Ready for redemption
By Dalton Britt
Lady Flames eye a Big South title after being ousted from the 2013 tourney
The Liberty women’s basketball team is used to winning. Cutting down the nets is nothing new for them.
DRIVE — Redshirt senior point guard Emily Frazier will lead a stingy Lady Flames defensive unit this year. Photo credit: Courtney Russo
So last year, when they were knocked out of the Big South Tournament in the second round by third-seeded Winthrop, it was unusual. Head Coach Carey Green is entering his 16th season for the Flames, and last year has been in the back of his mind all offseason.
“There’s a bad taste in our mouths,” Green said. “It was not very pleasant, especially when you are accustomed to winning.”
The Lady Flames return almost their entire team from last year, and Green said that will be an advantage.
“Maturity and chemistry should develop even more and keep us on the same page,” Green said. “The uniqueness (of the team) is our maturity.”
One of the key components of Green’s mature team will be redshirt senior guard Emily Frazier. The Texas native served as a team captain last year, and will serve as one of the centerpieces this year.
Frazier said that even though there are a few new faces, the team is playing together.
“I see a lot of chemistry and a lot of heart,” Frazier said. “Everyone wants to be here.”
As for the technical side of the game, Frazier said that Green has turned the team’s focus for 2014 to rebounding and defense.
“We want to be the No. 1 rebounding team in the country, which will lead to more shots,” Frazier said. “We have also placed an emphasis on defensive field goals. We want to hold the other team to below 40 percent.”
Senior guard Ellee Rollins also pointed to rebounding as a key to the Lady Flames finding success this season.
“We definitely have great size this year,” Rollins said. “We’re excited to have Jasmine (Gardner) and Cat (Catherine Kearney) healthy again.”
Rollins said that in her last year as a Lady Flame, her emphasis will continue to be on the team first.
“My goal is to leave the program better than how I found it,” Rollins said. “I want to push everyone to be the best that they can be.”
Rollins also mentioned the importance of developing the younger players.
“Trying to prepare the next wave because we’re graduating a lot of seniors is important,” Rollins said. “(We are) trying to prepare the young bucks for leadership.”
The Lady Flames enter the season predicted to win the Big South, having earned five first-place votes from coaches around the league. Redshirt junior forward/center Ashley Rininger was named to the pre-season All-Big South team.
The Lady Flames tip off their season on Nov. 14 against the Charlotte 49ers.
BRITT is a sports reporter.