BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University women's basketball team opens the NCAA Division II Championships Friday as the No. 3 seed in the West Regional in Azusa, California.

 

Coming off their second-consecutive Great Northwest Athletic Conference tournament title, the No. 15 nationally-ranked Vikings are 23-6 overall entering Friday's game vs. No. 6 seed Cal Poly Pomona. Tip-off vs. the Broncos is scheduled for 12:00 pm from the Felix Event Center on the campus of Azusa Pacific University. All games during the eight-team West Regional will feature a live pay-per-view webcast available via the NCAA Championships Pass.

 

For the 20th time in 25 possible seasons since joining the NCAA Division II level, and fourth consecutive, the Vikings have advanced to play in the NCAA postseason. WWU has advanced to the postseason (conference, regional, NCAA) in 49 of 52 possible seasons of program history. The Vikings won the West Regional championship during their historic run to the national title game in 2021-22 and have won at least one game in 11 of 18 previous trips to the regional tournament (did not play in 2020).

 

The eight-team West Regional features two GNAC programs, two from the PacWest and four from the CCAA. Azusa Pacific (28-3) is the No. 1 seed and will serve as the regional host. Just ahead of the No. 3 seed Vikings is No. 2 seed Cal State San Marcos (23-6), No. 4 is Montana State Billings (26-6), No. 5 Chico State (21-9), No. 6 Cal Poly Pomona (20-9), No. 7 Point Loma (18-12) and No. 8 Cal State LA (17-12) round out the regional field.

 

The Vikings carry an 11-5 record away from Bellingham into regional play and will be facing Cal Poly Pomona for the first time since 2008. WWU was 12-1 inside Carver Gym this season in home games.

 

WWU remains one of the top defensive teams in the nation holding opponents to 59.4 points per game and limiting teams to a 35.9 field goal percentage. The Vikings led the GNAC averaging 71.7 points per game with a GNAC leading 46.5 field goal percentage, the fourth highest in the nation.

 

Senior All-American and GNAC Tournament MVP Brooke Walling continues to lead the Vikings averaging 16.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, paces the GNAC with 13 double-doubles and ranks 10th in NCAA II with a .583 field goal percentage. Junior guard Riley Dykstra (10.8) and sophomore guard Mason Oberg (11.8) also average double-digits in scoring. Walling was a unanimous First Team All-GNAC pick and Oberg earned second-team honors.

 

The Vikings balanced offensive attack features six players averaging at least 7.0 points per game: Walling (16.3), Oberg (11.8), Dykstra (10.8), Aspen Garrison (9.7), Olivia Wikstrom (7.3) and Stephanie Peterson (7.3).  Peterson has also been running the offense leading the GNAC in steals averaging 2.6 steals per game, and 3rd in the GNAC with 3.9 assists per game.

 

 

Here are some handy links on how to follow the 2023 NCAA II Championships West Regional:

 

·         NCAA Championships Pass: All games during the NCAA Basketball Championships will feature a pay-per-view model with games streaming on NCAA.com. Fans will have the option to pay per contest at $9.95 or for the entire postseason tournament at $29.95. In addition to being able to watch online, fans can download the NCAA Championships Pass to stream via Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Google TV.

·         Live Stats: Statistical updates will be provided for each game with direct links to WWU games available at wwuvikings.com/Live.

·         NCAA Championships: The updated tournament bracket, box scores and more can be found online via the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball home page.

·         Ticket & Parking Information: Ticket and parking information for West Regional games at Azusa Pacific can be found online at APUCougars.com.

 

Here is a look at the West Regional bracket, with a link to the Field of 64 NCAA II Championships Bracket by clicking on the image.

