Oct. 27, 2015

2015-16 Schedule | Quick Facts | Season Tickets

ARLINGTON, Texas - The 11 Sun Belt coaches came together for the annual preseason teleconference on Tuesday. UT Arlington coach Krista Gerlich met with the media to discuss the Lady Mavericks' outlook for 2015-16.

Gerlich's opening statement:
"Last year I was really proud of the growth that we showed as a program and as a team. I felt like that with so many new kids on our roster that is was really going to be a telling year to see how quickly we could gel and I was pleasantly surprised with that and with the progress that we made in the conference race.

"It kind of ended on a disappointing note with us in the conference tournament. I felt that Texas State really got after us for a third time, and I think our kids kind of took that to heart. They were really wanting to be able to make some progress in that tournament, but I did think that we had some bright spots, particularly from our younger kids.

"It is going to be kind of interesting this year because that sophomore slump you might get in if you will, so I'm hoping that the kids that we have added to our roster will kind of relieve that pressure from Rebekah VanDijk a little bit because she had just an outstanding freshman season. As did Cierra Johnson, especially the last ten games of the conference. I thought she really elevated her game, and it got us in the mix in a lot of games.

"I'm excited about this season, it's great to have returners in your program. This is really the first year that we've had returners, and we can definitely see a difference there. Our chemistry's been really good and our kids are really excited about this season, and just getting back out there and trying to keep improving every day."

Gerlich on player maturity in a competitive conference:
"I definitely think that it pushes them to a level that they haven't been on before because I think in high school, I don't think their districts are set up like that. I just don't think they're as competitive from top to bottom as our conference is and we've got some really talented teams, and every night that we step out on the court, it's a dogfight. That part of it really made them have to grow up quickly last year, that it's a matter this year of them being able to counter some of that.

"Rebekah surprised a few people, being a freshman, you don't know what to expect out of her, and I think that she surprised a few people. So now she's going to have to really battle teams keying on her and I don't think that pressure should be put on her as much as it should be on her teammates to step up and relieve some of that pressure. I do think that it certainly has made them more seasoned more quickly than maybe in other programs or other conferences because of the battles that they're going to have to face day in and day out."

Gerlich on Rebekah VanDijk's sophomore campaign:
"She has worked extremely hard in the offseason to get stronger, to be able to jump better, to be able to move quicker because I think all of those things she would say - as well as we would - are things that are going to hold her back if she doesn't continue to become a better athlete.

"More than anything because of the type of kid Rebekah is, she's going to really have to guard against putting that pressure on herself. She's such a perfectionist and wants to do everything exactly right when we're coaching her, and we've already seen a little bit of that in the preseason of her putting a little too much pressure on herself and not being as productive as she'd like to be. So I think she's going to have to guard against her own self more than anything. But she has such a great work ethic, and her teammates really love her that I feel like that she's going to really succeed no matter what.

Gerlich on offensive sparks:
"Our signing class that we put together last year, they all can really shoot the basketball, which is something that we've been missing for sure. I think that Kamy Cole is a kid that's going to provide us that offense that we've been missing on the perimeter. Breck Clark also had a great year at NOC-Enid in junior college. She can really shoot the basketball and she can score. She has a knack for just getting herself to the free throw line, and so I think both of those kids are really going to be able to help us whether it's coming off the bench or just being on the court. Whatever it may be, they're going to be able to help us on the perimeter and hopefully loosen up that inside for Rebekah and our other post players."

Gerlich on the rule changes for this year:
"It's going to be good. I would really have liked to have seen some games where we can really look at them and evaluate it before we just jump in the fire with it. But at the same time, I think the advancing the ball in the last minute is going to make for some exciting finishes. I think that's really good. It's going to take some time teaching your kids how to not advance it and understanding that rule so that you can get that timeout.

"The quarters is going to be good. I am a fan for them resetting the fouls because we like to press, we like to play man-to-man, we have a tendency to put people on the line. So I'm hoping that will help us not do that as much and maybe keep some kids from getting into foul trouble so much.

"As some of the other coaches have said, I'm a little hesitant about the timeout situation. I like that they need to play through some things but I also think that it really can put you in a bind if you use a timeout early and then you don't have one for a while.

"We all know that the game is a game of runs and momentum and you've got to be able to change that momentum sometimes. So it's going to be interesting, I think it's going to be exciting. It's exciting for the game. Anything we can do to advance the women's game is great. So I hope these things will be positive."

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