Transitioning from a historical triumph to an unforeseen challenge is never easy and for PC Women’s Basketball, this season has certainly been a transformative journey.
For the first time in Presbyterian College history, the women secured the 2024 Big South Championship title and continued to the first round of the NCAA playoffs. After an unforgettable run last year, their success was celebrated all around, which set the bar high for this season and ignited excitement among players, fans, and students. But this year, the team has found itself in unfamiliar territory with transitions to new coaching and a new roster, making it difficult for the returning players to reclaim the magic that made them champions.
While the road to victory has been bumpy, PC Women’s Basketball has done nothing short of demonstrating resilience, determination, and grit. As is common in competitive sports, this season has been a test of the ability to adapt. PC Women’s Basketball, specifically the returners, have found themselves navigating what it’s like to adjust to new coaches and fresh faces on the team. The comfort in familiarity that led them to success last season certainly seemed out of reach at times, as both old and new players faced the challenge of forming new bonds on and off the court. It surely serves as a reminder that even our most celebrated teams are not immune to changing times. However, this team demonstrates that true greatness requires courage, perseverance, and resilience.
To best understand the feelings around this transition, we spoke with players who have now played for both former Coach Alaura Sharp and current Coach Tiffany Sardin. Junior Ashley Carrillo shared how she struggled to find her place within the shift. Having endured the grueling recovery from two major injuries, Carrillo’s return to the court was not smooth sailing.
“My toughest battle was figuring out where I fit in and how to adjust to the new coaching expectations,” she explains. “What has helped along the way is just to focus on what I can control.” Carrillo, however, also noted Coach Sardin’s positive influence on her personal growth. “I have really liked how much [Coach Sardin] emphasizes standing up for yourself and how big she is on women empowerment.”
Trust is the foundation of any successful team. When players trust each other, both on and off the court, it creates a sense of unity and collaboration. For junior Natalie Herrin, the toughest part of this season’s transition was learning to build trust with both coaches and teammates.
“These coaches were not the ones that recruited me, so it is hard to find that initial trust,” Herrin admits. However, Herrin emphasizes that despite the challenges, the coaches have continued to make a strong effort to connect the team, particularly through team bonding over the summer. One thing Herrin appreciates Coach Sardin bringing in is her new teammates and saying, “I hope to see the program move in the right direction, and continue to grow and develop regardless of the outcomes.”
Sophomore Laney Scoggins offered a thoughtful perspective on the team’s evolution, focusing more on the game itself. She values Coach Sardin’s variety of plays and ability to mix the types of defensive strategies, which keeps opponents guessing. “I think we, as returners, remain focused because we all know what got us to the championship last year- hard work and focus,” Scoggins explains. “Each day we all focus on what we can control and continue to hold the standard high.”
While PC Women’s Basketball has faced unprecedented challenges this season, their unwavering commitment to each other, their coaches, and the game is truly inspiring. Though their journey has been slightly different this year, their drive and fire for success continue to shine through. The road to success may have become more difficult to navigate for these returners, but the fire within these women remains untouchable. Through adversity, this team continues to embody what it means to be a woman in sport.