The Vikings are making their 20th NCAA Championships appearance in 25 possible seasons (since 1998-99). They fell in the first round of the West Regional last season to this year's hosts Azusa Pacific. WWU advanced to play in the national title game in 2022, falling to Glenville State. WWU advanced to the NCAA Championships in 15 of 16 seasons from 1999-2014 and is making its fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA postseason. WWU has advanced to the postseason (conference, regional, NCAA) in 49 of 52 possible seasons of program history and has won three regional championships to advance to the Elite Eight in 2000 (Pine Bluff, Arkansas), 2013 (San Antonio, TX) and 2022 (Birmingham, AL). The Vikings own an all-time 20-18 record in NCAA tournament play, recording at least one win in 11 of 18 prior regional appearances (with a game played). Below is a game-by-game listing of WWU in NCAA Tournament play with the regional host site listed next to the year:

 

1998-99 (Davis, CA): 

Defeated Seattle Pacific, 77-69 (OT) 

Lost to Montana State Billings, 70-48 

 

1999-2000 (Pomona, CA):

Defeated Alaska Anchorage, 78-59 

Defeated Cal Poly Pomona, 84-66 

Defeated Slippery Rock, 84-67 – Elite Eight

Lost to Northern Kentucky, 80-74 – Final Four 

 

2000-01 (Pomona, CA): 

Defeated Central Washington, 74-66 

Lost to Cal Poly Pomona, 91-85 

 

2001-02 (Pomona, CA):

Defeated Sonoma State, 71-60 

Lost to Cal Poly Pomona, 71-70 

 

2002-03 (Seattle, WA):

Lost to Northwest Nazarene, 83-79 

 

2003-04 (Seattle, WA):

Defeated Sonoma State, 85-71 

Lost to Seattle Pacific, 80-66 

 

2004-05 (Seattle, WA):

Defeated CSU Dominguez Hills, 82-74 (OT) 

Lost to Chico State, 85-75 

 

2005-06 (Bellingham, WA):

Defeated Northwest Nazarene, 66-54 

Lost to Seattle Pacific, 70-50 

 

2006-07 (La Jolla, CA):

Lost to UC San Diego, 78-45 

 

2008-09 (Seattle, WA):

Lost to Humboldt State, 74-64 

 

2009-10 (Seattle, WA):

Lost to Chico State, lost 79-68 

 

2010-11 (Pomona, CA):

Lost to Alaska Anchorage, 55-48 

 

2011-12 (La Jolla, CA):

Defeated Cal State Monterey Bay, 65-58 

Lost to UC San Diego, 81-66 

 

2012-13 (Bellingham, WA):

Defeated Academy of Art, 70-50 

Defeated Cal State Monterey Bay, 71-63 

Defeated Simon Fraser, 75-58 

Defeated Nova Southeastern, 80-76 (OT) – Elite Eight

Lost to Ashland, 66-54 – Final Four 

 

2013-14 (Pomona, CA):

Lost to Simon Fraser, 77-70

 

2016-17 (Anchorage, AK):

Defeated Cal State East Bay, 74-48

Lost to Cal Baptist, 80-68

 

2019-20 (Honolulu, HI):

vs. Alaska Anchorage, DNP (COVID-19)

 

2021-22 (Hayward, CA):

Defeated Alaska Anchorage, 76-64

Defeated Central Washington, 64-58

Defeated Cal State East Bay, 73-59 – West Regional Final

Defeated Valdosta State, 58-55 – Elite Eight

Defeated North Georgia, 74-68 – Final Four

Lost to Glenville State, 85-72 – National Championship Game

 

2022-23 (Carson, CA):

Lost to Azusa Pacific (62-46)

 

2023-24 (Azusa, CA):

vs. Cal Poly Pomona

 

The Vikings had four players selected to the 2023-24 GNAC All-Conference team, led by unanimous first-team selection Brooke Walling. Sophomore guard Mason Oberg was a second-team selection and junior guard Riley Dykstra and senior guard Stephanie Peterson were both honorable mention picks. 

 

If you don't read anything past this portion of the preview on the Vikings, you should find out everything you need to know on the Vikings in the following bullet points:

 

·         The Record – Heads into NCAA Tournament play with a 23-6 record…went 14-4 in GNAC play (2nd place).

·         Always Dancing – Making 20th NCAA Championships appearance in 25 seasons.

·         GNAC Tournament Champs – Won the GNAC tournament title with a 54-52 win over No. 15 Montana State Billings…Vikings second-straight GNAC Championships title.

·         GNAC Tournament MVP – Brooke Walling earned GNAC Tournament MVP honors averaging 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in wins over UAA and MSUB…second consecutive season to win the honor.

·         Close Defeats – Two of last three loses have been by a combined three points.

