WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.000 music 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:08.000 Hi I'm Michael Feuling and welcome to Wolves Weekly. 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:14.000 Where today we are previewing the upcoming women's basketball season. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:20.000 And I am here with Holli Howard-Carpenter the head women's basketball coach. Coach welcome. 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:21.000 Thanks for having me. 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:26.000 So Coach you come off a season last year with a lot of injuries. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:28.000 The team faced a lot of adversity. 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:34.000 Talk a little bit about how that kind of motivated your group 00:00:34.000 --> 00:00:38.000 because they were competitive in a lot of those games even with that adversity. 00:00:38.000 --> 00:00:41.000 Talk a little bit about how that motivated them 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:44.000 through spring workouts even now into the fall workouts. 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:50.000 Yeah last year I think our first challenge that we faced was just having seven new players. 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:53.000 So anytime you have that many new players 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:55.000 bringing the team together is always a challenge. 00:00:55.000 --> 00:00:61.000 Especially whether you're coming from high school or junior college it's always a big adjustment period. 00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:04.000 Especially when you're going into a conference as tough as ours. 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:06.000 So that was kind of our first challenge. 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:12.000 And then we did hit some bumps along the way with injuries and then people playing out of position. 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:18.000 But I think at the end of our season the coaching staff went to work. 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:20.000 We let the players have some time off. 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:25.000 We went to work. We talked about what we needed to do better. 00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:28.000 What we felt like we were doing, how was that going to guide our recruiting? 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:32.000 Things like that. But when we came back together 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:35.000 we really focused on individual player development. 00:01:35.000 --> 00:01:39.000 That was one thing that we really felt like we needed to do 00:01:39.000 --> 00:01:41.000 to become better and then as a team 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:43.000 we really focused on our communication. 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:47.000 And really spending more time together and on the court. 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:50.000 Just kind of jelling as a team. 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:56.000 And so really the groundwork for our season this year started directly after last season. 00:01:56.000 --> 00:01:59.000 And I think that has really helped them 00:01:59.000 --> 00:01:64.000 stay motivated through the summer and everybody's back and really excited to go. 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:06.000 Good good. 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:12.000 For any coach, especially in the conference and with the schedule that you guys have 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:17.000 it is dream to have five seniors on your team 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:22.000 that have been through battle as we talked about with the adversity. 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:28.000 Talk about the five seniors that you're returning this year and the impact that they'll have 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:33.000 and perhaps the impact that they'll have on the new players that you have coming in. 00:02:33.000 --> 00:02:37.000 The ones that as you mentioned, the transition is a little bit difficult for them. 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:40.000 Yeah five seniors. 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:42.000 All completely different types of leaders. 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:46.000 But I think having that experience on your roster 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:52.000 and returning most of our scoring as well that always is going to help. 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:56.000 Especially with the incoming class. They've set a standard. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:61.000 And they're still striving to get better. And just that leadership that they show for the younger players. 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:04.000 We have a mix of different types of leaderships. 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:10.000 We have some people that are kind of like the team mom making sure everybody's doing what they're supposed to be doing. 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:12.000 Being on time to things. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:17.000 Then we have other leaders who are competitive, the fire. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:21.000 The one that's going to get after you at practice if you're not putting in the work. 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:26.000 And then we have people that just lead by example. In their play they just inspire their teammates. 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:31.000 So a pretty dynamic group. But they're also hungry. 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:36.000 Three of our seniors were transfers. So they've had a year under their belt now. 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:40.000 And in our system. So a little bit more comfortable. They've found their voice. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:42.000 And I think they're ready to go. 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:46.000 And then you have Jasmine and Sydney who've been with us since day one. 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:49.000 And I'm really looking for them to have a great season 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:51.000 and really send them off, 00:03:51.000 --> 00:03:57.000 and they've had all their hard work, they've put all their hard work in and have that pay off this year. 00:03:57.000 --> 00:03:59.000 And sometimes it's that leadership 00:03:59.000 --> 00:03:63.000 not necessarily in your face, screaming, yelling, 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:08.000 it's just what you do to kind of help move the next person forward. Laying the groundwork. 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:09.000 Absolutely. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:16.000 In this conference, the GNAC conference, which has been touted as probably one of the toughest conferences out there 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:17.000 if not the toughest. 00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:24.000 One of the big keys in order to be competitive in the games this year and in years past is having some height. 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:27.000 For the first time in a couple years you bring in some height. 00:04:27.000 --> 00:04:32.000 Looking at the roster. You have 6' 3", 6 foot, 6' 1". 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:38.000 Kind of talk about how the posts kind of play into your plans both defensively and offensively. 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:43.000 Yeah last year Savannah and Ali really held down the posts for us 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:45.000 and I wouldn't say that's their natural position. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:52.000 Both of them pound for pound did everything that they could to either defend or score for us 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:54.000 or be presence in the paint. 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:56.000 But I wouldn't necessarily say that's their natural position. 