LA JOLLA, Calif. – After Saturday's career-ending loss to Alaska Anchorage, head coach Steve Steele went around the locker room and had each senior share their thoughts on their career.

A tearful Carly Parker explained how she almost quit basketball after her freshman year, which was rough for all five seniors.

"One specific game (then coach Ryan Bragdon) told me, 'Oh, I forgot about you,'" Parker said. "At that moment I was like, 'Why do I play? What is the purpose of me being away from home and going through all the hard trials being the first year in college.'

"But I told myself I wasn't a quitter and I was going to come back for my sophomore year and I'm glad I did to say the least."

NNU lost 69-67 to Anchorage in the second round of the NCAA Division II tournament at UC San Diego.

Parker along with Ellie Logan, Danielle Jardine, Raquel Jardine and McKenna Walker have all been the rocks of a program that has gone 51-8 the last two seasons, won a regular-season GNAC title, a GNAC tournament title, just the second NCAA tournament victory and made the NCAA tournament twice.

"I don't know if there are really any words to sum it up," Logan said. "One of the reasons I came to NNU is because I wanted to be a part of a rebuilding program. It didn't happen the way I thought it would, but it is cool to look back on it now to see where the team is and see where we came from.

"The seniors last year and the seniors this year, to see everyone stick it out, it's not something I was ever expecting but it's something I really appreciate looking back."

As freshmen, this group of Nighthawks played for Bragdon who was eventually let go halfway through the season. Brian Holsinger was hired in the offseason prior to their sophomore year, but he resigned after a few months to take a job at Oregon State.

Steve Steele was then brought in from Seattle Pacific.

"I give all the props to coach Steele for coming in," Danielle Jardine said. "He changed our culture to always loving each other and that's what's been going on the last three years and I'm thankful for that.

"I'm thankful for coaching coming in at the right time. We weren't sure if any of us were coming back, but we are just thankful for him coming in and changing this program for everyone."

All five seniors contributed Saturday night as Danielle Jardine had 12 points, Logan 10, Raquel Jardine seven points and four rebounds, Walker had six points and five rebounds and Parker played her stellar defense like always.

"I think it's hard to look at it right now, especially after losing, but looking back it's been unreal," Walker said. "The history that we have done here in just the last three years, especially from where we came freshman year. It feels like we left a legacy."

While the Nighthawks are proud of their legacy on the court, they are also proud with the impact the program has had off the court.

"They're just amazing individuals," Raquel Jardine said. "We stuck it out from freshman year. Our bond will never be broken. We've been through hell, but I wouldn't want to be with any other seniors right now."