Oct. 12, 2007
Women's Basketball First Practice Photo Gallery
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The countdown to the 2007-08 women's basketball season began on Friday as the entire Knights' roster took the floor for a full team practice session at the Education Gym.
After over a month's worth of individual workouts and conditioning, the players were looking forward to the day for different reasons.
"It's not going to be so much about conditioning, but more about fundamentals and getting into the core of what our basketball team is going to be," said junior center Jackie Akers (Naples, Fla./North Fort Myers HS).
Forward Leah Paige (Atlanta, Ga./Southwest DeKalb HS), one of nine freshmen joining the Knights this season agreed. ""It is definitely going to be intense and we're going to have to play to a higher standard," she said. "The coaching staff is going to expect a lot more out of us now. We're going to have to be a lot more focused."
Although some of the rookies talked about being nervous, there was also a sense of excitement.
"First practices always excite me," said freshman guard Marshay White (Rochester, N.Y./School of the Arts). "It also means it's gametime and that that can be nerve-wracking. I think we'll be ready because we have been working hard all summer."
"I'm excited. Once you get to the first practice, the first game is only right around the corner," Akers said.
The women's basketball, under the direction of first-year head coach Joi Williams, tips off the season on Nov. 9 against Texas Tech. Season tickets are available for the women's basketball team's debut season at the new UCF Arena and can be purchased by calling 407-UCF-1000 or by emailing tickets@athletics.ucf.edu.
For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also check out UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pics.