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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.<\/p>\n
Photo by General Mason Starks<\/a><\/p>\n UTA women\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n McPhail said his appearance in his previous position laid a good foundation for this season. <\/p>\n \u201cMaking a national championship game is always an honor in itself,\u201d McPhail said. \u201cBut getting over the hump the last four years has proved a little difficult and frustrating at times.\u201d <\/p>\n During the offseason, the Lady Movin\u2019 Mavs\u2019 top-two players in scoring graduated. This season, McPhail said he wants to evenly distribute the scoring. <\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n Photo by General Mason Starks<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThis year, it’s going to be more scoring-by-committee,\u201d McPhail said. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to just have that one threat.\u201d <\/p>\n McPhail isn\u2019t just a coach. He used to play the game as well, and has taken his experiences and used them to help the team. <\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019ve played the game, you understand situations and scenarios and team practice and just dynamics a little bit more,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n The players said that having McPhail as their head coach has helped them prepare for this season. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s really hammered in the foundation,\u201d senior Harmonee Ruetes said. \u201cIt\u2019s really been good to get everyone on the same page so that we can continue for our ultimate goal.\u201d <\/p>\n 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\u2019 Mavs in August.<\/p>\n Photo by General Mason Starks<\/a><\/p>\n It isn\u2019t only those who have been a Lady Movin\u2019 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. <\/p>\n \u201cI know that even though he is new to coaching this program officially, that he\u2019s always been on our side and is a very credible source and someone I can absolutely trust,\u201d LaPole said. <\/p>\n She added that she\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n Freshman Julia Palyok shoots the ball during a basketball practice Oct. 14 at the Physical Education Building. The Lady Movin\u2019 Mavs enter the season under new head coach John McPhail.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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