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| | Tuesday, March 13 Chat wrap: Plenette Pierson | ||||||
Welcome to ESPN.com's moderated chat room. On Tuesday, March 13, Texas Tech Lady Raiders (23-6, 13-3 Big 12) forward/center Plenette Pierson dropped by to take your questions in chat. Pierson, a native of Kingwood, Texas, has helped lead her team to a No. 2 seed in the Mideast, and a first round matchup with Ivy League champion Pennsylvania on Friday. A win against Penn would send Texas Tech on to face the winner of the 7-10 game between Virginia Tech and Denver. Pierson, who was recently named second-team All-Big 12, averaged 14.4 ppg and 7.7 rpg while rejecting 41 shots on the season. For more on Texas Tech Athletics, visit www.texastech.com
 Plenette Pierson at 6:02pm ET
Hi everyone. I'm here to take your questions. Let's get started. Larry from [129.118.65.231], at 6:03pm ET I think that it is amazing how the Lady Raiders, with 6 rookies, have still continued to be a competitive force. Last year was suppose to be a "rebuilding" year, what it this year considered? Plenette Pierson at 6:04pm ET
This year was also considered a rebuilding year, a time for a young team to step up and get some experience. But we've kind of surpassed that. We're not a rebounding team. Our freshmen are great and have come in and really stepped it up. Adam from [64.12.104.29], at 6:04pm ET Good Luck in the game with Pennsylavia and hopefully the rest of the tournament. What is your prediction for the game? Plenette Pierson at 6:05pm ET
We've said all year long that we've worked hard to get to this point, and we can't overlook any team. We just have to go in there, play our hardest and hopefully win. Adam from [64.12.104.29], at 6:05pm ET What are your plans after graduation? Will you be looking for a spot in the WNBA? Plenette Pierson at 6:06pm ET
After graduation, I would love to play in the WNBA. If I don't make it there, I'd love to be a PR person, and hopefully work for the WNBA, something along the line of helping the athletes and promoting athletes. I'm majoring in PR, with a minor in marketing. Adam from [64.12.104.29], at 6:06pm ET Hey Plenette, If Texas Tech makes it to the Championship game, who do you not want to play? Plenette Pierson at 6:07pm ET
It doesn't really matter who we play. We would love to get there. We're up for any challenge. Any team that has worked as hard as we would to get to that final game, we're up for the challenge. Lady Raider Fan from [199.207.255.50], at 6:08pm ET Plenette, can you tell us how it feels to play in front of such huge crowds of fans in Lubbock? I'll be among them this weekend looking forward to some outstanding basketball, including great defense! Plenette Pierson at 6:08pm ET
We have great fans here at Tech. That's part of the reason I chose Tech. And it's going to work to an advantage for us that we have so many fans. They support us wherever we go, and we love them. Duane from [129.118.83.198], at 6:09pm ET Hey Plenette! I've heard lots of people say that the Mideast Region is not as difficult as the others. I know that when the Lady Raiders face Purdue and Tennessee, it won't be as easy for Tennessee as everyone thinks. What do you think about your chances? Plenette Pierson at 6:10pm ET
I think anytime you get into the NCAAs it's going to be hard bracket regardless of who's in your bracket. On any given day, anyone can get beaten, even if they're a No. 1 seed. We just have to go play our best game. We'll be happy if we won, sad if we lose, but we can always hang our heads high if we say we played our hardest. Jessica W from [216.43.228.222], at 6:10pm ET What is it like to have someone like Kat on the team? What are your plans for the off season? Plenette Pierson at 6:11pm ET
It's great to have someone liek Katrisa on our team, a great defensive player, as well as a great scorer. she puts a lot of pressure on people, and it really frustrates them. Our defense thrives off of Katrisa. As for my offseason plans, I'm going to work with some of the freshmen and help them any way I can. I plan to work on my jump shot and maybe even trying to dunk. Trevor from [12.41.196.40], at 6:11pm ET What aspect of the game (rebounding, shooting, etc) will you guys focus on this week going into the tournament. Plenette Pierson at 6:12pm ET
We're really working on our defense. We've thrived on it all year long, rebounding, keeping the other team from getting only one shot. So that's going to continue to carry us. And we're still focusing on the small things, because they're the ones that help you win. Marty from [24.4.253.164], at 6:12pm ET Hello Plenette, Describe what it's like to play in The Women's NCAA Tournament? Plenette Pierson at 6:12pm ET
It's awesome, a great achievement for all 64 teams. It really tells you people think highly of your team. It's a great atmosphere, and you get to meet a lot of new players you've never met during the season. Eddie from [209.99.35.89], at 6:13pm ET Plenette, it's been a treat to watch this team develop over the season. How was it bringing in so many new faces, having to learn on the fly and becoming one of the deepest teams Marsha Sharp's ever put on the court? By the way, good luck to you and the team! Plenette Pierson at 6:13pm ET
