Sports > January 17, 2008

By Ryan Durham | Sports editor

Corinne Groves came to Wake Forest three years ago knowing it was a program in transition and was beginning to grow. Over her three years, she has become a cornerstone for a team that has seen remarkable success this season, winning the Paradise Jam Tournament and defeating then No. 10 Texas A&M.

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(Kelly Makepeace/Old Gold & Black)

Groves is averaging 12.2 points and seven rebounds per game for the Deacs and is doing even better in conference play. The Old Gold & Black’s Sports editor Ryan Durham sat down with Groves to talk about what the team needs to do to finish strong, what she wants to see the team accomplish in ACC play and how she is recovering from last season’s injury.

On what the team needs to do to finish strong: That’s just it, we need to finish strong. We come out strong in games and start strong, but as the game goes on we seem to taper off. And we need to be able to finish strong, to finish what we started.

On how the program has changed in her three years: The people obviously. We get new people in every year. Having the freshmen come in and starting a new group really helps (the team). Just maturing as a player myself and with the people I came with as well. We’re not freshmen or sophomores anymore. We’re juniors and it’s our time to shine and step up and take control of the team.

On taking on leadership because of the team’s youth: Since we just have the one senior, Christen Brown, we do have to step up. Everyone has to be a leader... Alex (Tchangoue) and I both being juniors now we have to step up and lead where she doesn’t.

On what she wants to see the team do in ACC play: I want to see us win. We need to win. We need to pick up and start winning ball games on the road and at home.

On playing a different sport: I would play volleyball. I played volleyball, basketball and track in high school. And I miss volleyball. It’s just fun, and I love it.

On her pregame rituals: I always take a nap before I come to the gym, and I put my shoes on the same way. I have to do everything the same. I’m pretty superstitious.

On recovering from injury: I am definitely more cautious. Sometimes I still find myself not playing as tough as I did before because it’s kind of iffy. I don’t want that to happen again so I’m a little skittish, but I’m stepping it back up. And I’m feeling like I’m a little more into my game.