July 6, 2010

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - You asked for it! Now here are the answers to questions fans sent in to players from the 2010-11 Maryland women's basketball team.

Freshman Natasha Cloud is a 6-0 guard from Broomall, Pa.

Stay tuned to umterps.com for more answers from all the players!

Questions for Natasha

Hometown?
What is something unique about it/your favorite thing to do there? Broomall, Pennsylvania. There's really not anything unique about it haha. It's your typical quiet suburban area. My favorite thing to do is go to someone's house to watch the Phillies, and have a BBQ.

What were your thoughts when you first saw Comcast Center and the WBB facilities?
I was in awe. Just walking into this building, where the best of the best have played, you just feel humbled and it's almost breathtaking.

What do you think you can bring to the team this year?
I plan on bringing my competitiveness and pure love for the game to the team this year.

Do you have any siblings?
I'm actually the youngest of five. Three older sisters (Kim, Krystal, Tiffany) and one older brother (Eric)

What are you most excited about when the season starts?
I `m just really excited about playing in the ACC. I'll say hands down that it's the best conference in college basketball, and I know that I will really be challenged as a player, and a person on the floor.

From Barbara: What do you think will be the biggest change/difference in the transition from being in high school to college?
I think that the biggest change/difference for me personally, will be the lifting aspect. I never lifted a weight, until a month after my senior season ended, but I'm coming along very well so far.

Why did you choose Maryland?
Maryland is the total package. It has a beautiful campus, a great educational program, it's close to home, and I myself come from a close knit family, so when I came to Maryland, I felt right at home. This team isn't just a team; it's a family. That's what's going to make us successful.

How did you choose your number? I
've been number 15 all my life, but I'm changing to number 11. It's my best friend Jenna's number. We played AAU together since sixth grade, and she's been there for me through all the good and the bad, through all the hurt and pain, and has been there to catch me every time I've fallen, she's a big part of who I am today, so I took it for her.

What has impressed you the most about Coach Frese and her staff?
First thing that impressed me about them, is that they care about you as a person, before a player. They push you to be the best person/player you can be, and their pure love for the game is admirable.

What are some of your goals for the next four years?
First and foremost, as a student, my goal is to get that diploma. As a player, I want to work hard, be an asset to the team, and I want to be that player that my family, team, and spectators can look at and say, "She played her heart out." That I gave everything I had, and left it on the court. If I can do those two things, I'll be happy and proud of myself.

From Freddie: What is your favorite shot on the court? I
love the drive pull up short jump shot. It's such an affective shot that if you master it, is one of the hardest shots on the court to stop.

From Leann: What are your thoughts on playing in the ACC?
I'm ridiculously excited about playing in the ACC. I really do think that it is the best conference in college basketball. The rivalries and competitiveness it brings, you just can't beat it.

What motto do you try to live by each day?
"To succeed you must first improve, to improve you must first practice, to practice you must first learn, and to learn you must first fail."

From Stuart: Who is your role model and why?
My normal role models are my parents. They work so hard to provide for my family and I, and work to give us everything they never had. My athlete role model is the University of Washington's softball player Kimi Pohlman. She gives her all every game, and win or lose, she leaves with a smile on her face.

From Kathy: What do you most look forward to this season?
I'm looking forward to an NCAA championship! I believe we have enough talent to do it. We just need to put the pieces to the puzzle.

From Tom: What's on your ipod?
Honestly EVERYTHING! I love all kinds of music. (Country, rap, rock, pop, etc.) I went to a catholic high school, where during mass our choir would sing, and they were absolutely amazing! So I have a lot of our mass songs too! Sounds weird I know, but I'm not the only student that had them.

From Carrie: Who got you in to playing basketball?
My dad likes to think it was him, but it was actually my aunt Dawn. She was a really good high school player, and was inducted into the hall of fame for both basketball and softball. I would always play with her and my cousins, and I just fell in love.

From: Heather: What do you do to unwind after a game?
After games, I usually listen to mellow music to calm my nerves and get settled down.

From Thomas: Do you have any pre-game superstitions or routines?
I'm the most superstitious person. I need to eat the same thing the night before each game for dinner, I need to eat the same thing before each game, I need to take a nap before games, I wear the same jewelry, I have to wait till the last minute to take the jewelry off, and if I had a good game the last game I played in, I have to wear the same spandex, sports bra, headband, socks, same everything!

From bpennin636: What part of the recruiting process was most enjoyable and positive?
For me, the best part is when the coaches come out to watch you. It's really nerve racking, but it just makes the game that much better. You get to show what you can offer, and not only if your good, but if you have all the other aspects that they want for their program.