S’Tartan to Heat Up: Women’s Basketball Program Reaching For Top

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – A remarkable turnaround transpired in Skibo Gym this winter, as the Carnegie Mellon women's basketball team took significant steps toward reclaiming its proud tradition of excellence. The Tartans, who finished 9-16 overall, won seven more games than they did during the 2010-11 season, and defeated 11th-ranked Rochester on February 19 for their first win over a ranked opponent since beating King's College in January 2003.
    
The win over Rochester stunned many people across the country – but it didn't surprise anyone who had been watching the Tartans closely throughout the season. While the Tartans did drop a 74-29 decision at Rochester in January, there was never a doubt in the minds of the players and coaches that they could beat anyone they played this season.
    
"It was awesome. Our attitude was completely different this year," said junior center Emily Peel. "We felt like we could win, which was different than in the past. We knew we could beat anyone in the conference. We had fun playing basketball, which was a big step forward."
    
The Tartans won three University Athletic Association (UAA) games this season, beating Brandeis and Rochester at home while earning a big road victory at New York University. The wins over three different UAA programs was a big step for the Tartans, who had only notched conference wins over Emory and Case Western in the previous eight seasons. Historically, NYU, Brandeis and Rochester are three of the UAA's most successful programs and consistently play in the NCAA tournament.
    
"Since I've been here, we had beaten Emory twice," said senior captain Jennifer Larsen. "I would rather beat each team once. I think it shows some depth. When you think of it, we took a step toward being .500 in the UAA. It's not unreasonable to think Carnegie Mellon can finish in the top half of the conference next year and after that, do even better."
    
Confidence made a big difference for the Tartans, as the team began to believe it could win every time it stepped on the floor.
    
"I don't think we knew what we were capable of in the past. We started walking on the court and thinking we could win games – we started to build that confidence in a way we haven't before," Larsen said.
    
That attitude pervaded the Carnegie Mellon locker room this season, as the Tartans came together under first-year head coach Jacquie Hullah.
   
"The seniors and Coach Hullah played a great role in changing the culture. As Coach always told us, we were going to get better every day and have fun doing it," Peel said. "We worked together, worked hard and changed things."
    
Larsen shares the same sentiment, and believes the possibilities for the program under Hullah's leadership are limitless.
    
"I feel like this program could go anywhere. I think Coach Hullah is extremely determined. I've learned so much from her. She is hands down the most intelligent basketball person I've ever met," Larsen said.
    
Hullah, who was previously the head coach at Dartmouth College and Arizona State University, spent a great deal of time teaching her players about the game and developing their individual skill sets.
    
"We focused on learning, developing skills and team concepts. Their mastery of those things grew into confidence," Hullah said. "We never talked about winning and losing. All we ever talked about was learning and growing."
    
  Senior captain Alex Hansen believes that the team's understanding of basketball, and individual development, made a significant impact on the court.
    
"I think we were really able to understand the game better. I think we really focused on team basketball," Hansen said. "We've had a lot of talented players during the years I've been here, but I don't think we had the focus. I think focusing on what the team did well was the difference."
    
Peel also credits the team's focus in the weight room with head strength and conditioning coach Alan DeGennaro for helping them withstand the rigors of the season and stay healthy throughout the winter. DeGennaro, who spent three seasons as an assistant strength and conditioning coach with the Cleveland Browns, joined the Carnegie Mellon staff last August.
    
"We have to thank Alan for a lot of our success," Peel said. "Having everyone ready to play this year really helped us and it reflects on a lot of work with Alan."
    
As word of the Tartans' improved play spread across campus, more and more fans came out to fill the bleachers in Skibo Gym. The increased support from the community was noticed by the players.
    
"I felt like people around campus knew something was going on. I was getting compliments from people and had to take a step back," Peel said. "I felt like we were making a change and people were noticing it. The stands were fuller and I think basketball became more popular this year."
    
The players are excited for the program's future, and believe Carnegie Mellon will become a popular destination for young women looking for an education from a world-renowned institution, as well as an opportunity to win a lot of basketball games.
    
"I love Carnegie Mellon. And I love it for more than just basketball," Hansen said. "It's not a transition anymore. We're not turning the corner anymore. We're at the same competitive level as other teams and it's exciting to have been a part of that change."
    
Hullah credits her players for turning the program around and considers it a privilege to work with them each and every day.
    
"It was absolutely incredible. They are so passionate about the game and so coachable. It was fun to teach them and challenge them and see how far we could go over the course of one year," Hullah said. "We went from little-to-no confidence in our ability to win to beating a nationally-ranked team at the end of the season. We laid a very solid foundation for the future."
    
Peel also believes that prospective Tartans have a lot to look forward to if they decide to attend the university and play basketball.
    
"I don't see why anyone wouldn't want to come play with us. Carnegie Mellon is a great school and we're going in the right direction," Peel said.

While the Tartans will graduate two key players in Larsen and Hansen, they return a number of players who received meaningful experience this season. Peel, who became the first Tartan to receive first-team UAA honors since the 2002-03 season, will return for her second year as team captain. Gabrielle West, who averaged 11.6 points per game during her freshman campaign, was named to the UAA honorable mention team.

"I think everybody is really optimistic. We only think it's going to get better and better," Hansen said. "You have to get that experience winning and build that confidence. We're going to start building that history."

From Hullah's perspective, it couldn't be any more exciting to be a part of the Carnegie Mellon women's basketball program.

"I just want kids to know the academic excellence and athletic excellence aren't mutually exclusive," Hullah said. "If you have a passion for both, you can have it here at Carnegie Mellon."