Columbia women's basketball returns to NCAA Tournament

The Columbia women's basketball team is set to compete in the NCAA Tournament once again, one year after their historic first bid. The team, led by coach Megan Griffith, is aiming for their first tournament win. They will face Washington in a play-in game tonight. On Tuesday, the Lions held their last practice before flying from New York to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The team received significant media attention, although their sendoff was quieter due to spring break and ongoing protests on campus. The players were excited to fly on a charter for the second time in their history. Upon arriving in Chapel Hill, the team checked into their hotel and had some downtime before preparing for their upcoming game. They were greeted with March Madness decorations. During a practice session the next day, the players enjoyed new gear and snacks provided for them. The team also took extra time to practice in a nearby facility, where they made the most of their brief session on the famous court of the North Carolina men's basketball team. Later, they had to improvise a practice space in their hotel for team drills. While preparing for their game, the Lions took a moment to support Princeton, another Ivy League team, during their NCAA match. Although Princeton lost, the Columbia team remains focused. As game day approaches, the players are calm and ready. Leading scorer Riley Weiss feels prepared and excited. The Lions are eager to make this moment count.