It certainly wasn't the easy way for the Commodores to win their sixth Southeastern Conference Tournament championship, but it was their way. After struggling away from Memorial Gym during the regular season and playing without sophomore forward Hannah Tuomi, the team's best rebounder and second leading scorer, the Commodores still ensured that their streak of nine consecutive appearances in the NCAA women's basketball tournament would remain intact.
Factor in that the Commodores faced three of the SEC's top teams in seventh-seeded Georgia, third-seeded LSU and regular season champion Auburn on their way to this year's SEC Championship, coach Melanie Balcomb's third since coming to Nashville in 2002, and the triumph becomes even more impressive. This was the second time Vanderbilt defeated Auburn in 2009. Two of Auburn's three total losses this season came at the hands of the Commodores; the Tigers went 29-1 against everyone else they played this season.
Vanderbilt also benefited from outstanding performances from their upperclassmen. Senior Christina Wirth led the Commodores in scoring in each of their three games as she earned tournament MVP honors. Fellow senior Jennifer Risper also contributed mightily in Vanderbilt's run to the title, scoring 12 points and playing 38 minutes in the final on her way to being named to the All-Tournament team.
Junior Merideth Marsh continued her long-range assault on SEC foes, including a dagger in the second half of the championship game against Auburn after the Tigers had trimmed the Vanderbilt lead to three. Both Wirth and Marsh played in every minute of the tournament for the Commodores.
While Vanderbilt certainly possesses enough offensive firepower to hang with any team in the league, it was their defense that set them apart and allowed them to cut down the nets in Little Rock. Named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Risper proved deserving of the honors as she shut down SEC Player of the Year DeWanna Bonner of Auburn, holding the 6 foot 4 inch guard to just nine points in the championship game, far below her season average.
Perhaps the most impressive part of this year's tournament title is that it marks the third time Vanderbilt has brought home SEC hardware since 2004. Balcomb inherited a healthy program when she arrived, but the strides that have been made in terms of SEC titles and NCAA tournament runs are staggering. Only Tennessee has won more SEC Tournament games and championships than the Commodores, who now post a record of 40-24 in SEC Tournament games and own six Tournament championship trophies.
With all these things considered it becomes readily apparent that this team is willing and able to make some noise in the NCAA tournament beginning March 21. Vanderbilt is peaking at an ideal time and would have to be considered "en fuego" as they prepare for the Big Dance.
