Another of our athletes of the week is senior Haleigh Releford from the women’s basketball team.
I started by asking about the current state of the team and how the season’s been, to which Releford said, “Our team has put in so much work this season. We are improving with each game we play… This season we had a little bit of a rough start. It took us a minute to get in the groove of things, but we’re back on track, and I’m excited for what’s to come.”
Next, I asked about some of the other key players on the team. Releford said, “It’s hard to pinpoint who are the difference makers on our team when everyone contributes in different ways, but sophomore transfer Emily Sizemore has come in and filled graduate Trinity Shearer’s shoes well, and this is her first year playing college basketball. But looking at the stat. sheet, you can see anyone on any night can be a big contributor.”
“I am humbled and honored to have received athlete of the week when there are so many deserving players,” said Releford when asked about being named athlete of the week and what that means to her. “However, I do feel like I had a good week, but I give credit to my team as well for putting me in the position to succeed.”
When I asked about her personal or team goals for the season, Releford said, “Personally, I have already achieved a big milestone in my basketball career that I have dreamt of since I was a little girl, which is becoming a part of the 1,000-point club, but I also want to inspire others to love the game and give God the glory. Our team goals are clearly to win the championship, but also build the team for the future.”
“It’s unbelievable to have blinked freshman year and all of a sudden I’m a senior,” said Releford when asked how it feels to be a senior on the team now. “It flew by. It’s bittersweet because I am excited for the next chapters in my life, but I hate to leave this one behind.”
Finally, I asked if she had anything she wanted to say to the rest of the Asbury student body, to which she said, “I want to give a huge thank you to the Asbury student body who has come out to support us. Our goal is to put Asbury in the books. I also want to give my thanks to the ASDN and media team for the broadcast and our photos. For all of you who have never been to a game, I would love to see your support.”
Photo courtesy of AU Athletics.
