By Destiny Diggs
The LIU Post women’s basketball team is on the eve of a new season and its members are looking forward to giving their all as they play their first game on Saturday, Nov. 11 against Adelphi University.
Last season, the Pioneer women were 7-11 in the East Coast Conference, but they are expecting to turn that record around with wins in the 2017-18 season.
The team takes last season’s record as a springboard to move forward as they are motivated to give their all in future games.
The ultimate goal is to compete in the ECC Championship and take home the win. However, the team members understand that they must make changes before getting to that point.
This season, the team can be more alert offensively and get more quality looks at the basket.
The LIU Post women’s basketball coach, Deirdre Moore, said the team’s goal for this season is to, “show an improvement in the way we play that we hope will be reflected in more wins.”
Reflecting on last season, Moore is confident that her team could have easily had a better record. “I can pick several games where we could have been 11-7,” she said.
The group has diligently worked during the off-season, which will hopefully shine through in forthcoming games.
“Stay focused on defense and then offense will come!” Moore says to her team. Keeping that same mindset, she believes that the team can and will be more competitive in the ECC this season.
The squad this year has brought back an impressive work ethic and great attitude that will only help their success. “Players want to be here and play their full potential,” Moore said.
Senior Kristen Olsen, captain and guard, leads defensively and communicates consistently with her teammates on the floor.
When Olsen is on the floor during a game, you will hear her fighting for her team and giving direction. During the 2016-17 season, Olsen started in 27 of 28 games and had 85 in free throws, the most on the team.
Olsen also had the second most assists for the team and made 44 three-point shots. The seasoned player values teamwork and acknowledges the team’s growth. “I feel like we’re the same team but better, with more weapons and have better chemistry this year,” Olsen said.
This season, look out for incoming freshmen Natalie Hickman, who plays forward, and Patrice Harding, who is a guard.
“They have some good incoming freshmen this year and should have more depth in the front court behind sophomore guard Mikaiya Moore and Sasha Patterson junior forward,” Thomas Scavetta, the sports director for the LIU Post campus radio station and a 2017 LIU Post graduate, said.
Moore is excited for what they will bring to the court and to debut their new talent.
“This season both Natalie Hickman and Patrice Harding are willing to do whatever they can to help the team be successful,” Moore said.
The team as a whole is eager and is ready to face its competitors. “I’m very excited; I think we have a lot of potential and I honestly think we will be the team that other teams are going to be scared to play,” Kylie Garret, senior guard, said.
“The team is moving in a positive direction,” Moore said. “We believe we have made improvements to compete in the East Coast Conference and the players are consistent in their desire to play together and be eligible for post season play.”
Last season, the team had a younger group, but this year brings development, experience and more confidence.
“Focus and determination. They want to be successful and are putting in hard work to be just that,” Moore said. It may be a new season, but LIU Post women’s basketball is bringing forth pressure; pressure on the court, defensively and offensively and pressure in practice. Look out East Coast Conference!
This article was originally published in the Pioneer, the award-winning student newspaper of LIU Post, www.liupostpioneer.com, and is republished here by Blank Slate Media with the permission of the Pioneer.
