Oct. 28, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF women's basketball team is working furiously to get set for the 2008-09 season. As the season opener at Colorado approaches on Nov. 16, each of the 14 players on the Knights' roster this season will be introduced to the fans each weekday on UCFAthletics.com. The series will run from Oct. 22 until Nov. 7.
Senior transfer Jessica Hall has watched a lot of college basketball in the last four seasons. In four years at Memphis, three Achilles injuries forced the Tallahassee, Fla., native to watch her team from the bench for two-straight seasons.
Now a graduate student at UCF working towards a master's degree in sport leadership and coaching, Hall will once again be forced to watch in 2008-09. The mature, optimistic guard is trying not to dwell on that aspect and instead looking forward to providing leadership to the young Knights.
"I think my experience can really come in handy," said Hall. "I have only played two years but I have been in college basketball for four. I have a pretty good feel for it, and even though I can't play I can practice so I can push the team to play harder or encourage them if I see something that can be improved."
Despite that positive attitude, Hall is by no means looking forward to having to watch from the bench yet again.
"It is definitely going to be tough because the two seasons I did sit out at Memphis I couldn't play because I was injured, but this season being able to play physically and not being able is going to make it a lot worse," said Hall.
When Hall can play again, head coach Joi Williams will be getting a talented, experience guard who has put up impressive number in her career. She scored 496 points in two seasons and averaged 13 points per game in 2007-08. In two games against UCF last season, Hall scored a combined 41 points.
"I remember the speed of the team," Hall said of playing against UCF. "They were a fastbreak team that when they got the rebound they were already on the other end. That was challenging for us because we didn't have the ability to run with them."
After graduating with a bachelor's degree from Memphis, Hall was able to continue her career while also working towards her master's degree, and the Florida native saw UCF as the perfect place to do both.
"I wanted to come back closer to home, but also from remembering the way they played the youth was the only downfall," said Hall. "I felt like the talent was in place and I wanted to come and join that group."
After opening the season at Colorado, the Knights will play their home opener on Friday, Nov. 21, hosting Florida A&M at 7 p.m. at the new UCF Arena.
Season tickets for the UCF women's basketball program are currently on sale through the UCF ticket sales office. For more information about the arena's premium seating options, including club seats, group discounts, courtside tables and suites, contact the UCF ticket sales office at (407) UCF-1000 or visit the women's basketball ticket page at UCFAthletics.cstv.com/tickets/w-baskbl-tickets.html.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
Knight Life with Jessica Hall
- The best thing about being a Knight are...the nice equipment and the facilities
- I am most looking forward to...getting my master's degree
- My first memory of playing basketball is...at the YMCA on an eight-foot goal
- My first pair of basketball shoes were...Nike
- The best word to describe Coach Williams is...intense
- When I am finished playing basketball I plan to...be a sports administrator
- My favorite sport to play besides basketball is...golf
- My favorite sports to watch besides basketball is...football
- My favorite TV show is...Martin
- My favorite book is...Their Eyes were Watching God
- My favorite movie is...Dreamgirls
- The advice I would give to a youngster is...no matter how hard it gets, keep going
- My dream car is...Mercedes Benz
- My favorite sports team is...the L.A. Lakers
- The person I most admire is...my mother because she is strong-willed