Saturday, May 26: Today was truly special. I have only been in the college softball "world" for 5 years, but I doubt very many Super Regional games have ended the way ours did today with Tennessee.

As we held hands in a giant circle in left field with the Tennessee team after the second game, I knew that this was a moment that embodied our entire season in one final gesture.

Each team member from both teams stood hand in hand, foot against foot, adorned with lei congratulating each other in ways only best friends would. As we bowed our heads as their head coach led us in prayer thanking us for each other and such a well-fought battle, tears were shed in utmost respect for such an amazing tournament. I cannot begin to tell you the amount of class that was shown on that field.

The games were well played today. We were able to capitalize on the first game, outscoring them 9-6 for our 50th win of the season, against the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, an accomplishment none the less.

We were leading 1-0 in the 4th inning of the last game that would determine who would advance to the World Series. They came back fighting and got their bats going and ended up beating us 7-1. As they shook our hands at the end of the game, nothing but respect was shown as we hugged our girls from Hawai'i (who play for Tennessee), wished them all the luck and gave a big high-five to their ace, Monica Abbott, for such a well-pitched game.

This has been the most amazing season I have ever been a part of. The way this team came together and believed in their abilities and the abilities of each other truly brought us to this moment now.

We are leaving a season that has changed our lives. We have been taught humility in the games where we just didn't play our best, we have learned to graciously win knowing that on any given day the same team we beat could come back and beat us. Most importantly, we have learned that losing doesn't always mean you aren't good enough — it just means another road must be taken to get where you want to be.

I am not upset that we lost today, I am overjoyed in the way things ended in such a respectful way that made every single player feel as if they were somebody. We did things that this softball program has never done, and hopefully the University of Tennessee's program will do the same and win a World Series championship.

We have beaten half the teams that are now advancing to the World Series. We, the University of Hawai'i's softball program, have accomplished so much more than ever imagined and we are leaving the south to come back home knowing that we had a great year.

Being away from home has taught us the beauty of where we come from and what state we represent when we play across seas. We love you all so much, and we thank you for supporting us through all of this. Hawai'i is the most amazing place on Earth and we are so happy to call it our home. Thank you to OC16 for airing our games, Chaminade for always playing us and keeping us in shape, and all our fans for your constant love and support. This team is good, but it was great because of all of you.