Thursday afternoon the Lady Hornets held a full practice at the Alaska Airlines Arena where ASU will face the host and third-seeded Huskies of Washington in the program's first NCAA Tournament game.
 
"They have made history and their names will forever be attached to this program this year," Head Coach Penny Lucas-White said.  "I think they are all excited about the game and I think they are very excited about what the future holds as well.  You can just feel the excitement and it has been fun and it has been fun for a long time this year."
 
The goal for the entire season for this team was to win the SWAC and they knew if they did that they would be in the position they are in now and that is in the NCAA Tournament.
 
"Real players show up in real games and these girls have lived that all year," Lucas-White said.  "They are a team that literally every player had a role and every player believed in everyone else and it has been special.  They have been fearless in fighting for this opportunity and when players are fearless anything can happen."
 
Washington (26-2) enters the tournament champions of the PAC 12 and not only boasts the PAC 12's Player of the Year, but one of the top players in the nation in Krista Vansant.
 
"They only have two losses this year and they have dominant outside hitters and Vansant is the player of the year," Lucas-White said.  "She can hit any angle and she is a six rotation player and is a complete player."
 
"Then they have a spark plug in number eight (Cassie Strickland).  She has a strong jump serve in which they all have strong jump serves.  Their serve is an attack from the back line.  They are a great team with really phenomenal players on it."
 
The game will be broadcast on the PAC 12 Network while live stats can be watched at bamastatesports.com.  Game time is scheduled for 9 p.m. CT, or 30 minutes following the first game of the day between LSU and Michigan which begins at 7 p.m. CT.
 
"The thing about this game is it is going to be a great experience for my girls," Lucas-White said.  "I am so excited and I know one look you will not see tomorrow.  You will not see a look of fear.  You will see a look of a challenge."
 
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