UCLA Dominates for First NCAA Women’s Basketball Title

UCLA Clinches First NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship in Dominant Fashion

The UCLA Bruins have captured their first-ever NCAA National Championship, ending a long wait since 1978 by reaching the pinnacle of women’s college basketball. Led by a core of six seniors, the Bruins capped off an incredible season with a resounding 79-51 victory in the championship game. Their journey was marked by a single loss back in November to Texas, a defeat they avenged with a powerful performance in the Final Four and a truly epic showing in the title game.

A Season of Strength and Character

UCLA’s path to the championship was a testament to their resilience and character. They navigated the season with just one blemish on their record, showing a consistent ability to bounce back. Coach Cori Close emphasized the team’s core values, stating, “All year we’ve been saying the talent is our floor, but our character will determine our ceiling.” This belief proved true as the Bruins’ character shone through in their dominant championship performance.

“It’s immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine. It’s just IT’S BEYOND MY WILDEST DREAMS.” Coach Cori Close spoke with emotion about the victory. “But it’s meaningful because of the people I’ve gotten to share it with. It’s all about uh the heart. And uh IT WOULD BE SHALLOW WITHOUT AN AMAZING village and incredible people that have poured into me my whole life.”

A Clinic in Championship Play

The Bruins put on a clinic, leaving no doubt about their status as champions. Every player who stepped onto the court made a significant impact. “These players showed up today and absolutely put on a clinic,” Close observed, highlighting their focus and attention to detail. This unwavering focus allowed them to control the game from start to finish, overwhelming their opponents with a masterful display of skill and teamwork.

Coach Close’s Vision Comes to Fruition

Coach Cori Close, who has been at UCLA for 15 years, has stayed true to her unique coaching style. She described her journey as a calling, stating, “It was uh it was a calling. It was the calling that God told me to do it this way.” She and her team committed to doing things their own way, an “uncommon transformational way.” Following the advice of Coach Wooden to coach as you are wired, Close’s dedication has now led to the ultimate reward: a national championship.

Hakez’s Dream Realized

Senior Gabriella Hakez, a key player throughout the season, saw her childhood dreams come true on the championship stage. Goals she wrote down as a kid included earning a scholarship and winning a championship. “That was definitely a goal. Definitely wrote that one down, too,” Hakez shared, beaming with pride. “I knew we were going to do it. Coming to UCLA. We all set out for a goal and I imagined this moment. I imagined it so many times and I’m just so so proud.” The confetti, the celebration, her family in the stands – it all meant everything.

“My mom was balling before the game started at the send off. And I was like, ‘Mom, ME TOO, BUT NOT YET.’ LIKE, I CAN’T CRY YET. UM, it’s just been so emotional. This being my last time I wear this uniform is making me really emotional, too. But to finish like this means everything.” Gabriella Hakez reflected on the emotional journey.

A Legacy Secured

Hakez also leaves UCLA as the winningest player to ever wear the uniform, a remarkable achievement capping off an already legendary career. “I’m just so happy. I’m just so proud of this group. I mean, this is what we wanted to do. This was the plan and I we accomplished it,” she said. The team had been preparing for this moment since their first practice on September 25th. “The mind is so powerful. We’ve been prepping for this since September 25th. That was when our first practice was. And for a long time, we set out for this. And I’m just so so proud.” This championship is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and a shared vision.

Looking Ahead

For UCLA, this title marks a new era of success in women’s basketball. The program has proven it can reach the absolute summit. For the departing seniors like Hakez, it’s a perfect storybook ending to their collegiate careers. While Dawn Staley and her team deserved credit for their third straight trip to the championship, UCLA’s historically dominant performance has firmly placed them on top of the college basketball world.

Source: UCLA celebrates their first NCAA women’s basketball title | ESPN College Basketball (YouTube)