Vandy PullenHow have the first few weeks of practice gone?
Intense. There’s a lot of walk through time, the coaches are making sure we understand everything. There’s a strong priority on energy and focus- making sure we come to practice focused and stay focused the whole time we’re there.
What’s the biggest adjustment with the new coaching staff?
Learning the new plays and the new offensive and defensive schemes.
What are the coaches emphasizing as keys to success this season?
Intensity and energy. There’s a big stress on defense and rebounding. Pressure defense is going to be one of our big strengths this year.
What is special about this year’s team?
We are internally motivated to work hard- we’re like a family both on and off the court. We stick together through tough workouts and push each other to get better. The coaches have had us getting involved in community service in the offseason which has also helped us grow as a team.
What are the team’s goals for this season?
To win a championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament. Being ranked fourth in preseason in the conference is a big motivation for us. We know we’re a very good team and we’ll just have to work that much harder to prove it.
What are your personal goals?
To be a strong leader both on and off the court and to earn first team all-conference honors.
Tajama NgongbaHow have the first few weeks of practice gone?
So far it has gone great- at the beginning of the season you expect a certain amount of turnovers and mistakes. With a new staff and routine everyone is still feeling things out, but it improves every day.
What changes have you brought to the program?
Tempo on the court- we are stressing a push-pull theme, we want to continue to push to create a shot and if there’s nothing pull it back out and try again. We want to be sure we maximize every possession for forty minutes. There’s a very high level of intensity in practice this year to prepare for the tempo we want during games.
What is the attitude like during practices so far?
It’s a roller coaster. There are great days and not as great days, but the team is starting to understand the vision of the program and realize the potential we have with the structure that is being implemented.
What are the keys for success this year?
We have to outwork people. Getting rebounds, loose balls, taking charges, those are the little things that you have to be willing to do. We are really stressing rebounding. We want to be able to take quick shots and get a lot of second chances. It’s also really important that the players be coachable. We need them to always come in with a great attitude and willing to learn- that’s especially important with new coaches. We are also going to need a lot of leadership from our seniors, especially our co-captains Johnette and Vandy. I lean on them a lot to help me get a better understanding of this team and program.
What is special about this year’s team?
What is really special is that this group’s potential is untapped. We’re starting to scratch the surface and we see new and exciting things everyday. This team will leave it all out there for each other- you can tell by the way they pull together when it’s important. They fight through times when they could just consider it a defeat, like tough conditioning or practices.
What are your goals this season for the players on an individual basis and for the team?
We definitely have at least three or four players who can compete for conference accolades and maybe even a player of the year. Our freshman (Kahealani Vick) is very talented and has unlimited possibilities, all-rookie team is an achievable goal for her. For the team, it’s hard to say up front. We are definitely showing signs that we will compete in the Big South, and there are flashes where the coaches are like, ‘oh man, if we play like that we will win it’. Of course we expect to win the Big South. Everyone in the program wants the same thing, all the coaches and players and everyone involved. Off the court, we want to be a family as a program. We are stressing a lot of community service which teaches the players a lot. They get a chance to be a part of seeing the world outside themselves.
What are the biggest transitions from being an assistant to a first year head coach?
Establishment is a big thing. You have a new staff that you have to get to buy-in to and believe in what you’re trying to do. There’s an important period where everyone is just feeling each other out and establishing a common philosophy. Coming into a new program is obviously tough, especially with a predecessor who is an amazing person and an amazing coach, who has a strong history with the conference. Those are big shoes to fill.
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