Atlantic Sun Women's Hoops: Hot Streak

Several Atlantic Sun Women's Basketball teams are hitting their stride at a crucial time as the midway point in conference play is approaching.

FGCU, Stetson, USC Usptate and Jacksonville are finding a rhythm as the squads are holding onto impressive streaks.

The Eagles have have put together an impressive resume in the A-Sun. Highlighting their play in the league is a 44-game conference winning streak in regular season play. The blue and green's last loss in conference action? February 28, 2011 as the Eagles fell 75-74 at USC Upstate.

The streak is the longest conference winning streak in the nation.

To add to that,FGCU has not lost to a conference opponent on its home court of Alico Arena since January 8, 2009. The Eagles home court conference win streak sits at 51 games.

To kick off this season FGCU has strung together eight-straight conference wins, including a big win vs. the No. 2 seed in the league, Stetson, to open league play. As of January 26th the streak was good for the 14th longest streak in the nation this season.

CONGRATS @FGCU_WBB on national best 44th straight conference W @ Lipscomb! Go @FGCUEagles #WingsUp #GoGreen&Blue #BeatJetLag

— Ken Kavanagh (@KavEagle) January 31, 2014

The Hatters boast several streaks of their own. Stetson has won seven-straight games to hold a 7-1 record in league play. The streak is good for No. 18 in the country.

To top it off, Stetson has been perfect at home during the 2013-14 season with a 9-0 home record. The Hatters have not lost at home in 11 games with their last home loss coming at the hands of the Eagles in February of 2013. Stetson's 11-game home winning streak ranks as the 12th-best in the nation and the best in the A-Sun.

The Hatters average 85.67 points per game in home contests and are out scoring opponents by 19 points in those match ups.

Final Score, Stetson wins its seventh in a row, 90-66 over Northern Kentucky! Sims and Porter w/ 17 points apiece. #GoHatters #ASunWBB

— StetsonWBB (@StetsonWBB) January 31, 2014

Contributing as another strong A-Sun team at home, Jacksonville is undefeated at home this season with a 6-0 record. The Dolphins have won nine-straight games at home dating back to last season. JU is outscoring opponents by 20.67 points per game when at home.

USC Upstate has now won four games in a row for the first time since the 2011-12 season when it was victorious over UNF, Lipscomb, Belmont and East Tennessee State. The four-game winning streak has come the Spartans at a good time as they now sit in fifth-place in the league and have put themselves in a good position to host a first-round game in the 2014 A-Sun Championship.

The Spartans kicked off the streak with a road win that was decided by a last second shot at ETSU and followed it with a one point decision vs. Mercer. Upstate carried that momentum to garner two more wins against Kennesaw State and North Florida.

#UPSTWBB That's 4 in a row for Upstate for 1st time since '11-12 w/ 62-51 win over UNF. Clency leads all scorers w/ 20. #ASunWBB

— Upstate Spartans (@UpstateSpartans) January 31, 2014

As the midway point approaches in league play the race to the 2014 Atlantic Sun Championship begins and teams will battle it out to grad a spot into the championship. The momentum of these hot streaks may be a deciding factor when the season comes to a close.

20 Questions with KSU Men's Golf Standout Jimmy Beck

There is no debate that Kennesaw State's Jimmy Beck is one of the top A-Sun men's golfers in 2013-14. As the No. 2 returning player in the A-Sun behind North Florida's MJ Maguire, Beck recorded four top-15 finishes during the fall 2013 schedule, including a top-five in the Owls' Pinetree Intercollegiate team victory. He is ranked among the nation's best in the latest Golfweek rankings (61st) and also checks in among the top 100 in the Golfstat Cup (96th). 

Recently the junior from Columbus, Ga., added another award to his growing list of accolades when he received the Georgia State Golf Association's (GSGA) Co-Men's Player of the Year Award on Jan.18. Beck was recognized along with Cameron Hooper of Atlanta and Jeff Knox of Augusta. 

"Being named the GSGA Men's Co-Player of the Year is one of the many blessings that have happened during my time here at Kennesaw State," Beck said. "I am honored to receive this award and could not have accomplished this without the support of my team, my coaches, my friends, and my family. I am looking forward to the upcoming season." 

