Walk-on reflects on playing in women’s NCAA tournament
When I was in sixth grade my family did not have television. So, when Notre Dame made it to the Final Four, I sat in the living room with my dad listening to the game on the radio. I remember Notre Dame playing UConn. The team was down significantly at half, and I remember my dad saying, “Ah I’m sorry Mary. I don’t think they’re going to do it.” I never lost hope though. That team had taken the time to send me an autographed poster—and I was not going to give up hope. Sure enough, Notre Dame pulled out the win, and advanced to win the 2001 national championship. That team seemed magical, and this year, ten years after sitting on the floor praying for a Notre Dame victory, I felt the same magic once again.
I made the team this year as a senior walk-on, so just being in the NCAA tournament was a dream come true. But, I was not satisfied with just being in the tournament. I knew the team had the ability to do very well, and we did. We got off to a rough start in the first round against Utah, but, as Coach McGraw told us, the NCAA tournament is about surviving and advancing. Our second game was against Temple. We came out ready to go, and we were far too much for Temple to handle. Our team was advancing to the Sweet Sixteen, and I was confident our success would continue.
In the Sweet Sixteen we played Oklahoma. Oklahoma ended our team’s run last year, and we wanted nothing more than to show them they weren’t going down to them again. Before the game began, Coach McGraw said to us, “Let’s take one more step.” Everyone was focused. No one appeared nervous, and warm-ups went really well. Brittany Mallory led off the game with three three-pointers in a row. Veronica Badway, the other walk-on and my favorite sideline commentary companion, kept saying to me, “When are they going to learn to guard her!” I just kept praying that they were slow learners. Fortunately for us, they were, and Brittany sank three more trifectas before the game was over. Once again, we got a big lead—and as the clock ran down I got the giddy feeling in my gut that I get every time I think I might get in the game. Coach called my name, and I’m pretty sure if my sprint from my seat on the bench to the scorer’s table had been timed it would have been a world record. I got on the court, and had to inbound the ball. Excitement took over, and instead of throwing the ball to my teammate, Kaila Turner, I threw the ball right out of bounds. As a result, I am in the NCAA record books—it may be for one turnover—but I’m in the books!
Our next challenge was Tennessee. No one expected us to win. In fact, the commentators were talking about how excited they were for a UConn v. Tennessee game. We had different plans. As the team huddled Coach McGraw said, “Together we can do anything.” The room was tense as we said our pre-game prayer, but true to form, Sister Sue loosened us all up by adding a few humorous insertions to our prayer. Then, it was game time. We came out firing. Tennessee didn’t know what hit them. Pretty soon, the Notre Dame Victory March completely drowned out Rocky Top, and as Irish fans stormed the courts, the Tennessee fans headed home sweet home. Instead of a UConn-Tennessee match-up, fans were promised a fourth showdown between the Fighting Irish and the Huskies. We were headed to the Final Four.
There is a lot of hype surrounding the Final Four. Yet our team never lost sight of the fact that we were there to play. Before our game against UConn, the commentators completely discounted us. We were determined to prove them wrong. Niele Ivey gave the team a pep talk before we began. She told us, “Every single one of you is the reason why we are here, and every single one of you is the reason why we are going to make it to the national championship.”
That game was the most exciting game I have ever been a part of. We went into halftime down by six points, but I always think the best time to be at the head of the race is at the end. At the end of the half everyone said, “We’re fine—let’s just go beat them and have fun.” Sure enough we did. Maya Moore played a phenomenal game, but she wasn’t enough to stifle the Irish. UConn ended up having to foul to try to regain possession of the ball, and as time ticked off the clock, I thought, “WE’RE GOING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!” The next moments were indescribable. Standing there with the team in front of our friends and family knowing that our hard work had paid off and that we were going to the national championship was incredible.
Before the national championship game I had to keep reminding myself that I was awake. I kept thinking, “This is all a dream, and soon I’m going to wake up and it will be over.” It wasn’t a dream though. For me, this game was extra special because my family, my best friends from school, and even one of my best friends from home, came to the game. It was a rough game, and we fought hard. Unfortunately, Texas A&M made a few amazing plays down the stretch to clinch the game. However, as the final seconds faded away—the resounding chant, “WE ARE ND!” seemed to overtake any cheers from the Texas A&M fans. A tear came to my eyes and splashed down my face—I felt the magic once again. That is why I came to Notre Dame. I didn’t come for sports or even for academics. I came to be a part of Our Lady’s family, and no matter what the final score is, our hearts forever love thee Notre Dame.
Mary Forr is a senior philosophy and political science major. She makes The Rover proud. Contact her at mforr@nd.edu.
