Pitt and WVU take a breather
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — One thing is indisputable about staging the NCAA women's tournament in New Mexico: Everyone must play at altitude.
But does the mile-high elevation factor into the games? That's open to debate.
West Virginia's Chakhia Cole insisted Sunday she feels fine heading into the second round. Pittsburgh center Marcedes Walker said she was winded in the opener but has adjusted to the thinner air.
"I practiced a little bit longer today, so I was a little better running up and down the court," Walker said. "First two days, I was tired after two sets up and down the court. Today I was able to get at least four or five."
The second round means a quick turnaround, and it could be complicated by the altitude when Pitt (23-10) plays Baylor (25-6) at 7 p.m. tonight. In the late game at 9:30, it's West Virginia (25-7) against Vanderbilt (24-8).
"The only thing we've said is that we really want to drink a lot of water. But I always say that every time we travel," Pitt coach Agnus Berenato said.
The Pit sits at 5,400 feet above sea level, which can cause visitors — athletes and tourists alike — to feel a little more weary than usual. Typically, the advice is to drink water and get plenty of sleep.
The fatigue factor seems most at play for Pitt, which outlasted Wyoming in a game that wasn't decided until the closing minutes, and for West Virginia, which fought off a fiery New Mexico squad for an emotional 61-60 victory.
Yet not surprisingly, nobody admitted to feeling too gassed.
"It's just a matter of regrouping," said Cole, who hit a game-winning jumper with 17 seconds to go. "We've got to come to practice and focus on Vanderbilt. We'll come together. We'll talk things out and get done what we need to get done."
Berenato took the question about fatigue in the other direction, arguing that it was better for her squad to squeak out a 63-58 win over Wyoming than for Baylor to cruise past Fresno State 88-67.
"I'm really happy my players had to play," she said. "If my team won by 20, they might have thought, 'Oh that was easy.' We just had a great practice. They probably wouldn't have worked as hard."
Balcomb said the altitude hasn't appeared to affect her team, and Berenato minimized its significance.
"We're in a national tournament and these kids are young. They're 20 and 21," Berenato said.
Then again, Mulkey feels otherwise, and she's a veteran visitor.
This season marks the third time since 2004 the Bears have played at The Pit during the NCAA tournament. A few years back, she even had a player faint after a tram ride to 10,378-foot Sandia Crest.
"The altitude does affect you," Mulkey said. "We take more water breaks in Albuquerque than we do in Waco."
That's not to say Mulkey can go to a deep bench to combat fatigue. The Bears have relied on a seven-player rotation for the past two months, and she was more concerned about Pitt's elevation than The Pit's elevation.
"Pittsburgh is big, guys," she said. "Pittsburgh is long on the perimeter, and they're athletic."