In addition to leading the Kennesaw State men's golf team to an NCAA Division I regional appearance in 2013, Beck became the first KSU player to capture the Georgia State Amateur when he outplayed the field at Pinetree Country Club last July.

"This is yet another feather in Jimmy's cap as he is becoming one of the most decorated athletes in KSU history," Owls head coach Jay Moseley said. "A college player has not won this award in nearly 10 years and for Jimmy to be the first KSU golfer to ever receive it is quite an honor."

Moseley saw the ability when recruiting Beck from nearby Columbus, but was just as enamored with the intangibles that Beck possessed. A steady and consistent personality that is bold but not brash, and one that is always open to suggestion is what Moseley says makes Beck a joy to coach.

"When I recruited Jimmy I thought he would have more impact as a freshman, but it took him about 18 months to adjust to the college game and to raise his level of play," says Moseley. "Nothing really changed from his freshman to his sophomore years, other than his confidence. He has certainly come to be what I thought he could be as a player.

"But with Jimmy you also get the intangibles that make him such a valuable member of this team. Often what you see from the outside with people is not always a true measure of what is inside, but Jimmy personifies the A-Sun's goal of 'Building Winners for Life.' I recruited him as much for who he is and what he stands for. He is a first class young man with great character, a tremendous leader by example and pure joy to coach."

If making the professional tour remains one of Beck's goals, Moseley says his abilities,  both mental and physical, make that goal well within his reach. "His mind is the best part of his game," says Moseley. "He is ahead of everyone in that aspect of his game, and on the course his confidence around the greens makes his putting and chipping second to none."

Beck followed his win at the Georgia State Amateur by leading the Owls to a pair of tournament victories last fall as Kennesaw State won the Rees Jones Invitational and Pinetree Intercollegiate. He also paced KSU with 72.50 scoring average and posted four Top 20 finishes. 

The Owls open their spring season Feb. 10 at the Farms Collegiate Invitational in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

Other Career Highlights:
• A-Sun All-Freshman Team (2011-12)
• Four-time Golfer of the Week honors (1 in 2011-12; 3 in 2012-13)
• A-Sun All-Conference First Team (2012-13)
• Member of the A-Sun Academic All-Conference Team (2012-13)
• Member of the Golf Coach Association of America (GCAA) PING All-Southeast Region team (2012-13)
• Two individual titles in 2012-13 (Pinetree Intercollegiate, Irish Creek Intercollegiate)
• Nine top-20 and five top-10 finishes in his first two seasons

20 QUESTIONS

Biggest Pet Peeve: I am sort of a neat freak, so when I see something that is dirty or cluttered I feel obligated to clean it up and get it out of the way

Favorite Course That You Have Played: Peachtree Golf Club in Atlanta
Dream Foursome: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and my Dad
Other Favorite Golfer(s): Ernie Els
Best Golf Tip: Put a lot of focus on putting
Shot You Love to Practice: 6-iron with a small fade
Part of Your Game that Needs Improvement: Pitching and chipping
Favorite Club: Putter 
Ball Marker: Generally a nickel, but any coin, usually silver 
Holes In One (competitive): 1 
Favorite Non-Golf Athlete: Michael Jordan 
Age Broke Par for First Time: 6 (set up for kids) 13 (on par-72)
Favorite Sports Team(s): Boston Celtics, Atlanta Braves 
Playing in your earphones before a tournament: I listen to any kind of music, so I just hit shuffle 
Describe Jay Moseley in one word: Leader 
What never fails to make you laugh: My roommates (and teammates) Jonathan Klotz, Austin Vick, Carlos Segura Oliva
Favorite food: Sushi, any kind of Japanese food because my Mom is Japanese
State have you never been in but would like to visit: New York 
Prefer Facebook or Twitter: Twitter 
What you like most about Kennesaw State University: The community and atmosphere. KSU is a Big university with a small campus feel, walking around campus doesn't seem that big. Special to be a part of something that is big like this.

IN THE BAG 
Driver: Taylor Made R11S
3-Wood: Titleist 913S
Irons: Mizuno MP57
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM4
Putter: Scotty Cameron Titleist

Dave Walker's A-Sun Legacy Runs for Miles

This weekend, ETSU is set to host the Niswonger Invitational at the David E. Walker Track in Johnson City, Tenn. For the past 35 years, the Buccaneers have hosted the two-day meet with some of the nation’s top college student-athletes competing in the event.

