Ferdinand

Marie Ferdinand could have very easily spent the bulk of her rookie season on the bench, coming to a deeply veteran Starzz team. But the former LSU guard molded her game to fit with Utah's system and has worked her way into the starting lineup alongside Jennifer Azzi. Ferdinand went from shouldering the scoring load in college, to more of a playmaker in the WNBA.

It's a transition that's worked out well for the Starzz, who will be making their first playoff appearance in franchise history. And this is not to say that Ferdinand doesn't still do her share of scoring. She's averaging 11.4 points per game and is ranked seventh in the league in field goal percentage. She's scored in double figures in 21 games, the same number of times she's been in the starting lineup this season.

The Starzz are one of only two teams that finished their season on Monday, so with the extra day of rest, Ferdinand had plenty of time to chat live on WNBA.com on Wednesday, Aug. 15. Check out what she had to say!

Marie Ferdinand (No, No. Not) from ipt.aol.com at 3:40pm ET
How do you feel about the matchup with the Monarchs rather than the Sparks?

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Marie Ferdinand at 3:41pm ET
We pretty much would have been prepared to play the Monarchs or the Sparks, and we beat the Sparks recently, but we matchup well with the Monarchs and I think it will be a great series.

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Jessica from proxy.aol.com at 3:41pm ET
Do you consider yourself a main contender for the Rookie of the Year award?

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Marie Ferdinand at 3:42pm ET
Right now I'm just trying to get to the title game. If it happens, it happens. I think I have had a great season. My goal is to help my team to the championship game. It would be nice, though.

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Dayna from mw.mediaone.net at 3:42pm ET
Hey Marie! You are having a awesome rookie season, and are a great candidate for Rookie of the Year in my mind. No offense, but Jennifer Azzi is my favorite player, I was just wondering what it's like to play with her? You two mesh so well together. Thanks and good luck in the playoffs.

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Marie Ferdinand at 3:43pm ET
I'm very appreciative to play with Jennifer. She's a great player and a great person off the court. She's so calm, no matter how intense the game gets. She's a great player and I love playing with her.

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Annessa Oufnac at 3:43pm ET
Do you think its been a huge transition for you from college to the WNBA?

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Marie Ferdinand at 3:44pm ET
I knew coming in the physical part would be there, but I would have to be mentally tough to make the impact I wanted to. If I wasn't mentally tough coming out of college, then I wouldn't have had the season. I constantly worked hard, I was patient with the coaching staff because I was used to playing more minutes in college and I think that helped me a lot.

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Jasmine from proxy.aol.com at 3:45pm ET
Congratulations, Marie, to you and your teammates on making your first appearance to the WNBA playoffs! What is the game plan that you and your teammates have when you face the Monarchs?

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Marie Ferdinand at 3:45pm ET
To go out play, have fun and enjoy. Not satisfied to just make the playoffs, we want to make a championship run and we need to play the way we have been playing.

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Zachary from tnt10.baton-rouge.la.da.uu.net at 3:46pm ET
It was great to see you take off in the pros. Down here in Baton Rouge we knew you could do it. Congrats on the hard work and success. Talk about playing defense in the pros, and how it is different from LSU (for instance, I notice your steals are down). Do you feel you are emphazing defense as you were taught by your great coaches Sue Gunter and Dana Chatman at LSU? What do you want to improve on for next season?

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Marie Ferdinand at 3:46pm ET
The defense isn't as hard for me. throughout college I was a great defensive player and I just took it to another level in the WNBA. If I can score and play defense, that will help me better myself. I'll continue to work on my defense.

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Megan&Gary at 3:47pm ET
The Starzz just upset the Sparks with an awesome win. If you get matched up against them in the playoffs, do you think that you will be able to beat them? Do you think that the fact that you have already beaten them will help your confidence in order to beat them again? P.S. You are an awesome player!

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Marie Ferdinand at 3:48pm ET
I think so. Beating them here gave us a confidence boost, we know we can beat them because we did it before, but we're going to have to play tough to get another win.

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iloveMARIE3 from sisna.com at 3:48pm ET
Marie you are so tight, you've got MAD handles, I love that quick jumper of yours and you CAN JUMP SOOO HIGH! What exercises do you do to jump so high?

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Marie Ferdinand at 3:49pm ET
I don't think there are any particular exercises -- I think it's in my genes. I do calf raises but not to the point where it helps me jump higher. I can grab the rim, but I injured my knee coming down from the rim one time, so I've learned to stay below the rim.

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JD from co.slc.ut.us at 3:50pm ET
Hi Marie! We've loved your play this year! I've had Starzz tickets for all 5 years! We've never had a great rookie like we do with you. Keep up the good work! :)

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Marie Ferdinand at 3:51pm ET
It's been an exciting year in Salt Lake, it's been a great season and I've enjoyed it and I look forward to coming back next year.

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Dominique from proxy.aol.com at 3:51pm ET
If you could pick five players for an all-rookie team who would they be?

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Marie Ferdinand at 3:52pm ET
I think they ought to have an all-rookie team. I'd be on it, of course!
1) Me
2) Jackie Stiles
3) Lauren Jackson
4) Deanna Nolan
5) Niele Ivey

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Marie Ferdinand at 3:54pm ET
I need to go to practice, so thanks to the fans for taking the time to submit questions. I've had a great season. Thanks to the support from the fans of Salt Lake and my friends from college, LSU. Look for us in the playoffs.