With an overall record of 14-13 heading into the NCCAA Mideast Region Championship against a team they hadn’t played yet this season, the Asbury Women’s Basketball team had everything to fight for.
And they delivered.
The Eagles claimed the regional title, securing their spot in the NCCAA National Tournament and advancing to the Elite Eight after a season defined by adversity, resilience and unity. Head Coach Chad Mayes said the team’s challenges through the season forced them to grow stronger mentally.
“You just have to figure it out,” said Mayes.. “The other team is not going to play [differently]. They’re going to play to that. It’s definitely made us stronger mentally, made us tougher.”
After starting the season with 7 of their eleven strongest teammates injured, the players had to learn how to step into other positions on the court, but also on their team. It tested them in a way that few others outside of the group would fully understand. Instead of giving up or being overwhelmed, the players turned to each other.
That kind of camaraderie is something learned during the training at the beginning of the season. It’s the most important preparation they can do, testing the athletes both mentally and physically.
“It’s trial by fire,” said Mayes. “You get in there and do a ton of hard things, and it just breeds that environment where they have to stick together because it’s something where they’re all encouraging each other.”
Despite having most of their team back, this championship game still brought a unique set of challenges. The Eagles hadn’t played their opponents, Alice Lloyd College, so far this season. Mayes said that despite this, they were able to prepare.
“We’ve played them in the past,” said Mayes. “We used to be in a conference with them before we moved up to the NCAA. You know pretty much what they do. You know their tendencies.”
More than focusing on strategy, the team focuses on their faith, and it’s what carried them through the season.
“They’re worried about ‘What can I do to make us better?’ and I really feel like that’s because they’re so Christ-centered and Jesus-focused,” said Mayes. “It’s like, ‘Okay, let’s go ahead here, and let’s serve each other.’”
The regional championship, he said, reflects not only the success of this year’s roster but also the determination of the entire program.
“It really shows off the resilience of not just this team, but just the program in general, how they can fight through such adversity,” said Mayes.
Now, with a regional title secured, the Eagles will turn their focus to the NCCAA National Tournament- a reality that seemed so uncertain just months ago. Their next games will take place in Point Lookout, MO on March 18- 21.
