USF Athletics

Bulls Preview Season at USF Media Day

November 08, 2017

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By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, NOV. 8, 2017 – Friday is just the beginning of the 2017-18 USF women's basketball campaign, but game 1 already has that postseason feel.

Head coach Jose Fernandez's veteran Bulls get an SEC test right out of the gates with LSU visiting the Sun Dome for the first time since March 2015. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. and fans can reserve their seats HERE.

"We're definitely starting with a really, really good opponent in LSU," said Fernandez at USF media day Tuesday. "The last time we faced them was in this building in the NCAA tournament. I think it's going be a great night for USF basketball, for our fans and for the Tampa Bay community."

Buzz about the Bulls has been greater than ever in the Bay Area and national attention continues to rise for a program that's made three NCAA tournament trips in the past four years. USF is coming off a 24-9 campaign, which marked the Bulls fifth consecutive 20-win season.

This preseason, USF was ranked in both national polls (23 in AP, 22 in USA Today Coaches) and was picked to finish second in the American Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll after the Bulls appeared in the league championship for the third consecutive year.

"I think it's a blessing because the season hasn't even started," said junior Kitija Laksa, a member of the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Preseason Watch List. "We haven't even played a single game and people already see us. People already rank us. It's a great opportunity as well to prove people wrong or right."

For the Bulls, no one's expectations are greater than what they have set for themselves and that's making program history come March. 

"That's the next step this program has to make is taking that next step and getting to the second weekend (of the NCAA tournament)," Fernandez said. "We've had those conversations and we haven't brought it up in practice. The most important game is the next one. If we take care of business one game at a time, then that second weekend will take care of itself."

Step 1 is taking care of LSU, which went 20-12 last season and booked the program's 25^th trip to the NCAA tournament.

"This group has played in those wars already, so they know what to expect," Fernandez said. "In our league, we play the best team in the country three times a year. They know what's at stake here. We're at home to open up our season."

Laksa Gains World Experience Before Junior Season
Kitija Laksa worked her way to WBCA All-America honorable mention honors last season and teammates say she looks even sharper after playing on the world stage this summer.

Laksa started for her native country of Latvia at the 2017 FIBA EuroBasket Championship in the Czech Republic. After playing for Latvia's U16, U18 and U20 programs growing up, Laksa took her game to another level while averaging nearly 10 points and 27 minutes in seven games for the national team.

"I see my summer as a great learning experience and opportunity, it was great," Laksa said. "We qualified for the World Cup that is next year for the first time in our own history, men's or women's basketball. I'm excited for that next year."

Laksa started preparing for world competition right after USF's NCAA tournament appearance last season and joined the Latvian team in early May. Competition wrapped up at the end of June and USF teammates have seen an even better and more dedicated Laksa this preseason.

"She's gotten a lot better. I think last year she was more of a three-point shooter," senior Maria Jespersen said. "I think she's been better at putting it on the floor. She's created a great floater for herself and can do some of the NBA things. I don't even know what it is, but it looks good, so I'm fine with it."

Globe-Trotting Fernandez Brings More Talent to USF
While Laksa was playing for Latvia, head coach Jose Fernandez was right there to support his star in the midst of his continuous world travels this summer.

Heading into the season, USF is proud to have eight international players on its roster thanks to Fernandez's globe-trotting efforts in past years.

Joining the team this season are two freshman talents from Spain – guard Alba Prieto and forward Silvia Serrat. Both players represented Spain at the 2017 FIBA U18 European Championship and Fernandez plans to play Prieto at the point guard spot behind starter Laia Flores (Spain).

"I like her versatility," Fernandez said. "She's played in a lot of big games with international basketball club and international competition."

Senior Maria Jespersen (Denmark) marvels at Fernandez's tireless quest for talent and said there's common traits in each player he brings to USF.

"He wants hard workers. He wants good students. Obviously he wants skilled players but there's so many skilled players out there. How do you choose which one you want?" she said. "You want the people you can tell have a passion for the game, that want to work hard and are going to dive for that last ball at the last second. I think that's what makes our team so special. He goes around the globe. He handpicks these players."

About USF Women's Basketball
Season tickets are available for purchase, along with three- and five-game flex plans. Reserve your seats at USFBullsTix.com or by calling 1-800-Go-Bulls.
 
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF women's basketball news, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).
 
USF notched its fifth consecutive 20-win season. The Bulls tallied its 20th win in their 24th contest of the season which tied the fastest any program has reached 20 wins. This is the eighth 20-win season in program history and head coach Jose Fernandez has been at the helm for all eight 20-win seasons. The 2014-15 team reached 20 wins in 24 games, and still currently holds the best record for most wins in a season (27).
 
USF has made 13 postseason tournament appearances and had five NCAA Tournament berths in Head Coach Jose Fernandez's 17 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to eight 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship and won more than 300 games.