For Wasington U., a trip to the Final Four seems like old times. Except it's not. This is a new experience for everyone involved, aside from coach Nancy Fahey. After all, while the Bears were busy dominating Division III from 1997-2001, this year's Wash U seniors were sophomores in high school.

Gordon Mann describes the exuberant aftermath of the Bears' win against Puget Sound, as well as the unusual road that got them there, in a Road to Springfield feature.

Focus is key, whether on the basketball court or the tennis court. So when Liz Bondi goes through drills, reflexes are important. Though the size of the ball may change between Bondi's two sports, the two-time SCAC player of the year knows reaction time is key.

Bondi is one of what some coaches describe a "new-age" Division III basketball player. In this case, she's a national runner-up in tennis as well as the leading scorer for Final Four-bound DePauw. She came to DePauw, left the school for a year, but returned and has made the most of it over the past three seasons.

The full story, in a Road to Springfield feature.

D3hoops.com will feature all eight teams this week in the days prior to the national semifinals, including Monday's podcast with Amherst coach Dave Hixon.