On Saturday, March 1st, the University of Wisconsin Superior women’s basketball team punched their ticket to the NCAA Division III basketball tournament, and on Monday, March 3rd, they learned who they face off against in the first round.

“It’s pretty surreal to be honest. Like I said last time this program has even been to the national tournament was seven, eight years ago. That makes me feel like I’m super old. But I had such an amazing experience, and I always say that’s something that every student athlete should be able to experience,” said UWS women’s basketball head coach Emily Carpenter. “So that’s something I really wanted to be able to provide for these girls and just being able to do it now. Playing in the national tournament now on the coaching side. I’m just super happy and excited for the girls.”

The Yellowjackets began their Upper Midwest Athletic Conference tournament run with a close semifinal matchup against Martin Luther that ended in an overtime score of 80-75. Then it was time to take on Northwestern in the UMAC championships, who the yellowjackets downed 53-47.

Now, after earning their automatic bid into the NCAA tournament, the Yellowjackets will take on a new foe.

“It’s really exciting. That’s what the goal of all of our teams here is to win the conference, make the national tournament. We’re not at either of the couple of places that everyone was kind of thinking we might be at. I think it’s exciting that we’re at Stout. We played there earlier in the year, put some game pressure on them. Just being familiar with the court and stuff I think could definitely be helpful,” said senior guard Elise Besonen.

UWS will begin their NCAA run facing Whitman College in the first round on Friday, March 7th at 4:45pm. Click here to view the full tournament bracket.