Oct. 21, 2008

Dayton Flyers Head Coach Jim Jabir
"We are going to have to be patient with this group because they are so young, but they are very talented and we have a great culture in our program right now. The kids work very hard and care about each other and by the end of the year we will be pretty good."

"Last year what we had was kind of magical. We had a bunch of kids that worked hard together and bought into the culture which was tremendous. I think that this group is different, because we might be more talented individually, but the key is whether we can buy into that culture."

"There was chemistry last year that was really special and we have to duplicate it with this group."

"We have three captains I am really pleased with, Kendel Ross, Marie Rosche and Kristin Daugherty. They have done a great job of taking over and controlling the team. I have been very pleased with their leadership so far."

Kendel Ross
"I definitely like to pull up and shoot with the system that we have. With the offense that we have I like to be versatile and I think that is the strength of my game. I love being an energy person for our team, hitting that open three and getting up that is huge for me."

"I chose Dayton because the style of play is very similar to that of the Canadian National team. The concepts are all the same, so when I come from international play in the summer it is like getting extra training in it doing more drills. When I come here I find that I am ready to play and able to help others adjust to this style of play because of doing it so long."

"I feel very comfortable in a leadership role. It is something that comes naturally to me. I like to help my teammates out. It is something that feels natural and I am falling into that roll. I am fortunate to have Marie [Rosche] and Kristin [Daugherty] as captains as well. They both bring a lot of experience and talent to this team."

"The chemistry on this team is amazing. It may even be better than we have had in years past. Everyone that came in is open to everything that we do here. We all get along with each other really well. It really translates to our game where we want to help each other and want to be there for each other. It just helps the team out that much more."

Kristin Daugherty
"Everyone who returned this year had to step up and take a bigger leadership role this season. We needed to step in make sure we kept our team in the right direction."

"I have talked with my coaches about their expectations from me. What I am going to focus on more this season is scoring and taking on a bigger leadership role. With all of the talent we have, we need to make sure harness that and have a successful season."

Justine Raterman
"Watching and coming to the game last year was really exciting. They played with energy that you didn't see every day. That is something that we have to live up to and it isn't something you can teach. You have to look up to your upper classmen this year and playing in that atmosphere will help."

"In college every player is bigger, stronger and faster. That is something that you have to get used to. It will be really important this year."

"I have worked a lot on my strength and getting faster since coming to UD. I have also increased my range with my shot."

"The biggest transition coming in as a freshman is juggling everything, from having a hectic class schedule to being a student-athlete."

"The upper classmen have been great taking us under their wings. Their leadership on and off the court has been exceptional."