Nov. 5, 2004
For all of her life, Columbia's first-year head coach Traci Waites has strived for excellence. She has come to Columbia with the goal to instill that excellence into her players, both on and off the court. "Words cannot express how excited I am to be in a position to not only coach women's basketball again, but to have that opportunity at Columbia University and in the Ivy League, where academics are of the utmost importance," said Coach Waites, who is the fourth head coach in the history of the program.
Waites inherits a team with six seniors who helped lead the Lions to one of the best Ivy seasons in the program's history and who are now successfully adjusting to a coaching and system change in their final year of collegiate basketball. The coaching staff is looking for the team to be extremely aggressive on defense and to increase scoring from a year ago. "The entire team is learning so many things right now," said Coach Waites, "They are here to learn and develop as players and right now they are like sponges, soaking up everything."
During preseason, the coaching staff set out to teach the team a new style of play and emphasize the idea of togetherness. Coach Waites' coaching philosophy is simple: defense, defense, defense. "I believe in defense winning games. I want them to be able to defend no matter what. Defense brings intensity and I love intensity," said Waites. The team has bought into the idea that the staff is encouraging: hard-nosed, smart basketball combined with aggressive defense.
Along with a change in the team's style of play, the coaching staff is also concentrating on team dynamics. "What I was concerned about this preseason is our team being a team - having cohesiveness, camaraderie and playing together."
There has been much to accomplish in the team's 6:30 a.m. practices. However, with the staff's well-rounded approach, the Lions responded and surprised Waites. "I am very pleased with what I have seen so far in terms of their work ethic. For them to be getting up at 6 a.m. and working hard is great," said Waites. In the eyes of the coaching staff, the team is focused on consistently improving both individually as well as a group.
On a team laden with seniors, the coaching staff will look to this group to give instruction. "Our objective is the old teaching the young," said Waites. "Our younger players lack experience, so what I am expecting my seniors to do is bring leadership, attitude, and a strong work ethic and the younger players will have to be receptive to that."
The Lions return experience and leadership at every position. Of the six seniors, there are three guards, two forwards, and one center. Lisa Copeland, Susan Kern and Nicole Lesko have all seen time in the Columbia backcourt. Lesko has the most experience in minutes played and Copeland stepped on the court in Light Blue last season after sitting out a year due to NCAA regulations after her transfer from Fresno State. She led the team in assists in five games and will see time at the `1' or `2' position. "Lisa is a seasoned guard who will bring experience to our backcourt. Her ability to maintain her poise and see the floor will add consistency to our offense," commented coach Waites.
Kern returned to the court last season after suffering a season-ending injury in the fifth game of her sophomore season. Entering this season, she ranks 10th on Columbia's all-time three-point goals made with 73 and has started the year by seeing substantial time at the `2' spot. "Susan is a tested guard who has size and scoring ability," explained Waites. "She will be exciting to watch."
Lesko has been a consistent starter over the past three years and was named captain for the 2003-04 season. She averaged 25.8 minutes a game and ranked second on the team in assists last season. According to Waites, "She is one of our toughest players. Her work ethic and her hard-nosed attitude inspire our team to play at another pace. She will be forceful at the `3' and `4' postions."
Along with the three seniors, the team boasts five additional guards on their roster: sophomores Brooke Carey, Megan Griffith, and Shasta Henderson plus first-years Brittney Carfora and Michele Gage. Carey appeared in nine games last season for the Lions and is an outstanding athlete who brings depth to the point guard and `2' guard. "Her ability to shoot the three will add strength to our back court. I am really excited to see her grow," said Waites.
Griffith led all first-years in minutes played and was named to the Ivy League honor roll three times her rookie year and will be helping the team out on the point. "Megan's work ethic and leadership will prove to be a huge part of our success this season. I am ready to see her grow into a fine point guard," said Waites.
Henderson joined the team as a walk-on last season and appeared in seven games for the Light Blue. She is extremely athletic and is training at the `2' position. According to Waites, "Her quickness and desire to play will help in our backcourt. I am excited about coaching her."
A first-year, Carfora had a limited preseason, but Waites is pleased to have her available again: "Brittney is one of our premier first-years with her size and scoring ability; she will instantly help our backcourt. I am expecting great things from her not only this year, but in the future as well."
Gage is a recruited guard out of California, and possesses significant potential. "Michelle is one of our backcourt players who will add depth to the guard position. I am looking forward to coaching her at the `3' position," said Waites.
In the post, Waites and her staff have two seniors who will see time - Erin Jaschik and Adia Revell. Jaschik started every game she played in last season and had the second-highest field-goal percentage (.495) on the team. "Erin will see a great deal of time at the four and five. Her leadership and experience will add to our frontcourt. I am excited to see her develop," commented Waites.
Revell played her first season for the Lions last year after transferring from the University of Rhode Island and will provide some depth in the post. "Adia's athletic ability and experience will prove to be an asset to our program," Waites noted. "She has the ability to score and defend and I am eager to watch her this season."
At center, Waites will have two options in senior Edytte Key and first-year Cate Taylor. Key is currently ranked seventh on Columbia's all-time rebounding list and led the team last year in that category. "I am looking for Edytte to increase her scoring and to contribute leadership. She will be a huge factor both offensively and defensively," remarked Waites.
Taylor comes to Columbia from Perth, Australia and will have to adjust to American basketball after playing internationally. She may be repositioned to small forward. As indicated by Waites, "Her work ethic and ability to learn from elder players will be an asset to her. I am enthused to see her grow so quickly."
As for this season's schedule, the coaches will see many teams that none of them has ever played or coached against. Says Waites: "I am excited and intrigued about our entire schedule, especially the Ivy League. The conference is unique and very prestigious. I am thrilled to be a part of the Ivy League; it is going to be different and challenging."
The team is on the road for the majority of its out-of-conference season, but by playing several back-to-back games at tournaments and being able to play on the road will serve to prepare the team for the demanding Ivy League season. Columbia wants to win more basketball games, but the team also wants to develop its new style of play so that the team is competitive and exciting to watch in every game. When that goal is achieved, the team expects to gain a certain level of respect, not only in the Ivy League, but nationally as well.
With a fresh start, Columbia women's basketball is poised to challenge every opponent the squad faces this season. The team is working hard, learning new things every day and preparing for the season ahead. Beyond that, the team is recovering something else. As Waites explains, "If there is one thing that I can look at this team and be excited about is that the players are gaining their confidence back and their love and passion for the game. Winning is always a confidence builder, but ultimately they must believe in themselves and that will translate into success."
For head coach Traci Waites, this season is a mission: "My biggest goals are to change the style of play, win basketball games and bring in great recruits."
With her team following close behind her, Waites is ready for the challenge.
