TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

Last year, you earned the starting nod at point guard and led the Bulls in assists eight times and also hit four three-pointers against Kent State on Feb. 11. What would you rather do, give out a perfect pass for an assist or hit a three-pointer?
Definitely a perfect pass for an assist. That’s my job as a point guard to distribute the ball to my teammates.

In the past two seasons, you have received the team’s Coaches’ Award and the team’s Most Improved Player Award. Is it nice to know you not only have the coaches’ respect, but also your teammates?
Having the respect of my teammates and knowing that they see the work that I’ve put in and how dedicated I am to the program is what is most important for me.

Your team has always played a tough schedule, squaring off against at least one ranked opponent in each of your years here. What is it like playing against some of the top women’s athletes in the nation?
It’s a great experience. That’s what you dream of - playing the best in the nation. It’s always great to have that challenges and we try our very best to rise up to the challenge as they come.

What made you decide that UB was the place to be after being recruited by an ACC school like Maryland or tradition-rich schools like Sacred Heart and Navy?
Definitely the atmosphere of the team on my official visit and how dedicated the coaching staff was to the program, how dedicated the players were to the coaching staff and just the school in general. How together they were as a team and the love that they shared really made UB the place for me.

As a senior in high school, you made the New Jersey High School semifinals. What was the atmosphere like at your high school before the game and also at the game?
It was a great atmosphere. I had many, many great teammates that I played with in high school. My starting center (Michelle Campbell) plays at Rutgers for Vivian Stringer and another one (Danielle Wexler) plays at Hartford for Jen Rizzotti, so I just had a lot of great players that surrounded me. It was just a dream playing with them in high school. There were a lot of people (at the game). The stands were filled and it was just an experience I’ll never forget.

What advice do you have for a girl who is just starting to play basketball?
Have fun, because it’s just a game and that’s what it’s all about. The main thing is to have fun and to build relationships with your teammates. Over the years, the friendships are most important.

What is your favorite part of being a DI women’s basketball player?
I’d say definitely the relationships that I’ve gotten with my teammates over the years and the different people that I’ve met from all over the world is the best part.

Growing up, who was your favorite basketball player?
I’d probably have to say Michael Jordan or my sister, Angela, who played Division I basketball at St. Francis College (NY).

How have you been able to juggle academics with athletics and become a UB Scholar-Athlete?
Just putting in a lot of time and effort into my studies. A lot of hours in the library, tutors, just getting it done when I’m having trouble with classes and traveling and really focusing on classes first and most before anything else. You just need to learn how to balance everything.

What has been your favorite moment as a UB athlete?
My favorite moment as a UB Athlete was last year when we defeated Marshall (79-60 on Jan. 17) here at an athletes-for-athletes event by 20 points. That was the best game I’ve ever played in my life.

“The 10 Questions With…” feature is compiled by Joe Guistina.