SALINA, Kan. — The Trinity Valley Community College Lady Cardinals are serious about this national tournament business.
The Lady Cards (28-5) arrived here Sunday afternoon and soon after went through the first of three workouts in advance of their first-round tournament opener Tuesday night at 8:15 p.m. against Walters State (25-2).
TVCC Interim Head Coach Elena Lovato and assistant coach Andre Bell then worked the team out Monday morning at South Salina High School. They snuck in one more rigid workout during their allotted 30 minutes on the floor at the Bicentennial Center, where the 16-team tournament will be held throughout this week.
"We had three real intense workouts before we headed to Kansas, so we thought we'd get them off the bus and get them a little 30-minute to 45-minute cardio shooting workout," Lovato said. "Last night we came out with a fast pace. They're just real happy to be here, and they went real hard for us.
"This morning we talked to them about staying real focused and we worked on some of the stuff we know Walters State is going to do. ... I think we're just real ready to play. I'm ready to play. I wish the game was tonight."
Lovato said the team continues to grow closer with each passing day -- a trait she feels will only help the team as it chases the school's sixth national championship.
"They're having fun," she said. "I think they're chemisty is just right right now. We're excited about tomorrow night."
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The Trinity Valley Community College Lady Cardinals go through their final shootaround Monday afternoon before beginning the NJCAA Women's National Tournament Tuesday at the Bicentennial Center in Salina, Kan. TVCC (28-5) faces Walters State (25-2) in the first round Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. Jayson Larson/Athens Review
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