Recently we had a chance to speak with Quinnipiac women’s basketball player Ashlee Kelly. After leading the Bobcats to the quarterfinal round of the 2002 NEC Tournament, Kelly was named second team all-NEC. During her sophomore campaign, Kelly led Quinnipiac in scoring (15.0 ppg) and rebounding (8.6 rpg). She finished the season tied for the league lead with nine double-double performances, ranked second in the NEC in rebounding and field goal and was sixth in the conference in scoring. Now a junior, the four-time NEC Player of the Week recipient currently averages a double-double with 15.8 ppg and 12.5 rpg. She leads the conference in rebounding and ranks second nationally in the category. The Pittsburgh, PA native has recorded thirteen double-doubles on the season, the most recent coming in a victory over St. Francis (NY) where she exploded for 27 points and 16 boards. Quinnipiac has sole possession of second place in the league standings (13-6, 9-1 NEC) as they seek their first-ever NEC Tournament crown.

Name: Ashlee Kelly
School: Quinnipiac
Sport: Women’s Basketball
Year: Junior

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
High school: Mount Lebanon
Major: Criminal Justice
Notable Award: 2001-02 NEC Second Team All-Conference

Favorite TV show: 24
Favorite Movie: Pretty Woman
Favorite Music: Celine Dion/That’s the Way it is
Favorite Class/Professor: Investigative Techniques
Hobbies: I play the violin
                                                 

NEC: Why did you choose to come to Quinnipiac?
AK: The campus is beautiful and I really liked the family atmosphere on the basketball team.

NEC: How did it feel to be named to the All-Conference team last year?
AK: I was surprised. To receive the award as a sophomore made me very thankful. Now I want to go out and be one step higher this year.

NEC: What are your goals?
AK: As a team we want to win the NEC Championships. Goals for myself include making First Team All-Conference and leading the nation in rebounding.

NEC: What will it take for Quinnipiac to become NEC champs this year?
AK: We need to improve greatly on defense. We got better as a team and stepped up to fill all the positions, but I don’t think we have peaked yet. We also need to improve our free throw shooting because they will be huge for us.

NEC: Who is your biggest competition?
AK: ST. Francis (PA) is huge competition because they have so many scorers. They are so deep off the bench and they know what they have to do. 

NEC: How are you preparing for the championships?
AK: We take it one game at a time, trying to get better everyday. We try not to look past anyone.   

NEC: After recording 13 double-doubles this year, why do you think you are able to remain so consistent?
AK: Probably because I have not been injured. This year I am healthy and in shape, so I can keep going for the whole game. Once I am on a roll, my mentality is that I can’t be stopped.

NEC: How have you changed and or improved your game since entering the NEC?
AK: I have gotten quicker, which gives me better post moves and helps with rebounding. I’ve become a better passer because I can handle the ball better.

NEC: What is your role on the team this year?
AK: I am a silent leader. I’m not very vocal, so I try to lead by example.

NEC: What teams do you look forward to playing this year and why?
AK: Definitely Sacred Heart. It’s always a big game with them especially because they knocked us off last year.

NEC: Where is your favorite place to play?
AK: I like to play at Robert Morris because that is where I am from, so a lot of people can get to the game to see me play.

NEC: Where is the worst place to play?
AK: I don’t like playing at Fairleigh Dickinson because the gym is so open and awkward. It’s a rough place to play.

NEC: How long have you been playing?
AK: I have been playing since freshman year of high school.

NEC: How did you get started?
AK: The high school coach asked me to try out so I did.

NEC: Name some aspects of your game that make you a great player?
AK: Probably my rebounding ability because it takes a lot of heart and desire. It’s very tiring and not easy when you are one of the smaller forwards

NEC: Who are some people that have influenced you the most?
AK: My father is a big influence because he has helped myself as well as my siblings so much. Also my brother, who was recently drafted into the Majors for baseball, influences me because he sets goals and works so hard to achieve them.

NEC: If you didn’t play basketball is there another sport you would compete in?
AK: I would play volleyball. I played for two years in high school, but I stopped in order to focus on basketball.

NEC: What is the most important attribute a basketball player needs?
AK: A good mind and being a coachable person.

NEC: What is your most memorable game?
AK: Last year versus Sacred Heart at our place on senior day. They crushed us by 20 points the previous time we played them, but this time we were able to win.

NEC: Do you have any future plans as far as playing basketball?
AK: If the opportunity were to arise I would jump on it.

Interview conducted by Dawn Van Cleef, NEC Administrative Intern