Pack women regroup

RALEIGH -- N.C. State women's basketball players say they are feeling more confident and comfortable on the court heading into the season's opening game. .

Time has passed since the death of longtime coach Kay Yow sent tremors of sadness through the program in January. Players say new coach Kellie Harper has helped the current team regroup and find the balance needed to focus on basketball.

Harper, a former standout at Tennessee, comes to State after five years as a coach at Western Carolina. She said on Thursday during the team's media day that a large part of her job has been restoring the confidence of a team that endured bouts of grief over the past two seasons as Yow battled cancer.

Players say they have not forgotten Yow, or her staff, though they have embraced the new staff and are trying to improve a team that was picked by members of the media to finish ninth in the ACC. The Pack finished last season with a 13-17 record.

"The new coaches have built our confidence up a lot," State senior Nikitta Gartrell said. "They've given us the green light to just play. It's a load off us with everything that was built up last year and last season. Confidence is a big key to this season."

State has four returning starters, including senior forward Lucy Ellison, who has returned with a burst of confidence about her role. Last season, she served primarily as a rebounder, averaging a team-high 6.8. She started in every game, though she averaged just 2.9 points per game.

"I expect to be more aggressive," Ellison said. "I bring more to the table than offensive rebounds. I want to be on the scoring end."

Harper, who has called for a more up-tempo style of play, called Ellison's improved physical condition and overall attitude an encouraging surprise.

"I think that's a positive for our team," she said.

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