Dec. 21, 2004

Week 6: Julianne Viani, Freshman (Transfer), Guard, Poughkeepsie, NY

1. You are originally from Poughkeepsie and you ended up transferring to Marist just before the school year and are living at home, how has that been?
It's definitely different and has been harder to get to know people, but that's the way things had to turn out unfortunately. I've been able to meet people still and I know I will meet more in the next few years and its still fun, but its harder.

2. What's it like to be playing for Coach Giorgis again after he coached you in high school?
He's a great coach and I can trust him and I know he's in it for my best interest and for the best interests of the girls on the team and I like that, that I know what I'm getting. It's been really good.

3. Have you gotten used to not being able to play (due to NCAA transfer regulations) or is it still hard?
It's really frustrating and it can get really draining practicing everyday and working hard without getting the reward for it, because the games are the reward. It's really hard and I have to push past that and focus my attention on just getting better, but it's difficult to watch my teammates out there that I practice with everyday and I don't get to go out there and help. It's hard but I've accepted my role for now. It's really helpful to have Meg Dahlman going through the same thing though, because we understand each other.

4. How do you feel this experience will affect you as a player next season?
I think that ultimately it will make me a better player because I'm able to have a whole year to size up my competition, really see who I'm playing against, get stronger, better and figure out what I need to work on. I think it will be good for me and I'm getting used to the system here and I think it's going to work out for the best.

5. Your teammates get to go to California after Christmas - do you have any plans during that time?
Yeah, California would be nice, especially during this time of year; but no, I don't have any plans I'm just going to relax. It's definitely tough knowing that everyone will be out in the warm climate without me, but I'll make the best of it!

6. What's your favorite thing about the Christmas holiday coming up?
Probably seeing all of my family - everyone's together, whether they live far away or close, we're all gathered together. I love my family so I really like that about Christmas.

7. Speaking of your family, your sister Jenna has earned a starting spot now as a junior at Villanova - what has it been like for your to watch her progress and do you feel you've learned from it?
It's been really good to see her do that. Her first two years were a struggle, but now she's starting as a junior. She's come a really long way and it's still tough this year, but I'm proud of her and it's been fun watching her play at that level. It's definitely been interesting and has given me some good insight into college ball.

8. Coming from a highly successful team at Our Lady of Lourdes, you're obviously no stranger to winning; but what was it like a couple of weeks ago to see last year's team get their NCAA rings and see the MAAC Championship banners raised?
It was cool. It made me really want it, that's one of my goals. In the next four years here I'd love to get a ring and go to the NCAA Tournament and even further than that - to win a game there. It was really fun to watch because I felt like hopefully, in the next few years, that could be me if we continue succeeding.

9. If you could play on the same team as any basketball figure, who would it be and why?
Wow that's tough...probably a post player who I could dish too! It would be fun to play with Sue Bird or Diana Taurasi. They are both amazing players and it would be really exciting to play with them because they're winners and it would just be fun!

10. How do you feel about the Georgia match-up tonight?
Well, it's going to be tough, Georgia is really athletic. I know Cori Chambers on their team because I played against her a ton of times in high school and she was on my AAU team that went to the Nationals. It's going to be an interesting match-up, a tough one, but it will be fun. We have nothing to lose so I think we'll just go out there and play our hardest and that's all we can really do.

Next up: Sophomore forward Kristin Hein

If you have any questions that you'd like us to ask Kristin, please e-mail dara.ely@marist.edu.