Girls Basketball: Q&A with Coach Ulrich

By KILEY HINTON
Penn High School’s Girls Basketball Team just won its fourth consecutive Sectional crown under the leadership of Coach Kristi Ulrich. She is 276-35 in 12 seasons at Penn. Coach Ulrich led Penn to the 2016 state championship.
What do you love about your team?: I love the fact that this is a veteran group that has a lot of tournament experience, especially with COVID and never knowing what tomorrow is going to look like. 
What did you learn about your team by challenging them with such a tough schedule this season?: I learned a lot about how important it is to be consistent and to have the right approach regardless of who the opponent is. 
What are the most important character traits a team needs to be successful in the tournament?: They have to be willing to outwork the opponent, they have to be able to show perseverance and to respond because they will be a lot of highs and lows, trust in their teammates, lock in and focus on their job, and then they have to execute their job. 
How are you and your players mentally preparing for the state run?: One game at a time, and our focus is more on us rather than on our opponent. We need to get our job done.  
As a whole what do you think your biggest strength is as a team?: Our biggest strengths as a team are our versatility and our athleticism. 
How did COVID make your team stronger as a whole?: “We had to be very selfless and trust one another off the court to be able to step on the court. And that trust directly translates on the court, which is chemistry. Being selfless is being a great teammate.”  
What was your biggest challenge this season? (besides COVID): Really getting the players to realized that each day is a blessing and don’t worry about what you cant control focus on what you can control. Live in the moment and seize the day.