Women’s Basketball Season Recap
Featuring interviews with the players.
The women’s basketball season has come to an early end. Throughout the season, the team has been struggling with player numbers, injuries, sickness, and conflicting class schedules. All of these factors contributed to the decision to end the season. As Union Adventist University is now a member of the NCCAA, we have guidelines and regulations that we have to adhere to. With the dwindling and inconsistent number of players, risking forfeit and violating rules is not an option.
The women Warriors started out the season as a young team. Only four of the nine players were returning, the rest were first time Warriors. (A tenth member was out for the season due to a shoulder injury.) Coach Jaylen Vella and Assistant Coach Dae Jones worked hard to bring the girls to a college ball playing level. They planned each practice so not a minute would be wasted as the girls prepared for the teams they would face. For the first month, they focused on strength and conditioning, moving into offensive, defensive, shooting, and dribbling drills as the season progressed. There were no wins in the first semester, but the improvement of the team was prominent and looked promising. Disaster struck in early January as three team members were unable to return. The team rejoiced when two new players stepped up to the challenge and joined the team. However, with only eight players and most of them having afternoon labs that were inconvenient to miss, the team was always scrambling for numbers.
The last game took place on January 30th. The girls threw their hearts into this final game. They did well in the beginning –the potential of the team beaming through– but as time went on, a battle ensued and ended with yet another loss. “That’s what I love about our team. Even though we have lost every game, we still love and support each other. There is always encouragement happening on the bench and in the locker rooms. All of us are disappointed with the season ending so soon, but I’m thankful for the time we shared and the memories I made. I have grown so much as a player and a person over the last few months and I can’t wait for the new season! This team is like a family, a family I am proud to be a part of,” Sami Hoffer (who happens to be the writer of this article) reminisced after the last game.
If you know of anyone who is interested in playing on the women’s basketball team, reach out to one of the Warrior team members or Coach Drew Mekleburg. They would love to have you join the team in the fall!
By: Sami Hoffer