Watching the Final Four has put a lot of things into perspective for me. I sat here and thought about how amazing it would have been to make it to that level during my career. How cool it would have been to play on that big of stage for a national championship. Even though the Gauchos never made it to the Final Four during my career, I can say that my career was just as memorable and just as valuable as those teams playing in the Final Four. As I look back on my career, I can only smile because being a UCSB women's basketball player these last four years has been amazing.

I sometimes can't believe how quick the years flew by. I remember when I was an absolutely terrified freshman walking into free play wondering if I could do this and if I was good enough. Then, one of my last memories standing in front of the Thunderdome crowd on Senior Night, with tears running down my face, thinking about everything that has happened over the years. I just stood there thinking about all the fun times, all the hard times, all the victories, and all the losses. The big games that we won were so awesome, like the La Tech buzzer beater or the overtime Purdue win at home.

The memories of the games will be the first to fade from my memory, because winning big games is not what it means to be a Gaucho. Gauchos come to practice ready to play everyday, Gauchos are willing to put the team in front of themselves, and a Gaucho just loves to smile. If I look back on my career, even though I did not put up big numbers on the basketball court, I can still say that my experience as a Gaucho is priceless.

Over the years their has been so many things I have learned, so many ways that I have grown up. The heart of our program starts with Coach French and his philosophy. I will never forget the individual meetings with Coach French every week, even though I pretended to dread them, they really helped me become who I am today. I don't know how many times, I've heard this is going to make you a better person in the future or is this what you are going to do when you have kids. Coach French by saying these things, by holding us to higher standards made me a better person and makes my teammates better people.

The fun times are what will stick in my mind forever. The dance parties, the road trips, the snowball fights, and all of the just random memories where all I can remember is laughing. If I had to pick out some of my favorite memories, I have a few that stick out in my mind. A great dance party happened at Jessica Henley's house my junior year that is unforgettable. Everyone just went crazy, we were all dancing for like 2 hours and even Coach French got involved, it was great.

One night this year at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Stockton we had a good time. It was nothing unusual we were just having dinner, but then someone throws out of question like, " Who's most likely to get married first." This of course snowballed and we were definitely throwing out question for the next couple hours. This sounds like nothing, but you could tell how much we cared about each other, how much we respect each other, and how much fun we have together. One of the last memories I will have is my senior year banquet. I will never forget seeing everyone stand for both Jess and I after our names were said it was an amazing feeling. During the slide show grabbing Jess's hand, with tears running down our faces, thinking of how great our time has been here. These are just a few memories, I could definitely go on for a while, but I will spare you all.

Well, that is going to be it for me. I also wanted to say thank you. Thank you to all the fans, who have touched my life more than you, will ever know. Thank you to my coaches, who have made me grow up and be a better person. Last but not least, thank you to all my teammates throughout the years. You all have made me smile, you all have changed my life and I will never forget you. I started out this piece thinking about the Final Four and one thing I can say is somewhere in the near future going to the Final Four will be reality for the Gauchos. It may change their on-court experience a little, but I know in the end Final Four or not, we will all be better people for coming to UCSB. So, that is my last piece of writing as a Gaucho, I hope you all enjoy it. Bye!!