Unfinished business: Butler Women’s basketball headed back to Lubbock for third straight season
The Butler women's Basketball team is headed back to the NJCAA Div. I Women's National Tournament for the third consecutive year after receiving the At-Large selection Sunday afternoon.
Unfinished business was the theme heading into this season as the Grizzlies, after winning the Region VI Championship a season ago, were unable to attend the NJCAA National Tournament due to COVID-19 and the cancellation of the event. They kept to that theme all season long and finished the year 20-3 overall, 18-2 in KJCCC play and winning their third-straight KJCCC East championship. They lost in the Region VI semifinals to Barton, their first Region VI tournament loss since the 2017-18 season as they have won the last two.
"I just can't wait to get there and play finally," exclaimed Butler sophomore Carissa Beck. "Last year was hard not being able to go and i just want to get down there and play."
The Grizzlies were picked as the No. 12 seed in this year's tournament and will face the No. 21 seeded Otero Junior College Rattlers out of Colorado on Monday, April 19 at 8:00pm from the RIP Griffin Center in Lubbock, TX. The Rattlers went 18-3 overall and 9-1 in conference play.
"I am so excited that this group gets to go to the tournament," said head coach Mike Helmer. "Last year our team did everything right and earned a spot in last year's tournament and couldn't go because of the pandemic and that was tough. So, I am really happy for our team and that they will get the opportunity to compete at the highest stage."
This will be the Grizzlies fourth national tournament appearance, all under head coach Mike Helmer who has coached the to a 2-2 record at Nationals.
2013-14 - Salina, KS:
Butler defeated Southwest Mississippi 69-31, won against Shelton State 51-39 and fell in the quarterfinal round 64-54 to Chipola.
2018-19 - Lubbock, TX:
Butler lost in the opening round to Northwest Florida State 51-50
2019-20 – Lubbock, TX:
Tournament was canceled due to COVID-19
2020-21 – Lubbock, TX:
Will face Otero Junior College on Monday, April 19 at 8:00pm