The Valparaiso Lady Vikings celebrated their seniors on Senior Night Friday, January 28, 2011 to a full crowd on both sides of the gym. Ariana Paul, Michelle Rosenbaum, and Sarah Wallace all took their last bow in a regular season home game as they faced the Crown Point Bulldogs.
The visiting Bulldogs expanded their lead early into double digits by showing their aggressive play and full-court press. By the end of the first half though, Valpo regained their composure and put forth an aggressive front creating multiple turnovers going into halftime. Much of that same play continued into the second half where Valpo would come within one point of Crown Point. Once again, Crown Point quickly pulled ahead for another double digit lead. But again, Valpo increased their intensity on both sides of the ball and the 'dogs looked pretty uneasy.
Down to the final minute, senior Ariana Paul hit 3 key free threes down the stretch to put Valpo within one point. With 13 seconds to go, the ball came to Paul yet again. She dribbled to the hoop double-teamed and threw up perhaps an ill-advised shot, but the ball went in! The crowd went nuts! So nuts in fact that it covered up the sound of a whistle, and the crowd horrifyingly looked to the black-and-white shirt with hands spinning around each other signaling a travel violation. Everyone's heart sank.
Valpo lost the heartbreaker, 56-57, but the Lady Vikings shouldn't get down on themselves. Although the final execution came down to a loss, these ladies gave it their all. You could see it on their faces, which was a manifestation of their hearts. Paul led the balanced team effort with15 points alongside senior Michelle Rosenbaum with 11, Katherine Berning with 10, Laura Ferrari with 6, and senior Sarah Wallace with 5.
Congratulations to all the seniors and may the rest of the season and academic year be a blessing!
To see many more amazing photos from the Varsity and JV game, click here!