·         Home Sweet Home – 12-1 record on WECU Court in Carver Gym this season…over last five seasons (since 2019-20) WWU is 44-5 in home games.

·         On the Mark – Leads the GNAC and ranks No. 4 in NCAA II with .465 field goal percentage (765-for-1644).

·         National Polls – Current national ranking of No. 15 in the WBCA Coaches Poll, moving up from No. 24 last week.

·         All Around Brooke – Brooke Walling leads the team in scoring (16.3), rebounds (8.6), blocked shots (1.8) and field goal percentage (.583/201-for-345)…paced the GNAC with 13 double-doubles while ranking 7th in scoring average, 1st in rebounding, 1st in field goal pct., and 2nd in blocked shots.

·         National FG Leaders – Brooke Walling ranks 10th in NCAA II with a 58.3 field goal percentage (201-for-345) 

·         Double Doubles – Brooke Walling has recorded 13 double-doubles through to lead the GNAC and tie for 17th in NCAA II…29 double-doubles during WWU career, including 11 in 2022-23.

·         Steph's Steals & Assists – Senior Steph Peterson led the GNAC averaging 2.6 steals per game and was also 3rd in the GNAC averaging 3.9 assists per game.

·         Peterson Reaches 1K – Steph Peterson reached the 1000-point mark for her collegiate career in overtime of WWU's win at NNU (2/8). Peterson now has 1,068 points for her collegiate career which spans 130 games at Cameron University and WWU. She has 305 points in 57 games as a Viking.

·         3 for THREE – Junior Riley Dykstra is shooting 46.5-percent from three-point range (47-for-101) to rank 2nd in the GNAC…also 8th overall in the conference with a .513 field goal pct. (120-for-234) and 11th with 3.0 assists per game…also 17th averaging 10.8 points per game for the season… TIED a WWU record hitting 8-of-9 threes in GNAC semifinal win over Alaska Anchorage (3/8)

·         Double Trouble – WWU's star seniors Brooke Walling (Vancouver, WA) and Steph Peterson(Broomfield, CO) headline the high-flying Vikings. These two Viking stars have been among the most valuable players in the GNAC this season, and have amassed a combined 2,374 career collegiate points, 1,470 of those coming as Vikings.

·         Back-to-Back GNAC Champions – Won 2021-22 and 2022-23 GNAC regular-season titles (2nd in 2023-24).

·         That's a SWAT – 2nd in the GNAC and 11th in NCAA II averaging 4.8 blocked shots per game (139 total blocked shots).

·         Defensive Lockdown – Ranks 29th in NCAA II limiting opponents to a .359 field goal percentage …also limiting teams to 59.4 points per game which is good for 2nd in the GNAC and rank just outside the top 50 in NCAA II.

·         Postseason Pulse – Program has played in the postseason (conference, regional, NCAA) in 49 of 52 possible seasons (including 2023-24 in GNAC Championships).

·         Coach Dolfo – Head Coach Carmen Dolfo is in her 33rd season leading the program and 40th overall associated with WWU Basketball as a student-athlete and coach…all-time record of 690-261 (.726)…24 seasons with 20+ wins.

 

The Vikings have reached the 20-win mark with a 23-6 overall record this season, marking the 38th 20-win season in the 53-year history of the program and 24th in 33 seasons under head coach Carmen Dolfo.

 

Here is a look at the series history between WWU and the West Regional Field:

 

·         #1 Azusa Pacific: The Vikings defeated the Cougars 62-46 earlier this season at the 2023 Cougar Shootout in Azusa (11/18/23) …APU knocked WWU out of the 2023 NCAA Tournament with a 71-53 first-round upset victory in their only postseason matchup…APU leads the all-time series 8-6.

·         #2 Cal State San Marcos: WWU leads series 2-1, with all three matchups occurring in the 2021-2023 west-region crossover classics…earlier this season CSUSM picked up their first win of the series with a 73-68 victory over WWU in Azusa, CA… The Vikings loss to the Cougars was their first of the 2023-24 season.

·         #4 MSU Billings: The Vikings beat the Yellowjackets 54-52 to win the 2024 GNAC Tournament…The Vikings have an all-time record of 31-19 against the Yellowjackets, winning nine of the last 12 games in the series…WWU split the 2023-24 regular-season series against MSU Billings, winning 76-68 at home and falling 48-46 on the road… The Yellowjackets defeated the Vikings in their only NCAA Tournament matchup in 1999.

