December 6, 2016
By Christopher Sich
The Dominican University Women’s Basketball team looks to get back in the win column after going 1-3 to start the season. The Stars started the season with an impressive 70-58 win over Kalamazoo College, but have lost three games since.
“Winning the first game gave our girls a lot of confidence…they know they are good enough,” Head Coach Gabby Johnson. “We had a little bit of a set back with the next three games, but they have seen video and know that our mistakes are effort and focus based. Both of those are fixable.”
Winning the season opener gave the team a lot of confidence even though they have dropped the last three. The team has showed flashes of their potential and has Johnson excited for what’s to come.
“We are a much more athletic team than we have been in the past, and I think that has given us the chance to spread the floor a little offensively and attack from multiple positions,” Johnson said. “I’m excited for our kids to find success this year, and building on each game.”
Other than being a more athletic team than in past seasons, the team has improved on being more composed in high pressured situations thanks to the improved team chemistry.
“From the start of the season we have been more focused, more committed, and have had better chemistry as a team than in previous years,” Senior guard Angela Evola said. “We are looking to use this to continue to build a successful team.”
The pieces are in place to have a successful season, now the Stars must execute in game situations.
“We must find our role within the team and carry it out to the best of our ability, all while staying committed to our common goal,” Evola said. “Our team goals are to develop together and to have a winning season. Ultimately, we aim to qualify for the NACC tournament.”
With increased team focus the team can improve on the fine details.
“The team this year must be focused and motivated, we must come in and work hard day in and day out of practice and must do the little things on the court to be successful,” Senior guard Claudia DeNigris said.
The Stars know they have the work cut out for them, and they are ready to compete.
According to DeNigris a goal of theirs is to work hard every day and trust the process, change does not happen overnight, but it happens with patience and confidence.
The schedule is tough, but the Stars have several goals that they have their sights set on.
“Our goal this year is to compete and get better every day. It is important that we focus on the bigger picture; we have to be playing our best basketball in January and February,” Johnson said. “We have to stay together through tough games and days, and we must OUT WORK the other teams. It is imperative that we work harder every day.”
The Stars next two games will be on the road in Wisconsin against conference rivals Concordia University Wisconsin and Alverno College.
The Stars next game at the Igini Sports Forum will be on Saturday, Dec. 10, against conference rival Milwaukee School of Engineering.
sichchri@my.dom.edu