University of Connecticut Athletics
Women's Basketball Hosts Annual Media Day
10/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 12, 2011
STORRS, Conn. - UConn Women's Basketball held its annual Media Day in Storrs, Conn at Gampel Pavilion where members of the program met with the media. The Huskies met with roughly 30 members of print, TV and online media for about an hour.
Head Coach Geno Auriemma
On last season:
"I think you are always trying to figure out how far a team can go and what the realistic expectations are for a team. Last year it was realistic to think we could win a National Championship. By anybody's standards 36-2 is a great season. So, in that regard it was a great year, but at the same time there are probably things we could have done differently or better. That is the luxury of hindsight."
On losing Maya Moore and the upcoming season:
"We're not fortunate to have a retuning All-American. We're going to have to figure out as a group what we can do as a team rather than relying on the experience or talent level of an All-American. Having so many underclassmen in key roles will be a huge challenge. There are going to be times when it's not going to look great and times when it looks really good. That's the beauty of college basketball and college athletics. You always have new kids that you are trying to blend in with the older kids and you see what happens."
On Stephanie Dolson:
"Stephanie has worked hard. I think being involved with the USA basketball team this summer really helped her. I think the year between freshman and sophomore year is usually when you make the biggest strides. She knew going into last season that conditioning would be the one thing to get her to or keep her from getting where she wanted to go. That was a huge point of emphasis for her. As great of a rookie season as she had last year I think she expects more from herself this coming season. There are a lot of things she does well that are going to be able to help us tremendously."
#34 Kelly Faris, Jr., G, Plainfield, Ind.
On the UConn team after Maya Moore:
"It is a lot different this year. Maya Moore was the key player and the member of the team that bailed us out. The dynamics of the team have changed. The rest of the team cannot sit around and give the ball to one player. It will be a test to see if we can adjust to that. We've got to go back to everyone on the team moving again. This is our team now and we have to do what we can with our team."
On the team playing as a collective unit:
"This year is definitely going to be collective. We're adjusting and we'll see how we can play as a team again."
On being an upperclassmen:
"This year I am trying to encourage and let people know where they need to be. I've done that a little bit. I have to be a scorer. I need to get back to scoring. I did it a little bit here and there last year, but I need to be more consistent. There are no excuses. I am going to be put to the test and see if I can be an offensive threat. Defensively, I need to always have energy and pressure the ball."
On her confidence:
"I feel more confident than this point last year. I have looked a lot at my shot all offseason. I need to be consistent and I have the confidence that I can be."
#23, Kaleena Mosquesda-Lewis, Fr., F, Anaheim, Calif.
On UConn:
"Coach Auriemma is as great as I thought he was going to be. The assistant coaches are as supportive as I thought they were going to be. The fan base is great so far. I haven't even played a game yet and they are incredible. I can't talk highly enough of my teammates. They are all great girls and we get along great. Basically, we're like sisters. Being so far away from home that is very important to me."
On growing in only a couple months:
"I've definitely become mentally tougher. Working out with coaches and going through training camp before Italy. I'm really happy we were able to do that and get the team chemistry going. It was great to see the way the team is run and how the whole system works."
On winter in Connecticut:
"No, I have no winter gear. When we ran in 40 degree weather I was freezing. I had to borrow gloves from my teammates. I was layered up and still freezing. It is the biggest adjustment coming from southern California."
On feelings coming into UConn:
"It's a lot of tradition and high expectations. It makes you think about how you did things before coming to UConn. It is on another level here."
On First Night:
"I've been to First Night twice as a recruit. It was fun and exciting. You wonder if you will be a part of it. Now, I am a part of it. I'm happy to be on the team. We are ready to dance, we've been practicing our dance moves."
#5 Caroline Doty, RS Jr., G, Doylestown, Pa.
On being injured and staying positive:
"It was more a learning experience than anything. I was able to see a lot and learn from the sidelines. I had to stay positive. We have a lot of young players on the team this year and I think positivity is a huge thing to keep everyone going. It allows us to have fun and do well on the court at the same time."
On having low expectations because of young team:
"Absolutely not. The coaches do a great job recruiting and they wouldn't bring in just anybody. Our expectations are to go to the Final Four and win a National Championship. We're going to work hard and stick together to try and achieve that goal."
On Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis being compared to Maya Moore:
"It's tough because she has been hearing that comparison since high school. She is not Maya Moore, she is Kaleena Lewis. The fact that Maya has done what she has done is very hard to do. Maya is special. We all praised her for her work ethic, attitude and how hard she goes all the time. As long as Kaleena knows if she continues to work hard she will get stronger and better. Kaleena's shot is already unbelievable. If she focuses on her being her and not worrying about filling someone's shoes she will be a great player here."
On bonding with the team in Italy:
"We did a lot of activities together and saw amazing things. To have that once in a lifetime opportunity and do it with the entire team really brings us together. I hope it shows in the season."
