Dominique Dillingham Q&A
September 08, 2015 | Women's Basketball
HailState.com is speaking with the members of the Mississippi State women's basketball team leading up to the 2015-16 season. Today's Bulldog Q&A is junior guard Dominique Dillingham:
Dawg Bites About Dominique:
Major: Kinesiology
Post-grad goals: Nursing School
Dream Job: Nurse Practitioner
Favorite movie you saw this summer: I really liked Ant-Man. It's really good.
Summer Tunes: I really don't listen to music. But I like Drake.
You have started school back, but can you explain what summer has been like for you and your teammates?
“This summer we did yoga at 7 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. We also did weightlifting and individual workouts. We only had two hours a week with the coaches.”
Have you seen the benefits of the yoga so far?
“It has definitely helped our flexibility on the court. We are lot more flexible.”
Has it been a different experience?
(Laughs) “Oh yeah, it's been a lot different.”
What are some of the changes you have noticed with Coach David Deets?
“Our footwork is a lot better and I feel that our movement on the court is better.”
How do you feel you have grown as a player going in to your junior year?
“I have established myself as a defender, but I am starting to get more confident offensively. I have been trying to work on my shot this summer. My goal has been to make more shots.”
Did you enter the offseason workouts with more confidence following last season's NCAA Tournament run and the record number of wins?
“I feel like our confidence is high. We have higher expectations, and we are working hard to go higher this season.”
Where do you feel the team is coming back? Do you think there is improvement just from the end of last year to now?
“I think everyone is improving. Agility is really helping some people. You know with Coach Deets we are lifting differently, and that's really helping us a lot.”
Do you feel yourself taking on more of a leadership role as well?
“I do, especially since we only have one senior. It's definitely going to be bigger this year.”
What do you think is the biggest improvement in your game that you have made from start to finish now?
“You will see me more confident offensively this year.”
How have the newcomers fit in, and how do they mesh with the program so far?
“I think they mesh well. Jazz (Jazzmun Holmes) reminds me a lot of how JJ (Jerica James) plays, so she will help in that aspect. Teaira (McCowan) and Zion (Campbell) are going to be big bodies for us, and that is going to help a lot. Ro (Roshunda Johnson) is a really good point guard. I wish she could play this year. I think they will all help us. Jazmine Spears' game is like LaKaris', and I think she is a great addition to our team.”
Will this team be different from last year's team?
“I think we will be faster. Coach Schaefer has really been emphasizing pushing the ball, so I think we will be faster.”
Are there any players you have noticed that have improved in the offseason?
“Bre (Breanna Richardson) has. She is getting more confident being out on the wings and knocking down shots. I also think Kayla (Nevitt) has become more comfortable out on the floor.”
