With a new year comes new year’s resolutions. However, for the UConn Women’s Basketball team, a new season comes new season resolutions.
After their season ended in the Final Four last year, it’s a given that the Huskies are hungry for redemption, as they look to make it to the National Championship. Although, individually, the Huskies have some goals of their own heading into the season.
Ashlynn Shade
As a freshman, Shade earned head coach Geno Auriemma’s trust early and found herself in the starting lineup for a majority of Connecticut’s games. This season with the young team they have, she brings a veteran perspective for the newcomers.
“Stepping into my sophomore year, it feels a little more comfortable, because I’m used to the environment at practices and games.” Shade said to the media after their exhibition win against Fort Hays State on Sunday. Shade touched on how she feels not too old, but just old enough to feel confident on the court.
In terms of her goals for this season, she’s looking to develop her defensive game, which she thought she executed well against Fort Hays State.
“I just really tried to emphasize being aggressive on defense, that’s what coach [Auriemma] emphasized last year.” Shade said to media personnel. “Just being more aggressive and getting in those passing lanes.”
At Big East media day, Shade also mentioned that she’s looking to have a quicker release on her shot, but her main goal, you may ask?
“Whatever the team needs, that’s what I want to do. That’s the goal this season.” Shade said.
Allie Ziebell
Ziebell caught fans’ attention on First Night when she competed with Jayden Ross in the three-point contest, proving herself as a sharpshooter.
Coming into her freshman campaign, she emphasizes that she does not feel the pressure of being a freshman at UConn, but rather she’s figuring things out as the season progresses.
“I just want to try to make an impact as soon as possible, so I can play in those bigger games.” Ziebell stated to the media.
Ziebell does not have a goal set for the season yet, but the main thing she feels she can bring to this team is consistency.
“I’m usually a very consistent player with shooting, getting better defensively and opening my teammates up as well.” Ziebell said.
Ice Brady
Brady found her confidence last year, especially during the Big East tournament and hopes to continue that heading into her sophomore season.
“Just keeping that rolling and to continue to trust myself and trust my teammates more.” Brady said touching on that she’s working to be more aggressive around the post and helping her teammates out.
When asked about what her goals were for the season; like Ziebell she’s still pondering about them.
“You obviously want to get back to where we were last year and do better. But personally, I do, I don’t know exactly yet, but I do.” Brady told media personnel, explaining that when we reach the fourth game, she’ll have an answer.
However, Brady feels that she’s in a much better spot mentally at the beginning of this year, than she was last year.
“Just leaning into my work and trusting my work, my experience, my teammates.” Brady said, “I feel I have a better understanding of what it means to compete here at this level.”
To see these goals in action, the Huskies kick off the regular season on Thursday at the XL Center to play the Boston University Terriers with a tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. Husky fans can also tune in on SNY.