Sept. 13, 2007

How does a top-10 ranking affect the team's confidence?

I think it boosts our confidence a lot to just be noticed again.  For the past year, we haven't been ranked at all.  But I don't want to pay too much attention to it.

 

What traits do this year's team and the 2004 Final Four team share?

The depth in the bench, talented players, and I think what's even better than the Final Four team is the chemistry.  I think everyone's working for each other even more.

 

How does having five players from the Final Four team on this year's roster helping the younger players?

We prepare them for what's coming, because there's still a long way to go.  In that year, we were ranked number one too, but it doesn't mean anything yet.  You still have to prove ourselves every day, so just keep it going one game at a time.

 

What is the team's biggest strength thus far?

I would say all the diversity, and definitely the chemistry on and off the field.

 

Being one of the team's assist leaders, what allows you to find the open player so easily?

I guess it's my teammates coming from the right spots, and just knowing where they're going to go.  It's just understanding the game, and knowing that if one person starts there and sees open space, you know that they're going to go there eventually.  I would say it is experience.

 

Why has the team been so effective on penalty corners this season?

 We have the luxury of having three people that can hit it and can actually score.  I think it's also the diversity of the players and the talent and depth makes us do well on the penalty corners, and we can surprise anyone.  There's a lot of potential.

 

What are your goals for the season?

As a team, I want us to play well in the Big Ten and make the NCAA Tournament.  Personally, I just want to bond the team together, lead by example and just do my very best every day.