Sue Troyan, Lehigh University (11th Season)
2005-06 Patriot League Women's Basketball Composite Schedule
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Sue Troyan Lehigh
Five Questions Archive
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Each Friday during the Patriot League women's basketball season, www.patriotleague.com will provide a brief question-and-answer session with each head coach, which were completed prior to the start of the League schedule in the beginning of January. This week, the interview is with Lehigh's Sue Troyan.
Q1 - What are your thoughts on your season thus far (prior to League play)?
A1 - The season has been filled with many ups and downs for our program. We've competed well with most of the teams on our schedule but have failed to win games. We've struggled down the stretch, we've struggled in close games, and we've struggled to win on the road. All of these traits are characteristic of an inexperienced team. With the loss of five players to graduation, we have many new players in new roles and we've experienced some growing pains in adjusting to these roles. But, we've had plenty of games at this point in the season to learn and grow, and it's time put those lessons to task and get results.
Q2 - What are your expectations of the upcoming League schedule?
A2 - Although we've struggled to get wins over the first half of League play. We've played every team tough and we do believe we are capable of competing with every team in our League. The League is extremely competitive from top to bottom. We need to continue to learn and grow with each game and stay confident in ourselves. I believe this team is capable of making a run if we can get some wins and some confidence under our belt before the tournament begins.
Q3 - Who will be your toughest competitors once League play beings?
A3 - Every team is tough. There is very little difference from the top of the League to the bottom of the League. This puts a premium on preparation and coming to play every game and every night. It's also the beauty of this League for the coaches and players - everyone knows they are capable of winning, everyone knows they can compete with every team, and everyone knows they have to bring it night in and night out to win.
Q4 - How much pride do you take in the Patriot League scholar-athlete model?
A4 - I believe very strongly in the model and the ideals of the Patriot League scholar-athlete. We have outstanding young women in our League who represent the best in college athletics - students who work to excel and be the best in the classroom while making their education their top priority and athletes who can compete at the highest level. They understand the balance in their lives and the importance that both their education and their sport will have in their development. It doesn't get any better in terms of the people whom we get to work with every day in our jobs.
Q5 - Jenny Callan has developed into one of the League's top players, what did she work on during the off-season to raise her level of play?
A5 - Jenny is a remarkable person with a relentless work ethic. She has played two years with chronic disk problems in her back, when told her career would likely end at the beginning of her junior year. Her development as one of the top post players in the League can be attributed to her heart and desire. She leaves everything out on the court and always gives 110%. For three years in our program, she has played behind some of the top post players in our League. As a freshman, she played behind Anne Tierney and as a sophomore and junior, she played behind Jessica DePalo. She was patient in waiting her turn while being a role player for our program and has emerged as one of the top players this season with the opportunity that was given to her.