OU Women Get Ready for Final Four

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Maybe seven is truly a lucky number. It's been seven years since the OU women's basketball team made it to the Final Four.

But now they're on their way to St. Louis with their eyes on the prize.

The Sooners were business-like in their last practice before St. Louis. But Final Four excitement was in the air, particularly for those who have waited four years for the chance.

"It's definitely a cool experience to know that you have a shot to go and play for a national championship," Courtney Paris said. "I've been to the Final Four every year. It's great to be going with my team and to be able to compete."

Final Four excitement is on the rack on Campus Corner. Some people couldn't wait to get their shirts.

"We had a lot of people asking around campus lately," Kiley Grybowski with Balfour's of Norman said. "We just got them in today and were unloading them and everything and we had this guy come back there and grab them out of the box, just two already."

Final Four excitement brought out a few dozen fans to see the team off as well.

The Final Four is a new experience for these players, but their coach has been before. What did OU Head Coach Sherri Coale learn in 2002 to prepare her and her team for what lies ahead?

"Well, the most important thing is to savor the moment," Coale said. "It's just really, really hard to get there. You want to make sure you take everything in. You want to make sure that you enjoy and realize how special it is."

Four teams are left. Two games remain. The Sooners plan to be the only one left standing.

The Sooners tip off against the Louisville Cardinals Sunday at 6 p.m on ESPN.