SASKATOON – Huskies head coach Lisa Thomaidis had a strong feeling that this was going to be the year Saskatchewan claimed its first national title. The realization set in on Saturday after the University of Saskatchewan defeated the Saint Mary’s Huskies in the CIS semi-final. Saskatchewan held a practice later that evening to prepare for Sunday’s championship game.
That’s when Thomaidis noticed just how focused her players were.
“I have a hard time talking about two different teams in the same day, but they were correcting me in terms of numbers and personnel that night,” said Thomaidis.
“That’s when I knew that they were super dialled in and focused, and that we were not going to have a problem.”
But things looked dicey for the dogs in their CIS championship game against the Ryerson Rams. At the half, the Huskies clung to a slim two point lead. In the locker room during half-time, Saskatchewan’s veteran players delivered a message to the rest of the team.
“Lets do this for coach,” said Huskies fifth-year player Kelsey Trulsrud.
“She’s never won one, so I think that was a little motivating for us too.”
Saskatchewan’s women’s basketball team has suffered multiple heartbreaks on the national stage in past years. But every dog has its day, and on Sunday, March 20, the Huskies claimed their first national title.
READ MORE: Saskatchewan wins 1st CIS women’s hoops title
And it may not be long before the Huskies get their hands on a second CIS banner.
“We already get lots of great athletes that want to come and play for “LT” (Thomaidis) and play for this program.” says Huskies fifth-year centre Dalyce Emmerson. “I think that people are going to realize that women’s basketball in Saskatchewan is something that you need to recognize and respect.”
On Wednesday morning, the Huskies will host a championship celebration ceremony at the University of Saskatchewan’s Physical Activities Complex, starting at 11:45 a.m. CT.