St. John's University Athletics
BIG EAST WOMEN’S BASKETBALL MEDIA DAY QUOTES
St. John’s Women’s Basketball Head Coach Joe Tartamella, forward Kylie Lavelle, guard Jailah Donald and guard Skye Owen met with the media on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden
Head Coach Joe Tartamella
On building a culture…
“For our players, trying to stay successful is a big part because they’re aware of what they want. They’ve been a part of winning. They’ve been a part of the positive, but they’ve been a part of the struggle at times, too, which is great. They understand me probably better than anybody.”
On this year’s squad…
“I think we are certainly bigger and longer. I don’t know if we’re as athletic as I thought we’d be with the players we brought in. In some ways, because I haven’t really seen us outside of playing against our practice team and ourselves. It’s hard to say fully, but I do think what we recruited is probably what we got.”
On the development of Jailah Donald and Skye Owen…
“I think they’re more mature, certainly, more grown individuals today. I love their confidence, the way that they carry themselves and how they’ve learned to work. They’ve learned to prepare each day.”
On Kylie Lavelle…
“I think Kylie has found a place that’s made her the most comfortable in terms of being the player that she wants to be, and the person that she is. She’s as solid a kid as we have, the most consistent, and she’s a leader in her own way.”
On the BIG EAST…
“Depending on who you’re playing, there’s so many different ways people play. You’ve got people who play small lineups, you can see five guards, you’ll see physicality and pressure. I think the physicality really separates our league because of how people defend. You have to be prepared, not only to be taken out of what you want to do, but for the level of energy you’re going to face.”
On team morale…
“They’re great kids. They love each other. They’re close. There’s a lot of positive things.”
Senior guard Skye Owen
On sharing the backcourt with Shaulana Wagner…
“I think we balance each other out. Sometimes I’ll bring the ball up, sometimes she’ll bring the ball up. We really read each other well, and we both read the floor well, which really helps the team. I think her experience definitely helps us. We both talk and pick each other’s minds.”
On playing at Madison Square Garden…
“It’s amazing to play at Madison Square Garden. I think it’s a great experience that I’ve had before, and I’d love to have it again. Nothing’s better than New York City. I think that’s definitely a big selling point, being in the Big Apple.”
On Head Coach Joe Tartamella…
“He always drives me to be the best version of myself.”
Senior forward Kylie Lavelle
On what it means to compete for St. John’s…
“Playing with my team every day, in practice and in games, means everything. I feel like we’re competitive in our own ways, and we just want to win games.”
Senior guard Jailah Donald
On her goal for the 2025-26 campaign…
“I really just want to win. I want to be a leader on and off the court, but my big goal is really just winning.”
On building a culture…
“For our players, trying to stay successful is a big part because they’re aware of what they want. They’ve been a part of winning. They’ve been a part of the positive, but they’ve been a part of the struggle at times, too, which is great. They understand me probably better than anybody.”
On this year’s squad…
“I think we are certainly bigger and longer. I don’t know if we’re as athletic as I thought we’d be with the players we brought in. In some ways, because I haven’t really seen us outside of playing against our practice team and ourselves. It’s hard to say fully, but I do think what we recruited is probably what we got.”
On the development of Jailah Donald and Skye Owen…
“I think they’re more mature, certainly, more grown individuals today. I love their confidence, the way that they carry themselves and how they’ve learned to work. They’ve learned to prepare each day.”
On Kylie Lavelle…
“I think Kylie has found a place that’s made her the most comfortable in terms of being the player that she wants to be, and the person that she is. She’s as solid a kid as we have, the most consistent, and she’s a leader in her own way.”
On the BIG EAST…
“Depending on who you’re playing, there’s so many different ways people play. You’ve got people who play small lineups, you can see five guards, you’ll see physicality and pressure. I think the physicality really separates our league because of how people defend. You have to be prepared, not only to be taken out of what you want to do, but for the level of energy you’re going to face.”
On team morale…
“They’re great kids. They love each other. They’re close. There’s a lot of positive things.”
Senior guard Skye Owen
On sharing the backcourt with Shaulana Wagner…
“I think we balance each other out. Sometimes I’ll bring the ball up, sometimes she’ll bring the ball up. We really read each other well, and we both read the floor well, which really helps the team. I think her experience definitely helps us. We both talk and pick each other’s minds.”
On playing at Madison Square Garden…
“It’s amazing to play at Madison Square Garden. I think it’s a great experience that I’ve had before, and I’d love to have it again. Nothing’s better than New York City. I think that’s definitely a big selling point, being in the Big Apple.”
On Head Coach Joe Tartamella…
“He always drives me to be the best version of myself.”
Senior forward Kylie Lavelle
On what it means to compete for St. John’s…
“Playing with my team every day, in practice and in games, means everything. I feel like we’re competitive in our own ways, and we just want to win games.”
Senior guard Jailah Donald
On her goal for the 2025-26 campaign…
“I really just want to win. I want to be a leader on and off the court, but my big goal is really just winning.”