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| Tiffani Traver and Whitman
got to enjoy an extra round of games in the Pacific
Northwest. Whitman athletics photo |
By Josh Smith
D3sports.com
Last season, the Whitman women’s basketball team did something no other team in program history had done when the Missionaries marched to the Elite Eight.
But the returning players on that team weren’t satisfied.
With a solid core of seniors, Whitman ran the table in the Northwest Conference this season to win the program’s first outright league championship and made more history last weekend by knocking off No. 1 Thomas More to reach the Final Four for the first time ever.
“I’m not sure it’s sunk in yet,” coach Michelle Ferenz said of her team that boasts a 30-1 overall record. “This group keeps making history. Last year was our first team to get as far as they had gone. Now this year, getting to the Final Four is huge.”
Ferenz said her group of seniors – Tiffani Traver, Marah Alindogan, Meghan White and Sarah Anderegg – realized their potential during last season’s run and has strived for more success this season.
“They got a taste for it and realized what it takes to play at that level. Last year, everything was just so new and we really were a team that caught fire late and really improved as the year went on,” Ferenz said. “This year, it was completely different. We were more veteran – a different team starting the year – than we were the previous year.”
Traver, who averages 10.3 points per game, said the team feels fortunate and is trying to make the most of its first Final Four appearance.
“Multiple times this season, we’ve talked about what it means to wear Whitman on our chest because a lot of alumni who were great players who obviously didn’t get the chance that we have now – not even the chance to go to the national tournament, let alone to make the Final Four or even to win conference,” Traver said. “All season, we’ve really kept that in mind.
“We’re just really excited to represent the college, as a whole, and then also represent the players who didn’t get the chances that we have now.”
Unlike last season, the Missionaries got to enjoy the comforts of home. Whitman hosted games at the Sherwood Center during the first four rounds of the Division III NCAA Tournament.
The home crowd brought a great energy that helped Whitman advance further than ever before.
“We had never (hosted) before, so we weren’t sure how it was going to be received by the college and the community. It was just huge. We sold out pretty much out every night. Sherwood hosts about 1,300 people. It was pretty much 1,300 people. It was standing room only,” Ferenz said. “I think it was really an extra boost.”
The Missionaries, who were ranked No. 1 nationally after winning their first 26 games of the year, defeated top-ranked Thomas More, 76-60, to reach the national semifinals.
Both the experience of being the No. 1 team and beating the No. 1 team has been valuable for Whitman. But taking down a No. 1 proved to be more satisfying.
“I think initially, being No. 1 was really great because I don’t think we ever, necessarily, imagined that would happen,” Traver said. “It was really a privilege to be ranked No. 1. But I think the only thing that really matters is who we beat in the tournament. So I think beating No. 1 really meant more because that means we get to continue to play together.
“I think getting past (Thomas More) has definitely given us confidence that we can do this and we belong where we are.”
Ferenz credited her team for not getting caught up with rankings. She attributes that maturity from last year’s experience as well.
The next task at hand is preparing for UW-Whitewater – last season’s national runner-up. Ferenz said her team will need to play well defensively and focus on rebounding, and Traver added that offensive execution will be key.
Whitman feels that they can compete with UW-Whitewater as well as fellow Final Four qualifiers FDU-Florham and Tufts.
“I think we have the confidence that we need,” Traver said. “I think from the beginning of the season, we believed that we could (win a national title) so it’s going to be fun to actually get that chance.”
Either way, the Missionaries are looking forward to stepping out of the Northwest and playing a fresh opponent.
“We’re always kind of excited to see somebody new and get out of the area,” Ferenz said. “As much as they’re an unknown for us, we’re probably an unknown for them. We don’t have a lot of common opponents.”
Whether Whitman finishes fourth or brings home the national championship, this year’s senior class will graduate as the most decorated group in the program’s history. Their coach appreciates their contributions.
“We’ve had a lot of good teams that have always competed very well but we just, until last season, had never gotten to the tournament,” Ferenz said. “Those four ladies, Marah, Meghan, Sarah and Tiffani ... made a pact that they were going to be the team to win a Northwest Conference title and get to the NCAA Tournament. They’ve just been that way. They’ve been great leaders. They’ve been great teammates. They work hard.
“They’re going to go down as the winningest class in the history of the program,” she continued. “I’m going to miss them. They’ve been wonderful to work with – wonderful to coach. I’m just so happy for them that they’ve reached all their goals. It’s been fun. I’m glad they’ve taken me along.”