SOUTH BEND — With Michigan’s season ending in difficult fashion at Notre Dame in the round of 32 on Sunday, the Wolverines were able to reflect on the state of the program.
After just four players returned from last year’s roster and starting three freshmen, Michigan didn’t know what to expect. They were predicted to finish in the conference’s bottom half, and many outlets didn’t think the Wolverines were NCAA Tournament material. But as the season went on and that starting core got more experience with each other, Michigan surpassed expectations, finishing fifth in the Big Ten and earning a six seed in March Madness.
Despite the loss, the Wolverines know there is a lot to learn and grow from this past season.
SENIORS SAY GOODBYE
Senior guard Greta Kampschroeder came to Michigan looking for a new challenge. After being an All-American out of high school and starting 25 games of her freshman year at Oregon State, Kampschroeder took on a more limited role for the Wolverines, only earning a starting spot in her senior season. But what she did individually wasn’t important to Kampschroeder; for her, it was always about what was best for the team.
“Greta, who came to see me and said, ‘Coach, I don’t care what you need me to do. I will do anything I can to help this team be successful.’ ” Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico said postgame Sunday. “Okay, Greta, you’re gonna have to guard Audi Crooks. ‘Okay, coach.’ You’re gonna have to guard (Lauren) Betts. ‘Okay, coach.’ And she’s done that every single game this year and helped us.
“When you have two selfless people like they are as seniors inside your program, anything is achievable. And we saw that this year on a year where we didn’t know what things were going to look like. They’re forever Michigan women, and they both hold a really special place in my heart.”
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