This year’s edition will have a slightly different feel to it as one piece will be missing from the event.

Legendary ETSU Track & Field and Cross Country Coach, Dave Walker passed away Saturday, Jan. 11, following a long battle with health issues. Walker, who retired in 2012, spent north of 50 years at ETSU starting as a member of the football team until his graduation in 1958 followed by his long tenure at the head of the track program from 1963 to 2012.

Walker’s career ranged from playing professional football with the Baltimore Colts and Cleveland Browns to training NCAA Champions, Olympic athletes and his time with ETSU. All of his accomplishments led to an induction into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

During his time in the A-Sun from 2005 to 2012, Walker and his student-athletes compiled a long list of accomplishments, records and titles. Walker’s legacy in the A-Sun will continue to live on through the performances of his student-athletes at the conference championships.

Below is a long list of accomplishments by ETSU student-athletes from 2005 to 2012 for cross country as well as the indoor and outdoor track & field seasons.

A-Sun Men’s & Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championship Accomplishments
Top Performances
A-Sun Championship Records Held: 5
Top-10 Performances in A-Sun History: 55

A-Sun Championship Medalists
1st Place: 45
2nd Place: 62
3rd Place: 67

Team Accomplishments
Men’s Team Champions: 2011, 2009, 2007, 2006
Men’s Team Runner-Up: 2012, 2010, 2008
Women’s Team Runner-Up: 2007

Individual Accomplishments
Men’s Coach of the Year: 2011, 2009, 2007, 2006
Most Valuable Performer: Jadon Short, 2012; Duran Monal, 2010
Most Outstanding Track Performer: Duran Monal, 2010; Ben Rotich, 2009; Michael Wright, 2007; James Rainer, 2006
Most Outstanding Field Performer: Jarrod Burton, 2011
Most Outstanding Freshman Performer: Jadon Short, 2012
A-Sun Athletes of the Week: 39

A-Sun Men’s & Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championship Accomplishments
Top Performances
A-Sun Championship Records Held: 5
Top-10 Performances in A-Sun History: 41

A-Sun Championship Medalists
1st Place: 53
2nd Place: 53
3rd Place: 65

Team Accomplishments
Men’s Team Champions: 2012, 2009, 2007
Men’s Team Runner-Up: 2011, 2010
Women’s Team Runner-Up: 2007

Individual Accomplishments
Men’s Team Champions: 2012, 2009, 2007
Men’s Team Runner-Up: 2011, 2010
Men’s Coach of the Year: 2012, 2009, 2007
Most Valuable Performers: Jadon Short, 2012; Duran Monal, 2010
Outstanding Track Performers: Ben Ronoh, 2011, Duran Monal, 2010; Ben Rotich, 2009; Heidi Dahl, 2009
Outstanding Freshman Performers: Jarrod Burton, 2007; Zacklynn Blackburn, 2007
A-Sun Athlete of the Week: 28

A-Sun Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Championship Accomplishments
A-Sun Championship All-Conference Performances
1st Team: 15
2nd Team: 4

A-Sun Championship Top-Three Finishes
1st Place: 2
2nd Place: 2
3rd Place: 1

Team Accomplishments
Men’s Team Champions: 2008
Men’s Team Runner-Up: 2009, 2007, 2005
Men’s Coach of the Year: 2008

Individual Accomplishments
Runner of the Year: Kenneth Rotich, 2008, 2009
Freshman of the Year: Filip Jalovy, 2011; Zacklynn Blackburn, 2007
A-Sun Runner of the Week: 10

A Look Back at the A-Sun's 2013 Champions

As 2013 comes to a close, a quick look back shows that the year was a championship season in at least one sport for nine of the A-Sun's 10 members.

Check out the photo blog below to recap each of the A-Sun's 2013 Champions.

