The Lady Lions haven't won since Jan. 20, but one wouldn't know it by the team's positive demeanor.
It's Year 2 of the Coquese Washington era at Penn State, and the women's basketball team said at Saturday's 11th Annual Lady Lion Cancer Walk it has put the past behind it.
"I've gotten over it as a coach," Washington said. "We honestly didn't dwell on it a lot in the summer. New team, new season ... Focus on getting better, moving forward. Doing what we need to do to compete for a Big Ten championship."
Helping matters will be four returning starters and three freshmen.
A former WNBA-guard, Washington said she likes the up-tempo style of play. With freshmen guards Zhaque Gray, Emily Phillips and Renee Womack added to the team, the players are excited about the potential for a fast-paced game.
"That's our game," Phillips said. "I guess that's why she recruited us. We're ready to run, and we're ready to run with her."
Highlighting Washington's first recruiting class is Womack. Hailing from Lansdale, Womack was a four-star prospect according to Hoopgurlz.com.
While Washington wants to get the top players in Pennsylvania every year, the recruitment of Gray and Phillips also show Washington's goals of recruiting nationally.
Gray is from Chicago and Phillips is from South Bend, Ind. Both said their familiarity with Washington, who played and was an associate coach at Notre Dame, was a key factor in committing to Penn State. Phillips added she knew she would attend Penn State the minute Washington became head coach.
Washington wants each class to reflect on the growing reach of Penn State across the country.
As for this season, the freshmen said they already feel part of the team thanks to team building events like the cancer walk, and having veteran leadership helps.
"I always take the freshmen under my wing, tell them the do's and don't's," junior Tyra Grant said. "Got to be on time for this, got to do this, that. Like to help them along the way, any problems. One of my responsibilities that I put on myself."
This summer, Washington said while the coaching staff wasn't allowed to do more than offer suggestions and individual advice to the players, it encouraged the athletes to stay active when they were home in July and August.
Washington joked while the team didn't get any taller, she is pleased with the players' efforts during the summer, as she can tell the team spent time in the gym and running on tracks this summer to stay in shape.
And with a year of experience, Washington said she and the players are already more familiar with one another.
"Last year, I really didn't know what to expect," Washington said. "I didn't know the team, what they could do -- hadn't seen them play, how they'd respond to certain situations. This year, a little better feel for it, still not as familiar as I will be another year from now, but we're coming along -- becoming a family."
