tough year on a lot of levels, but none tougher than the last 8 days. Nonetheless, in spite of her personal tragedy, Em has demonstrated heart and character and flat out, been an inspiration. She has done things in the last 2 games that made me step back and say, wow, "Em is back, and watch out!" She set the all-time ONU assist record on Saturday along with tying the all-time steals record. She is the best on the ball defender in the OAC and is getting her confidence back at the right time going into tournament. Emily has grown more personally in this last week when faced with adversity than I think she even realizes; I am very proud of her.
As we go into the tourney as a clear underdog, both Coach Durand and I beleive we are the scariest #8 seed in the tourney....we have beaten the top 3 teams in the league, gone nose-to-nose with everyone else, and over the last 2 games really feel like we have been finally playing the type of ball we are capable of playing...just at the right time. Capital is such a formidable opponent - even more so at their place - but we have been saying this phrase all year: THINGS COME FULL CIRCLE.....In spite of the adversity, the heartbreaking losses, we beleive that we can do good things in this tourney come Tuesday....and on Tuesday, with the start of a new season, we believe now more than ever, it's a great time to be the Polar Bears.....All the best, Coach Terrell
