ASHLAND – There was no shortage of smiles Sunday as the Ashland University women’s basketball team boarded a bus to head 80 miles south to Columbus for the Division II Elite Eight.
About 70 family members, friends and community members gathered outside Kates Gymnasium to say farewell to the players and coaches as they prepare to play West Texas A&M on Tuesday.
After gathering as a group for photos, all 12 members of the team shouted “Thank you” in unison to the crowd.
‘“There’s no doubt about it, we made it to Columbus and you are a huge part of it,” coach Robyn Fralick told the gathered crowd Sunday before boarding the bus. “We expect to see you all down there. Take over the entire gym and continue to be that sixth man for us. We are so, so, so thankful.”
The Eagles started the 2016-2017 season in Columbus with an exhibition game against Ohio State, and now they will be ending their season in the capital city.
“We were really thankful we got the opportunity to play Ohio State, but we knew all along that Columbus was the final spot. So that was added motivation, knowing that that’s down the road and we’re thankful that we have the opportunity to play there,” Fralick said.
Senior captain Kelsey Peare came to AU the season after the Eagles won the national title and said this year’s team has been focused on repeating that feat.
“This was a big goal for us coming into this year, to follow in that team’s footsteps,” Peare said.
Unbeaten AU is the No. 1 seed in the Elite Eight and will play No. 8 seed West Texas A&M in Alumni Hall at Ohio Dominican University at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Coverage of Ashland University Eagles athletics is produced in partnership with OhioHealth, the official sports medicine provider for Ashland University and dozens of high schools and universities throughout Ohio.
