Jan. 16, 2008

Sophomore guard Kylie York currently leads the Huskie women's basketball team in scoring, averaging 10.9 points a game. She had a career-high 24 points against Green Bay Nov. 28, 2007.

Q: What is the toughest part about being a student-athlete at NIU?

A: Probably time management. You have to make sure you get all your schoolwork even when you're tired from practice. You have to make sure you have time to get your schoolwork done. Now I have an apartment, I have bills to pay, groceries to buy. It's becoming easier. It's making me grow up a lot faster and be responsible.

Q: What do you enjoy most about being a student-athlete at NIU?

A: Just the atmosphere. Having people come to watch you, that's fun. When you go to an athletic event you know people out there playing. It's fun to be a part of that?

Q: What's your most memorable moment?

A: The MAC Tournament was fun. We had a good run. It was my first time being in a big tournament. That is probably my most memorable moment.

Q: What has been the biggest change from your freshman year to your sophomore year?

A: Just knowing what to expect. As a freshman, you really don't know what's going on. You're scared, you're nervous. Now I know what to expect from coach. I `m mentally as well as physically prepared. Knowing what's going to go on, helping out the freshmen, it's been easier.

Q: What advice do you give freshmen on the team or any incoming freshmen?

A: It's a big transition from high school to college. You are on your own here. You have to keep up with your schoolwork because your mom and dad aren't here telling you what to do. You've got to become more responsible and growing up as a person. Coach Owens says that a lot. Time management goes into that too.

Q: Outside of playing the game, what is your favorite part about game day?

A: Just the hype. Walking around to class all day, people know you have a game telling you they'll be there. Just the preparation, getting the team pumped up in the locker room before. Just bonding with your teammates.

Q: What goes through your mind before a game?

A: We've got to know what we're doing. We've got to know the other team's offenses. We've got to know every player on the team, what their strengths are what their weaknesses are. We go over their plays. We go over our defense. Just know that first, then focusing on getting my shot right, getting my defense right, getting everything else down, being focused and knowing how we have to play to win.

Q: What's coach Owens' favorite saying or phrase?

A: She always says, "You have to be mentally prepared, you have to be focused." Focus is a big word with her.

Q: What's your favorite class?

A: I like my communications classes so far. I find them interesting.

Q: What's your favorite activity outside of sports?

A: Just hanging with other athletes, getting to know a lot of other people around here. We go to movies, sit around and talk. We find fun things to do to keep ourselves occupied.

Q: Where is your favorite place to eat in DeKalb?

A: I do go to Chipolte a lot. I just seem to go for that burrito.

Q: What is the TV show you can't stop watching right now?

A: Family Guy

Q: What is your favorite all-time movie?

A: Remember the Titans

Q: What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you?

A: Well, it's funny looking back on it, but it wasn't funny then, I drove my car into a pond. At the time I was scared to death.

Q: What are the words you try to live by?

A: Always work hard, never give up on anything.