OGDEN -- It's time for one last dance around the hardwood floor.
On Saturday night, the curtain comes down on the 2009-10 season for the Weber State University women's basketball team, and with it the final serenade of basketball for the Wildcats' three seniors.
"Our three seniors have been such great examples as student-athletes and representatives of Weber State University," WSU coach Carla Taylor said. "These three players have been important ambassadors for our program and our school."
The guard-line trio of Tonya Schnibbe, Sarah Conner and Ali Thorderson will take to the Dee Events Center court at 8 p.m. on Saturday night against Sacramento State.
"I will definitely miss the team the most," Schnibbe said. "I've been on a team for all of my life, so not having that any more is going to be so weird for me. The camaraderie that you have being on a team is something that cannot be replaced."
Heading into her career finale, Schnibbe is Weber State's career assists leader, breaking a mark that stood for more than two decades. She's both first and second on the Wildcats' single-season assists records charts, leading the Big Sky Conference with an average of 6.6 per game this season.
She's also fifth on the Big Sky's career list.
"There isn't just one highlight, as far as actually playing, that I can pick out from my four years," Schnibbe said. "Beating Utah and Washington last year, and BYU twice throughout my years were awesome games to play in, and the assists record was a highlight. Overall, meeting and making the friends that I have here is the biggest highlight that I could possibly think of."
Thorderson is one of the top 3-point shooters in school history, and is currently tied for sixth in career 3-pointers made. She was a member of the 2008 and 2009 Big Sky All-Academic teams.
"Ali's work ethic and her long-range 3-point scoring will be her lasting trademark," Taylor said. "That's what we will always remember her by."
Conner, who transferred in as a junior last season, was the 2008-09 Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year. She's averaged 10.1 points per game and played in all 56 games, starting 38, of her career with Weber State. She is also one of the team's top defenders.
"Competitor would be the word that best describes Sarah," Taylor said. "She plays the game with great passion, and epitomizes the competitive mindset you want in a basketball player. We're going to miss these seniors. This group has been part of some great wins for our university."
While those wins didn't come as easily or often as the team would've liked, Schnibbe says she wouldn't trade it for anything.
"Even though my time at Weber State hasn't been as the most successful (as far as winning), I wouldn't take any of it back," Schnibbe said. "I have learned so much from being here and I've improved so much as a player and a person.
"I have met friends that I will have for the rest of my life and I've had so much support from our fans. I've had four of the best years of my life here at Weber, and this program, coaching staff, and all my teammates are to thank for that."
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