The Daily Campus

Issue date: 4/8/09 Section: March Madness

Media Credit: Ryan Sayers Kalana Greene holds up a 2009 National Championship T-shirt after the Huskies 76-54 win over Louisville for their sixth title.

ST. LOUIS ­- Tuesday night, the UConn women's basketball team placed itself among the elite teams in college basketball history by finishing its season a perfect 39-0. The undefeated record is something just four other teams - including two UConn squads (1995, 2002) - have ever done before. Much will be said about what this "perfect season" means for the program and for the sport of college basketball. For now, it can be left to the players who made this year "the perfect season."

Heather Buck, redshirt-freshman center: "It's a great way to start out. And now, you know, it's my responsibility to come out and help the next team live up to these same expectations."

Tina Charles, junior center: "It means just a bunch of girls coming together for one goal and getting it done. Just having the heart and the determination."

Lorin Dixon, sophomore guard: "Ecstatic. At first it just started with us trying to win games. Then, we were undefeated for a while, and now everyone's comparing us to 1995 and all them. We didn't let anyone down, we met everyone's expectations."

Caroline Doty, freshman guard: "The perfect season means hard work. It means greatness. It means dedication. It means all our hard work paid off. All the extra hours, all the push we had with each other - our family."

Jacquie Fernandez, junior guard: "Dedication, love for the team, I think you're a part of history that not a lot of people are a part of. I think with this group, we just - from the very beginning, we knew that we had something special and we kept our eye on the prize, and I don't know. It's hard to put into words. Until you experience it, until you're a part of it, I mean even you being here being a part of it, it's awesome. Speechless."

Meghan Gardler, junior forward: "UConn Huskies. Hard work, discipline, being connected with your teammates, making them your family. Blood, sweat and tears pretty much."

Kalana Greene, redshirt-junior guard: "Can't tell me nothing. Can't tell me anything. I'm a National Champion. You can't take that away from me."

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools