UWGB fans show excitement and support for the women’s basketball team returning to the NCAA tournament | WBAY

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – The Phoenix returned home to a welcoming party at the Kress Center.

UWGB fans shared their excitement for the team’s return to the NCAA tournament.

After a week-long tournament and a several-hour bus ride home, it’s no surprise the back-to-back champs were excited to see the dozens of supporters waiting for them back at home.

Friends, family, fans, and school administrators cheered on the Phoenix as they entered the Kress Center.

Many exchanged hugs and handed out white roses to players at Tuesday night’s celebration.

The tournament MVP expressed how the community’s support of the team has helped make every game feel like a home game.

“We have a great fan turnout, it’s no secret we’re number one in the horizon league in that way, and I think that’s something that we’re really proud of and we lean back on it a lot. I mean you could hear the crowd today and they were loud and really exciting, it’s no different than some of the crowds we’ve had here at the Kress recently,” Natalie McNeal, senior and tournament MVP said.

Head coach Kayla Karius says she’s giving the team a few days off to recover from a physical tournament.

However, she believes her senior-heavy team will not waste much time before getting back in the gym and getting shots up as they prepare for another NCAA tournament run.