Feb. 23, 2017
By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com
Nashville, Tenn. – They cried. They hugged. They won.
For Minta Spears and Marqu’es Webb, could they have asked for a better Senior Day?
On Thursday, the Commodores honored their two seniors during the duo’s final regular season home game at Memorial Gym, a 66-64 thriller against Arkansas. Despite leading by as many as 12 in the second half, the ‘Dores were forced to hold on for an important win on Senior Day. Now Vanderbilt has won three of its last four games heading into the regular season finale at LSU on Sunday. For now, the Commodores are playing their best when it matters.
But head coach Stephanie White was particularly proud of her team’s effort against the Razorbacks. She knew the ‘Dores didn’t want to let their seniors down.
“I’m really proud of our team for a number of reasons,” head coach Stephanie White said. “The way that they battled to honor our seniors, they wanted to win it for them.”
Spears and Webb wore different paths through their Vanderbilt careers, but both have made the most of their time on West End. Webb has been an emotional leader for the Commodores since she first arrived on campus in 2013. The 6’1” forward has blossomed into a four-year starter and amassed more than 850 points and 650 rebounds in her Vanderbilt career. A Second Team All-SEC selection in the preseason, Webb was elected to the SEC Basketball Leadership Council last fall, where she took part in the NCAA’s legislative process with other SEC student-athletes.
Against Arkansas, Webb finished with eight points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Afterwards, White and athletics director David Williams II presented Spears and Webb with framed jersey during Senior Day festivities. They hugged their families and were mobbed by their Commodores teammates. Webb, a teary-eyed senior from Montgomery, Ala., found herself reflecting on an impactful college career.
“It’s really hard to put into words,” Webb said. “It’s been a privilege to be part of the Vanderbilt community. I am just beyond honored to have been part of such a prestigious program. Vanderbilt just means so much to me.”
Spears has enjoyed a short – but special – stint at Vanderbilt since arriving two seasons ago from the Lone Star State. A native of Bullard, Texas, Spears transferred from Texas Tech as a graduate student prior to the 2015-16 season. She became an instant contributor last season by starting 31 of 32 games, leading the Commodores in minutes (32.8 per game) and assists per game (4.0).
Spears underwent surgery knee surgery last offseason and missed a number of games this season. But she made her way back into the starting lineup for the past 10 games, and she tallied four points, three rebounds and two assists against Arkansas.
Like Webb, Spears has made her mark off the court, as well. She was named to the SEC’s Community Service team last week and plans to pursue a career in coaching. Spears will take part in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s “So You Want To Be A Coach” program, which takes place at this year’s Final Four in Dallas.
Spears might not have begun her college career at Vanderbilt. But now she knows she’s finishing in the right spot. “It’s been the best decision I’ve made,” Spears said. “I’m just so thankful to Vanderbilt. I’m so thankful for letting Vanderbilt adopt me into their family.”
White, in her first season as head coach at Vanderbilt, joked that she wished Spears and Webb both had one more year of eligibility left. The coach said she continues to marvel at her special duo, a feeling that dates back to the day she was hired last summer.
“It’s emotional because those two, from day one, have just been amazing leaders,” White said. “From my very first conversation with them, they’ve been open to us, welcoming to us, open to the change… They’ve been so engaged, not only great leaders by example but great vocal leaders, and not just in our team but in our community.”
Now Spears and Webb have more basketball to play, and they hope to close out 2017 on a high note. The Commodores travel to LSU on Sunday to cap the regular season. Then it’s a trip to Greenville, S.C. for the SEC Tournament next week.
But in between the hugs and tears on Thursday, this much was clear: these seniors aren’t ready to end their Vanderbilt careers just yet.
“This gives us great momentum going to LSU on Sunday and then going into the SEC Tournament,” Spears said.