Gator Women's Basketball Hosts Annual Media Day
Thursday, October 9, 2014 | Women's Basketball
#4 Carlie Needles (RS-Junior Guard)
On the team's motto for the season, 'Elevate':
“I really like the word 'elevate' because it can be used in so many different aspects, not just on the court, but in the classroom as well. To me, elevating means doing more than everyone else. Not everyone is trying to do well in the classroom, they are only trying to do well on the court. To us, we want to be well-rounded, and we want to make sure that we elevate at every level. You can always do more and work on more. You can always be better, so elevate is a really good word choice for this year.”
On the experience she gained by sitting out as a freshman:
“I feel like you get to watch and you learn a lot, but it's so much different when you actually get in the game and have to execute the play and be in those scary situations. So, I feel like this year, I have a little more experience. I can use my tangible knowledge from paper and my experience from playing last year, and really just put it all together in my third year. I am really excited about it because I feel like I have a lot to give. I am just ready to see what happens.”
On the team adding height to the 2014-15 roster:
“Last year, we played essentially with no height at all. We always said, 'Smaller is better.' This year, we do have a lot of height, so that's something we are going to have to adjust to. Our defense is going to be different and our offense is going to be a little bit different. We just have to use it to our advantage. Of course, I am happy we have some bigger people, so I won't have to guard everyone who is so much bigger than me.”
#13 Cassie Peoples (RS-Junior Guard)
On her current status, mentally and physically:
“I'm great. I probably feel like I've been prepared, pretty much, for about a good month. I've been wanting to get out and play a game already. I've been here all summer training so I'm more than ready to get on the court. We're trying to get everyone acclimated to our new system with the new freshmen and Carla [Batchelor] and we're trying to get everyone on the same page. As far as physically, I'm in shape, ready to go and healthy. I'm focused.”
On what you've been working to improve personally:
“For one, my physique. Just making sure that I capitalize on last year. I was able to get in really good shape last year, so I'm continuing to develop my body and get stronger and quicker. That was the main thing for me over the summer.”
#22 Kayla Lewis (RS-Senior Guard)
On being the lone senior on the team:
“I don't feel alone if that makes any sense. I have people like Carlie [Needles] and Vikta [Dimaite], who have been here for four years and are just as “old” per say so I don't feel any added weight or anything. This team has a great deal of leadership already with the huge junior class behind me, so I don't feel any pressure in particular.”
On filling Jaterra Bonds' role as a leader:
“I think everyone has their own leadership style. Jaterra was definitely a more “demonstrative, in your face” type of leader who was loud and I think the type of leadership we have this year will be just as effective. I don't think you have to replace what Jaterra was but you definitely have to have strong leadership and confidence.”
#32 Carla Batchelor (Junior Guard)
On what the team's motto for the season, 'Elevate' means:
“Elevate means to push it to the next level, go as hard as you can and really show everyone what I'm capable of doing. I'm applying this to all facets of my life, not just basketball.”
On the team's culture:
“It's a family atmosphere here. I feel very comfortable here. It feels like home.”
On her relationship with Head Coach Amanda Butler:
“Coach Butler is like another mother to me. We have a really close bond and that's one of the many reasons why I decided to come here. I could just tell that we had a connection right away.”
