“We went through a stretch where we didn’t win in the Big Ten,” said Mercedes Staples. “But we came back stronger and pushed through that. … We know there’s a lot of potential that can help us leading to next year.”
Staples remains hopeful about the future of the team, given her relationship with Whalen.
“It was amazing; her basketball IQ is incredible,” Staples said. “She taught me so much after just one year, so I’m excited to have three more with her.”
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Staples’ teammate, junior Taiye Bello, described the emotions that overran the team locker room following their season-ending loss to Cincinnati.
“It was a tough loss, and it was a really emotional locker room, but at the same time, now that the game is over, we have a lot to be grateful for. We went through a lot of growing pains this year, but we also were able to push through that. We had a slump in the Big Ten, but then we were able to go on our winning streak,” Bello said. “It was a lot of reminiscing and looking back on the season. I’m going to miss the relationship I had with the seniors and the role that they played off the court for the team.”
