Baldwin Wallace University’s women’s basketball team won their conference championship, is currently in the midst of a school-record 26-game winning streak and is ranked by the NCAA as the fourth-best team in the nation…but they are not satisfied yet. 

Last Saturday, BW defeated Ohio Northern University to win the Ohio Athletic Conference [OAC] Championship, and in doing so, earned an automatic bid in the Division III NCAA Tournament.  

This Friday, the Yellow Jackets begin their road to the NCAA Championship with a First-Round matchup at home against La Roche [PA].  

Head Coach Cheri Harrer has made it to the quarterfinals, often referred to as the “Elite 8,” three times in her 35 years at BW, but none of the team’s current players have ever made it past the third round, often called the “Sweet 16.”  

“It feels kind of unreal, but honestly, we’re not satisfied with [our ranking] right now,” Caely Ressler, senior OAC Tournament MVP and All-OAC First Team selection, said. “We want to keep getting better every day, and we want to make as deep of a run in the tournament as we can because all in all, ranking is just a number.” 

“We’re all going to leave it out on the court, because we all want to make sure that we leave a mark on this program and that we achieve what we want to achieve,” senior All-OAC Second Team selection Emily Irwin said.  

What sets this team apart from the others is their strong team culture and dedicated commitment to one another, fueled by their purpose statement: “Whatever it takes for each other.” 

“We have a really strong bond on the court and have a really high work ethic, but off the court, our relationships are just as strong,” Ressler said.  

“All the past teams, we’ve all been connected, but I think that this team this year is even more connected,” Irwin said. “We’re all here for a reason.” 

“Our players have done a tremendous job in creating an outstanding culture, and the real credit goes to them,” Harrer said. “We can give them the blueprint, but it’s up to them to carry it out, and their connectedness and their mentality, their work ethic have been outstanding.” 

Another crucial aspect of this team is their combination of strong senior leadership and the contributions from younger players.  

Harrer said that Caely and Emily are lead-by-example type of players who are more quiet leaders, but “when they do speak, people pay attention, because they don’t do it all the time.” 

“I show my leadership through working hard every single day, making those connections with people, and just making sure that everyone feels [at] home on this team…feels like it’s a family,” Irwin said. 

Senior Bella Vaillant’s leadership style is more outspoken, while seniors Alek Johnson and Sadie Arend are “great teammates, and it sets a huge example for the rest of the team in what’s required to have a winning program,” Harrer said.  

The team also has incredible talent in its younger players, with Kayla Jones, Laura McCoy, Maddie Ebbert and Ava Wilkerson making up what WBWC sports commentator Josh Minier calls the “superior sophomores.” 

“They give just as much effort as the starters, if not more,” Minier said. 

In fact, Harrer said that the team’s sophomore play has been “the difference” between this season and last season. 

“Those sophomores becoming better and stepping up into those roles and being…extremely consistent…has made the entire difference in our success,” Harrer said.  

She also said that junior Brooke Thompson has improved immensely and has been “huge” for the team. 

“They are awesome people, and they work hard every single day, and they push each other so hard,” Irwin said. “I think that if they didn’t do that, we would not have the success that we do.” 

Ressler said she thinks “superior sophomores” is a “really good way to put it,” and that their hard work has really paid off not only for them, but for the whole team’s success. 

“We have a lot of really good players up and down the lineup, and that allows us to practice at a different pace than anyone in the country and run out players at an insane level in games, just to wear teams down,” Ressler said. 

The team’s unique bond with one another and their excellent top-to-bottom play, combined with their top ten national ranks in both three-point defense and rebounding margin, makes this team a force to be reckoned with heading into the NCAA Tournament.  

While nerves are common in big games, Ressler said she always tells her team that “this is the best time of the year.” 

“You’re playing for your life. You’re playing to keep together one more day. So, find some fun in that,” Ressler said. 

Regardless of how the NCAA Tournament goes for the Jackets, one thing is for certain: this team will leave a lasting impact on the school, the community, and the future of BW basketball. 

“Regardless of how they finish up, to be one of our best teams ever is a real legacy to leave,” Harrer said. “They’ve set a great example for our younger kids moving forward as well.” 

“You’ve seen coach Harrer’s success, you’ve seen the success of the program through the years. We’re just thankful to be a little part of the great history that is BW basketball,” Ressler said. “Hopefully, [we] encourage success in the future and just make our community and our school proud.”