At the beginning, it was hard. But being that all the freshmen and newcomers are real competitors and willing to make sacrifices and work hard every day in practice, it's been great. I love the freshmen. There's nothing more you could want out of five freshmen coming into such a young team with just one senior. Duane from [129.118.83.198], at 6:14pm ET Your role last year was mostly as a post player. This year, you're mostly a forward. Was that transition difficult for you to make? Plenette Pierson at 6:15pm ET
I think being a D-I player, you have to be versatile, willing and ready to go at any time in any position your coach puts you at. I've always tried to be versatile, so it wasn't a big transition for me. I'm willing to play every spot, so it pretty much was a little different -- I have to shoot the jump shot a little more . Cole from [205.188.196.43], at 6:15pm ET Congrats on a good year. I know Amber has been struggling, and Ritchie has really come along. Do you think Amber will have a break-out in the tourney?? Plenette Pierson at 6:16pm ET
Amber has been struggling, and Ritchie has come on strong, but any time you go down with an injury (knee) you're going to struggle a little bit. Amber is a very determined person, though, and she'll get back in there. She has worked hard to get her stride back, and I think she's really going to come on strong for us. Trevor from [12.41.196.40], at 6:17pm ET 2 Questions: 1. Do you feel this years team is better than last years at this stage. 2. What aspect of the game (rebounding, shooting, etc) are the Lady Raiders focusing on this week in-light of the lost to Iowa St. Plenette Pierson at 6:18pm ET
I think our team is more well-rounded this time around. We have several players who can step up in any game. These freshmen -- I can't stress it enough -- have really come on strong, and that's what has made our team. They have come in and been competitors and played so hard. As for the loss to Iowa State, we just deviated from our gameplan. The coaches work hard to come up with that plan, and we need to stick to it -- not panic when we start getting down. Lubbock fan from [64.216.32.81], at 6:19pm ET Plenette, Last year you were amazing. This year other teams knew how good you were. How were you able to deal with the constant double teaming from other teams. Plenette Pierson at 6:19pm ET
Well, in the beginning, it was very frustrating. Last year, I didn't see all these double- and triple-teams. But the coaches told me to play within myself. I just try to work on passing and getting other teammates open, which opens it up on the inside. Lubbock fan from [64.216.32.81], at 6:20pm ET Plenette, After watching you play for 2 seasons, I think you are very good at finding your teammates if you do not have a shot. Have you always been good at that or did you develop that at Tech? Plenette Pierson at 6:20pm ET
I just really worked on it during the offseason. Coach Sharp told me I was going to keep drawing double-teams. I just need to find out where that other player is coming from to trap me, and then I need to look for the open player. Casey from [65.92.129.197], at 6:21pm ET Do you follow the men's tournament or are you just too busy with your own tourney? and if so, who do you like? Plenette Pierson at 6:21pm ET
Not really. I'm always focused on our games and what's next. But I try to watch a few games. There's not really a men's team I root for. Lubbock fan from [64.216.32.81], at 6:22pm ET What made you want to come to Tech? Plenette Pierson at 6:23pm ET
We had such great fans and coaches. There's also so much tradition here -- the women's program always goes to the NCAA Tournament, play well, and produced great players like Sheryl Swoopes. I love the atmosphere. The fans are awesome, come out and support all our games. That's the sort of place I wanted to be. Coach Jon from [208.234.65.194], at 6:23pm ET Is this years team as physical as last years? Plenette Pierson at 6:24pm ET
Yes. This team is as physical as we were last year. In practice every day, you never know who's going to get a bruise. We're constantly going at each other's throats, but it helps against those tough and rough teams. Casey from [65.92.129.197], at 6:24pm ET Bigger rush: Stealing the ball and going full court for the hoop or making a big time block? Plenette Pierson at 6:25pm ET
I think making a block because I don't think me making a big-time steal and going full court for the hoop is likely to happen. I don't have very good ball-handling skills. I can dribble it if I need to, but not that far. Plenette Pierson at 6:25pm ET
That's all the time we have for now. Thanks for having me. It's been great. Go Tech. | |||||||
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