Excitement and Energy Surrounds Buffs

BOULDER—The University of Colorado women's basketball team met with the local media on Wednesday at the CU Events Center.

The season is right around the corner for head coach JR Payne and the Buffaloes. CU will host Southern Nazarene in the team's lone exhibition at the CU Events Center on Oct. 29.

"I am just as excited as anybody," Payne said. "I went to Pac-12 media day last week and I love that day because everybody is undefeated. Everybody feels great about their team. Everybody loves what is going on and the excitement of the season—we are no different."

The Buffs have eight letterwinners that return this season and a solid corps of freshmen who will figure into Colorado's game plan.

"I am thrilled about our team," Payne continued. "We have got a couple of fantastic seniors, some players who got a lot of playing time last year that are returning as veterans now and a really fun, exciting group of freshmen. I am thrilled about the upcoming season and I am expecting us to have a great year on and off the court."

Colorado got the benefit of extra practice time this summer. The Buffs took a trip to Italy and were allowed 10 practice days leading up to the trip. That added practice has been a big help in building the team's camaraderie early on.

"I think [the trip] has helped a lot," sophomore Annika Jank noted. "Italy was a big trip for us to have more team bonding. Getting those extra practices and games this summer has really paid off. You could really see it at beginning of practice this year. We are way more ahead this year than we were last year."
The new year has brought a new energy and feeling to the team.

"I think we listen more," senior Kennedy Leonard said. "When [head] coach J [JR Payne] tells us something or [associate head] coach T [Toriano Towns] tells us something, they do not have to repeat it as much. That could be because we have to run if you do not listen. I think also we feel like we have to come together. I have been here for three years now and I have never had a team come together this quickly or have this much good energy with one another. Hopefully, it is a good sign and good indication of the kind of season we will have."

Colorado opens the regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The Buffs will host the Big Sky Champion Northern Colorado Bears.

Colorado University Athletics

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