University of North Carolina Athletics
Hatchell Stresses Key Elements To Success In '14-15
October 22, 2014 | Women's Basketball
"We have leadership, we've got experience, we've got depth, and great chemistry," the Hall of Fame coach told reporters Wednesday morning at ACC Women's Basketball Media Day in Greensboro.
The seventh-ranked Tar Heels return 12 student-athletes from last years' squad, including four starters, while Coach Hatchell returns to the sidelines after stepping away in October of last season to treat her diagnosis of leukemia. In her absence, the Tar Heels went 27-10, falling to Stanford in the late stages of the Elite Eight game played on the home court of the Cardinal.
"I just don't want to mess them up," she chuckled on her teams' success last season. "I just want to add to it and help them get to the next level. "
Tar Heel players welcomed her return with open arms, glad to have their coach back and healthy.
"Just to have her back into practice and getting back on the floor is truly a blessing," said senior guard Danielle Butts. "We missed her a lot and the fact that we don't have to worry about her as much because she's right there with us everyday at practice, in the weight room, in film, just makes our motivation more."
For the entire morning of interviews, Hatchell would always return to the four elements that she sees in this team: leadership, experience, depth, and chemistry.
"Just maintain that and making it stronger as we go along. That's one thing I want to do. We have all the ingredients."
Senior guard Latifah Coleman agreed with her coach, citing teamwork and togetherness as crucial pieces.
"The idea of togetherness, coach always says that we're five individuals working together as one and I believe that teamwork and togetherness will be the key to our success this year. "
Carolina, picked fourth in the preseason ACC poll released Monday morning, boasts three Preseason All-ACC selections - junior Xylina McDaniel and sophomores Allisha Gray and Stephanie Mavunga - the most in the conference. Only league-favorite Notre Dame, with two selections, was the only other school in the league with multiple players listed on the 10-player team.
UNC will host two exhibition games, Wednesday, Nov. 5 against Carson-Newman and Monday, Nov. 10 against Wingate, before opening up its season versus Howard on Nov. 14 in Carmichael Arena at 4 p.m.