·         #5 Chico State: WWU trails all-time series 2-8 vs. CSU… Wildcats have won the last four meetings dating back to the 2010 season, with the last three matchups being decided by 3 points or less… Vikings last win over the Wildcats came in 2009, an 80-59 victory in Carver Gym… CSU is 2-0 against the Vikings in the NCAA Tournament, knocking out the Vikings in 2010 and 2005

·         #6 Cal Poly Pomona: WWU Trails series 7-9 vs. CPP…Vikings are 4-1 vs. the Broncos in the last five meetings, last meeting in 2008…faced three times in NCAA Tournament with CPP 2-1 in those postseason games.

·         #7 Point Loma: WWU won only matchup against PLNU, defeating the Sea Lions 73-64 last season in San Diego (11/29/22)

·         #8 Cal State LA: WWU Leads series 7-0… Vikings beat the Golden Eagles 76-69 in OT earlier this season in the final game of the WWU Veterans Day Classic (11/11/23).

 

Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown for the 2023-24 season:

 

 

Junior forward Brooke Walling has been filling the stat sheet this season ranking amongst GNAC leaders in several categories. Here is a look at where Walling is listed in the GNAC and NCAA II this season:

 

·         Blocked Shots: 1.79 blocks per game (2nd in GNAC, T-27th in NCAA II)

·         Scoring: 16.3 points per game (7th in GNAC)

·         Rebounding: 8.9 rebounds per game (1st in GNAC, 49th in NCAA II)

·         FG Pct: .583/201-for-345 (1st in GNAC, 10th in NCAA II)

·         Assists: 3.5 assists per game (6th in GNAC)

·         Steals: 1.3 steals per game (24th in GNAC)

·         Double-Doubles: 13 (1st in GNAC, T-17th in NCAA II)

 

Senior All-American forward Brooke Walling leads the GNAC and ranks t-17th in NCAA II recording a double-double in 13 of 29 games this season. Walling is nearly averaging a double-double with 16.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, while also shooting a GNAC-best 58.3-percent from the field (201-for-345). Here is a look at the GNAC leaders in double-doubles in 2023-24:

 

 

Here is a look at the national rankings of the eight teams that make up the West Regional field:

 

WWU enters the regional ranked No. 15 in the WBCA Coaches Poll, extending a streak of having  appeared in each of the last 52 national polls dating back to the 2021-22 season.

 

The Vikings finished 2nd in the GNAC regular-season standings for the 2023-24 season with a 14-4 league record. WWU dropped a pair of games to Alaska Anchorage and road games at Montana State Billings and Simon Fraser. The Vikings solidified its spot as the No. 2 seed in the GNAC Championships earning a quarterfinal-round bye. Updated standings and conference statistics can be viewed online at GNACSports.com:

 

 

WWU improved to 19-8 all-time in the GNAC Championships by winning its fourth conference tournament title, repeating as tournament champs after also taking home the trophy in 2023. The Vikings also won back-to-back conference tournaments in 2013 and 2014. WWU has advanced to play in the GNAC postseason tournament in 12 of 13 possible seasons and played in ten championship games. No. 2 seed WWU defeated No. 3 Alaska Anchorage  75-60 in the semifinal and took down regular-season champs and No. 1 seed Montana State Billings in the championship game 54-52, beating the #15 nationally-ranked Yellowjackets in the final for the second season in a row.

 

Brooke Walling was selected as the GNAC Championships Most Outstanding Player, combining for 29 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and a pair of blocked shots in the two tournament games. Walling nearly recorded a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in the semifinal win over Alaska Anchorage and added 17 points and five rebounds vs. Montana State Billings in the championship game. Walling also won the award last season, becoming the second player in conference history to win the award twice joining Kiki Robertson of UAA in 2015 & 2016.

 

WWU is coming off a double GNAC Championship season in 2022-23, winning both the regular season and postseason conference titles. WWU won its sixth GNAC regular-season title, adding to championships won in 2001-02, 2005-06, 2010-11, 2012-13 and 2021-22. WWU also won back-to-back GNAC Tournament titles in 2012-13 and 2013-14 and again last season.

