Q: What was going through your mind as you entered your final season at Stanford?
It became very real. Everyone tells you these four years go by fast, but now these are last experiences like this I'll ever have. No matter what happens I am just trying to cherish every moment and take advantage of it.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories with Stanford women's basketball?
It'd just be the unexpected things that happen on a typical trip like bus rides and plane rides. They're little moments that don't seem big, but are actually huge and what helps us form our team chemistry, that bond and friendships for life.
Q: What advice would you give to Kaylee Johnson when she arrived at Stanford as a freshman?
I'd tell her that college is going to be a difficult experience, but also the best. There are going to be ups and downs, but it's all for a greater purposes. If you keep working hard and stay persistent it's all going to pay off.
Q: What do you think you'll miss most about this team?
I'm sure everyone answers with this, but just the people. It can't be understated or overlooked. I don't care if we're playing basketball or not. We could be a chess club. It doesn't matter. These people are the greatest I've met in my entire life and I'll never take it for granted.
Q: Off the court, what has been the best thing you have experienced at Stanford?
I guess this is a very general answer too, but just the people you meet that you don't expect. Stanford is obviously a very competitive environment you'd think everyone is concerned with being their best or doing what's best for them, but these people are some of the most generous you'll ever meet. It's a really cool community. They look out for you and they want what's best for you. People you don't even know – they just have that Stanford connection. They're willing to do whatever it takes. That's something that's very cool to be a part of.
Q: What has been your favorite class at Stanford?
I took a political theory class on justice and really enjoyed it. It was so frustrating because there were never answers, but it's something that really pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to think critically and analytically in different ways.
Q: What does your relationship with your teammates mean to you?
When you first commit to Stanford you say to yourself, "I'm going to a great academic and athletic school. Awesome." You don't realize that it's so much more beyond that. Athletics and academics seem almost inferior to the relationships I made with my teammates. Stanford women's basketball has this bond whether that's girls I haven't even played with, but have had conversations with or those who are going to play after me that I might not ever meet. I still feel like I'm part of that sisterhood where I'd still be willing to do anything for them like I know those who graduated in the past would be willing to do anything for me. It's something really cool to experience.
Q: What does the team need to do to keep the momentum going it picked up during last weekend's trip to Oregon?
I think the biggest thing is we obviously came off a big weekend and that's great, but we're not going to overlook any other team or any game. From now on our next game will continue to be our biggest one. Every team can me dangerous and any team can be a threat. I think if we focus on ourselves, keep playing confidently and playing up to our level we're going to be okay.
Q: Are the on-court successes during your career what you expected when you committed to Stanford?
Definitely. I think that's something unique to Stanford. We hold very high standards. Not making the tournament? That's not an option. Not hosting? This is the first year I've been here where we might not be hosting the first two rounds and it really puts a fire under you. That's not normal. That's not what we want. We expect to advance. The Sweet 16 it has a great title and is a good goal for some teams, but for this team I don't think it's something to be satisfied with. We always want more.
Q: What motivates you on the court?
Honestly it's the team and knowing that I'm out there as part of something bigger and it's my job to fulfill my role the best I can. That is what motivates me. Trying to get every rebound because we want to get someone else a shot or sprinting down the court because I know it's what's best for the team.
Q: What has been the message you have tried to share with the younger players on this year's team?
That's th biggest ting we continue to tell everyone, not just the freshmen, is that there are going to be ups and downs. It's all part of the process and we all need to trust in each other.
Q: What are your plans for after graduation?
I am studying for the LSAT right now that I'll take in June and will eventually apply to law school.