Season a success despite disappointing end

On one hand, the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens have qualified for the NAIA National Tournament the past four years under head coach Alesha Robertson-Ellis.
 
On the other hand, the Flying Queens have not experienced any success at nationals during that time, and it's really starting to get to Robertson-Ellis.
 
"I'm getting tired of going and not doing anything at nationals," she said.
 
The latest trip to the NAIA Championships for the Flying Queens saw them fall to Bethel, Tenn., 70-57, bringing to a close 15th-ranked Wayland's season with a 25-7 record. The 25 victories matched last year's total, which was the most for the program since 1998-99.
 
"Overall I think the season was successful. Any time we give ourselves a chance to win it all, I feel like that's a success. Plus any kind of experience you get at the national tournament always gives you a head start for the next season," Robertson-Ellis said.
 
"Our main goal has been to win a national championship, and we haven't accomplished that yet. Still, the first thing you have to do is get there, and we've done that."
 
It's a bit bittersweet that Sooner Athletic Conference rival Oklahoma City University claimed the national title. The positive result from OCU's crown is that it sheds a favorable light on the Flying Queens and the fact that they were one of just two teams to defeat the Stars during their 34-2 campaign.
 
"I think it's good for our league, plus we got a win over them, which says a lot for us. That's something you can tell your kids, that when we play like we're capable you can compete with the best in the nation."
 
While the Flying Queens were trying to end their run of disappointments at nationals in Billings, Mont., Robertson-Ellis stayed behind in Plainview, encouraged by her doctors not to make such a lengthy trip because of her late-term pregnancy. She watched the live stream and communicated with the coaches throughout the game.
 
"I think it was good for me to watch it from a different perspective," she said. "Coach (Melynn) Hunt and this staff did an excellent job. We just have to learn how to face adversity, like when our shots aren't falling.
 
"I thought we could have executed a little bit better," Robertson-Ellis added. "You cannot go to that tournament and not be disciplined and make mistakes. You have to play for 40 minutes; it can't be 39 or you lose."
 
That was an issue at other times during the season, too.
 
"A lot of games I felt like we played well for three quarters, but one quarter we would let down. In order to compete at the national tournament you have to compete all four quarters."
 
Part of the reason for that may be attributed to having such a young roster. The Flying Queens carried five freshmen, two of whom started.
 
"I feel like this group did about as good as any group could do, but it's still tough. As a freshman you have to realize the season is a lot longer (than in high school). And you can't take a day off or you lose. That's mentally draining for some freshmen, but I feel like they are mentally tough and they're wanting that challenge."
 
Looking ahead to next season, the Flying Queens certainly will miss four-year letterwinners Shawna and Shayla Monreal, as well as this year's other senior, Jade Jones. Shawna Monreal and Jones, the team's top scorer (13.8 ppg) and rebounder (8.5 rpg), were named NAIA Honorable Mention All-Americans, while Shayla was honorable mention all-conference.
 
The rest of the team is eligible to return, including all-conference honorable mention post Deborah VanDijk (10.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and fellow freshman point guard Morgan Bennett, who logged more minutes (27.7 mpg) than any Flying Queen this season. Also due back are sophomore Maci Merket, the team's second-leading scorer (11.8 ppg) behind Jones, and junior post Nina Sato (5.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg), along with freshman Kendrick Clark (7.1 ppg), whom Robertson-Ellis believes has a very bright future.
 
"I'm really excited about the group that's coming back. I think we have a good group," the coach said. "The big core coming back knows what to expect in the SAC and in the national tournament, so you hope that gives you an advantage. We're looking for that team that can give you 40 minutes every game."
 
The Flying Queens figure to sign a number of new players for their 2017-18 squad, and already on the roster is Jolie Donaldson, a guard from Whitewright.
 
Robertson-Ellis said OCU again will have a solid team, although National Player of the Year Daniela Wallen was a senior.
 
"OCU will always be tough, and John Brown (which finished third in the SAC) is returning most of theirs," she said. "The league is getting more competitive. Next year we'll be one of the youngest teams as far as playing time goes.
 
"We've got to see what we need to work on and start doing that from this day on. We're good where we're at, but we're not when we get to the national tournament.
 
"That," Robertson-Ellis concluded, "has to change."