Jonny Anderson Junior Carli Smith comes from below to score against Chico State in the NCAA West Regional tournament March 14 in Royal Brougham.

Two weeks ago SPU was a regionally known school. Two weeks ago it was a relatively big deal for the Falcons to receive print in the Seattle Times or air-time on "Fox Sports Network." What a difference two weeks can make.

The women's basketball team, fresh off a regional championship in early March, traveled to Hot Springs, Ark. over spring break to take on the best eight teams in NCAA division II women's basketball. The Falcons (30-3) had twice previously advanced to the annual Elite Eight tournament (including last year), but both times they failed to win their first round contest.

Not only did the women win their first game this year, they advanced all the way to the championship game. As if the experience of playing for a national championship wasn't enough, the game was played in front of a national audience on the ESPN2 network.

That means I was able to be in California and watch as our beloved Falcons almost completely erased a 24-point, second half deficit before finally succumbing to a talented Washburn team.

Winning their first two games and advancing farther than ever before provided lasting memories for the team and their families. The first two rounds, against Grand Valley State and Merrimack, were defensive battles as SPU held their opponents to 55 and 64 points, respectively.

Last year, in the opening round against Drury University, the Falcons did not have very much fan support. This year was quite a bit different as the majority of the player's families made the trip to Arkansas.

Jonny Anderson Junior Mandy Wood cuts a portion of the net, a traditional gesture, following SPU's victory against Chico State March 14 in Royal Brougham.

"It was nice to have the family support," junior forward Jenny Poe commented.

The championship game started out poorly for the Falcons, and they just never could recover. The team managed only 19 first-half points, and made one three pointer in 16 tries during the first 20-minute period.

Things went from bad to worse as the second half commenced. Washburn turned a 10-point half time lead into a commanding 24-point margin before the real SPU finally decided to enter the building.

Juniors Carli Smith and Brittney Kroon led the team with 14 points a piece. Smith also led the team in rebounding with 13 boards. It was a tough day for senior standout Amy Taylor who finished with just 5 points on 2-10 shooting. The guard was voted to the elite eight all tournament team after the game.

"I believed we would come back, everyone did, and no matter how far down we got," Taylor said.

Coach Gordy Presnell offered his comments after the heart-breaking loss.

"They were better than us today," he said. "We had a great season, and a lot to be thankful for. God's blessed us."

Although they did not win it all, the women came away from Arkansas with memories that will last a lifetime. Poe commented on the bonding that the team was able to do during the week. Not only the team members, but the parents were able to connect with each other and support their daughters the whole week.

The NCAA put on a banquet for all eight teams at the tournament and they put the players up in nice accommodations. The hotel itself was connected to the arena and so the players could walk from their rooms to the hardwood in a matter of minutes.

"The experience was really fun and very meaningful," Poe explained.

Spring workouts haven't started yet, but when they do it will be without the three seniors. Taylor, Michelle Beaumont and Trisha Hermanson have wrapped up their SPU careers and have passed the torch to four juniors who will assume the leadership roles next year.

"It will be hard to go on without them," Poe said. "They have meant so much to this team and to the SPU program."

The cycle starts again next week as the coaches and players prepare for yet another run deep into the tournament next year. The future remains bright for the Falcons as they continue to leave their legacy in the Northwest.