Cori Close, who led UCLA to its first women's Final Four during one of the best seasons in school history, was named The Associated Press Coach of the Year on Thursday. The Bruins earned the No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 women's basketball poll for the first time ever,

UCLA coach Cori Close first met Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd as teenagers playing for USA Basketball and remains a fan of the UConn stars.

UCLA women's basketball radio voice Dave Marcus has been through many challenging circumstances covering the team and now cherishes a Final Four trip.

Lauren Betts and UCLA continue their March Madness run today against Kim Mulkey and LSU. Follow live updates from their Elite Eight game.

Watkins was a near unanimous pick for national player of the year, while Close, who led the Bruins to their first-ever Final Four, is coach of the year.

The Women's Final Four gets underway on Friday, April 4 and fans can still get tickets to see it live and in-person.

UCLA's Cori Close got emotional recalling the time she coached Azzi Fudd and Lauren Betts with USA Basketball. Now she'll face Fudd in the Final Four.

UConn is in a familiar place, playing in the women's Final Four for the 16th time in the past 17 seasons while UCLA is making its first appearance in the NCAA national semifinals.