Owls' Berezhynska Ready
Many women's college basketball fans may not know Valeriya Berezhynska; however, I urge you to get to know Val this season. Val, 6'4, will be a senior center for the Rice Owls in 2007 - 2008. In my opinion, Val should be one of the top players in Conference USA this season; and, her skill level is good enough for her to become one of the best post players in women's college hoops in 2007 - 2008. I'm talking about her averaging a double - double (maybe 18 and 12 -- points and rebounds) this season. The potential is there; but, it's up to Val to produce on the court. Val told me she's ready to dominate this season.
"I stayed here the whole summer. Lifted (weights). I worked out on my own. I tried new stuff -- yoga; training in the pool; working out with (John) Lucas and Orlando Woolridge; and doing stuff on my own. That was pretty much the whole summer. Plus, I went to summer school. I took three (hours) in May and six (hours) in June, July."
How difficult was it to work out and go to school?
"It wasn't that bad. In May, it wasn't that hard at all because I only had one class. In June and July, I had night classes. I worked out from 7 in the morning to noon; then, I had work; then class. I had two jobs, too."
What is motivating you to work so hard?
"Because Rice is a smaller school known for academics and our level of competition isn't necessarily top level, I feel we don't get the opportunity to be challenged every time we play; so, in order to get better and get to the next level I had to work out and play against the guys. Plus, last summer, I went 1 on 1 against DeMya Walker (forward for the Sacramento Monarchs of the WNBA); and, I was trying to post her up and I could not move her. I ended up posting up at the free throw line. She had just had her baby; and, I felt so bad because "this pregnant lady is just pushing me around". After that session, I decided it was time for me to start lifting weights. I have not missed a day of weight lifting since. I love to play basketball; so, I want to be the best I can be."
How did you hook up with Coach John Lucas (former NBA player and NBA head coach)?
"One of my teammates used to work out with Lucas; so, that's how I met him. He told me I could come work out with him. Ever since then, I've been working out with him."
What were those sessions like because Luke is a tough guy; and, he doesn't mess around; so, what was that like?
"It was quite different; but, I liked it. I didn't mind the yelling because I knew he would get me better. Plus, I knew playing guys that are bigger and stronger than me would get me better. It was an opportunity that not everybody gets; so, I had to do what I had to do and make the best out of it."
Did the guys treat you differently? Did they respect your going against them this summer?
"I believe they always tried to take it easy against me at first; but, after I scored on them, they got yelled at so they toughened up. But, then nobody played me extra hard because if I did score on them when they're playing extra hard then they'll look really bad.
However, when I played against 'Big Baby' (Glen Davis from LSU, now a rookie with the Boston Celtics), he told me I would not get the ball at all; and, I pretty much didn't."
What help did you get from Orlando Woolridge?
"He was in charge of working with the post players at Lucas' sessions; but, after those sessions finished, he (Woolridge) called me and told he was working out at Brentwood Baptist Church's gym and he told me I was welcome to come there and work out."
Have you noticed a difference in yourself after all of these workouts?
"I haven't had a chance to play against other girls; so, I couldn't tell you."
Have you seen a difference in your body?
"I feel like I've gotten stronger. It's easier for me to establish my position near the basket; but, I still feel like we haven't had enough different competitions in the open gyms. I think I've gotten better; but, I haven't proven it to myself, yet, (because the season hasn't started)."
What do you think you do well?
"I think I'm a lot better under the basket. Going up; fighting for the ball; and going for more offensive rebounds. Everything down low is better. My shot, my mid-range shot, has gotten better, too. I think that's what I've improved the most."
"One of my main goals this year is to avoid foul trouble because we have a very young team and Emery (Carter) is still not full speed (after tearing her ACL last season); so, it's going to be really hard this year. We can't afford to get into foul trouble or get anyone else hurt out of the starters -- especially in the post. So, staying out of foul trouble is definitely a main focus for me this year."
Well, you're a senior this season and the main post option; so, have you thought about what your role on the team is going to be this year?
"Definitely. I want to be a better role model for the freshmen and everybody younger on the team. I remember when I was a freshman and I looked up to Michelle (Michelle Woods); Lauren (Lauren Neaves); and Annie (Anne Peck) and whatever they did I had to do. I want to make sure the freshmen follow my example and get something out of basketball as well as off the court, too."
What are your expectations for yourself this season or is all about winning for you?
"Winning is my main concern. Of course, I'd like people to see improvement in my game; but, I want to win. Having a double-double average would be nice; but, I'd like to average more minutes. I know Coach (Greg Williams) will play me more minutes; but, it's about me not fouling out of games."
"I just want to win conference (Conference USA) and have a great season and do something with myself afterwards."
How good can the team be this season?
"Our team can go far. I'm expecting nothing less than a conference championship. We've been so close every year it's frustrating to not win it. But, if everybody stays healthy -- I just hope nobody gets hurt -- we can accomplish what we set out to accomplish which is to win a conference tournament championship. Injuries have really hurt us in the past."
What would you like to do after Rice?
"Play basketball. Ideally, I'd like to play basketball in the States with Kadie (senior point guard Kadie Riverin) on the same team. She's my favorite point guard that I've ever played basketball with. We have developed a great bond on the court since we've been at Rice. We know what to expect from each other."
