The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/418536
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL to be acknowledged by her teammates in a leadership role. It's something that she doesn't take lightly. "It means a lot to me," she said. "I have a ton of respect for all of my teammates, so to get that in return is really special. I just feel honored to be able to be in a position of leadership for this team. I love being able to repre- sent Michigan to the best of my ability. "I feel like I have experience, so I can kind of lay that off to some of the younger players. That way when I'm gone, this program can continue to get better than it ever was before." The program is definitely trending in the right direction. As a sophomore and junior, Elmblad was part of the first back-to-back 20-win seasons in program history. She wants more in her final season. "I definitely want my last year to be my best year," she said. "It's some- thing that we've talked about a little bit. We've talked about how there doesn't need to be this pressure. Last year was last year, and this is a whole new year. We need to go in just playing to our strengths. "We need to do the things that got us here in the first place. We just need to get in the flow of things. Even though we have four returners, we have five new freshmen. The team is a new dy- namic now, and we just have to focus on what we can do to help the team. "At the end of the day if we do that, and we really put the team first, instead of worrying about ourselves individually, I think we'll be very successful." With Elmblad, three other returning starters, and the best recruiting class in program history all on the roster for this season, the Wolverines have high expectations for themselves. Elmblad Getting To Know JUNIOR FORWARD KELSEY MITCHELL Nickname: "My nickname is 'Chip.' I gave it to myself because everyone else had a cool nickname." Favorite restaurant in Ann Ar- bor: "My favorite restaurant is prob‑ ably Chipotle." Best meal she can cook by him- self: "I have to say I make some re‑ ally good Chicken Alfredo." Sports she plays besides basket- ball: "I played softball for a year in high school. That's it." Hobbies: "I like to draw a lot. I like to write sometimes." Favorite T V show: "Has to be 'SpongeBob.'" Favorite movie: "'Lion King.'" Dream vacation: "I'd probably have to say Jamaica." Favorite professional athlete: "My favorite athlete is Candace Parker." Role model: "Definitely my father." Favorite funny story about the team: "Before every practice we al‑ ways bring it into a circle and clap it up and yell team or whatever. Every‑ body ran to their spots for the next drill and Tera [Stapleton] tripped and fell to the floor and just made a big thud. Everyone laughed real hard, even her." — Brandon Brown