alexrgct
RIP, Alex
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
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It hasn't always been easy being Stefanie Dolson and Bria Hartley.
The two of them inherited an impossible situation. Imagine what it's like inheriting 78-0 with two national championships. That's an impossible amount of pressure for two freshmen. Samarie Walker may not have been totally able to handle it. Lauren Engeln and Michala Johnson simply lacked the tools to contribute. But Bria had to step in for the injured Caroline Doty, and jeez, Stef only had to be the starting post in place of the great (and I mean GREAT) Tina Charles. No sweat, right?
Well, UConn did get to 89 (in fact 90) in a row. I had two memorable Bria moments during the final 12 wins: huge baskets down the stretch against Baylor, streak shots against Florida State that were so reliable Geno actually kissed her on the cheek during the next timeout. She just didn't have enough to match Stanford's firepower. Neither did Stef. Both continued to play well within the backdrop of what the expectations were in Maya's last season. Stef started blowing up as a freshman, with her play against DePaul magnificent. Both kids had great games respectively against Notre Dame (Bria in the second game against the two, Stef in the BET finals).
And then of course UConn has the disappointing result in the fourth game against ND. And with Maya's exit, there's perhaps even more pressure. Interestingly, the two swap regression seasons. Whereas Bria steps up big-time in 201-12, Stef takes a step back. Geno lets her hear it from time to time, though he often makes excuses for her. In any case, they prove to be reliable pieces in a team that makes the Final Four again. Disappointing loss notwithstanding, a stellar 2012 recruiting class is coming in, Bria secures herself the name "Hartley" on the Huskies of Honor wall, and other than Tiffany Hayes, the core of the team is coming back.
Their junior year was eventful and for a long time a mirror image of the regression and progression swapping. Stef blossoms into the player we've always hoped she would. Geno's not just saying it now; she's without a doubt the second best center in WCBB. It seems obvious she'll make WBCA AA, which she does, securing the name "Dolson" on the Huskies of Honor wall. Bria, meanwhile, takes a step back due to an ankle injury and associated psychological problems. Despite this, she's capable of igniting a spark against both Notre Dame and Lousville. Oh yeah, UConn won a national championship. That happened. Remember the unfair pressure on them as freshmen? Well, they can say they annihilated the pressure now. Sure, UConn probably isn't a championship team without Kaleena or Breanna, but you can't take away from Bria and Stef what they've meant to this program.
Well, now it's senior time for Bria and Stef. Looks like a fun season. UConn will spend some time, possibly even all of it, as the #1 team in the country. A second consecutive national championship isn't a given, but barring injuries, it seems like a very solid bet. UConn has some great opponents: Stanford, Duke, Louisville, Maryland, and others. And Bria and Stef will be the senior leaders for all of it.
On top of everything else, we can enjoy a special Senior Night this season in which both the names Hartley and Dolson will be unveiled on the wall. We know Geno loves both of them. He's said if he had more Stef Dolsons, he'd coach another 20 years (Um...can we please find some, then?). We saw the touching, prolonged embrace between he and Bria after UConn's demolition of Louisville. Senior Night won't be the easiest night for them (or him), but it'll be one to look forward to.
Finally, there will be a time to say goodbye to these two young women. I expect them to join Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, and Tiffany Hayes, as the only UConn players to start for four national semifinals. They're probably expecting the same thing for themselves. See- not so much pressure of expectation for them anymore, is there? That's to their credit.
Thank you, Stef and Bria. And may you leave the UConn continuum of greatness even more daunting.
The two of them inherited an impossible situation. Imagine what it's like inheriting 78-0 with two national championships. That's an impossible amount of pressure for two freshmen. Samarie Walker may not have been totally able to handle it. Lauren Engeln and Michala Johnson simply lacked the tools to contribute. But Bria had to step in for the injured Caroline Doty, and jeez, Stef only had to be the starting post in place of the great (and I mean GREAT) Tina Charles. No sweat, right?
Well, UConn did get to 89 (in fact 90) in a row. I had two memorable Bria moments during the final 12 wins: huge baskets down the stretch against Baylor, streak shots against Florida State that were so reliable Geno actually kissed her on the cheek during the next timeout. She just didn't have enough to match Stanford's firepower. Neither did Stef. Both continued to play well within the backdrop of what the expectations were in Maya's last season. Stef started blowing up as a freshman, with her play against DePaul magnificent. Both kids had great games respectively against Notre Dame (Bria in the second game against the two, Stef in the BET finals).
And then of course UConn has the disappointing result in the fourth game against ND. And with Maya's exit, there's perhaps even more pressure. Interestingly, the two swap regression seasons. Whereas Bria steps up big-time in 201-12, Stef takes a step back. Geno lets her hear it from time to time, though he often makes excuses for her. In any case, they prove to be reliable pieces in a team that makes the Final Four again. Disappointing loss notwithstanding, a stellar 2012 recruiting class is coming in, Bria secures herself the name "Hartley" on the Huskies of Honor wall, and other than Tiffany Hayes, the core of the team is coming back.
Their junior year was eventful and for a long time a mirror image of the regression and progression swapping. Stef blossoms into the player we've always hoped she would. Geno's not just saying it now; she's without a doubt the second best center in WCBB. It seems obvious she'll make WBCA AA, which she does, securing the name "Dolson" on the Huskies of Honor wall. Bria, meanwhile, takes a step back due to an ankle injury and associated psychological problems. Despite this, she's capable of igniting a spark against both Notre Dame and Lousville. Oh yeah, UConn won a national championship. That happened. Remember the unfair pressure on them as freshmen? Well, they can say they annihilated the pressure now. Sure, UConn probably isn't a championship team without Kaleena or Breanna, but you can't take away from Bria and Stef what they've meant to this program.
Well, now it's senior time for Bria and Stef. Looks like a fun season. UConn will spend some time, possibly even all of it, as the #1 team in the country. A second consecutive national championship isn't a given, but barring injuries, it seems like a very solid bet. UConn has some great opponents: Stanford, Duke, Louisville, Maryland, and others. And Bria and Stef will be the senior leaders for all of it.
On top of everything else, we can enjoy a special Senior Night this season in which both the names Hartley and Dolson will be unveiled on the wall. We know Geno loves both of them. He's said if he had more Stef Dolsons, he'd coach another 20 years (Um...can we please find some, then?). We saw the touching, prolonged embrace between he and Bria after UConn's demolition of Louisville. Senior Night won't be the easiest night for them (or him), but it'll be one to look forward to.
Finally, there will be a time to say goodbye to these two young women. I expect them to join Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, and Tiffany Hayes, as the only UConn players to start for four national semifinals. They're probably expecting the same thing for themselves. See- not so much pressure of expectation for them anymore, is there? That's to their credit.
Thank you, Stef and Bria. And may you leave the UConn continuum of greatness even more daunting.
