For many that roam the sidelines of the various teams in the South Park Blocks, coaching is just the latest step in a lifetime that has been dedicated to the sports that they love.
The Vanguard is taking a look back at their collegiate careers.
Prized collection
Fond farewell
For seniors Audrey Grant, Kelsey Kahle and Katia Hadj-Hamou, Saturday’s win over Eastern Washington was a fitting finale to their tenure at the Stott Center.
Last hurrah
Since first coming to the Park Blocks prior to the 2006¬–07 season, women’s head basketball coach Sherri Murrell has always stressed to her players the importance of each and every game.
On the table
From the hallway outside of the small gym on Saturday afternoon, I can hear emphatic grunts, stomping sneakers and the rhythmic pocks of a dozen or more ping pong balls.
In the groove
After her team lost to Montana State at home on Jan. 31, putting a blemish on an otherwise (still) perfect conference record, head coach Sherri Murrell had one word to describe the Vikings’ (18-7. 11-1 BSC) defensive performance: “horrible.”
Tag team
For those fans acquainted with the feature attraction at the Stott Center on Thursday night, it was a familiar routine. After the singing of the national anthem and the announcement of the starting line-ups, the Kahle and Faucher Show took the stage.
Back to earth
The Vikings did not get to savor the taste of victory for very long after their home win over the Montana Lady Griz on Thursday.
Changing of the guard
It didn’t take long for Montana guard Mandy Morales to pick up right where she left off against the Vikings. On March 14 of last year, Morales torched Portland State for 31 points while leading her team to the conference finals.
Showdown at the Stott
Their reputation precedes them. When they step into an opponent’s gym they are marked with a target on their backs so big you could see it from the top row of the bleachers.
Rolling along
Winning at the Stott Center has never been a problem for head coach Sherri Murrell’s squads. Over the last two seasons, the Vikings have amassed a 19-2 record at home, making the Park Blocks a hostile environment for any visiting team.
Learning curve
Minutes after she had broken the school’s all-time career scoring record, Kelsey Kahle was presented with the game ball in a small ceremony at center court.