Marquette University Athletics
Q & A With Krystal Ellis
12/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
By: Mike Wittliff
Junior point guard Krystal Ellis has been one of the top players in the BIG EAST during her first two seasons as a Golden Eagle. Ellis has cemented herself among the all-time best at Marquette, becoming the 20th player in program history to score 1,000 points, earning Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention accolades for the 2006-07 season, as well as, First Team All-BIG EAST recognition a year ago. For her 31 point outburst against Wisconsin on Nov. 17 along with a solid first game against Loyola (Ill.), Ellis was named the BIG EAST Player of the Week on November 12.
How has the season gone thus far?
KE: Team is bonding really well together, this is one of our best years of bonding. Not in the sense that we haven't bonded well in the past but this year everyone has one common goal, to get better, everyday practice is looking good. The Wisconsin game (Nov. 17) is a stepping stone for us, to show us where we're at with them ranked in the top-25.
What factors brought you to Marquette?
KE: Family atmosphere, when I came here I really liked the way everyone worked together and were always hanging out. I also really liked the apartments, I've seen the freshman dorms and I am glad I'm a basketball player because the apartments are really nice and spacious. I also really like that it was close to home so that my family could come and see me play.
How much did Marquette's move to the BIG EAST influence your decision?
KE: I really liked it that Marquette moved to the BIG EAST. Nothing against C-USA but I think that the BIG EAST is the better conference. The BIG EAST is probably the best conference in the country right now with seven teams ranked in the top-25 right now.
How proud are you to establish a tradition of Marquette basketball in the BIG EAST?
KE: We had a good first year but we didn't play too well in the conference. Last year, we stepped it up in the BIG EAST and we finished second in the conference. Coming over from C-USA we proved that we can play and that we are here to stay.
What about Coach Mitchell appealed to you that made you want to be apart of this program?
KE: She's the type of coach that wants you to be a good player but an even better woman off the court. She wants you to excel in life and succeed in everything you do. She cares about her players and wants us to be a lot more than just basketball players.
This is a young team with all the newcomers, have you been able to help the freshman along?
KE: I am rooming with Tati (McMorris). With Angel and Tati I have been able to help out a lot because we play the point while the other freshman play other positions. So I have been able to teach them what I know about the position.
When you were a freshman what was your biggest adjustment?
KE: It was a lot different with the practicing and the working out during the summer. Time management was a big thing, being able to practice and then do my homework, and go to bed at a reasonable hour, which wasn't happening as I was taking naps during the day.
Have you been able to impress upon the younger players the importance of time management?
KE: Tati already goes to bed at 8:00 p.m. We always tease her because she says that she has to get her eight hours of sleep. Everyone knows that they have to get to bed at a reasonable hour and eat before practice because that is something that you just have to do to get through the day.
Was there a game your freshman year that you really felt like you had arrived in college basketball?
KE: It was probably the DePaul game, even though we lost I felt like I found myself in that game. It didn't mean as much because we lost but I felt like I belonged in the BIG EAST.
You have had great success in your two years with the program, how do you see that continuing?
KE: WNIT was so exciting to make it to the championship, I remember in the Iowa State game that everyone was against us. They had like 5,000 people there and we had one little section behind our basket. I was impressed that we could go into that type of atmosphere and still win. Kansas State was the most difficult atmosphere because when we were warming up the doors opened up and thousands of people just started running to get seats because they weren't assigned. We had never seen that type of crowd before. The NCAAs were a great experience because we were ranked the entire year and we knew that we were one of the best teams in the country.
Are you glad to have (Director of Women's Basketball Operations) Carolyn (Kieger) back with the program?
KE: She was the starting point guard the previous three years when I got here and she showed me what I was supposed to do. Since we both played the point she showed me how to play the position and how lead the team. I was good to have someone ahead of me who was one of the best point guards to come out of this school. She taught me everything I needed to know about being a collegiate point guard. I am happy to have her back on the staff.
What kind of changes are there on the team with Jasmine McCollough (now the Asst. Director of Basketball Operations) and Christina Quaye gone?
KE: When I was here the first two years I got used to having them around and how they played, Jasmine was the one that was always in your face on the court and encouraging everyone to keep going while Christina was the one that led by example. Its a lot different with the leadership roles.
How was your experience this summer with the Pan-American games tryouts?
KE: It was a great experience and it was nice being able to play with the top players in the U.S. It let me know where I need to get my game to help Marquette get back to the NCAA tournament and play against some of the best in the country. The first tryout was held at the Olympic Center and the second was in Washington D.C. I roomed with Emily Fox from Minnesota the first time and another girl from Oregon. The second time I roomed with Angel McCoughtry (Louisville).
How did your team trip to Spain go?
KE: It was a fun 11-day trip. It was nice. I think my favorite part was Saltamaccha. It was a college atmosphere. My best experience was going to Fatima, which was where Mary was. There was like 5,000 people there at church and I have never seen that many people in church before.
Do you have a favorite moment since you have been at Marquette?
KE: Playing in the NCAA tournament and the WNIT. Watching the men's team beat UConn two years ago was neat as well.
Where did your mother play and how has she influenced you?
KE: I love my mom. She comes to all the home games and the majority of away games. My brother just started kindergarten so she will not be able to come to most of the away games anymore. She was a big influence, so was my father. She played at Jackson State. They both played basketball and ran track, dad played football as well. I knew when I was younger that I was going to be some kind of an athlete.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
KE: I played volleyball and soccer. I had been playing soccer since elementary school and I played volleyball in middle and high school.
Any favorite places around campus?
KE: Around campus, I love Humphrey Hall, just hanging out on the couch, watching TV. I also love George Webb's. They know me by name and all my teammates make fun of me because I go in there all the time. The Al of course because that is where I spend most of my time.
How do you plan on using your communications major once you graduate?
KE: I actually had an internship this summer with the Racine Access Channel where I made commercials and learned how to use iMovie and I videotaped a lot of stuff, so hopefully in broadcasting.
What are your future aspirations in basketball?
KE: I am shooting for the WNBA right now. But if that doesn't work our I would love to go somewhere with my degree in communications.