 

WWU leads the GNAC and ranks 4th in NCAA II with a team field goal percentage of .465, connecting on 765-of-1644 total shots. Here is a look at the national top 10 for shooting efficiency:

 

 

Four Vikings earned GNAC All-Academic honors for the 2023-24 season. Leading the way was junior Maddy Grandbois with a 4.00 GPA. Junior Riley Dykstra (3.61) earned her third all-academic award in her career, also earning the honors in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. Seniors Brooke Walling (3.63) and Stephanie Peterson (3.92) rounded out the list, with Walling earning back-to-back all-academic honors.

 

WWU heads into the week as one of the top defensive teams in the nation, ranking 29th in NCAA II limiting opponents to a .359 field goal percentage and listed 11th averaging 4.8 blocked shots per game. The Vikings are also 2nd in the GNAC in scoring defense, holding opponents to 59.4 points per game.

 

Here is where WWU ranks in the NCAA Division II statistical rankings, with the Vikings ranking No. 4 in field goal percentage (46.53), No. 7 in assists per game (17.6) and No. 11 in blocked shots per game (4.8)

 

 

Riley Dykstra not only scored a career-high 30 points in WWU's 69-60 victory at CWU, but also became the first Viking to reach the 30-point single-game scoring milestone since All-American Taylor Peacocke in 2017. Dykstra's 30-point effort is the 38th in program history. For the season Dykstra is averaging 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, while shooting 50.7-percent from the field (111-for-219) and 43.3-percent from three-point range (39-for-90)

 

Riley Dykstra set the GNAC Championships single-game record and tied the WWU record with eight made three-pointers in the Vikings GNAC Tournament Semifinal victory over UAA. Dykstra was 8-for-9 from beyond the arc, matching the eight treys made by former Vikings Katie Colard (2/6/14), Jodie Kaczor (2/10/01) and Corinn Waltrip (2/16/13). 

 

Senior Brooke Walling crossed the 1,000-point mark for her collegiate career with a three-pointer at the 6:05 mark in the second quarter in WWU's Dec. 16 game at Cal State East Bay. Walling has combined for 1,306 points in 142 collegiate games, with 1,165 in 86 games with the Vikings (13.5 ppg). Brook is one of just 29 players in program history to score at least 1,000 points as a Vikings, currently ranking 16th in program history with 1,165 points as a Viking. Walling began her collegiate career at Fresno State totaling 141 points in 56 games for the Bulldogs.

 

 

Late in the first quarter in the win over No. 9 Montana State Billings (1/27), senior Brooke Walling reached the 1,000 point mark as a Viking, adding to already reaching the mark for her collegiate career adding in points scored in two seasons at Fresno State. Walling became the 29th player in program history to score at least 1,000 points in a Western uniform and is listed 16th all-time in WWU Basketball history with 1,165 points.

With a free throw late in overtime during WWU's win at Northwest Nazarene (2/8), senior Stephanie Peterson reached the 1000-point mark for her collegiate career, which spans 130 games at Cameron University and WWU. Peterson now has 1,068 points in her collegiate career (305 in 57 games as a Viking).

 

Junior forward Aspen Garrison returned home to Bellingham as a transfer from Saint Mary's College…getting the chance to play for her Mother, longtime head coach Carmen Dolfo. Aspen is a product of Sehome High School and spent two seasons at SMC prior to transferring back home for the 2023-24 season. In 29 games this season Aspen is averaging 9.7 and 4.4 rebounds per game. The Cascadia Daily News published a great story on the family connection that is worth a read.

 

The WWU roster once again shows a pair of Dykstra's, but this year it features cousins Riley (junior guard) and Demi (freshman guard). Riley teamed with her older sister Avery (graduated last year) the last three years playing together in a pair of NCAA Championships appearances. Riley and Demi are the latest in a long line of Dykstra family members that have had a big impact on WWU Athletics. Uncle Grant was a Division II Basketball All-American in 2005-06 and won the 2006 V Foundation Comeback award. Demi's father, Greg, was an all-conference football player, and mother, Kelly, was an all-conference basketball player. The Dykstra cousins are local products that prepped at Lynden Christian, playing two years in high school together.

