2008 Woodie Awards
Erica Pollock's versatility is key
Jeremy Schuyler Fallis '06
Issue date: 11/10/06 Section: Sports
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Setbacks have not beset red-shirt senior Erica Pollock; rather they have emboldened the former Big Five Rookie of the Year.
Coming off meniscus and tonsil surgeries in September, Pollock is poised more than ever to have a breakout season and she won't be alone.
"People will underestimate our frontcourt," Pollock said.
"I hope we get the respect."
Respect will be tough to come by after the Hawks lost Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, Hillary Klimowicz, and the biggest surprise of last season's team.
"I really miss her, but we have four strong post players," said Pollock.
Nevertheless, Pollock isn't discouraged and looks forward to the season. Pollock, no longer the newbie, is a powerful leader and Coach Cindy Griffin is looking to her to continue that role with a relatively inexperienced frontcourt.
"Coach expects me to be a banger and a screener," Pollock said, noting one of her favorite things as a forward.
"I told her I would do whatever she asks of me for us to succeed."
Joining Pollock in the post will be red-shirt freshman Brittany Ford, senior Zoya Pavlovskaya and true freshman Ashley Logue.
"Brittany is kind of new and people won't know anything about her, but I think she will succeed," Pollock said."I would love to have all of us have breakout years."
Ultimately, the deciding factor for the team will be the team's experience. Last season's WNIT team lost not only Klimowicz, but emotional and spiritual leaders in that of Maura McBryan and Faith Schutte. According to Pollock, those losses won't deter a team that features captains Ayahna Cornish, leading returning scorer, and point guard Whitney Ffrench.
"We have lots of experience and great captains," Pollock added.
With experience come all of the expectations. In two preseason scrimmages at Lafayette and at home against Philadelphia University, the team showed signs of improvement but also fundamental errors. In both instances, the Hawks played below their potential and not up to game speed.
Coming off meniscus and tonsil surgeries in September, Pollock is poised more than ever to have a breakout season and she won't be alone.
"People will underestimate our frontcourt," Pollock said.
"I hope we get the respect."
Respect will be tough to come by after the Hawks lost Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, Hillary Klimowicz, and the biggest surprise of last season's team.
"I really miss her, but we have four strong post players," said Pollock.
Nevertheless, Pollock isn't discouraged and looks forward to the season. Pollock, no longer the newbie, is a powerful leader and Coach Cindy Griffin is looking to her to continue that role with a relatively inexperienced frontcourt.
"Coach expects me to be a banger and a screener," Pollock said, noting one of her favorite things as a forward.
"I told her I would do whatever she asks of me for us to succeed."
Joining Pollock in the post will be red-shirt freshman Brittany Ford, senior Zoya Pavlovskaya and true freshman Ashley Logue.
"Brittany is kind of new and people won't know anything about her, but I think she will succeed," Pollock said."I would love to have all of us have breakout years."
Ultimately, the deciding factor for the team will be the team's experience. Last season's WNIT team lost not only Klimowicz, but emotional and spiritual leaders in that of Maura McBryan and Faith Schutte. According to Pollock, those losses won't deter a team that features captains Ayahna Cornish, leading returning scorer, and point guard Whitney Ffrench.
"We have lots of experience and great captains," Pollock added.
With experience come all of the expectations. In two preseason scrimmages at Lafayette and at home against Philadelphia University, the team showed signs of improvement but also fundamental errors. In both instances, the Hawks played below their potential and not up to game speed.
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