Before every game, the Colorado College women's basketball team has a "manifestation" session in the locker room where each player voices goals for that night.
It started as a joke but has become a fun tradition. A tradition that should never die after this season.
This is because the team's manifesting has led it to achieving a goal they've been chasing for more than three decades - making it to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
No. 21 CC was selected for the tournament Monday for the second time in program history and the first time since 1990.
"It's still very surreal," coach Katherine Aguste said. "We've been working for this and now that it's here not one person is satisfied. We are thrilled to be here, we are appreciative; but at the same time we want to win and represent Colorado College on a national stage and that's what we intend to do. We are loving the ride."
The Tigers will play the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (16-11) in the first round Friday at 3:30 p.m. MT in Whitewater, Wis.
Colorado College (23-3) is in the midst of its winningest season in program history.
CCs exceptional season made it confident going into Selection Monday, a team affair that included Rudy's Bar-B-Q and good vibes.
"We had a good feeling we would be called," senior Zoe Tomlinson said. "The anticipation was who we were playing. Getting our names called was exciting for everyone and motivated us through this week's practice."
The Tigers have won 20 or more games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1981. They were a perfect 13-0 at Reid Arena.
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Tomlinson said the support at home has been exceptional this season, but that the fanbase travels well, too. Whereas the entire roster in 1990 was from Colorado except one, this year has players from nine different states.
"It's a great academic school and coach [Auguste] is a great recruiter," Tomlinson, who is from New York, said. "She cares about us as people before players."
Tomlinson has been a stud for the Tigers the last four years, and was named the conference Player of the Year for the second consecutive year as well as Defensive Player of the Year. She was one of five Tigers to receive all-conference recognition this season.
"I think about team success more than personal success," Tomlinson said. "I wouldn't be able to do it without my team. It's been fun to succeed with them."
With just a 13-person roster, the team's chemistry on and off the court has played a large part in their success.
"We hold ourselves and each other accountable," Tomlinson said. "We are also a smaller team so there is no room for people to slack off so everyone has bought in every day."
"The highlight of the season has been seeing how much they love each other and have fun with each other," Auguste said. "Every day I walk into the gym I feel lucky to be around such amazing people who work hard and represent Colorado College so well. The results are a bonus."
With a win Friday, the Tigers would play the winner of the UW-Whitewater and Principia College matchup Saturday at 6 p.m. MT.
Auguste has coached the women's team since 2016, making their tournament run a long time coming. She is happy to see her players, especially the seniors, be able to experience this moment, and even more excited for the future of the program.
"We are lucky because every time we take that next step up it becomes the standard," Auguste said. "We are really confident in our ability and the greatest gift of the team is how they stay humble. We have an underdog approach but the reality is we aren't coming in as underdogs. We are going to play like the underdog but know we are good enough."