There were no lack of Hallmark moments on Saturday at Gampel Pavilion as seniors Kelly Faris, Heather Buck and Caroline Doty played their final regular-season game at UConn's on-campus facility.

However, as I was shooting video of the pre-game ceremony, I was especially struck by a moment when UConn coach Geno Auriemma leaned over and said something to Faris. The words led to Faris cracking a smile and her reaching out to give him yet another hug.

After the game Faris talked about Auriemma said to draw that reaction.


"He said he is going to do everything he can to make this end the right way," Faris said. "I care about him a lot and I respect him a lot. I know he cares about us and this group of seniors a lot. He is willing to put everything he can into it and not even for himself but for his team, for us to go out the right way and it is on us to give that back."