Where are you at? Where are you going? How will you get there?
These are the questions every TEAM and individual must answer as they go through "life". For us, the plan was simple and that was to be the best player/TEAM we can be everyday. Nobody had any clue what this TEAM would accomplish or what we were capable of with only 7 players. All I know is that our institution, fellow students, and community should be proud of what these student-athletes achieved, because they deserve praise.
When it was all said and done, the Ladyjacks finished the season 15-16 followed by a 4th place finish at the Region Tournament. We began the tournament by losing the 1st round in 3 sets to Williston State who eventually took 2nd place. Our second round opponent was Dakota County Technical College, who beat us in 3 straight sets earlier in the year. This was a tremendous match won in 5 sets, with the last set being 26-24 (final set is only supposed to go to 15). Our Ladies fought tooth and nail to stay alive in the tournament as we went on to face Williston State....again. Although we lost in 3 straight sets it was very clear our TEAM would not lay down for the Tetons as each set was as competitive as you could imagine. It is never easy to finish the year, but there was no regret as we left everything we had on the floor.
Too often players, fans, and coaches get caught up in winning or losing. We forget that practice, bus travel, and road trips become the memories that are ever-lasting. For us the most important aspect of the season was to enjoy the journey, and forget about the destination. Our journey was filled with peaks and valleys. The peaks are what people remember, but bouncing back from the valleys is what this TEAM was all about. Our "legacy" should be completed by memories of a TEAM who never wasted a opportunity to compete regardless of the opponent, and strived to be better today than yesterday.
Hopefully those who followed our season have the same feelings as I do. These 7 Ladyjacks are a remarkable group of talented individuals who gave Bottineau and DCB a product of value. Great students, great people, great TEAM and great competitors.
Thank you for the support all year long.
