Nov. 7, 2013
By Mike Esse, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - For Coquese Washington, while it's her seventh season opener at Penn State, Friday's game against Saint Francis has a little bit of a different feel.
Many different components go into this feeling, but perhaps the biggest thing is that after Friday's season opener, Penn State will have less than 48 hours before their second game of the season.
"I like it," Washington said. "Since we have been practicing for so long the girls are tired of practicing and they love having back-to-back games with one day of practice in between."
It's a tough test at the beginning of a season with a few question marks for Penn State because of the roster they bring into the year. Seven freshmen, eight total newcomers, have made those practices much longer and much harder for Washington's squad.
However, opening a season with little time to recover in between games will prepare the Lady Lions for what is to come during the Big Ten and postseason.
"It prepares you or the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Tournament so we are hyped," said senior captain Talia East. "It's going to teach our freshman that you have to transition quickly from opponent to opponent."
Now, with the season opener looming, focus has been put on the season itself and Washington said it's a good challenge for her team having to play two games in three days for a variety of reasons.
"You have to prepare for two teams at one time," Washington said. "It's a lot more focus on what Saint Francis and Fordham are going to do as opposed to just preparing for one team at a time.
It's a double focus since we have had so much time to prepare. The one day of practice in between is more so a review than going over things for the first time."
Another component that makes this season opener a little different is the youth on Washington's team. In the past two years Washington hasn't had to implement many new players or new phases to her team.
Now, with practices being more in depth and detailed it brings a new approach to the season, which Washington likes.
"It's kind of refreshing in a way because it's a new team with new energy and they're a fun bunch so it's going to be fun seeing their growth over the course of the season," she said.
It's no secret that those freshmen will have an immediate impact for Washington's team that has just six returning players from one year ago. However, those six returners know exactly what to expect from a season opener at home.
Senior captain Talia East has become transitioned from follower to leader and made a point over the summer and now in the fall to prepare for this weekend. Having that insight from East and the other three captains has made the preparation easier for freshman like Peyton Whitted.
"They just told us to breathe," Whitted said. "When you go out there breathe and don't focus on how many people are in the stands, just focus on what you have to do to well for the team. Of course there are going to be nerves but they said it goes away as you play, which I noticed in the exhibition game."
Whitted and the other freshman are focused on working past the nerves, but for their head coach, they never go away.
"I'd throw up before all of them," Washington said with a laugh. "It's the same even in year seven. That's just par for the course, I guess."
Penn State is 5-1 all time vs. Saint Francis, falling in the last matchup against the Red Flash in 2006, 74-69. Friday's game tips off at 7 p.m. and the Lady Lions will finish the opening weekend with a 2 p.m. test against Fordham on Sunday, Nov. 10.