TOLEDO, Ohio – With team practice in full swing, Toledo Head Coach Tricia Cullop took some time to discuss the current state of the women's basketball program heading into the 2020-21 campaign.

Q: What kind of effect does having last season end so abruptly due to the Coronavirus pandemic have on your program in 2020-21?  
COACH CULLOP: It has made all of us appreciate every moment that we get to be together and not take anything for granted.

Q: Who will you look to for leadership in 2020-21 after losing two excellent leaders in Mariella Santucci and Nakiah Black?
COACH CULLOP: Our team recently elected Sophia Wiard, Mali Morgan-Elliott and Quinesha Lockett as captains. All three players saw significant time as freshmen last year, and each has done a great job leading vocally and by example. I appreciate their willingness to hold our team to a high standard daily.

Q: What are your goals for this team in 2020-21?
COACH CULLOP: We are young, but we are talented. Eight of our players didn't play last season. We have six newcomers and two others sat out last year while recovering from injury. I'm excited about our potential, and our goal is to improve daily and play our best basketball as the season's end.

Q: What will be the biggest difference between last year's squad and this year's team? 
COACH CULLOP: We are smaller in the post position, but our average height is relatively the same as last year. We have good size and length on the perimeter. We will be quicker in transition, very versatile, and capable of pressing more.

Q: You have one of the most athletic players in the MAC returning in sophomore Quinesha Lockett. What do you expect out of her in 2020-21?
COACH CULLOP: Quinesha had a terrific freshman season. She proved herself to be one of the MAC's top defenders, as well as someone who can score in a variety of ways. She's now a veteran who I will rely on to mentor our new players. Quinesha is a tough matchup for other teams because of her length and quickness.

Q: Sophomore Sophia Wiard is a strong challenger for being your point guard in 2020-21. Talk about the importance of what she brings to the team.
COACH CULLOP: Sophia is a gym rat. She consistently works to make herself better and in turn makes everyone around her better. I love her work ethic, unselfishness and leadership skills. I want Sophia to be more of a consistent scorer this year. She has a very high basketball IQ and her energy is contagious.

Q: Senior Mariah Copeland is in her fourth year in the Toledo program. Being a three-year letterwinner, what do you expect out of her in 2020-21?
COACH CULLOP: Mariah is one of the best shooters on our team. She understands our system and has done a great job mentoring our younger players. I want Mariah to stretch defenses with her deep range.

Q: Senior Tatyana Davis showed glimpses of being a viable offensive threat last season. What do you expect out of her in 2020-21?
COACH CULLOP: Tatyana has unbelievable speed and quickness. She's hard to catch when she gets loose in transition, is explosive driving to the hole, can consistently knock down a pull up jumper, and can hit from beyond the arc. I have been so impressed with her willingness to help the younger players learn our system. I need Tatyana to be a consistent scorer for us.

Q: Junior Lexi Lance and sophomore Mali Morgan-Elliott return in 2020-21 with some experience. What role do you see this duo playing this season?
COACH CULLOP: Mali played quality minutes for us last year. She's capable of playing inside or out. She really put the time in this off-season and it shows. She's a good rebounder, solid scoring threat, and was recently selected as one of our three team captains. Lexi runs the floor well, has the potential to be a strong low-block scorer, as well as a solid rebounder. We will be counting on her for minutes at the center position this season.

Q: You are once again going to play a difficult non-conference schedule. What are your reasons behind scheduling so tough?
COACH CULLOP: I have always felt that playing a tough non-conference schedule prepares you for the rigors of the Mid-American Conference. We want to be playing our best basketball after Christmas.

Q: What are some areas where your team will be improved from last year?
COACH CULLOP: We should be quicker and more of a transition team. We also have the ability to press more than we did last season.

Q: How do you motivate your players?
COACH CULLOP: We try to recruit players who are already self-motivated, hungry and driven. I give them my absolute best, and I expect the same from them. Our incredible fan base also does an amazing job of energizing all of us.

Q: Can you talk about the six newcomers that are coming into the program in 2020-21?
COACH CULLOP: Mickayla Perdue is the first player I've ever coached who reclassified because she had enough credits to graduate early. She should currently be a senior in high school, but she asked if she could graduate early and join our program. I've been impressed with her feel for the game. She's a strong ballhandler who can score or set up others to score in a variety of ways. Micky has picked up things very quickly. She will see minutes at the shooting guard or point guard position. Cassie Colon is a junior college player who brings collegiate experience and a scoring mentality. She has good size and strength and can score inside and out. I could see Cassie playing the two-four positions. Khera Goss is a terrific defender and competitor. She will really help us on the defensive end and has worked hard this off-season to become more consistent threat from beyond the arc. She will play the small forward position. Halle Idowu has one of the best motors on our team. She competes every possession and really loves the game. She will see minutes at the power forward and center position. Halle can score, handle, pass, and rebound. Caily Bolser will see minutes at the center position, but she can also face up to the basket and score. She has good scoring range, is a strong shot blocker, and is an aggressive rebounder. Caily also runs the floor well. Sammi Mikonowicz is a great athlete. The more I watched her play last season, the more I hoped she would become a Rocket. She works her tail off and does all the little things. Sammi can defend, rebound, score, and also demonstrates great leadership potential.

Q: Sophomore Jaela Johnson and redshirt freshman Yaniah Curry missed the entire 2019-20 season, while sophomore Soleil Barnes sat out the final seven contests due to various injuries. How are their respective rehabilitations going, and what are your expectations for each of them in 2020-21?
COACH CULLOP: Yaniah and Jaela are released and practicing full-go. Yaniah is a great athlete who can drive, rebound, and shoot from three-point range. She will see time at the power forward position. I love Yaniah's motor. Jaela will challenge for minutes at the point guard and shooting guard positions. She's really improved her three-point shot and is working her tail off to get back to the form she was in pre-injury. Jaela will be someone we will rely on to stop the ball in transition, as she has great lateral speed and is a gifted defender. Soleil is also coming along. She is very close to returning to the court. She's one of our best three-point shooters and can really pass the ball. I need Soleil to want to be a consistent scorer for us.