Rams' Women Pointed in Right Direction

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FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Ryun Williams wouldn't let you know it, but his players are out for redemption this year.

After an 8-22 season, Colorado State needed a new group chat name. Naturally, the title "Redemption Tour" fit. The down year showed some things needed to be tweaked, and they have.

"Our kids were here eight weeks this summer," Williams said. "They busted it this summer, we had the toughest summer we've ever had. We've changed that. I think the intensity in how we've conditioned, how we've trained in the weight room is different than the past."

In just the first practice, the new formula was apparent. Even though they went past their scheduled time, each player finished the practice the same way it began – high intensity.

Last year, several injuries played a role as well. Both Roichelle Marble and Andrea Brady missed the entire year with torn ACLs. Tori Williams also missed the year with a torn meniscus.

All three are back in action for the Rams, along with six new faces, though both Sydney Mech and Bengisu Alper will sit out due to NCAA transfer rules.

Over the summer, the team took a trip to Costa Rica. Along with playing games, they got a head start in on-court conditioning, as well as overall chemistry. The boost has paid dividends.

"To be able to go that long and perform at a decent clip that long, yeah that's the summer paying off," Williams said.

On top of physical conditioning, the team gained a personal bonus.

Staying together for multiple weeks in the summer, including the trip, forged several relationships on a team that's welcoming in multiple new faces. Their friendships have gone a long way in ensuring that no detail gets overlooked.

"You'll hear coach say, 'The Devil's in the details,' so even the smallest things (are important)," Myanne Hamm said. "Yeah, everyone looks at the game-winning shot or the game-winning pass, but it also might be as simple as setting the right angle for a screen or waiting for the right pass or getting the perfect shot and not the highlight shot.

"We can all be friends off the court, but you can't be scared to hold your teammate accountable because at the end of the day if they're not getting better, it's only going to hurt you."

The new players have been welcomed into a culture that's been refined after last season. Even if they weren't around for the perils of Williams' worst season at the helm, they've been given the tools to ensure it never happens again.

"I think last year, we lacked a lot of leadership and discipline and people that are really hungry and want to win," Brady said. "I think this year, everybody is really on board with that and we've set a culture and our bar really high."

Leading the charge for the team are both Hamm and Brady, along with Marble – last year's newcomer. They're all in their final years and the accrued time has paid off.

"I think we all understand because we've been around the program, we've been around coach and understand what he wants so it's a little easier going into the first day of practice," Marble said.

The first game for the Rams comes against Colorado State-Pueblo. After the exhibition, it's only six days before they face off with Chadron State in the home opener.

They're already ahead, both on the court and off of it. A single practice showed the growth can't stop now.

"I'd say we're a little ahead of schedule," Brady said. "Obviously, we have a ton of work to do and a lot to learn, but I think the Costa Rica trip was really good for us because we practiced and then got a couple games in. Now, it's just time to translate it into the season."

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Bengisu Alper

Andrea Brady

Myanne Hamm

Roichelle Marble

Sydney Mech

Tori Williams

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