 

Over the last four seasons (since 2019-20), the Vikings have combined to go 100-25 for a .800 winning percentage. WWU won back-to-back GNAC regular-season championships in 2021-22 and 2022-23, and finished 2nd in the standings this season. WWU has won back-to-back GNAC Tournament championships in 2022-23 and 2023-24 and played in the 2022 NCAA II National Championship Game.

 

Here is a listing of individual honors for Viking players during the 2023-24 season:

 

Brooke Walling:

·         First Team All-GNAC (unanimous)

·         GNAC Tournament MVP

·         WWU Veterans Day Classic MVP

·         Lynda Goodrich Classic All-Tournament Team

·         Preseason All-GNAC & GNAC Player of the Year

·         GNAC Player of the Week (Nov. 6-12 & Dec. 11-19)

Stephanie Peterson:

·         Honorable Mention All-GNAC

·         Lynda Goodrich Classic All-Tournament Team

·         GNAC Player of the Week (Jan. 22-28)

Riley Dykstra: 

·         Honorable Mention All-GNAC

·         GNAC Player of the Week (Jan. 8-14 & Feb. 5-11)

·         WWU Veterans Day Classic All-Tournament Team

·         Lynda Goodrich Classic All-Tournament Team

·         Preseason All-GNAC

Mason Oberg:

·         Second Team All-GNAC

·         Lynda Goodrich Classic All-Tournament Team

·         Preseason All-GNAC

Aspen Garrison:

·         WWU Veterans Day Classic All-Tournament Team

 

The Vikings were hard to beat at home this season in Carver Gym, going 12-1 on WECU Court during the 2023-24 regular season. WWU has won 44 of its last 49 games on WECU Court combining to go 44-5 since the 2019-20 season.

 

Here is a game-by-game look at the 2023-24 season heading into the NCAA Tournament:

 

 

Head coach Carmen Dolfo is in her 33rd season leading the program, owning an all-time record of 690-261 (.726) to rank amongst the active and career leaders at the NCAA Division II level for career wins and winning percentage. Entering the 2023-24 season, Dolfo ranked 11th all-time in NCAA II in wins. Dolfo has led the Vikings to 20 trips to the NCAA Championships and a trio of Elite 8 appearances. She became the winningest coach in WWU Athletics history when she collected victory No. 519 on Dec. 3, 2015 vs. Alaska to pass former men's basketball coach Brad Jackson (518-279). Dolfo tallied her 600th career victory on January 11, 2020 vs. Seattle Pacific, in her 840th career game. Dolfo became the 36th active NCAA women's head coach across all divisions to join the 600-win club and is one of 73 women's coaches all-time in NCAA history to reach the milestone. WWU has recorded 23 seasons with 20-or-more wins under Dolfo. She was named the 2021-22 GNAC Coach of the Year. That was her fifth GNAC honor and 12th Coach of the Year accolade overall. Dolfo was also a volleyball and basketball student-athlete at WWU in the 1980s.

 

The 2023-24 coaching staff includes 12th-year assistant head coach Stacey Turrell, assistant coach Bobbi Westendorf, volunteer assistant Mike Li, and student assistants George Irwin, Ben Allen and Grant Brewer.

 

Two WWU women's basketball coaches have more than 400 career victories, with current head coach Carmen Dolfo amassing 690 wins and Hall of Fame coach Lynda Goodrich totaling 411 wins leading the Vikings for 19 seasons from 1971-1990. The program owns an all-time record of 1122-396 for a career winning percentage of .739.

 

One of the premier basketball programs in NCAA Division II, recording a 20-win season in 10 of the last 14 full seasons, and 37 times in the 52-year history of the program. WWU has 23 seasons of 20 or more wins under head coach Carmen Dolfo, who is the winningest coach of any sport at WWU and ranks among Division II active and all-time coaching leaders in wins with 690, winning percentage and 20-win seasons. The Vikings have reached the NCAA II Tournament in 20 of 25 possible seasons at the Division II level with three trips to the Elite Eight (last in 2022) and played in the 2022 national championship game. The program has 1,122 all-time wins in the 53-year history of the program, and according to available records, is one of less than 20 women's college basketball team across all divisions and levels to reach the 1,000-victory milestone.