Senior Elaina Terry holds a basketball during a practice Oct. 14 at the Physical Education Building. The team will compete in the UTA Jim Hayes Fall Classic starting Nov 21.
UTA women’s wheelchair basketball enters the season with a new head coach, John McPhail. With the change in leadership, the team has high hopes for this season.
Although this is McPhail’s first season as head coach, he has been a volunteer coach for four seasons. Last season, the team finished with its fourth-straight loss in the championship game of the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament.
McPhail said his appearance in his previous position laid a good foundation for this season.
“Making a national championship game is always an honor in itself,” McPhail said. “But getting over the hump the last four years has proved a little difficult and frustrating at times.”
During the offseason, the Lady Movin’ Mavs’ top-two players in scoring graduated. This season, McPhail said he wants to evenly distribute the scoring.
Sophomore Laura Davoli shoots the ball during a basketball practice Oct. 14 at the Physical Education Building. Davoli made her world championship debut with Australia.
“This year, it’s going to be more scoring-by-committee,” McPhail said. “We don’t want to just have that one threat.”
McPhail isn’t just a coach. He used to play the game as well, and has taken his experiences and used them to help the team.
“When you’ve played the game, you understand situations and scenarios and team practice and just dynamics a little bit more,” he said.
The players said that having McPhail as their head coach has helped them prepare for this season.
“He’s really hammered in the foundation,” senior Harmonee Ruetes said. “It’s really been good to get everyone on the same page so that we can continue for our ultimate goal.”
Head coach John McPhail speaks with the players during a basketball practice Oct. 14 at the Physical Education Building. McPhail was named head coach of the Lady Movin’ Mavs in August.
It isn’t only those who have been a Lady Movin’ Mav for a while that are complementary of McPhail. One of the few new players on the team is freshman Abby LaPole, who shares the sentiment.
“I know that even though he is new to coaching this program officially, that he’s always been on our side and is a very credible source and someone I can absolutely trust,” LaPole said.
She added that she’s seen herself and her game grow significantly since she graduated high school and came to Arlington. Her older teammates said the same thing about themselves.
Freshman Julia Palyok shoots the ball during a basketball practice Oct. 14 at the Physical Education Building. The Lady Movin’ Mavs enter the season under new head coach John McPhail.
“Every year my skills improve,” Ruetes said. “Each year, I go into it with a new mindset of ‘Be better than last year,’ and everyone who contributes to that is hoping to get better.”
All the growing, all the building and all the foundation laying has been for one blueprint, one goal and one vision.
“Make it back to the national championship. That’s a non-negotiable,” McPhail said.
The team will open the season with the UTA Jim Hayes Fall Classic on Nov. 21 at College Park Center.
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