Oct. 21, 2008

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's basketball program held its media day on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming season. Media Day began with an opening statement from Purdue head coach Sharon Versyp, who then took questions from the media. Each player was available for comment after coach Versyp concluded. Coach Versyp's press conference was broadcast live on purduesports.com and below are quotes from several of the players.

The women's basketball season tips off in an exhibition game against the Ohio Girls Basketball Report (OGBR) on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. in West Lafayette, Ind. The Boilermakers' regular season begins when they play host to IUPUI on Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. in Mackey Arena.

Jodi Howell, Senior Guard
...on the start of the new season.
"I was very anxious to be back out on the court and the last three days of practice have been fun. I can't wait for the first game."

...on her physical condition coming back from shoulder surgery.
"I think I'm back to one hundred percent. I'm hoping taking the year off helped, I'm feeling good physically."

...on being a veteran and displaying leadership.
"We are now an experienced group, it's important that we hold each other to a high standard and hold each other accountable to positions."

...on the new depth of the team.
"I have faith in my teammates that if I'm having an off game, someone will pick it up. I don't feel any pressure because I know I have a lot of good teammates out there to help me."

Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton, Senior Forward
...on last season.
"Last season was a time of growth. We ended on a great note and we want to carry that with us into this season."

...on the new team cohesion.
"Even though we have a lot of veterans we still have to mold the team together and get everybody on the same page, it's not always easy."

...on the new defensive style.
"We have been working a lot on full-court pressing, our team depth has been helpful. I think this season we will be able to get in people's faces defensively a lot more."

...on the start of the this season.
"I'm more excited than ever to come back. The team is just focused on that first game."

Lakisha Freeman, Senior Forward
...on the start of a new season.
"This season the sky is the limit if we work hard, so that is what we are going to do."

...on the new playing style.
"This season we are going to have a faster pace and be in everybody's face defensively. Since we are a team with a lot more depth we can do that now."

...on team cohesion.
"We need to work together and really know our roles and the roles of our teammates. The whole team seems really excited."

...on what coach Versyp is telling them.
"We are using a new mentality, coach wants us to be hungry for it."

FahKara Malone, Junior Guard
...on the perceived expectations for this season.
"We can't focus on others expectations. We just are working on improving and focusing on learning everyone's changing roles."

...on the new depth of the team.
"The team depth will help us a lot. Being able to play the great defense that other teams have been able to play on us is exciting. We all have each other's back. On offense, if the shot clock is down I don't just have a couple players to look for, I have eleven or twelve other players I can count on to follow through."

...on pre-season polls.
"I haven't even looked to see if we are ranked. It doesn't matter because if you can hold up the trophy at the end of the season, it doesn't matter what the early polls say."

Alex Guyton, Freshman Forward
...on the start of her freshman season.
"I'm just learning my role. I want to be a contributor to this team and I'm working hard to get there."

...on the workouts.
"Conditioning has been tough but I know it will be helpful to us in the future. I have been working hard and I'm being pushed just as hard as the seniors in practice."

...on the this season.
"We have a great mentality and I think we will be as good as we want to be."

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