After winning the 2021 NCCAA DII National Championship, the senior two-headed monster of Nay Manning and Destiny Gonzalez both decided to take their COVID year to run it back. At the 2021 national tournament, Nay Manning was named tournament Most Outstanding Player, Destiny Gonzalez was named to the All-Tournament team. This time around, Southwest Region’s Most Valued Player Destiny Gonzalez & 1st Team All Region Nay Manning are looking to defend their National Champs title, just shortly after starting the program in season 2019-20 with DeAnthony Ellison.

This season, Coach DeAnthony Ellison assisted by Coach Amalia Harris have added to this season’s roster with transfers and hidden gems in hopes to defend their title and not only win a third championship in a row, but win the NCCAA DII Championship back to back. Some of the big time transfers are: Elisa Gonzalez from Bacone College, Alysia Pickett from Ecclesia College, Rebecca Farmer and Aaliyiah Clark, both from Arlington Baptist and finally, second semester incomer, Imani Honey from National Park College to add on the Two-Headed Beast of Nay Manning and Destiny Gonzalez and a few NCCAA DII National Champ returners. 

Though it may seem the Lady Tigers have a promising and undeniable chance of winning the approaching 2021-22 NCCAA DII National Championship, the Lady Tigers know they have to give everything they have to win. After playing two competitive tournaments back to back and bringing home both regional and ACCA championships, the Lady Tigers have been hit by the injury bug during the prior two tournaments and the regular season.

2021 NCCAA DII player of the year Aaliyiah Clark and 2021 NCCAA D1 All National Tournament player Alysia Pickett both have missed considerable time. Starters Elisa Gonzalez, Sckiya Banister have also missed considerable time. Entering the 2022 NCCAA DII National Tournament, Destiny Gonzalez, Nay Manning, and Imani Honey, are all with new pressing injuries. This final week of competition, the Lady Tigers hope to shake this Stinging Injury Bug off and will keep pressing forward and clawing their ultimate goal starting this Wednesday, March 9th against first round match up, Bob Jones.

Good Luck Lady Tigers and Bring Home that Banner!