At the start of every season, the final home game for the senior class always seems like a lifetime away.

But for seniors Isabelle “Issy” Hadden and Lizzy Klinker of Idaho Women’s Basketball, their final games in Moscow are here.

“It’s mind-blowing and crazy. It’s kind of a whirlwind of emotions,” Klinker said. “You enter college as a freshman, and you watch your first senior night like, ‘Wow, that is years away. Like that is forever away.’ And then it comes to finally be yours. It almost seems surreal. I’m super excited for it, but at the same time, I’m not.”

Klinker had an unconventional path to Moscow, going from Fairfield, Montana, to Utah State University.

In her final game as an Aggie, Klinker fell short against her sister Natalie and the Idaho Vandals in the Women’s Basketball Invitational in 2017.

Choosing to become a Vandal reunited the Klinker sisters, but Natalie can’t believe that their time together is ending.

“It’s going to be a lot of emotions. I can’t believe it’s (Lizzy’s) last game already,” Natalie said. “It feels like just yesterday she transferred, and I just couldn’t wait for her to play. And now it’s like one of her last games here on our home floor.”

Hadden, recruited out of Boise, Idaho, is closing out her fourth season as a Vandal and much like her fellow soon-to-be graduate, the years have flown by too fast. 

“It’s just crazy that it’s already here. Freshman year was just like last year,” Hadden said. “It’s been a great time here so far, and I’m just excited for the end of the season.”

Idaho Associate Head Coach Christa Sandford said recruiting Hadden was easy for the talent potential, her surprise leadership skills were a bonus.

“I’ll never forget after (Hadden’s) freshman year. She asked for the addresses of the incoming freshmen for the next year to write them notes and just to try to tell them about her freshman year and get to know them early on,” Sanford said. “I don’t think I’ve ever had anybody on their summer break, take the time to reach out to the newcomers of the team and make them feel welcome.”

With the final home game on Saturday against Southern Utah here, Klinker wanted to thank the program that has brought them so much.

“First for the coaches, just thank you for the opportunity, because I was able to flourish as a human, a basketball player and being with my sister on senior night … but I’m so excited, and I don’t want it to end yet,” Klinker said. “Thank you, everyone and my teammates.”

Hadden, even ahead of what could be an emotional senior game, showed the leadership mindset and gave some parting words to her younger teammates.

“One thing I would say is just to work hard every day,” Hadden said. “If you just consistently work hard, you’ll reach those goals, and you’ll get the minutes that you want and just consistency. Don’t take any moment for granted, because it flies by and you’ll miss it.”

The culture built by Head Coach Jon Newlee and his staff on the importance of family is the reason stated by both players on what makes Idaho a unique school.

Being able to recognize and be proud of who the players become but knowing that they are moving on in their careers and lives is why senior night is always “bittersweet,” said Newlee.

But for Hadden and Klinker, Newlee said that the future is bright for both.

“I’m just looking for their futures — what they’re going to become because I think their futures are unlimited and whatever they decide they’re going to do, I know they’re going to be great successes at it,” Newlee said. “I’ve loved having them here. I will definitely miss them.”

Zack Kellogg can be reached at arg-sports@uidaho.edu or on Twitter @kellogg_zack.