Let the 2009-10 Women’s basketball season begin

Dave Iba/UVU Review

With last years winning season behind them, UVU women’s basketball is ready to tackle a new season.

“We’re just really excited.  We feel like we definitely have the program going in the right direction and hope to build off of the momentum that we’ve had in the past,” said head coach Cathy Nixon.

Nixon comes into this season losing five seniors, but has six players returning and an additional six incoming freshmen. “It’s easy sometimes to focus on the players that have left and the players that are coming in, but you look at that core of kids that we have returning and those are the kids that help me sleep at night,” said Nixon.

Even with such a chunk of new players Nixon is not worried and says, “The super six we have as freshmen are just a great group of kids. They are learning very quickly and I can’t imagine a group of kids that would work harder than these guys have, they’ve been just awesome.”

This years seniors are Julie (McMurray) Smith, Asumi Nakayama and Blake Reynolds. Nixon does nothing but praise these three athletes.

Nixon says Smith is ready for her senior season. “Julie had a great year last year.  I think she’s just ready to build off of the momentum and ready to step into a bigger role.  She’s ready to have a fantastic year and be a player that we can depend on, be that go-to player.”

With everything Nakayama has overcome the last three years Nixon says, “This is her team as far as being the quarterback and she’s ready to have a great senior year. I hope this is the year where she can just relax and be the great player that she is.”

Nixon says Reynolds has been more than just a great basketball player for UVU, “She’s a great communicator,” said Nixon. “She understands what to do and she’s a good calming presence on the floor.  I’m glad she’s back and brings experience.  She’s ready to handle the pressures that she’ll face as a senior.”

Along with the seniors Nixon really looks to the other returning players for contribution. “I think those are the kids that have already made a big impact and have contributed the last several years and they’re ready to go and ready to step into bigger roles and fill any gaps that might be there.”

As far as this year’s schedule goes Nixon says, “Our schedule is very difficult and will be very challenging for us, but I feel like it’s the direction that our program wants to be going and hopefully will prepare us for our conference play and tournament.”

The lady Wolverines open their season on the road at BYU on Nov. 13 and  will then have their home opener the following day against Mesa State.With last years winning season behind them, UVU women’s basketball is ready to tackle a new season.

“We’re just really excited.  We feel like we definitely have the program going in the right direction and hope to build off of the momentum that we’ve had in the past,” said head coach Cathy Nixon.

Nixon comes into this season losing five seniors, but has six players returning and an additional six incoming freshmen. “It’s easy sometimes to focus on the players that have left and the players that are coming in, but you look at that core of kids that we have returning and those are the kids that help me sleep at night,” said Nixon.

Even with such a chunk of new players Nixon is not worried and says, “The super six we have as freshmen are just a great group of kids. They are learning very quickly and I can’t imagine a group of kids that would work harder than these guys have, they’ve been just awesome.”

This years seniors are Julie (McMurray) Smith, Asumi Nakayama and Blake Reynolds. Nixon does nothing but praise these three athletes.

Nixon says Smith is ready for her senior season. “Julie had a great year last year.  I think she’s just ready to build off of the momentum and ready to step into a bigger role.  She’s ready to have a fantastic year and be a player that we can depend on, be that go-to player.”

With everything Nakayama has overcome the last three years Nixon says, “This is her team as far as being the quarterback and she’s ready to have a great senior year. I hope this is the year where she can just relax and be the great player that she is.”
Nixon says Reynolds has been more than just a great basketball player for UVU, “She’s a great communicator,” said Nixon. “She understands what to do and she’s a good calming presence on the floor.  I’m glad she’s back and brings experience.  She’s ready to handle the pressures that she’ll face as a senior.”

Along with the seniors Nixon really looks to the other returning players for contribution. “I think those are the kids that have already made a big impact and have contributed the last several years and they’re ready to go and ready to step into bigger roles and fill any gaps that might be there.”

As far as this year’s schedule goes Nixon says, “Our schedule is very difficult and will be very challenging for us, but I feel like it’s the direction that our program wants to be going and hopefully will prepare us for our conference play and tournament.”
The lady Wolverines open their season on the road at BYU on Nov. 13 and  will then have their home opener the following day against Mesa State.