Chakeita Weldon takes off after getting the ball out of a scuffle Sunday against Fairfield. Photo by Andrew Torrey | The Appalachian.

As the women prepare to take on the College of Charleston in the semifinal round of the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitational tournament, they are putting much of their focus on the strategies and techniques that have proven successful so far this season.

“You try to constantly remind the kids that Thursday could be the last day, but there’s nothing different,” head coach Darcie Vincent said. “The whole season is just preseason to the tournament. That’s what you play 29 games for, is to prepare for this moment.”

Despite the fact the Mountaineers have already defeated the College of Charleston twice during the regular season, Vincent and her team are not taking the experienced Cougar squad lightly.

“I expect them to come in like balls of fire,” Vincent said. “You’ve got a lot of seniors, and when they lost in the Southern Conference tournament, then they got this postseason bid and they looked at it like this is our postseason tournament that we’re supposed to win.”

Unlike Charleston’s roster which is full of seasoned seniors, Appalachian brings a team to the WBI that does not have a single senior. As they’ve proven throughout the season, age makes no difference for the Mountaineers.

“It’s been one of the nicest surprises with this team is that we like the pressure for some reason,” Vincent said. “The more that a team starts to come back on us, we respond well to that. This young team likes the pressure.”

The freshmen on the team, who have contributed a great deal to the team’s success this season, are adjusting rather easily to the pressure that comes along with post-season play.

“It is our first postseason tournament for the college. I don’t feel nervous,” freshman forward Ashlen Dewart said. “I think playing a really long season has prepared us for this. We’ve got our heads straight and we’re ready to play.”

The Mountaineers have proven themselves as a solid offensive and defensive team this season. They held their first two opponents in the WBI tournament to 47 and 36 points, and out-rebounded their competition 111-64.

“Our rebound margin is a plus 22, which is an obscene number. We have to keep those things going right now,” Vincent said. “I believe offense sells tickets, defense wins games, but rebounds win championships.”

Perhaps the biggest obstacle the team has had to overcome this season has not come from the game on the floor, but the lack of support in the stands. Players and coaches are confused as to why the

Appalachian student body has not shown up in support of the successful season the women’s basketball team continues to have.

“Game time is excitement. We’ve already changed history so many times. Winning the WBI championship would be great,” sophomore forward Cat Williams said. “We are 21-12. That’s more wins than we’ve ever had. So why not come out and support a great program?”

Story: LINDSEY HUNTSINGER, Sports Reporter