By Stacey Troiano
Last year the Pride women’s basketball team surged to a 19-win season, the second most in team history, and first ever Division-I postseason appearance. This year the team is led by new, energetic head coach Krista Kilburn-Steveskey, who hopes to lead this veteran team to that plateau and beyond.
Kilburn-Steveskey came to Hofstra in May after former head coach Felisha Legette-Jack left to take over the coaching position at Indiana University.
Athletic Director Jack Hayes said Kilburn-Steveskey is a proven winner at every level, and she is a perfect fit for the Hofstra program.
Kilburn-Steveskey, a native of Fayetteville, Ga., graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in communication, and went on to get her masters degree at West Georgia.
She played four years of basketball at NC State and was named captain in her senior year. That year she led the No. 11 Wolfpack to an ACC Championship and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.
Kilburn-Steveskey comes to the Pride after three years as an assistant and one year as associate head coach at James Madison University. She also has 10 years of coaching experience at the high school level in Georgia.
“Coming to a brand new team with players you didn’t recruit can be hard, but these kids are fantastic,” Kilburn-Steveskey said. “Coach Jack recruited not only good athletes but good people, and I’m really excited about this team.”
The veteran Pride squad is led by seniors Vanessa Gidden, Lana Harshaw, Cigi McCollin, Lizanne Murphy and junior college transfer Jeanell Hughes and Kilburn-Steveskey said they have helped with her transition.
“They laid the groundwork here, and I’m very proud of their leadership,” she said. “I’m here to help them finish their careers on top.”
Kilburn-Steveskey said a new staff and new system takes some adjusting time whether it’s a veteran team or not, but the players have responded well as the season’s first game lingers at Wichita State on Nov. 10.
“Coach K is a great coach and she’s really helping us get better and better,” Murphy said. “She has so much energy and she’s really passionate about making each player as good as they can be. With her and the staff I think we can challenge teams for the CAA Championship.”
Part of Kilburn-Steveskey’s new style is the implementation of a hard-nosed, man-to-man defense, which she believes will lead to aggressive, fast-paced basketball. She also has a few off the court lessons for her new team.
“I want my players to realize that you always have to have fun and enjoy life,” she said. “I’m trying to teach more than just the round ball.”
Kilburn-Steveskey has high expectations of the Pride this season. They have four returning starters, and the new coach said the consistent effort in practice has been apparent and has produced results already and will continue to lead them to success through the season.
“Our goal is to begin with the end in mind,” she said. “We can’t get too high when we win or too low when we lose. There will be ups and downs throughout the season. We just have to continue to do what it takes to be the best.”