ETSU

Men's Tennis Tournament Champs

Baseball Tournament Champs

Volleyball Regular Season Co-Champs

Women's Golf Tournament Champs

Men's Soccer Tournament Champs

Women's Tennis Regular Season Champs

FGCU

Men's Basketball Tournament Champs

Women's Basketball Regular Season Champs

2012-13 All-Sports Champs

Jacksonville

Women's Indoor Track & Field

Women's Outdoor Track & Field (8 straight outdoor titles)

Volleyball Regular Season Co-Champs, Tournament Champs

Women's Soccer Tournament Champs

Kennesaw State

Men's Indoor Track & Field Champs

Men's Outdoor Track & Field Champs

Lipscomb

Men's Cross Country Champs

Women's Cross Country Champs

Mercer

Men's Basketball Regular Season Champs

Baseball Regular Season Champs

North Florida 

Men's Golf Tournament Champs

Men's Tennis Regular Season Champs

Sand Volleyball Regular Season & Tournament Champs

Women's Tennis Regular Season & Tournament Champs

Softball Regular Season Champs

Stetson

Women's Basketball Tournament Champs

USC Upstate

Softball Tournament Champs

'Tis the Season For #ASunWBB Giving

Atlantic Sun Women’s Hoops is about more than a game. Around the league teams have put an effort out to help the community, while balancing practices, games and school work.

FGCU started giving back to the community during the off season as the squad spent time volunteering at the Harry Chapin Food Bank. The team volunteered as part of the “Fill Our Fleet to Feed the Hungry” initiative that encouraged local shoppers to load donations onto LeeTran buses parked in 34 Publix parking lots on Sunday.  After loading, the buses went to the Harry Chapin Food Bank’s Fowler Street location where the team joined more than 100 other volunteers in unloading the donations.  With the help of the team, the packed buses were unloaded in just a few hours. 

The Mercer women’s basketball team participated in the Be a Good NeighBEAR service event before the season kicked off. The event involved several groups who participated in five different neighborhood cleanups across the city with local neighborhood associations.

Next, North Florida started the season of giving as the team volunteered at Halloween Doors & More which I a program that allows children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families to enjoy Halloween festivities. To date, the event has raised more than $2.8 million for the Community PedsCare program. The Ospreys escorted children through the different themed rooms that allowed children to get their faces painted, hair done and receive candy and gifts.

ETSU brought helping hands into the community during Thanksgiving in multiple facets.

The Buccaneers started the giving season as the team volunteered their time to mentor youth from Andrew Johnson Elementary.  Later that day several Bucs donated their time to bag groceries for the United Way at Food City near ETSU’s campus.

 “Thanksgiving week is the perfect time for our team to give back to the Johnson City community,” said first-year ETSU head coach Brittney Ezell. “We, as a program, have a multitude of things to be thankful for and what better ways to express our gratitude than to have our players serve others.”

Kennesaw State got into the holiday giving spirit as the Owl’s women’s basketball team partnered with the 

MUST Ministries Toy Shop in helping local families shop for Christmas gifts at the toy shop. The toy shop consisted of gifts and goods that were donated in order to help families in need.

Jacksonville will look to assist with the Christian Laettner Second Harvest Clinic for Kids on December 28^th. During the clinic the children of the Riverside Presbyterian Youth Basketball League, which consists of more than 80 girl’s and boy’s teams, will receive instruction from former NBA player Christian Laettner and the Dolphins who will lend their hands with the free camp and also facilitate a food bank collection for Second Harvest.

"Our program prides itself on serving the community,” said Head Coach Yolett McPhee- McCuin. “Every month, we have participated in at least one community service event and this month’s is special because it is Christmastime. This is when people need others the most for various reasons and we plan to do whatever we can to bring warmth during special this time of the year. "

Social Media Map: #ASunMBB Hits The Road

Only 35 days into the 2013-14 Atlantic Sun Men’s Basketball season and road contests have begun to stack up for league teams with a combined 57 games away from their home arenas.

Life on the road for A-Sun student-athletes can be tough with early departures and late arrivals coupled with studying for classes on the road, but it also takes them to places otherwise would have gone unseen.

Take a look through this social media travel map of some of the trips, adventures and historic arenas that A-Sun teams have come across so far this season - starting with a winter wonderland that North Florida encountered on its trip to Bloomington.

Enjoying a little winter wonderland in Indiana #SWOOPLife pic.twitter.com/OMzFSvVdY4

— OspreyMBB (@OspreyMBB) December 6, 2013

An Upstate fan added some flair to Tennessee's campus before the game vs. the Spartans

@UPSTMBB taking over the Tennessee campus and making it's presence felt. #UpstateHoops @UpstateSpartans #ASunMBB pic.twitter.com/8vkrAIve7T

— USC UPSTATE MBB (@UPSTMBB) November 16, 2013

The Ospreys' Dallas Moore dropped 27 points in IU's Assembly Hall that has housed three NCAA Championship teams.

