The Colby women's basketball team certainly has become a major threat within the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) this season. Opening the year with a 12-1 record, the Lady Mules easily shot down their opponents and critics with the best start in the program's history. Having lost a total of only three games so far, the Mules' record stands at 18-3 overall with three games left in the regular season.

Soundly defeating both Vassar College and St. Joseph's College to take first place in Colby's annual home tournament at the start of the season, the Lady Mules proved that their preseason hype was well-deserved. Sophomore Jilian Vaughan earned all-tournament honors and junior Julianne Kowalski garnered the Most Valuable Player award. Using the momentum from those wins, Colby pushed forward to two non-league victories against the University of Maine-Farmington and Maine Maritime Academy.

Suffering their first setback against Bowdoin College in the fifth game of the season, the women nevertheless recovered and drove their way to an eight-game winning streak, easily defeating Bates College and soon after avenging the earlier loss to Bowdoin by an 8-point margin. This winning streak clearly showcased the depth and talent of the Mules.

Later, with two tough matches against the NESCAC teams Tufts University and Amherst College-ranked 16 and second in the nation respectively- the Colby women found themselves outmatched for only the second and third times during the season. Refusing to take such difficult results to heart, however, the Mules rebounded against the University of Southern Maine and Middlebury College. Additionally, a 74-68 overtime win against Williams College cemented the team's status in the league. As sophomore Rachael Mack hit a buzzer-beater at the conclusion of regulation to tie the score and send the game into extra minutes, it was clear that the women's confidence was unparalleled. Handing Williams its first league loss of the season, the Mules had undoubtedly fought hard to earn their victory.

With the last games of the year quickly approaching, Colby prepares to face cross-town rival Thomas College before finishing out the season with important matches at home against Connecticut College and Wesleyan University. As the NESCAC playoffs imminently approach, the Mules will train and buckle down in response to the intense pressure and expectations that necessarily arise at the end of every season. Team captains Julianne Kowalski '11, Alison Cappelloni '10, and Sam Allen '10 anchor the team, while Head Coach Lori McBride and Assistant Coach Christine Clancy guide the Mules to what will hopefully be a successful conclusion to the season. Determined to make a good showing at the NESCAC tournament, the women aim to finish just as strongly as they began.