Rookie Profile: Williams & Batteast

            

Quotes from Tamia Williams (Florida ’04) and Jacqueline Batteast (Notre Dame ’04)

What’s the most difficult thing about being a rookie in camp?
TW: The physical aspect of the game. It’s been a lot more difficult than in college, and as you can see, I’m a lean body. Defense has been an adjustment, too. At Florida we played a different type of defense with our footwork, so I’m still trying to adjust to Suzie’s style of coaching on the defensive end. It’s been a lot of hard work, but the older players have been helping me out a lot.

JB: It’s like I have to start all over again. I was just a senior, so I was like the top dog, but now I’m back at the bottom.

Do the veterans give you a hard time or have any hazing traditions?
TW: Actually, they’re pretty nice. They’re pretty cool and down to earth. Of course they’re going to make rookie jokes and tell us how young we are, but for the most part they’ve been helping me out a lot and giving me pointers.

JB: They treat me pretty well. They still have their little rookie jokes. Rookies in the back. Rookies have to wait. We don’t get firsts on anything, but for the most part they’re pretty helpful.

How do you like Minneapolis so far?
TW: It’s cold! It is cold. That’s all I can say is that it’s cold. I’ve been in Florida all my life and coming here…it is freezing. I haven’t seen a lot yet, but as I ride around I like the buildings and the atmosphere. It seems like a nice place, but I’ll like it a lot more when it warms up.

JB: It’s nice. It’s not too big, not too busy. It’s just right, so I’m enjoying it.