Angel Dominguez
Staff Writer
Dominican’s Midnight Madness is an evening basketball event that allowed for team introductions as well as student body involvement.
This event is a yearly tradition to kick off the men’s and women’s basketball season. Freshman forward Diana Villegas’ excitement to begin the season was reciprocated throughout the team.
“I feel really really excited, there’s a big group of freshmen that just came in. We’re all really close and super excited to get on the floor and get to playing because it’s what we’ve wanted all throughout high school,” said Villegas.
Head coach for the men’s team, Mark White and for the women’s team, Antonio Rivas, spoke briefly about their team’s response during preseason and the expectations set for the season.
“I’m excited, the guys have been working hard at practice. It’s only been 4 practices, but I feel like we have a good group who is focused and they’re putting in the time,” White said.
Rivas set the expectations for his team early on, “We have 11 freshman and 2 transfers, so we are really really young. Obviously not the best year last year, but we’ve got a good group of girls that I think can compete and patience will be the biggest thing here,” said Rivas.
A key component to the basketball teams early on is the adjustment of the addition of freshman to the roster. Rivas acknowledged the overwhelming number of freshmen on the team and how they’ve adapted so far.
“Good, it’s a big adjustment. The size of the game, the speed of the game. We’re getting in shape to start the season; we’ve had about four practices and they’ve been adjusting really well,” said Rivas.
The adjustment of freshman, Joshua West and Diana Villegas this year has been steady. They praised the community-like welcoming from teammates as they prepare for their first season at Dominican.
“I feel good, I feel comfortable and welcomed by the other guys,” West said.
Villegas also complimented DU’s community in addition to the support they receive.
“Definitely the community. We’re a close-knit group and that really shows on the court, and it shows throughout the whole school,” said Villegas.
This enthusiasm carried onto the team’s reaction to the newly constructed gym floor in the Igini Sports Forum.
Rivas was thrilled with the addition of the new floor and colors.
“It’s a good addition. I think it was well needed and well deserved. I hope the men’s and women’s basketball as well as volleyball (teams) can take advantage of it,” said Rivas.
The men’s and women’s basketball teams had their season-opening games this past week against Beloit College and Knox College.
Follow the Dominican athletics website for more information about upcoming games.
