Q&A with Coach Laura Johnson

By Erik Buchinger

Number of years as head coach: Laura Johnson – sixth. Carley Ramich – First.

Returning varsity athletes: Aliza VanDenElzen (12), Makenna Krause (12), Adrianne Hagen (12), Emily Nelson (12), Emily Cliver (12), Macy McGlone (11), Laken Schmidt (11), Ashley Sager (11).

Team goals/expectations: Have fun, to love one another and play as a team and not individuals. Finish in the top half of the FVA and have strong communication.

Team’s strengths: Scrappy and relentless on defense, many different options offensively.

Team’s weaknesses: Things to improve – keep high energy at all times no matter who the opponent is, having a short memory, forgetting mistakes quickly and moving on.

Biggest games on the schedule: Many teams in the FVA are very comparable this year, every conference game is going to be a big one. Anyone could win on any giving night depending on what team shows up.

What would make for a successful season: Top four in the FVA, playing together as one, every athlete improves fundamentally.

Why fans should be excited for this year’s team: We are a team that is going to fight and work hard every time we step on the court. It’s a competitive conference, so most of our matches will be exciting nail biters.