Q&A WITH LION'S SENIOR DEFENDER EVAN STANBERRY
COMMERCE, Texas – Senior defender Evan Stanberry is getting ready for the LSC Conference Tournament. Stanberry is the leader of the defense and one of the enforcers of the team with her hard, nose attitude and play. Stanberry has been a coach's dream when it comes to a mentally and physically tough defender. She shared her thoughts on the conference tournament, her final season with the Lions, and her four year career with the Lions.
What are you expecting from Angelo State University in the Conference Tournament?
We beat them once and then we beat them twice. We know their players and we are going to come out ready to win a third time. We know their players and I feel whoever has more heart is going to win the game.
What was it like when you hit your first career goal and game winner versus Dallas Baptist?
I felt like I should have been aiming to do that a little more. I was excited to get the goal and win the game, but I don't really care who scores the goal and wins the game. I don't care who scores the goal I just want to win. A goal is a goal, if it wins the game great, if it ties the game, awesome, but a goal is a goal.
Being the only senior defender what would you say your approach to leading the younger defenders is?
If they are giving their best then I can't expect anything more than that. People who play with 100% heart are better than people who play with 100% skill. I am aggressive leader on the field because I expect them to do their job, but at practice, I try to take the approach of leading them and building them. I believe that all our players are put there because they can do the position.
How did you make your decision to come to A&M-Commerce?
I was looking to go to UTEP and then I went on my official visit where they dropped me because I was "too small". I played for the club team called the Dallas Texans my entire career except for my senior year. My coach told Coach Piper that I had just been dropped and I was available, and Coach Piper sent me an e-mail and I took my first official visit. I was definitely not sold on the town because I'm not a small town girl, but I loved the drive of the team and the coach's passion for winning.
Where does the mentality to be the enforcer of the defense come from?
I have always been looked at as a small player. I got dropped from University of Texas El Paso because they said I was too small to play for them. I have always been seen as the small player so I have to play tough.
What would you say your most memorable moment has been as a Lion?
I would say that it was when all the cross country team showed up for the Abilene Christian game and it was absolutely freezing outside; we didn't think anyone was going to show up. Everyone showed up for the game and everyone was cheering and we were playing great. It was awesome having fans fight through everything with us.
What are your plans after this May when you graduate from A&M-Commerce?
I plan on going to graduate school and getting my masters in Psychology. I have not made a decision yet as to where I am going but I am going to attend graduate school.
How has Coach Piper impacted you as a player?
Coach Piper is great! You get to really know him in the spring and you finally meet him as a real person. In the spring, he's a person, but when the season rolls around, he is all business. In the spring, he will build you and in the fall, he expects you to perform. I really appreciate the drive and the honesty he brings to the team. Most coaches will look past your mistakes and hope you do better, but Coach Piper will call you out to make sure you will do better and fix those mistakes.
