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| 12-12-2003 | Previous edition: 12-11-2003 |
        
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Printer-friendly version Boilers strive for aggressive defense
Staff Writer The women's basketball team is continuing to work on its rebounding in preparation for its game against UCLA at 4 p.m. on Saturday in Indianapolis. After a rebounding performance against Valparaiso that left coach Kristy Curry less than satisfied, Curry said the Boilermakers (6-1) improved their effort against Houston last Sunday. But it wasn't enough to appease Curry. "I'm still concerned," she said. "We've got to find a way to go and get some boards." Curry is apparently so concerned with rebounding that the team hadn't yet looked at tape of the Bruins when Thursday's practice began. Senior guard Erika Valek said the team had one main focus when the team returned to practice on Wednesday after a two-day break that gave the players time to catch up on their academics. "I'll give you one guess — rebounding," Valek said. "We're more focused on what we need to do before we focus on them." Though the team is concentrating on its performance, Valek acknowledged that UCLA does present one major problem for the Boilermakers. The Bruins (2-2) are led by sophomore point guard Nikki Blue, who was named to the Pac-10 All-Conference first team her freshman year and was a preseason All-Conference selection this season as well. UCLA coach Kathy Oliver said Blue has done well this season adjusting to a drastically different role than last season because of the graduation of five Bruins. "She has turned into one of the leaders, along with needing her to score and pick up the defensive pressure," Oliver said. "She brings a little bit of everything." Valek praised the player she'll be guarding Saturday, especially her ability to penetrate. "I just have to put everything I have into stopping her penetration," Valek said. "She loves to pull up and hit those jumpers, so it's something that I'm focused on." Even though Valek is focusing on her defense for the matchup, she hasn't been content with her defensive performances thus far this year. "I just have to learn how to play defense," Valek said jokingly. "I haven't been doing as good of a job as I need to, especially these last few games. Defense is something that I have to take some more pride in." Defense is also something the Bruins have focused on to overcome their youth, especially as the team figures out its other strengths. Oliver said being aggressive defensively is vital to her team's success. "We get after it defensively and then we create offense through that," she said of her team, which causes 22.5 turnovers per game. Oliver said her team will have to play to that level defensively just to stay in the game against Purdue, a team she has great respect for. "We have to buckle up and go along for the ride," Oliver said. "We are young, but we have talented, good players — we just get to know each other a little better. The key is to not let the youth outshine the talent." Tickets in the Fieldhouse The Conseco Fieldhouse box office reports that there are still $25, $15 and $10 tickets remaining for Saturday's Boilermaker Blockbuster. To purchase tickets, contact the box office at 317-917-2727. Printer-friendly version |
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