'We made history today': Arizona Wildcats react to winning WNIT championship

UA takes down Northwestern to claim WNIT championship

For the first time since 1996, the Arizona women's basketball team cut down the nets after winning the WNIT championship. In front of a sellout crowd of 14,644 at McKale Center — a program and Pac-12 record — the Wildcats cruised by Northwestern 56-42 on Saturday. 

UA sophomore guard Aari McDonald finished the afternoon with 19 points and seven rebounds to be named the tournament MVP and to the all-WNIT team.

Arizona finished 6-24 last season, improving to 24-13 this season after six wins in the WNIT to account for the largest turnaround in program history.

All five starters in McDonald, Cate Reese, Sam Thomas, Tee Tee Starks and Dominique McBryde are set to return to UA next season. Head coach Adia Barnes and her starting lineup spoke during the postgame press conference and sported the WNIT championship t-shirts, here's what they had to say. 

Arizona's celebration

Adia Barnes cut down the nets in the 1996 #WNIT championship as a player. Barnes gets to do it again as a head coach for the Wildcats. ✂️ 🏆 pic.twitter.com/VGLayGJztQ

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019

Cats hoist the hardware after winning the #WNIT championship. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/p1fRa2GsKS

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019

#WNIT champs. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/MGd2Tk9zAq

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019

Ball game! Arizona women’s basketball wins the WNIT championship for the first time since 1996! pic.twitter.com/PbvTOcGHYy

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019

Arizona's 'magical run'

Adia Barnes after winning the WNIT championship in front of a sellout crowd at McKale Center: “It was amazing. It was magical. We made history today.” pic.twitter.com/QTBVMjciKU

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019

McDonald, the MVP

Arizona guard Aari McDonald on receiving #WNIT MVP honors: pic.twitter.com/piwqnAwPbw

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019

Returning all five starters

Adia Barnes on having all five starters return for next season: pic.twitter.com/RBf8h3jyfI

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019

Expectations have been set for 2019-20

Adia Barnes says Arizona’s expectations for next season is to receive a bid for the NCAA Tournament. #WNIT pic.twitter.com/boVUyKaT3D

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019

Stark's big decision was an easy one

Tee Tee Starks says returning to Arizona for next season “wasn’t a hard decision.” pic.twitter.com/1zV6UAPJzE

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019

Competitive Cate

Where does Cate Reese get her competitive drive? Reese: pic.twitter.com/p9w6IHNtZj

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019

Locking down in third quarter

Sam Thomas on Arizona cleaning up in the second half: pic.twitter.com/fb8IZW9cmg

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019

Cats looking forward to summer

Aari McDonald and the Wildcats are eager to return to the gym over the summer and prepare for next season. “We can build something special.” pic.twitter.com/EkU61UU86B

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019

Arizona's core became leaders this season

Adia Barnes says Arizona’s returning cast for next season has matured and become leaders. “Every single one of them has taken a big step towards better leadership.” pic.twitter.com/Dgeprwi9FJ

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019

Players on Adia Barnes' coaching style

Tee Tee Starks, Aari McDonald and Cate Reese on what makes Adia Barnes a special coach: pic.twitter.com/GQav4Bodek

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019

UA legends rally behind team

Aari McDonald and Cate Reese on the support videos from UA community leading up to #WNIT championship: pic.twitter.com/jv11sJ7B6f

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019

Using the sold out McKale Center as a recruiting tool

Adia Barnes says today’s sellout crowd at McKale Center builds momentum for recruiting. “How many places in the country for women’s basketball have 15,000 fans? ... This helps. Recruits are watching.” pic.twitter.com/2yNZf3qsEK

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) April 6, 2019