Freshman gives team enthusiasm, hugs

By Cathy McLaren
Staff Writer

Everybody should receive eight hugs each day.

At least, that's what Purdue women's basketball player Erika Valek believes.

"There's a little trivia I like to tell people about how you need to have eight hugs a day just to make you happy," said the freshman point guard. "I'll go around to my teammates when they're down, and I'll give them a hug. Usually I try to get eight hugs a day."

Although she's just a freshman, Valek plays a pivotal role on the Boilermaker team as an enthusiastic supporter, in addition to her key position as starting point guard, said coach Kristy Curry.

"If you need a hug, you’re going to get it from Erika Valek every day," said Curry. "She’s so positive. She’s just the greatest kid. She’s the kind of point guard you need away from the game of basketball. No. 1 she’s a quality person. She’s always fun loving, so sweet, always upbeat and full of energy and always has a smile on her face. She’s the kind of person for this team to follow."

Valek said her enthusiasm in all things is her strongest trait as both a person and a player.

"I think I'm very outgoing," she said. "At times I provide that spark of energy (on the court). Being a point guard, you need to be kind of like the general on the floor."

Throughout the season, Curry has had Valek spend time at both the point guard and shooting guard positions as a means of determining what the best scenario for the team would be. Valek said she enjoys playing point guard more.

"I mean, I like to shoot, but I like being able to set up the offense and being able to help my teammates and do whatever I need to do to help them get better," Valek said.

Though some fans have noted that Valek appears to have struggled lately, assistant coach Kelly Curry dismissed the criticism.

"I think Erika is doing fine," he said. "I guess the football team will experience it next year. It’s very difficult to be the quarterback as a freshman. That’s what she is for our team.

"She’s playing the most difficult position on the floor. She’s out there at top with the ball and in her hands the majority of the time, so her mistakes are magnified. It’s not always that Erika is making more mistakes than anyone else, or is struggling more than anyone else. It’s just that the spotlight is on her more than anyone else."

The spotlight has been on Valek, along with her four other freshman teammates, all season. Regarded by many as the top recruiting class in the nation, these women have proven to be a strong asset to the No. 6 Boilers. Initially, however, Valek didn't know what to expect when she came to Purdue from Coronado High School in Lubbock, Texas.

"I was nervous," she said. "It wasn't the fact that I was playing here but the fact that I didn't know how I was going to adjust to it — to the program and my teammates and everything. I was a little bit nervous about that."

Valek seems to have adjusted well. As a consistent starter for the Boilermakers, she is averaging 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Her effort has impressed Kelly Curry.

"She is one of our hardest workers and she’s just going to get better because she’s going to work hard," he said. "She’s got a great attitude. Whether she’s in the game or not, she brings us energy. She’s working and has improved. Something she needs to work on is bridling that in a little bit. I think, if anything, some of her mistakes are from trying too hard. You can’t fault anyone for that."

Valek credits her family for much of her work ethic. Born in Bucaramanga, Colombia, Valek moved to the United States when she was 8 years old.

"I think that I treasure my family more than anything because I've had to," she said. "It's always just been us. I think the fact that we had to leave Colombia and leave all my (extended) family and everything we loved has brought (my immediate family) together."

The closeness Valek feels with her family weighed heavily on her decision of where to play collegiate basketball. Before Valek signed with Purdue, her family discussed moving closer to whichever school she chose so they could attend her games.

"My family and I have grown up being really close," Valek said. "I wanted to have their support throughout college, but I knew I couldn't rely on that. I didn't know for sure what they were going to do and what the future held for them. I did have that in the back of my mind every time I made a decision — you know, are my parents going to be able to come with me? They supported me, they tried their best, and they're here (having moved to Indiana from Texas), so that's great."

Valek's decision to become a Boilermaker has certainly pleased Kristy Curry.

"As I’ve said many times before, when you lose a Katie Douglas and a Camille Cooper as we’re about to, you need an Erika Valek on your team," said Kristy. "She’s one of the future leaders of this program. That’s exciting to know that you have her and she’s having the chance to learn from some of the best ones right now."

Kelly agreed.

"I noticed watching the film (Monday) morning she was constantly up when she wasn’t in the game," he said. "The kid is just a good kid. She walks into the room and it immediately brightens."

Freshman gives team enthusiasm, hugs

Volleyball team acquires familiar assistant coach

Rebellious, rugged wrestler leads team in wins

SPORTS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 251

Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Anne McLaren

To send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org