University of North Carolina Athletics
Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby on the ACC Network set Tuesday at the conference's preseason media day.
Coach And Captains Represent UNC At ACC Tipoff
October 25, 2023 | Women's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – They danced, posed, laughed and even juggled, and answered questions about everything from favorite pregame meals to pickleball. And after a whirlwind morning at ACC Tipoff, the Tar Heel captains and coach left Charlotte even more excited about the upcoming season.
Seniors Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby and fifth-year head coach Courtney Banghart participated in the league's preseason women's basketball media day on Tuesday, sharing their collective enthusiasm about the season ahead. In between rotating from photo session to on-camera interview to radio appearance, all stopped in at one of two ACC Network on-site sets to talk about the team live. They also spoke with a variety of media organizations in a large press conference, moderated by Angel Gray.
"I love our roster," Banghart told Gray. "We're the most competitive team I've had since I've been at Carolina. We're the deepest team I've had since I've been at Carolina. We hope we'll be the most well-led since I've been at Carolina."
With that last part, she was gesturing toward Kelly and Ustby, who were seated beside her. Those two are part of a four-member senior class that makes up the bulk of Carolina's returning group of seven players. The veterans are joined by eight newcomers – three transfers and five freshmen – who are expected to contribute all over the court and raise the team's collective level of play.
"I think everyone brings their own competitive nature, which I think is huge to have on a really good team because we're battling every single day, we're competing against each other, and building off of those strengths and weaknesses of each other," Kelly said.
Added Ustby: "In addition, communication is something that's really important, and all of us have agreed that this year we are going to commit to learning how to communicate better with one another inside the lines and outside the lines as well, because we realize that's a really important component for successful teams."
The Tar Heels open the season at home on Nov. 8 against Gardner-Webb.
Check out the full schedule here and get your tickets here.
🗣️ @CoachBanghart on the buzz surrounding this team: 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘓𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯 ✨😏
Watch the full @accnetwork interview here: https://t.co/1Q7UmEOSgT#GoHeels | #ACCTipoff pic.twitter.com/pOAIrWattJ
— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) October 25, 2023
Seniors Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby and fifth-year head coach Courtney Banghart participated in the league's preseason women's basketball media day on Tuesday, sharing their collective enthusiasm about the season ahead. In between rotating from photo session to on-camera interview to radio appearance, all stopped in at one of two ACC Network on-site sets to talk about the team live. They also spoke with a variety of media organizations in a large press conference, moderated by Angel Gray.
"I love our roster," Banghart told Gray. "We're the most competitive team I've had since I've been at Carolina. We're the deepest team I've had since I've been at Carolina. We hope we'll be the most well-led since I've been at Carolina."
With that last part, she was gesturing toward Kelly and Ustby, who were seated beside her. Those two are part of a four-member senior class that makes up the bulk of Carolina's returning group of seven players. The veterans are joined by eight newcomers – three transfers and five freshmen – who are expected to contribute all over the court and raise the team's collective level of play.
"I think everyone brings their own competitive nature, which I think is huge to have on a really good team because we're battling every single day, we're competing against each other, and building off of those strengths and weaknesses of each other," Kelly said.
Added Ustby: "In addition, communication is something that's really important, and all of us have agreed that this year we are going to commit to learning how to communicate better with one another inside the lines and outside the lines as well, because we realize that's a really important component for successful teams."
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
🏀 Hoopers' paradise 🏀
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀#ACCTipoff | @accwbb pic.twitter.com/RjxB67sSDJ
— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) October 24, 2023
The Tar Heels open the season at home on Nov. 8 against Gardner-Webb.
Check out the full schedule here and get your tickets here.
Talking Tar Heels with @accnetwork 📺#ACCTIpoff | #GoHeels | #InPursuit pic.twitter.com/ALgAsl9QlF
— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) October 24, 2023
Players Mentioned
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