The view of @OspreyMBB practice from the top of Assembly Hall in Bloomington. 5 min up/15 min down. #hike pic.twitter.com/IY4PLVV3MD

— Robert Harper (@UNFVoice) December 6, 2013

Northern Kentucky hits the sites in New Orleans before an overtime victory vs. Tulane.

St Louis cathedral New Orleans!! Awesome pic.twitter.com/VjKgNH5LLh

— David Bezold (@NKUmenshoops) November 23, 2013

The Norse appeared in the UCF Cure Classic in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Thanksgiving dinner beach side! pic.twitter.com/TWMhhrHtkh

— David Bezold (@NKUmenshoops) December 2, 2013

Behind 37 points from Jakob Gollon, Mercer won a triple overtime contest at Valparaiso

Mercer wins an absolute slugfest! Mercer 117, Valpo 108 3 Overtimes. J. Gollon career-high 37 points!

— Mercer Basketball (@MercerMBB) November 30, 2013

Prior to the Valpo win, Mercer practiced at Butler's Hinkle Fieldhouse:

The team has arrived at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse (of Hoosiers fame) for afternoon practice. pic.twitter.com/tb0KBTbFLv

— Mercer Basketball (@MercerMBB) November 27, 2013

Lipscomb faced Georgetown in the Verizon Center; Home of the Washington Wizard's and NHL's Capitals.

Almost time for the tip against Georgetown. Watch live on @SportsSouth and listen in on @949Game2 #ASunMBB pic.twitter.com/0zc4xbYQw9

— Lipscomb Bisons (@LipscombBisons) November 30, 2013

Stetson has played on some "interesting" courts on the road this season.

Just over an hour until game time here at UCF's blacktop court. #gohatters #asunmbb pic.twitter.com/pkuASxUUZO

— Stetson Men's Bball (@StetsonMBB) December 7, 2013

The Hatters also took part in the Gulf Coast Showcase at Fort Myers' Germain Arena.

Almost game time at Germain Arena for the Gulf Coast Showcase! #gohatters #asunmbb pic.twitter.com/khzrPVq3fk

— Stetson Men's Bball (@StetsonMBB) November 25, 2013

NFL Legend Jerry Rice talked with Kennesaw State prior to its game at Mississippi State

Thanks to @JerryRice for taking time to speak with the team before today's game! #GoKSUOwls pic.twitter.com/hEWUUQOgRG

— KSU Mens Basketball (@KSUOWLSMBB) November 14, 2013

ETSU squared off in Georgia Tech's remodeled Hank McCamish Pavilion.

The Bucs are hitting the floor to warm up. ETSU vs. Georgia Tech at 2 pm in ATL. #BacktheBucs #ETSUMBB pic.twitter.com/lComyp3Cur

— ETSU Athletics (@ETSUAthletics) December 7, 2013

An early shoot-around allowed FGCU time to adjust to FIU's new court.

First look inside FIU's U.S. Century Bank Arena as #FGCU holds its morning shootaround: pic.twitter.com/7dztucMLaj

— FGCU Men's Hoops (@FGCU_MBB) December 7, 2013

FGCU's Bernard Thompson came prepared for the Eagles' trip to Nebraska.

From 32 degrees in Minneapolis to 38 in Lincoln, @Ihoop_02 is ready & reppin' the @FGCUDirtyBirds scarf. pic.twitter.com/3Vl2YeEOel

— FGCU Men's Hoops (@FGCU_MBB) November 8, 2013

A look inside the Jacksonville huddle at in-state foe, Florida State

Last instructions before we resume play. pic.twitter.com/K5THuAdIbl

— JU Basketball (@JUMensHoops) November 9, 2013

Finally, USC Upstate started off the season right with a win at Virginia Tech in its first game of the season

@UPSTMBB beats Virginia Tech 64-63 for first-ever win over an ACC opponent. #UpstateHoops

— USC UPSTATE MBB (@UPSTMBB) November 9, 2013

Shift in Attitude Led to Success for Courtney and the Dolphins

Winston Churchill once said that attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.

