Sideline spirit

Though the floors of UD Arena were vibrating from the shouts brought on by legions of fans during the second day of the First Four Wednesday night, each basketball team had a little extra encouragement coming straight from the sidelines — from their spirited cheerleaders.

For the University of California Davis cheerleading team, their job was made sweeter after their basketball team beat North Carolina Central, 67-63.

“It’s so exciting because this is our first time in the March Madness tournament,” said Alexis Julien, a UC Davis cheerleader. “It’s just so cool to win our first finals ever and then make it here.”

For the UC Davis cheerleading team, cheering is a chance to be a part of the game’s action.

“You get to interact with the game more, really be there with the players and the crowd,” said another UC Davis cheerleader, Anna Verdiguel.

Squad-mate Tatiana Ferla felt the same excitement in the middle of the USC vs. Providence game Wednesday night.

“We love the crowd at home, but it’s so cool to have fans from everywhere,” Ferla said. “You see Providence and Dayton supporters as well as fans from USC, which is great.”

Amidst the cameras and media surrounding March Madness, these NCAA cheerleaders don’t quit when it comes to cheering their players on.

“We really push ourselves,” Ferla said. “We remember that it’s all about this amazing experience.”