Photo of Kathy Delaney-Smith courtesy of Gil Talbot Photography.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.- Head women’s basketball coach Kathy Delaney-Smith recently took part in the midseason Ivy League basketball teleconference. Below are her quotes from the event.

Head Coach Kathy Delaney-Smith’s Opening Statement:
We’re pretty pleased about where we are, considering that we graduated four of our five starters from last year. This is probably the youngest team that I have ever coached. We’ve had great leadership from our junior captains Christine Matera and Claire Wheeler and consistent play from Brogan Berry and Emma Markley. One of our goals this season was to beat all of the Division I teams in Massachusetts. We were lucky to be able to schedule all five teams this season and we were very pleased to accomplish that goal. I am very pleased that we finished non-conference play 9-4, although we did let some games slip through. I like our level of play as we open up the Ivy League schedule.

On the Possibility of Capturing the Ivy League Title Early in the Season:
In all my years and from my Ivy League title years, there haven’t been many years where we clinched the conference early. The conference is going to be very competitive this season. To me, non-conference play means nothing. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there and every team has a shot. I don’t see one team running the table. We will need to work hard and keep playing the way we have been in order to do well in the conference.

On the Youth of the Crimson:
Senior leadership is something you cannot teach. I’ve always believed that you are only as strong as your leadership, whether that is from seniors, juniors or your point guard. Also, our experience will be a key factor in our success this year. We aren’t the only young team in the conference this season so it will be a battle.