MERCEDES - When you ask any athlete about their team, you'll usually receive the answer, 'we are a family'.

Well the Mercedes Lady Tigers took that phrase to the next level.

"We have three sets of sisters and three of them are cousins," said Natalie Trevino.

Sisters, cousins, however you want to look at it, this group of ladies don't look at one another as just teammates.

"Because we have grown up playing together, it's not just like we met each other this year or in January," said Mika Vento. "I don't think a lot of teams have that, and I think that is something special."

With play offs right around the corner, the Lady Tigers feel their team chemistry will work to their advantage.

"Each one of us has so much trust in each other, and when someone is down we pick them up because we know what they are capable of doing, said Keandra Rodriguez. "I know that will be a big help."

Family or not, this teams bond is not one that can be broken.

"It's great honestly, said Trevino. "I can count on all of them all the time and they can count on me. We're always just laughing and it's never a dull moment with this team."