Over the next few months, WVUsports.com will visit with returning West Virginia University women’s basketball players to recap the previous season and preview the upcoming year. This edition features senior captain and All-Big 12 performer Lanay Montgomery.
Q: To what do you attribute your offensive success last season?
A: I started demanding the ball more and my teammates started looking for me more as a scorer. One of my main offseason goals last year was to work on my offensive game. I still want to improve offensively and help my team more in that aspect of the game this season.
Q: You have been a prolific defender since you arrived at WVU. Why?
A: I think it’s just a natural thing. I understand the game and anticipate when the ball is going up in order to block the shot.
Q: What helped you develop into a vocal leader on this team?
A: I’ve always been a vocal person and have seen myself as a leader. As you get older, that’s the role you’ve got to take on when your upperclassmen leave. It was time for me to step up and it was easy for me to take on that role.
Q: What are some of your goals this offseason?
A: One of my main goals is to improve my offensive game. I also want to help build chemistry with our team and continue to be a good leader and role model.
Q: You recently graduated from WVU with a degree in psychology and you’re now pursuing a master’s degree. What does that mean to you?
A: It’s a great feeling. I was excited to graduate because I am the first of my siblings to attend and graduate college. I have really enjoyed my journey in academics. I am looking forward to working on master’s degree in communications studies.
Q: You spearheaded an effort among the team to give supplies to the victims of the West Virginia flooding. What made you decide to do that and what do the people of West Virginia mean to you?
A: I am a very giving person. I think it’s important to always give back. Often times as student-athletes we put in a lot of work, but we also receive a lot. It is important as a human being and as an athlete to always give back and help others because we are always helped. When the flooding happened, I saw on the news how bad it was. Over the course of the week, I saw the death toll go up and the devastation the victims faced. The state has always been behind us and supported us, so it’s important, as student-athletes to make sure we give back. I told my teammates to buy three things that those affected by the floods really needed and we were going to figure out how to get the supplies to them. Our coordinator of player development, Lauren Reda, helped us figure out where we should take the supplies on campus. All of the girls were very willing to assist and bought more than the three items I had recommended. It is important for us to help others in our state because we have the logo on the front of our uniform. These people are part of our state and it’s imperative that we help others during a time of need.
Q: What do you look forward to the most as you approach your senior season?
A: I look forward to accomplishing great things. Our goal is try to win another Big 12 Championship and advance farther in the NCAA Tournament. I want leave a great mark on the program for years to come.
