BOULDER, Colo. — The 2022 NCAA Tournament was a first for all of the Buffs, but it was a first for Tameiya Sadler in some non-traditional roles.
"I was coach, ref, photographer, cheerleader, anything you can name, trying to be a mascot, everything," Sadler said.
The then-sophomore guard missed the postseason due to injury, but would never miss an opportunity to lift some spirits.
"It made me feel sad, just because I wanted to be out there with everyone, but it made me happy just to know that I could still be a presence around them," Sadler said.
Now, as a healthy member of a team whose stock is on the rise, Sadler continues to provide a promising spark for Colorado.
"She kind of just brings that energy to the table that gives everybody room to breathe, smile, take a breath, and just have fun while we do what we do," senior guard Jaylyn Sherrod said.
Senior center Quay Miller added: "I think with the minutes that Tameiya plays, when she does show out, people are like 'where did that come from?' but that's who she is. I think it'll be fun to have that spark back."
But Sadler wants to turn that spark into a flame.
"It feels nice to be a spark and everyone knows me as a spark, but I want to be more of a dominant piece," she said.
A final dominant piece to the puzzle. Hopefully lifting the Buffs out of the first round for the first time since 2003.
"It was disappointing that I couldn't be there last year, but I want everyone to know that I'm fully committed this year, and I'm ready to make some noise this year in the tournament," she said.
And she's not the only one.
"We're going to make a deep run, honestly. I'm really excited, I don't even know how to explain it, honestly, but I feel like we're going to be one of those underdog teams that people overlook, but we're going to be there," she said.
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