After inheriting a struggling women’s basketball program one season ago, second year head coach Rebecca Tillett knew the rebuilding process would not be easy.
Despite a tough record of 3-27 a season ago, Tillett said she was encouraged by the team’s ability to pull close in the late stages of games down the stretch and feels that can serve as a launch pad into this season.
“I think this team is going to be more competitive in general. How quickly will that translate is the question that everyone wants to know, including me,” said Tillett. “I think what you have to know in those moments is how quickly are they going to gel together, and that’s going to be the answer that provides how quickly do wins translate.”
Tillett said the team is still growing together as time passes, but has yet to face the adversity of which a game presents.
“So that’s when I think we will really know, you know, how strong is that chemistry? But so far I am just so pleased with the energy of this group, the attention to detail and the desire to want to elevate this program,” she said.
The Lancers, alongside 2018-19 All Big-South second-team selection, senior forward Dayna Rouse, return four players from last season, all with starting experience including: sophomore guard Milou Vennema, sophomore forward Akila Smith, junior forward Mallory Odell, senior guard Jada Russell and senior guard Khaila Hall.
On the other hand, the rest of the roster sheet is filled by seven newcomers; as four come to Farmville by way of freshman status and three as junior transfers.
Tillett said the college experience the three junior transfers (point guard Tra’Dayja Smith, forward Andrijana Reljic and point guard Allysah ‘Cookie’ Booth) bring to the program by way of being in big games before is a very important thing.
“The way in which they approach practice, the way they approach lifting; it just has a bit of seriousness to it that I think we needed,” she added. “I think they have added value already with the way they approach preparation.”
She also mentioned all freshman new to the team this year (guard Kyla McMakin, guard Adriana Shipp, forward Tayonna Robertson and guard Anne-Hamilton Leroy) have the ability to produce, but have to first get through the learning curve of playing defense at the college level to fully reach their potential.
With these variety of new faces added to the locker room, Rouse said she has had to up her level of leadership, alongside her fellow senior teammates
“Me, Jada (Russell) and Khaila (Hall) have been here for four years, so they are obviously looking up to us a lot,” she said. “It’s sort of a natural role to fall into.”
Alongside of increased leadership, Rouse said she has worked in the offseason on her jump shot to extend her range to become more of a threat from both midrange and the three-point line.
This year’s team will look to improve on an 0-15 mark on the road from a season ago. Gaining the experience and ability to win on the road was a focal point in the team’s out of season schedule, according to Tillett.
“Last year, we were not successful on the road, and so that will be a huge focus in the non-conference is to figure out how to win on the road, what does that take.” she said. “It takes your preparation from leaving Longwood, all the way until tip-off, and the ending buzzer to put it all together.”
The Lancers will hold a scrimmage inside of Willett Hall on October 19, as they take on the Spartans from UNC Greensboro, and will begin the regular season on November 6, taking on James Madison (JMU) in a road contest.
Pictured is the 2019-20 Longwood University women's basketball team.
