One year ago, they stood at a crossroads.
The quartet could have bid basketball adieu and moved on with their lives. There was, however, the opportunity to continue playing basketball - the game they loved and had played for many years.
Alexis Dixon, Angel Lee, LaMyah Ricks and Jill Stephens separately made the same decision to continue playing for the Kansas Wesleyan women's team for a fifth and final season.
"It was important," coach Ryan Showman said. "On some level they all played a really important role in our success."
They joined four teammates who were entering their season senior years, but did not have a fifth-year option. The presence of eight seniors who have been with the same school for extended periods is a rarity in the emerging world of collegiate free agency.
"Things change, priorities change and goals change," Showman said, "but to get a group of eight seniors is really incredible. That was our strength. It was our leadership; it was our experience."
Their impact was immediate and profound. The Coyotes landed a berth in the NAIA Women's Championship by winning the Kansas Conference's regular season title with an 18-4 record. They play 10th-ranked MidAmerica Nazarene (27-2) in the First Round at 6 p.m. Friday in Olathe.
"We knew in the summertime coming in that this was our chance to make a run," Showman said. "There was that connection and that buy in on what was really important to them. You saw it every day from the preseason on. ... They held everybody together and this team stayed locked in on one goal.
Lee and Dixon were returning to Wesleyan to finish their degrees anyway - Lee in nursing and Dixon a fitness and wellness major.
Ricks and Stephens decisions were a bit more complicated. Each had earned their degrees but had to be accepted into graduate school to continue playing. They succeeded and are in KWU's (Master of Business Administration) program.
"Angel and Alexis still had school to finish so that helped their decision," Showman said. "But I know their choice to come to Kansas Wesleyan when they transferred was tied to being able to play that fifth year.
"LaMyah and Jill didn't have to come back. They could have gone on with their lives, they could have joined their professional fields and started making a name for themselves there. But they wanted to come back to help us win a championship and be part of that team that got us back (to the NAIA tournament)."
LAMYAH RICKS
Ricks is a standout four-year starter at point guard and was a First Team All-KCAC and All-Defensive Team selection this season. She averages a team-best 12.0 points along with 5.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
"All of us deciding to come back was really big for the team and just knowing the potential we had, I knew it'd be a really good year," she said. "We have a very similar team from last year, but this year we put the puzzle pieces together and we played really well together. We trust one another and for sure just refusing to lose."
Ricks said her focus is on the here and now in terms of her playing career.
"I try not to think about it, but it is in the back of my mind a lot of the time," she said. "It's kind of a bittersweet moment but it is winding down for sure."
JILL STEPHENS
Stephens transferred from Independence Community College three years ago and averages 9.7 points and 3.3 rebounds off the bench. She's the team's best 3-point shooter (69 of 154, 44.8 percent) and is shooting an uncanny 92.4 percent from the free throw line (61 of 66).
Stephens, who was named All-KCAC Honorable Mention, has worn a large brace on her right shoulder all season after suffering a dislocation and torn labrum during a preseason practice session.
"I practice with it every day and it's become part of my body, so I feel more comfortable," she said.
Vigorous rehabilitation helped her avoid season-ending surgery but was told by her doctor surgery will be required if she dislocates it again.
"Me and the lady at the front desk had a little bit of a conversation," she said. "She was like 'you can't get in till our first two games were over' and I was like 'I really need it to be this day so I can get released before we play and practice.' "
Fortunately, Stephens prevailed.
ANGEL LEE
Lee is in her third season at KWU after transferring from Moberly Area CC and was a Third Team All-KCAC choice. She's the second-leading scorer with 11.8 points as well as 2.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
Like many Coyotes before her Lee has learned to balance the many demands of nursing school and basketball.
"It's really a time management game," she said. "They can start anywhere from 5:45 in the morning and anywhere at like 4 p.m. and then practice right after. Scheduling is very important as far as making sure tests and games don't collide because you can't miss tests for anything."
Like the other three there was a sense of unfinished business after last season.
"In my head I always want to be a winner, I always want to be on top," she said, "so I was like 'we can do it every year,' even when we ended third or fourth. I thought we could do it always."
As for the difference this season from last year ...
"I think our communication and self-confidence has improved a lot," she said.
ALEXIS DIXON
After three previous stops Dixon was eager to return for a second season at KWU.
"My college career is kind of messy," she said. "Each year I've been to a different school and so I was really tired of transferring. I was like, 'I have to find a home' and when (Showman) came to recruit me he said, 'you're looking for a home' and I was like 'yeah, I really am. I'm kind of tired of moving back and forth every summer every year.'
"It was just nice to come back to a place where I knew everybody and everybody knew me. We are almost like sisters off the court."
Dixon, who wants to be a chiropractor, came to Wesleyan after playing one season at Northeastern State (Okla.), Connors State (Okla.) and Otero (Colo.).
She has been valuable coming off the bench and playing in the post. She averages 2.5 points and 2.9 rebounds but at 6-foot-1 is a physical presence and rim protector inside.