SPECIAL REPORT: The rise of the Lady Matadors
News 11's Rob Fram chronicles AWC Women's basketball in the programs run for the NJCAA Tournament
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Arizona Western College Women's basketball recently finished one of it's greatest seasons in program history, with a deep run in the National Junior College Athletics Association Tournament.
In the 23 year existence of the program, the Lady Matadors had only clinched one appearance in the national tournament.
But little did most of us imagine, the Lady Mats would rise again.
For the 1st time in 2 decades, AWC would rise to national prominence.
Beyond their late season surge in the COVID condensed campaign of 2021, that momentum would build into something much greater.
“First game we played, it was like wow, like this could be really special.”
Teresa Da Silva - Lady Matadors Sophomore Guard
In addition to an already talented and seasoned nucleus of players, like Sophomores Teresa Da Silva and Christeina Bryan; 1st Team NJCAA All-American Alliance Ndiba would give AWC one of the most dominant front courts in the nation.
Starting the season unranked, the Lady Matadors rolled through their 1st four non-conference opponents.
But, adversity started setting in with their unexpected conference opening loss to Pima.
“That was the slap in the face that I think got us reenergized and refocused and, you know, propelled us to that long winning winning streak.”
Patrick Cunningham - Former AWC Women's Head Basketball Coach
The setback inspired the Lady Mats to go on their historic run of 24 consecutive victories, even while losing Alliance Ndiba for much of the season to a partial ACL tear.
The win streak catapulted AWC into the national rankings and to the Region 1 Final, where they knocked off Eastern Arizona to advance to the NJCAA Tournament for the 1st time in 2 decades.
Clinching a 1st round bye, the Lady Mats capitalized, defeating South Georgia Tech to advance to the national quarterfinals.
Even though AWC's ambition of winning it all fell short in the Elite 8, the journey to Lubbock would put the program back in the national spotlight.
For longtime Head Coach Patrick Cunningham, the epic run would be his last.
Retiring after the team's final game, his legacy cements the positive future of the program he built.
