Q & A With Behrend Women's Basketball Coach Roz Fornari
1.
WHAT IS YOUR GENERAL THOUGHT ON HOW THE SEASON HAS STARTED AND WHERE YOUR
TEAM STANDS RIGHT NOW?
To be honest, I think we have
improved almost every day. I like our intensity and I like our
chemistry. Some of the team togetherness and reliability I really didn't
expect this soon. I think we have grown and continue to challenge each
other every day. We have a good attitude. I like my players, they
respect the system and get why we work so hard. That is difficult
sometimes with a young team. This team just gets it.
2. WHO IS PERFORMING WELL FOR THE
TEAM?
Right now a lot of people. I have
really enjoyed watching the younger players improve and follow the lead
of the returners. Brittany Mays and Rachel Slomski are solid and have
provided us with a lot of consistency. Jessie Serafin, Kristie Connolly,
Julia Andrus are playing hard and performing well, I am happy for them.
I think we are headed in the right direction.
3. WHO IS DOING THINGS YOU DIDN'T EXPECT?
I guess I wouldn't say I didn't
expect it but I really like Kristie Connolly's offensive confidence this
year. Vickie Innes has really been a huge addition to our team and has
been a good worker and a sponge in regards to how much she has learned.
Her shot is great and her effort has earned her a starting spot. She is
the biggest surprise really.
4. AS OF NOW, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO HAPPEN THIS
WEEKEND IN CONFERENCE PLAY?
I am sure that my team is going to be well prepared and confident to
face both Pitt-Greensburg and Frostburg. We are ready to play them and
it is really a matter of playing to our capability and finding a way to
win.
5. HAS ANYBODY REALLY SURPRISED YOU WITH WHAT
THEY BROUGHT BACK FROM THE OFFSEASON/PRESEASON?
I am excited with the rookies. I
think they are more prepared and fit than others in the past. They
worked hard in the fall with the rest of the players to get fit and be
ready day 1. Again, I think it goes back to leadership and I have liked
how the returners got the rest of the group together in the summer and
fall to play and work out. It has really helped.
6. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE HEADING INTO
THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON AFTER THE SEMESTER ENDS?
Well, it is the break. Having time off and our fitness level. I like
that we have time as a group here by ourselves to shake the rust off but
it is always difficult to get back to the same form after so many days
without playing. Our schedule is tough too. We have several stretches
where we play four games in eight days and it is difficult to prepare
for that as well as recover to play well.
7. WHAT IS YOUR EXPECTATION FOR THE END OF THE SEASON AND POSTSEASON?
I think our team's expectations and focus is to be in the championship game. I would like to say that we will be better in January and February....I think we can beat some teams that may look past us. We are looking forward to the challenge.
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