Texas Tech University Athletics
Upcoming Season Looks Promising for Lady Raiders
September 21, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Sept. 21, 2009
By Taylor Wilson, Texas Tech Athletic Media Relations
Coming off of a 16-15 overall record last season, the Texas Tech Lady Raider program is looking forward to embarking on what looks to be a promising season in 2009-10. Despite the youth and inexperience of this year's squad, the Lady Raiders have both the talent and leadership to guide the program.
This year's team consists of five returning letterwinners, seven newcomers and two student-athletes who redshirted last year. Of these 14 players, 11 are underclassmen.
But don't be confused. Tech's fourth-year head coach Kristy Curry is not discouraged by this, at all. In fact, she's rather excited and ready for the challenge that this year's group brings.
"As a program, we are very excited about what this young group brings," said a confident Curry. "They all bring a lot of unique strengths that I think are fun to see and fun to watch."
And despite the lack of intercollegiate experience, this young group is no stranger to success, as nearly every one of them is coming off of a very successful high school career. From state championships to all-district and all-region nods to most valuable player recognitions, these freshmen know nothing but winning.
For Curry, all of this winning and success will only bring a better chemistry and demeanor to this year's team. She also realizes how important winning is and what effect it can have on the rest of the girls.
"They're really committed to the cause. They have a swagger and they've all played a very high level in the summers and high school programs," said the enthused Curry. "When you look at that freshman class, they don't know anything else but winning and that's contagious."
But like many successful coaches do, Curry evaluated the freshman class not only for their past success and wins, but for their unique strengths, size and ability to hoop.
"Our freshman class is talented," said Curry. "They have a high level of talent, athleticism and size on the perimeter. We're bigger, we're faster, we're stronger."
Of this new class, Curry feels that freshmen Chynna Brown and Monique Smalls give the Lady Raiders a different dimension in transition, something the program has emphasized and built on as of late. She also believes that the Colorado native, Mary Bokenkamp, will be very beneficial to the program, as she will contribute as a premiere shooter for Tech. Freshman Marissa Ashton and Christine Hyde will be looked upon in the four and five spots, respectively, as Ashton gives the offense a new dimension that is hard to defend, and Hyde gives the Lady Raiders a big perimeter with her size, strength and aggressive style.
Another key element for this young program to add to the young class, is a tough nonconference road this season for the Lady Raiders. Tech's schedule, which has been determined and designed by Curry and her staff, has the Lady Raiders competing in 14 games before their first conference matchup Jan. 9, against Oklahoma.
It's these first 14 games that Curry and her staff plan to use as a preparation tool as well as a motivation tool to groom this team into top form. "The schedule was designed with a purpose, and I think it gives us a variety of experiences that hopefully come January, will help us be better," said an optimistic Curry.
These experiences Curry refers to include their toughest nonconference dates of the year. The first, the second game of the season, matches the Lady Raiders up against a top-notch program and one of women's most prestigious basketball dynasties in Tennessee. The contest is part of the ESPNU Road to the Championship tournament in San Antonio, Nov. 17. The other, a winter showdown in Los Angeles against a strong UCLA team, on Dec. 18.
Though the two nonconference opponents will serve as great exposure for the Lady Raiders as well as an opportunity to compete against two elite programs, Curry believes that it's important to place the same amount of emphasis on every game and simply take on the season with a game-by-game and day-by-day state-of-mind.
"I think to be thrust in that environment early in the season can only benefit a team, especially when you have a group that is going to be comprised of five freshmen," said the determined Curry. "But we just take it one day at a time, one game at a time and try to get better with each one."
For the fans and followers of Lady Raider Nation, there is more to look forward to than just the young talent and tough opponents. There's also a group of returners with experience and talent, as well.
Tech welcomes back three seniors, Jordan Murphree, Tilmila Martin and Ashlee Roberson. Murphree, who led the squad in steals with 51 and finished second in points scored, averaging just over 11 a game, was named first team Academic All-Big 12, and played in 25 games last season. She also recorded a career-high 25 points vs. Oklahoma. Martin, who led the team with a .866 percentage at the charity stripe, played in all 31 games and scored a career-high 14 points against Washington State. With her aggressiveness and quickness, Martin looks to improve in her final year as a Lady Raider. Roberson, well-regarded as a tough defender, notched 39 steals and 178 rebounds in her junior campaign. She also started 26 games and recorded one double-double.
Curry recognizes the leadership these three bring and has been fortunate enough to watch them as they have helped mentor and coach the younger girls.
"Jordan, Ashlee and T. Martin, having been here a couple more years, have really embraced the role of trying to help them on the floor and off the floor," said Curry. "I have to commend them, they've done a great job with that.
"You can see by the look on their faces and the tone in their voices that they are really excited about what this new group brings," Curry stated. "I think they are excited to play with them and try to lead them."
The other returners for the upcoming season are sophomores Jordan Barncastle and Kierra Mallard. Six-two forward Barncastle played in all 31 games her freshman year with two double-doubles. She also tied career highs of 14 points and 13 rebounds against Lamar and Washington State. Mallard, who was last year's bright spot when considering the future of the Lady Raiders, was named to the All-Big 12 Freshman team and recorded four double-doubles. Mallard led all Big 12 freshmen last year in scoring and rebounding and is the Big 12's top returning rebounder among all classes this year.
And as many Lady Raider fans and followers would agree, Curry considers Mallard to have the potential to be something special by leaving her mark on the women's program at Tech.
"From what I've seen in the offseason, she's matured and really grown both on and off the court," said Curry. "She has a chance to be the next face of this program." According to Curry, Mallard has redefined her body and is in the best shape she has ever been in. Curry has also noticed that Mallard is leading verbally and by her actions.
"I've always said that your best players have to be your hardest workers," said Curry, who understands the dedication it takes to be a leader on the court. "I think she has a chance to be an impact player. It's exciting to know she's only a sophomore."
Regardless of the new, highly talented class and the returning, more experienced players, there is only one way that Curry and her staff will be satisfied with this season.
"The goal is getting this team back to the postseason and the NCAA Tournament," said an unwavering Curry. "That's been the goal from day one and that's what these kids and this program are about."
Combining the mission and goals of the young newcomers and the exciting, experienced returners, with the tough and preparing schedule, this program offers many promising aspects this season for the excitement and enjoyment of the Lady Raider Nation.
As no surprise, Curry looks forward to the challenge of coaching but believes that the mix of the newcomers with that of the returners will provide an exciting atmosphere and anticipation this season.
"There's no doubt that it's going to take some time to blend the old with the new but that's the joy of coaching," Curry stated with a grin. "It's exciting and it's a fun time."
