The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1043000
84 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2018-19 considering she finished the season shoot- ing just 46 percent from the line) and made a huge block with just six seconds left to preserve the win. Improving that shooting accuracy, both from the stripe and from three-point range (she's a career 17.2-percent shooter from long range, with just five makes in 29 at- tempts) has been Rogers' main area of off- season work. "In our system, it's important for our four-player to be able to shoot the three to keep defenses honest," Moore said. "That's an area that DD's had to address and work on, and I've definitely seen an improve- ment so far in practice. I hope that's some- thing that will continue." "She's in the gym well before the start of practice, and she's been knocking them [three-point shots] down and gaining more and more confidence," added assistant coach Erin Batth, who oversees the Pack's frontcourt players. Already established as a sound defensive player and a strong rebounder, especially on offense, Rogers hopes to finish her ca- reer by rounding out her contributions at both ends of the floor. "I feel I do a better job on defense, but I take pride in doing a good job at both ends," she said. "That's a goal for me — to contribute at both ends a lot more than I have." And whether she starts or not, Rogers feels she's prepared to be a leader to the team's younger players — a role she's al- ready played. "I've always tried to help the younger players and tell them what's going on," she said. "As a senior, it's just a matter of be- ing more of a leader to more people more of the time." Unlike many of her peers, Rogers isn't firmly set on continuing her hoops career after college. Having already graduated with a degree in communications, and now working on a certificate in sports and en- tertainment facility management, Rogers intends to remain connected to sports in some capacity — or perhaps become a professional model. "I just think it would be a cool thing to do," she said. But for the next five months, one-half of the Pack's surviving duo of the class of 2015 hopes to justify her decision to stay with an effort that will hopefully contribute to another 20-win season, and that eventual goal of an NCAA Tournament invite. "I just want to be remembered as some- one who played my role and got the job done," she said. "She's to be admired for sticking with it," Moore acknowledged. "She's a great mentor and sets a good example. You need that in a program." ■ "I never thought about transferring. I wanted to stick it out and see what happened. I just felt like there was more opportunity here for me to get more minutes. I didn't want to give up — I wanted to try and earn those minutes." ■ Rogers Rogers played an important role in the Wolfpack's 60-56 victory versus Syracuse Jan. 14, sinking three free throws and making an important block down the stretch to seal the win. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS