Roebuck, who has guided the Sioux to 15 straight playoff victories over the past three seasons, plans to go to San Jose, Calif., this week for the women's NCAA Division I Final Four. That's an annual trip for the Sioux coach. But he will meet his wife, Karolyn, and daughter, Cierra, later in the week in Arizona.
Karolyn's mother and Gene's brother live in Arizona, so they plan to spend 10 days there.
What's planned? "We will lay by the pool and golf," Karolyn said.
Roebuck impressed by great fan support
Total tournament attendance was disappointing (9,841 for three days, which compares to 36,466 in Grand Forks in 1997), but the Roebucks were impressed by UND fans who made the trip from all over the country to see the event.
More than 500 Sioux fans attended UND's 80-63 victory against Arkansas Tech in the Elite Eight championship game on Saturday afternoon at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
"We have great fans,"Karolyn said.
Coach Roebuck made it a point to praise Sioux fans at Friday's off-day press conference.
Curley a busy trainer at event
Kevin Curley, UND trainer, had a busy week at the Elite Eight. He spent lots of time with guard Jaime Pudenz, who suffered an ankle injury in Wednesday's quarterfinals, and had to closely care for several others.
Curley was spotted carrying two bags of ice in the stands after Wednesday's victory against Kennesaw State.
"Our trainer, Kevin Curley, deserves a huge award for just staying calm and getting our players back on the floor,"Gene Roebuck said.
Crouse heads all-tournament team
UND senior center Jenny Crouse, the most outstanding player, headed the all-tournament team.
Others were guard Jaime Pudenz and forward Katie Richards of UND, forward Jurgita Kausaite of Emporia State and forward Khelli Mullen of Arkansas Tech.
Winger sets mark
Sioux senior Kami Winger set a tournament record for rebounds. She had 74 rebounds in the five games. The old mark was 62, which was set by Heather Gates (1997, Edinboro).
UND coach Gene Roebuck praised Winger after the game. He said that it's because of players such as her accepting their roles that the Sioux have won three straight national titles. Winger was a part-time starter for the Sioux but became the school's No. 2 all-time rebounder.
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