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Kate Benz flashes a smile during the Pacific-10 Conference Women's Basketball Media Day, Oct. 26, at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

Past Entries   • November 1, 2004   • November 17, 2004   • December 7, 2004   • December 27, 2004   • January 20, 2005   • February 1, 2005   • February 22, 2005   • March 10, 2005   • July 19, 2005   • August 29, 2005   • October 4, 2005   • October 21, 2005   • November 14, 2005   • November 21, 2005   • December 6, 2005   • January 6, 2006   • January 23, 2006   • February 22, 2006   • June 30, 2006   • July 27, 2006   • September 5, 2006   • October 24, 2006   • December 14, 2006   • January 22, 2007   • February 16, 2007

During the 2004-05 season, sophomore Kate Benz will chronicle her experiences with the Cougar basketball team. Visit wsucougars.com for future thoughts from Kate throughout the season.

The seconds ran out and the scoreboard was not lying. On the evening of January 27, in front of our most loyal fans, we beat the California Golden Bears by 10 points.

What a relief - we really could do it. It's not that I ever doubted that we could win in the Pac, but once you accumulate a certain amount of losses, it becomes difficult to continue wearing the mask of eternal optimism...that is, until you win.

Being a part of this team is comparable to being an investment banker. We devote so much time in the market of training - practicing year-round and strengthening our bodies with the hopes that our stock will skyrocket in the form of wins.

It is, however, a risky business. The Pac-10's a competitive market, and no one can predict when a particular team will plummet. When you're already at the bottom, there's nowhere to go but up, and as a budding team we really know the ins and outs of climbing this metaphoric corporate latter.

The sweetness of a victory is just the ticket to further success. To throw some more investment lingo out there, I'd say we're really hitting the bull market. No one can truly understand what it is like to be in our position until he or she actually laces up our Nikes. What we have always believed we could do was finally showcased when the buzzer sounded and the confetti rained down in Beasley Coliseum.

It was such an overwhelming feeling to hear and see the fans standing in support of us. I really want to take the time to thank all of you. We have incredible boosters who travel far to see us play, make us signs and T-shirts, bring us goodies, and even welcome us into the airport. We are incredibly lucky to have the continual encouragement of devoted Cougar followers.

We are also fortunate to have loving families and friends who are shoulders to lean on when the going gets tough. I (and I'm sure most of my teammates) would like to throw a special thank you out there to our parents, our undisputed No. 1 fans. I know they hear many complaints, but they're the first ones to give us hugs and encouraging words when we come out of the locker room.

Sometimes a quick reminder about why we play the game is needed. Maybe the simple, silly fact that basketball is like participating in the stock market is just that. Sports are never certain, they're a definite investment, and they have unpredictable outcomes. Nevertheless, the competitive nature grabs us and pulls us in until we're hooked. I love the gamble and excitement that unfolds each time I hit the court, and I know anyone who watches us can easily agree. Thanks fans. Go Cougs!