KENNESAW – The Kennesaw State women's basketball program is set to begin its 2015-16 campaign this Sunday (Nov. 8) with an exhibition against Emory at the KSU Convocation Center. Head coach Nitra Perry, who will be entering her fourth season with the Owls, recently sat down with KSUOwls.com to discuss the upcoming season, her team, the schedule and much more.
  
KSUOwls.com: You will be entering your fourth season as the head coach for the Owls. Give us an overview of where the program is today and how it has progressed since when you first arrived on campus?

Perry: Every year we have progressively gotten better. My first season we won seven games, my second season we won six games and then last season we won 17 games and, of course, this season our goal is to reach that magic 20. For us, it really has been about getting ambassadors in the program that represent KSU in a positive light. Basketball wise, I feel like we are where we want to be. We knew it would be tough the first couple of years, but last year we had our coming out party. I am looking forward to the new season and can't wait to get things started.

KSUOwls.com: You led a group that won 17 games a season ago, which marked the winningest season in the Division I era for the Owls and the first winning campaign since the 2008-09 season. What are the biggest keys to build off that and continue towards that all elusive Atlantic Sun Conference championship?

Perry: We have a lot of positive energy entering the season. Our staff talks about energy every day and our kids came up with their motto "Together We Grind" because of the grind this season will be. We can't predict how the games will go, but we know this season will be tough and our student-athletes can't wait for tip-off.
 
KSUOwls.com: You have several returners from a season ago -including Preseason All-Conference forward Jasmine McAllister- that were part of those 17 wins. How do you see that group mature into leaders not only on the floor but off with another year under their belts?

Perry: They have all grown tremendously from last year to the start of this season. They aren't really verbal leaders, but they lead by example. Jasmine McAllister has said she wants to be more of a verbal leader. Karly Frye has been working on her leadership since the beginning of last season from the point guard spot and has been doing the right things on and off the court. I feel like they are leading by example for the newcomers.

KSUOwls.com: Speaking of the roster, you have several key newcomers that transferred in to play for Kennesaw State along with several freshmen. Can you talk about them and how they will fit in with the team for the 2015-16 season?

Perry: I think our newcomers fit in with the team very well. You have someone like Deja McPhee who came in from a junior college and Clara Young who transferred from Samford. Those two players will bring some experience already to fit in with our freshmen. The new players will be a big key in what we will do this season. Last year, we had about six or seven players and this year we are pleased with our depth.
 
KSUOwls.com: Coming back in the first round of the A-Sun Tournament and falling just short against No. 4 Jacksonville, does that serve as some motivation for your team entering the season to take that next step?

Perry: Any loss is motivation. As far as losing to Jacksonville in the tournament, I talked with the team and we had some players playing a lot of minutes which is really hard to do playing 30 games. It is motivation, but right now we are just taking it day by day and taking each practice as they come and each game as they come.

KSUOwls.com: Four years into your time here at Kennesaw State, how have you evolved as a head coach and what have you learned about yourself that has led you to becoming a great leader on the bench?

Perry: I think my communication with the players on figuring out what they need from me and understanding what I need from them has been great. I really enjoying working with our staff and we have come to an understanding that we are all in this together. This is one big family and the energy has been great.  
 
KSUOwls.com: Let's talk about the schedule. 15 home games in front of the Owl faithful must sound good.

Perry: It's great playing at home. Last year we talked about being tough at home and we did exactly that. To have 15 home games is great and that's what you want your schedule to look like. We will play in the Thanksgiving Classic and open up with Georgia State and also bring in Mercer. I feel like we have a great home schedule.

KSUOwls.com: You have some tough road games as well, including SEC foe Florida and Georgia. You also take on Morehead State, Xavier, Gardner-Webb, Florida A&M, Wofford and Jacksonville State in non-conference road tilts. Talk about how important it is to schedule tough games like these to prepare your team before you enter conference play.

Perry: I think those games are huge for us. You win at home and sneak in some wins on the road. We like to call ourselves road warriors and it's a great challenge to go on the road to an SEC opponent. Our goal is to be ready to beat the top teams in the Atlantic Sun and this is a great way to prepare ourselves.

KSUOwls.com: With the addition of NJIT to the A-Sun, do you think that will strengthen the conference? What does adding a team like them do for the conference and for the future of the league?

Perry: NJIT is a formidable opponent. For our conference, adding someone like NJIT only strengthens the Atlantic Sun. We want to give our conference a chance to get that extra bid into the NCAA Tournament at the end of the year and it was only fitting to add NJIT who is a very good basketball team.
 
KSUOwls.com: Are there a few things you will be looking forward to seeing or accomplishing this season?

Perry: For our seniors Jasmine McAllister and Karly Frye, I really want them to have a great senior year and to help develop our freshmen before conference play. And I really want to see the team continue to improve and build on the success from last season. It's all about improvement on and off the court and we have a great chance in doing that this season.

KSUOwls.com: What would be one word that describes the Owls this season?

Perry: Toughness
 
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