00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:63.000 So recruiting-wise we tried to go after size. Toughness is a big thing for us. 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:07.000 And so we were able to do that. We need people to help us with the rebound. 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:10.000 And I think that's an area where we really needed to improve. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:15.000 And so adding that, the size is going to help in that area. 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:20.000 So Natalie DeLonge. She red-shirted for us last year due to injury. 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:23.000 She is back. She's 6' 2". 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:26.000 She's strong, she's lean, she's running the floor. 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:31.000 Watching her yesterday at practice I was just like wow Nat is really fast. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:37.000 And so she has worked extremely hard from really the minute she got injured 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:42.000 to get back on the court. And so I'm really proud of her. 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:45.000 And she's also found her voice as a leader too. 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:51.000 And so she is going to help scoring-wise but also rebounding. 00:05:51.000 --> 00:05:59.000 And then in our conference, how tough it is, you can't just have one at that position. 00:05:59.000 --> 00:05:63.000 So we've brought in Tai Thomas as well from Peninsula Community College. 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:11.000 And she compliments Nat really well. All around great attitude, great teammate. 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:16.000 She is strong. She will move somebody off the block pretty quick. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:21.000 And she can rebound. She just has a nose for the ball and she'll go get it. She'll pursue. 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:23.000 And then she'll a really good passer too. 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:30.000 Even with all new teammates she does a really good job finding where the ball needs to go. 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:32.000 And she can score it too so that helps. 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:36.000 And then we also brought in a 6' 3" freshman in Jessie Brown. 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:40.000 And although she's a freshman she has a huge upside, really excited. 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:43.000 She's so coachable. 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:48.000 She is progressing everyday. And so to see that this early, 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:53.000 I'm looking forward to seeing her on the court as well. 00:06:53.000 --> 00:06:55.000 And as you mentioned, rebounds. Rebounds are critical. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:59.000 They give you those extra possessions. Takes away possessions from the other team. 00:06:59.000 --> 00:06:62.000 Very critical especially in this conference. 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:03.000 Right. 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:07.000 One other luxury is having that engine, that quarter-back. 00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:13.000 You again have almost the right setup with two senior pointguards 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:17.000 that can play with Shelby Snook and Kennedy Corrigan 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:25.000 Talk a little bit about how their playing on the offensive side leads to what you guys want to do. 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:30.000 Yeah with both of them I feel 100 percent comfortable and confident when the ball's in their hands. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:36.000 Both of them again were transfers last year and so now they've had a year in our system. 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:41.000 A year where they've gotten to learn their teammates' habits 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:45.000 again find their voice and really take over that leadership role 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:49.000 because a point guard they're the extension of the coach on the floor. 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:53.000 So getting to know me better and what our expectations are as a coaching staff. 00:07:53.000 --> 00:07:56.000 They're just in a really good place right now. 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:60.000 Both of them are very smart. They bring a lot of basketball IQ to our team. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:03.000 But also they're both three point threats 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:06.000 and so that's really helpful. People have to respect that. 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:09.000 And then also they can get to the rim too. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:15.000 Kennedy worked extremely hard over the summer. She came back in great shape. 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:18.000 Confident, and I love to see that. 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:23.000 And then Shelby is just Shelby. She's business all the time 00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:26.000 whether it's weight room training or on the floor. 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:32.000 And that mentality is kind of carrying over to our team that it's business when it's on the court. 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:39.000 And we want to play a little faster this year and so I feel like having them on the floor will help us do that. 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:46.000 So Coach as we head into this season you guys start full time practice here relatively soon. 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:53.000 The GNAC as we've mentioned throughout this preview show is the hardest if not the hardest. 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:59.000 Give the fans some early games to look for and kind of what they can expect 00:08:59.000 --> 00:08:64.000 from your team in this very competitive conference with a very veteran group. 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:09.000 Yeah for us right now we're not focused on the GNAC we're focused on our first game. 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:13.000 With this group we really have to take one game at a time 00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:17.000 and our energy is what we're really focusing on from start to finish. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:20.000 And being able to play faster 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:24.000 whether that's on the offensive end or speeding people up on the defensive end. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:28.000 I think we're a lot deeper this year. We have the experience returning. 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:33.000 And then that depth of the new players is gonna help us be able to do that play faster 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:36.000 and apply more pressure to teams. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:43.000 And I really feel like this team has an idea about playing with a chip on their shoulder 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:50.000 and going out and putting what we've done in practice to work. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:55.000 And really when we're competing in games to be able to go to that next level. 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:59.000 We were right there. We were just unable to close the door on some games 00:09:59.000 --> 00:09:63.000 and I think that's the next step for our program. 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:11.000 Well you can catch all the home games this year by visiting wouwolves.com/tickets 00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:13.000 to find out all the information. 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:18.000 Come out. Check out incredible basketball action 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:21.000 and all the hard work that the team has put in. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:29.000 music