St. John's University Athletics
Red Storm Women's Basketball Media Day Quotes
11/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 5, 2007
QUEENS, N.Y. -
Head Coach Kim Barnes Arico
On a tough season last year:
"In fifteen years of coaching, I have never had a year like last year in my life. It really makes you reflect and appreciate your situation as well as realizing you can't take things for granted. You realize that everything is not going to fall into place like you think it will. In the preseason we were ranked but you realize when things go like they did it is not just about wins and losses but about the process."
On expectations for this season:
"Our expectation every year is to get to postseason play. Our number one goal this year and every year is to get back to the NCAA tournament."
On the leadership of Kia Wright:
"Kia has been injured on and off the past couple of years and it has been very tough on her and us. Kia sees the game at a different level and she is almost like a coach for us. Even when she is not playing she helps everyone because she sees things before they happen. If she is not suited up for us, we want her on the bench because she'll grab a player's ear and tell them what they missed. She is at another level in terms of the way she sees the game."
On sophomore captain Joy McCorvey:
"Joy is an extremely hard worker. She is probably our most vocal player and came in as a freshmen on a team that really struggled last year and was able to really step up and show leadership qualities. I think she proved herself last year and is doing the same thing this year."
On freshman guard Sky Lindsay:
"Sky has been tremendous in the classroom and on the court. We expect her to contribute this year at both guard spots."
Senior Tiina Sten
On being a senior in a leadership role:
"In my freshman and sophomore year I was very laid back and more of a follower. Last year I realized that I needed to step up and be more of a leader. It was difficult last year, but now I understand what our team needs and what I have to do."
On the biggest sophomore and freshmen contributors:
"Joy McCorvey is one of our leaders right now and she is only a sophomore. By the time she is a senior she is going to be a great leader for us. All of our freshmen are good players and should step up and do some good things."
Senior Kia Wright:
On the biggest difference from last year to this year:
"A lot of us won't be counted on to play thirty to forty minutes a game this year. With a full roster and a lot of new players we should be able to play the way we wanted to last year.
On team chemistry:
"We are all bonding. We spend a lot of time together on the court, but we also spend time with each other away from basketball. It definitely has been a fun and a good experience for everyone."
On what she expects this year:
"I want people to respect me as a player. Even if I don't do as well as I would like to on the basketball court, I want people to respect me for the person I am and the perseverance I have shown. This year is a great chance for me to show what I can do."
Sophomore Joy McCorvey:
On what player will surprise this year:
"Recee Mitchell is someone that is really going to step up. Last year she had a shoulder injury and now she is finally healthy and in good shape. She is who I am paired up with in practice and it is so hard to go against her. She has really dedicated herself to this season and continues to work hard in the weight room and on the court."
On where her leadership skills come from:
"I guess it comes from my mom who is really outspoken. I have never been afraid to say something if I know someone is in the wrong and if they are right, to give them a compliment and encouragement. It's not something that I learned it's something that is just a part of me."
Sophomore Charisse Curtis
On what is expected this year:
"This year should easily be better than last season because we have a deeper bench and more people that can play. We should definitely start and finish better than last year."
On jelling as a team:
"We have three new freshmen and a transfer and I think we've welcomed them extremely well and they should make big impact and play big minutes. We definitely are coming together as a team."
Freshman Sky Lindsay
On her role this year:
"I'm happy to be here and start playing on Thursday. When I get in, I expect to contribute and help us win. Our team should play much better and go a lot farther than we did last year. Even though I am only a freshman, I feel like I have been here for more than a year already."