Jacksonville senior Kendall Courtney and her Dolphins personify that statement, as they concluded a record-setting 2013 season in the first round of the NCAA Volleyball Championship Thursday evening. The Dolphins fell to fifth-seeded Florida 3-0, but completed an amazing 2013 season in which they enjoyed a list of impressive accomplishments, including a turnaround from 10-24 overall (7-11 A-Sun) in 2012 to 30-4 overall and 16-2 in A-Sun play this season.
 
It is fitting that Courtney led the team in assists with 24 as she concluded her collegiate career against the Gators. Leading the team statistically is nothing new for Courtney, as she has led the Dolphins statistically and been among the conference leaders in each of her four years at JU. She has also garnered A-Sun Academic honors all four years along with All-Conference Second-Team and Player of the Week honors this season.

Courtney admits that as a younger player her expectations for herself and her team were high.

"I set pretty high goals for myself coming into the program, because I am hard to please," said Courtney.

As a freshman, she earned A-Sun All-Academic honors and was named to the Dean’s List. She was the only player to start in all 30 matches in 2010 and led the team in assists (1,095), service aces (50) and double-doubles (assists & digs) with seven.

In her sophomore season, in which she was a captain, Courtney was again an A-Sun All-Academic selection and was named to the President's Honor Roll. On the court she started in all 31 matches and led the A-Sun in overall assists (1,222) and ranked second in service aces (54).

Individually Courtney was achieving, but it was not translating into success for the team. ""In my first two seasons, my goals were centered around my personal play, and that didn't work out too well," she says. "I was captain my sophomore year, and I really struggled with that too."

In Courtney's junior season Michelle Collier was hired as head coach of the Dolphins, bringing with her the philosophy of "team first" that has pervaded the program and propelled JU to its place among the nation's leaders in team - not individual - statistical categories. Courtney points to that event as the turning point for both her attitude and that of the team.

"Michelle brings a lot of energy and passion to the game, and she really makes you look forward to practice," said Courtney. "She really turned things around. Before she arrived I had gotten to the point where I really didn't look forward to practice and had lost some of my excitement for the game, but all that changed. I changed my attitude toward everything about volleyball, and she has shown us what an opportunity this is and how rare it is to be able to compete like we have at the Division I level."

Courtney's success has been well documented, and Collier is quick to point out how fortunate she was to inherit a player like her. As a junior she was one of two Dolphins to play in all 127 sets and was once again recognized academically by membership on the A-Sun Academic All-Conference team. On the court she led JU and ranked fifth in the A-Sun with 1,211 assists and ranked first on the team in digs (355) and second in aces (24).

Kendall considers herself a player that leads by example, and says the change in attitude was also adopted by her teammates, something that not only led her to individual success but to her team's success as well.

"When we bought into what Michelle was trying to accomplish, that really helped put it all together," says Courtney. "I changed my attitude, and I really think that my leadership has improved the most in the last two years. 

As a senior, the 2013 season has been a memorable one. She competed in 126 sets, starting in all 34 matches. She became the Atlantic Sun career leader in service aces after JU's win over North Florida on Oct. 10 and finishes her career with 168. She earned selection as the 2013 Atlantic Sun Tournament MVP and membership to the All-Tournament team, along with A-Sun All-Conference Second Team honors. She earned her first career Player of the Week nod on Sept. 4, and wrapped up the season as the eighth-ranked career active leader in the NCAA in assists.

"This season was unexpected to me," says Courtney. "Not to say that the past three years have been disappointing, but the program was not where I had hoped it would be. This season has been a total team effort, because we have a tremendous team chemistry and we are all on the same page."

Collier credits Courtney for her change in attitude, but is also quick to point out that much of her success also comes from a well defined work ethic and passion for the game.

"Kendall is a rare kind of player," says Collier. "We share a love and passion for the game, and that helps us see eye-to-eye on a lot of things.

"She is also an extremely hard worker, one who not one day would ask for anything special or a break in anything, and she would go through a wall for this team if we asked her to. That has earned her a great deal of respect from her coaches and teammates. She is more patient with other players now because her focus is about the team, and she has become a great role model because of that.

"Kendall is basically a regurgitation of what this program is all about," Collier concludes. "It is hard to find a player like her."