Kadie told me she believed you're "going to dominate everybody" this season. What are your thoughts on that comment from her?
"I'm ready. I'm ready. There's no question about it. We'll see when the season comes."
"I stayed here the whole summer. Lifted (weights). I worked out on my own. I tried new stuff -- yoga; training in the pool; working out with (John) Lucas and Orlando Woolridge; and doing stuff on my own. That was pretty much the whole summer. Plus, I went to summer school. I took three (hours) in May and six (hours) in June, July."
How difficult was it to work out and go to school?
"It wasn't that bad. In May, it wasn't that hard at all because I only had one class. In June and July, I had night classes. I worked out from 7 in the morning to noon; then, I had work; then class. I had two jobs, too."
What is motivating you to work so hard?
"Because Rice is a smaller school known for academics and our level of competition isn't necessarily top level, I feel we don't get the opportunity to be challenged every time we play; so, in order to get better and get to the next level I had to work out and play against the guys. Plus, last summer, I went 1 on 1 against DeMya Walker (forward for the Sacramento Monarchs of the WNBA); and, I was trying to post her up and I could not move her. I ended up posting up at the free throw line. She had just had her baby; and, I felt so bad because "this pregnant lady is just pushing me around". After that session, I decided it was time for me to start lifting weights. I have not missed a day of weight lifting since. I love to play basketball; so, I want to be the best I can be."
How did you hook up with Coach John Lucas (former NBA player and NBA head coach)?
"One of my teammates used to work out with Lucas; so, that's how I met him. He told me I could come work out with him. Ever since then, I've been working out with him."
What were those sessions like because Luke is a tough guy; and, he doesn't mess around; so, what was that like?
"It was quite different; but, I liked it. I didn't mind the yelling because I knew he would get me better. Plus, I knew playing guys that are bigger and stronger than me would get me better. It was an opportunity that not everybody gets; so, I had to do what I had to do and make the best out of it."
Did the guys treat you differently? Did they respect your going against them this summer?
"I believe they always tried to take it easy against me at first; but, after I scored on them, they got yelled at so they toughened up. But, then nobody played me extra hard because if I did score on them when they're playing extra hard then they'll look really bad.
However, when I played against 'Big Baby' (Glen Davis from LSU, now a rookie with the Boston Celtics), he told me I would not get the ball at all; and, I pretty much didn't."
What help did you get from Orlando Woolridge?
"He was in charge of working with the post players at Lucas' sessions; but, after those sessions finished, he (Woolridge) called me and told he was working out at Brentwood Baptist Church's gym and he told me I was welcome to come there and work out."
Have you noticed a difference in yourself after all of these workouts?
"I haven't had a chance to play against other girls; so, I couldn't tell you."
Have you seen a difference in your body?
"I feel like I've gotten stronger. It's easier for me to establish my position near the basket; but, I still feel like we haven't had enough different competitions in the open gyms. I think I've gotten better; but, I haven't proven it to myself, yet, (because the season hasn't started)."
What do you think you do well?
"I think I'm a lot better under the basket. Going up; fighting for the ball; and going for more offensive rebounds. Everything down low is better. My shot, my mid-range shot, has gotten better, too. I think that's what I've improved the most."
"One of my main goals this year is to avoid foul trouble because we have a very young team and Emery (Carter) is still not full speed (after tearing her ACL last season); so, it's going to be really hard this year. We can't afford to get into foul trouble or get anyone else hurt out of the starters -- especially in the post. So, staying out of foul trouble is definitely a main focus for me this year."
Well, you're a senior this season and the main post option; so, have you thought about what your role on the team is going to be this year?
"Definitely. I want to be a better role model for the freshmen and everybody younger on the team. I remember when I was a freshman and I looked up to Michelle (Michelle Woods); Lauren (Lauren Neaves); and Annie (Anne Peck) and whatever they did I had to do. I want to make sure the freshmen follow my example and get something out of basketball as well as off the court, too."
What are your expectations for yourself this season or is all about winning for you?
"Winning is my main concern. Of course, I'd like people to see improvement in my game; but, I want to win. Having a double-double average would be nice; but, I'd like to average more minutes. I know Coach (Greg Williams) will play me more minutes; but, it's about me not fouling out of games."
"I just want to win conference (Conference USA) and have a great season and do something with myself afterwards."
How good can the team be this season?
"Our team can go far. I'm expecting nothing less than a conference championship. We've been so close every year it's frustrating to not win it. But, if everybody stays healthy -- I just hope nobody gets hurt -- we can accomplish what we set out to accomplish which is to win a conference tournament championship. Injuries have really hurt us in the past."
What would you like to do after Rice?
"Play basketball. Ideally, I'd like to play basketball in the States with Kadie (senior point guard Kadie Riverin) on the same team. She's my favorite point guard that I've ever played basketball with. We have developed a great bond on the court since we've been at Rice. We know what to expect from each other."
Kadie told me she believed you're "going to dominate everybody" this season. What are your thoughts on that comment from her?
"I'm ready. I'm ready. There's no question about it. We'll see when the season comes."
posted by Kris Gardner @ 11:19 AM
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