The group sat behind the Crimson bench in Harvard's 78-53 loss to the Tar Heels on March 14. "We wanted to keep [the cheering] pretty friendly, as we were significantly outnumbered," Philipp said.

Tyner said that UNC was a solid team. "It wasn't an accident that they were a number one seed," he said.

However, a 6-0 Harvard run at the outset of the second half raised Crimson enthusiasm. "In the first couple of minutes, they came out flying," Walsh said. "It was totally exciting. The whole crowd was going nuts. Alice still doesn't have her voice."

Philipp's voice is only coming back now.

"It was the coolest thing to come out and see those five in the stands like student representatives," Miller said.

"Every time I turned around, they were screaming and starting cheers," junior Sarah Russell, another Cabot resident, said. "Their driving to see the game showed me that we were recognized by the school community as something special. It also showed me that in my house people appreciated women's athletics."

After the game, the team came out onto the floor and talked to fans in the stands.

"They're so gracious," Philipp said. "They always thank the fans. It was pretty emotional when the seniors came out."

On the way back, Philipp and Walsh went to an Ani DiFranco concert.

The return trip lasted 13 hours and was much drier. "It was nice to be somewhere warm," Tyner, who is from Florida, said.

Philipp said that he would "absolutely do it again.

"I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'm looking forward to next year."