Jena Kaye, in her final year of law school, can spin a great argument about what's in store for the University of Calgary women's basketball squad.
"We know that there is a lot to build on,'' the fifth-year point guard began. "There are some younger players who are going to be taking on bigger roles this year. Once they get their confidence and we get more playing time together, it's going to work out nicely for the rest of the season.''
Kaye, an all-Canadian who has played at both UPEI and Dalhousie, will finish off her hard-court career with the Dinos and will get one last crack at a national championship, since Calgary will host the CIS tournament in March.
Thus far, the team has performed admirably, posting a 4-2 record heading into this weekend when the Dinos host Victoria on Friday and UBC on Saturday.
Both losses came last weekend at the hands of the top-ranked team in the country, Regina.
"Going out to a 4-0 start was really good for our confidence,'' acknowledged Kaye, from Sackville, N.B. "And even last weekend it was tough to lose to Regina, but it was good for us to see how we match up with them. I think if we played them again it could go either way.''
Kaye is averaging 14.2 points per game. Conference-wide, she is third in assists and first in steals, with 4.3 per game.
"She brings the intangibles and one of them is maturity,'' noted coach Shawnee Harle. "You can have personal maturity, you can have game maturity, you can have fitness maturity — and she has all of those things. She has off-court maturity, as well, and that brings stability. She's done a wonderful job of being a leader.
"In my opinion, the true definition of leadership is influence and that's what I've seen her being able to do.''
Kaye didn't play the past two seasons because of the demands of law school, but she kept up her skills practising with Dalhousie.
She came out west, joining her boyfriend and former Dinos' quarterback Erik Glavic, and summered with the law firm Borden Ladner Gervais, signing on to article with them in July.
In addition, she found the perfect spot in a program that has been rebuilding into a contender.
"Joining a team late in your career, it can go one way or another,'' Kaye pointed out. "But the girls have been awesome. I've missed the competitiveness, so it's nice to be back in that mind frame again. This is my last shot at it. I'm bringing as much intensity as I can to this program. I think my only goal is to win nationals at home.''
That would be Harle's objective, too. She is now in her 17th season coaching the Dinos.
"I like the system that we're running at both ends of the floor. The team has really bought into our style of play. We're one of those very scary teams that other teams don't want to play. And I like that.''
The Dinos, third in scoring offence in Canada West (75.5-point average) and second in defence (52.8), will welcome two players back into the lineup this weekend — guard Megan Schaufele and forward Kiersten Hilton, both of whom have been out with concussions.
"Our best is yet to come,'' promised Harle, "and I'm glad I'm saying that in November rather than February, waiting for our best to come. We're the only team that knows for sure where we're going to be in March and that has made me more patient.''
Campus schedule at a glance
U of C today
Women's basketball: Dinos vs. Victoria, 6 p.m., Jack Simpson Gym. Men's basketball: Dinos vs. Victoria, 8 p.m., Jack Simpson Gym. Women's hockey: Dinos vs. Manitoba, 7 p.m., Father Bauer Arena. Men's hockey: Dinos at Manitoba. Women's volleyball: Dinos at UBC. Men's volleyball: Dinos at UBC. Swimming: Dinos at Canada Cup, Toronto.
U of C Saturday
Women's basketball: Dinos vs. UBC, 6 p.m., Jack Simpson Gym. Men's basketball: Dinos vs. UBC, 8 p.m., Jack Simpson Gym. Women's hockey: Dinos vs. Manitoba, 7 p.m., Father Bauer Arena. Men's hockey: Dinos at Manitoba. Women's volleyball: Dinos at UBC. Men's volleyball: Dinos at UBC. Swimming: Dinos at Canada Cup, Toronto.
MRU today
Women's hockey: Cougars vs. NAIT, 7:30 p.m., Flames Community Arenas. Women's basketball: Cougars vs. Red Deer, 6 p.m., Kenyon Court. Men's basketball: Cougars vs. Red Deer, 8 p.m., Kenyon Court. Men's hockey: Cougars at Briercrest. Women's volleyball: Cougars at Red Deer. Men's volleyball: Cougars at Red Deer.
MRU Saturday
Women's volleyball: Cougars vs. Red Deer, 6 p.m., Kenyon Court. Men's volleyball: Cougars vs. Red Deer, 8 p.m., Kenyon Court. Men's hockey: Cougars at Briercrest. Women's hockey: Cougars at NAIT.
SAIT today
Women's basketball: Trojans vs. Medicine Hat, 6 p.m., SAIT Gym. Men's basketball: Trojans vs. Medicine Hat, 8 p.m., SAIT Gym. Women's hockey: Trojans vs. Red Deer, 7 p.m., SAIT Arena. Men's hockey: Trojans at MacEwan.
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