INDIANAPOLIS -- Members of the Indiana Fever were welcomed home like champions Saturday, despite a close loss in the WNBA finals.

Fans gathered at Indianapolis International Airport to greet the players, chanting, waving signs and shouting encouragements after Friday night's defeat, 6News' Sarah Cornell reported.

For five games, the Fever battled it out with the Phoenix Mercury, with the final matchup coming down to a few last-minute shots.

"(Phoenix) shot tremendously from the outside. Sometimes the ball just never fell into our hands," said guard Tully Bevilaqua.

Still, the atmosphere was upbeat Saturday -- something the fans said they've learned from their favorite players.

"They have a good attitude about everything. Win or lose, they try their best," said fan Madison Petersheim.

"I can't say enough about my teammates, about how much everybody has meant to me," said star forward Tamika Catchings. "It's just been a great experience."

With some speculating that the WNBA may be going under, fans said they hope Friday wasn't the last chance to see the Fever in action.

"I have two kids that look up to them. There are not many female athletes that they can actually look up to," said fan Kim Caban. "You try to teach your kids that women are as equal to men, and the Fever prove that."

Head Coach Lin Dunn said she thinks the franchise will continue. In fact, they already have a goal set for next season.

"As far as I know, we're going to have a Fever team and we're going to move forward," she said. "We're going to try and win a championship next year. That's all I know."

Season tickets to the Fever's next season are already up for sale.