Monday Morning Quarterback: UC Women's Basketball

It's not uncommon for teams to have certain traditions or superstitions. But UC's women's team has a unique tradition. They don't have captains. "It's a democracy everybody has to have a say, whether your a senior or a freshman, if you have something to say share it with the team. So I really rely on our returners early on to be the backbone of this program and teach the younger players whether they're transfers or freshman, how the system works and what goes on with our program." Pioneers lost leadership when they graduated their all-time leading scorer so everyone is taking new responsibilities on the team. "A lot of us have had to step into new roles, you know people who aren't scorers, we lost 3000 points. So it's been a transition but I think we're all stepping into our roles and were playing as a really good team together, were gelling together." Rebuilding this year has affected their record and currently the Pioneers are fighting for a playoff spot in the Empire 8 tournament. "It's what you work for from the time you get here until the end of February so it would be a heartbreak to work all season and not be able to get that, reach that goal and for it to just be over. I mean it's what your essentially working for all season." The road hasn't been easy but the important aspect is Utica is still working hard every day. "I'm just really proud of my team and how hard they've been working. And honestly they haven't quit, our record is not that great this year and it's frustrating for them, I know that. But not a single practice and a single game have they given up on me or their teammates and I greatly appreciate their effort that they live."