Team Powerhouse unseated three-time defending champion Anthony Travel Sunday afternoon in the Women's Bookstore Basketball finals.
The two teams met for the second year in a row in the championship game, but this year Powerhouse avenged its 2006 loss by running away with a 21-12 decision in the second half.
"Ever since we've been here, they have been the winners, so it was great to finally beat them," Powerhouse captain Annie Parrett said.
Parrett was named MVP for her play in the final as well as throughout the 84-team tournament.
"We all play pretty even and spread the ball around, but it was cool to have your hard work recognized liked that," Parrett said in regards to her award.
In the end, it was Powerhouse's speed and conditioning that allowed it to pull away in the later parts of the game.
Parrett and her teammates - Danielle Hall, Lauren Hesano, Kristin Hesano and Tess Murray - were able to run the floor, scoring several times before Anthony Travel was even down the court on defense.
Hall created opportunities for her team throughout the entire game by running the baseline consistently.
"I have played ten plus years of Bookstore and [Powerhouse] was probably the best team we ever faced," Anthony captain Jill Bodensteiner said.
Bodensteiner and fellow Notre Dame alumnae Maja Hansen and Sarah Liebscher were joined by Saint Mary's students Ali Bender and Alison Kessler. Kessler was the leading scorer for the Belles varsity team this winter.
Belles freshman Mary Lynn Carlson also filled in during the championship game for Bodensteiner, who severely injured her knee in the semifinals - an injury that will most likely end her decade-long Bookstore career.
However, Bodensteiner was not upset about the way she went out.
"They were such a classy team and had such great teamwork that it wasn't that upsetting to lose them," the 1991 graduate said.
The game was also the last for Powerhouse's Parrett, Hall, and Lauren Hesano, who will be graduating in two weeks. Their careers came to a perfect close by ending Anthony Travel's reign at the top.
"I thought it was an awesome way to end senior year," Parrett said. "So many girls around campus have come up to [us] and thanked us for beating them."
