Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus Augustana (Exhibition) on October 29, 2025 at 6 p.m.
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6 p.m.
Women's Basketball
vs Augustana (Exhibition)
South Dakota State University Athletics
Photo by: Emily Weber
Back in the Gym: Tiffaney, Ellie, Chynna and Lexi
10/2/2017 3:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The official start of 2017-18 season happens this afternoon for the South Dakota State women's basketball team. GoJacks.com talked with seniors Tiffaney Flaata, Ellie Thompson, Chynna Stevens and Alexis Alexander about the progress the team has made leading up to the start of practice, expectations and about being seniors.
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Senior center Tiffaney Flaata
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What does being a senior on this team mean to you?
"I would say being a senior on this team means being part of the driving force of the team. By now, as seniors, we know what is expected of us to compete day in and day out in practice and in games. I think being a senior it means being a leader to everyone else on the team and also letting them know they can come to you with anything. In my case, this is my fifth year at SDSU and during that time all of your teammates become like family. You would do anything you can for them." Â
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After four years, how have expectations for the team changed or stayed the same?
"Each year the dynamic of the team changes a little due to the new players we bring in and the old players that we lose. With that being said, however, I think the expectations for the team and, ultimately the program, have stayed the same. We always strive to make each year elite and try to do something we have not yet done before."Â
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Senior Ellie Thompson
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You will score your 1,000 career point this season. What will it mean to you to reach such a milestone?
"I think it's always a great honor to reach a milestone like this. It deeply reflects on the players I have had the privilege of playing with the past three years. Without the tremendous program the past Jackrabbits have worked so hard to build, I would have never been able to achieve such a milestone."Â
Your calling card is rebounding. What makes you such an effective rebounder? "Mariah Clarin was a great teacher on the boards and gifted me an article by Kevin Love about cleaning the glass that hangs in my locker to this day. Love says in order to be a great rebounder you need to do six things:
1. You've got to be pushy.
2. First come, first serve (get into rebounding position before the person you're guarding).
3. Assume everything is a miss.
4. Stand your ground.
5. Anything goes.
6. You'll feel it in the morning.
Having these constant reminders in my locker has helped me keep rebounding one of my main focuses every day."
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Senior Chynna Stevens
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You were away from the basketball for a year. What made you come back and how is it going so far?
"So, I actually have sat out the last two years and spent one year in California during that two-year span. My overall decision to come back to South Dakota State had a lot to do with my family and how close we are, but my Jackrabbit family also played a big part. Since being back, things have been great! I am so excited to finally be able to step on the basketball court this year in uniform. It has been a long time and I'm excited to wear SDSU across my chest for my final season!"Â
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What part of your game have improved the most?
"Hmm, I think the coaches could better answer this one. I think a lot of my game has improved by just improving my body. The last couple years of redshirting has helped a ton with that process. I think with my ability to rebound more efficiently, run the floor and play defense have all improved."Â
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Senior Alexis Alexander
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What role do you see yourself taking this season?
"I see myself as being a leader on this team, not just with how I play or the effort and intensity I provide on the court, but also by how I carry myself off the court."
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Stepping in as the Jackrabbits point guard last year, how much has your mental game improved?
"I would say my mental game has improved a lot. This past season, I was put into situations that really challenged my mental toughness, as well as my knowledge of the game. I think those situations have helped me to grow, and I now feel more confident in my abilities and my knowledge of the game."
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The South Dakota State women's basketball team hosts Minnesota State-Moorhead in an exhibition Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. in the friendly confines of Frost Arena.
For more information on the South Dakota State women's basketball team, follow the Jackrabbits on Twitter (@GoJacksWBB) or like South Dakota State women's basketball on Facebook.
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Senior center Tiffaney Flaata
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What does being a senior on this team mean to you?
"I would say being a senior on this team means being part of the driving force of the team. By now, as seniors, we know what is expected of us to compete day in and day out in practice and in games. I think being a senior it means being a leader to everyone else on the team and also letting them know they can come to you with anything. In my case, this is my fifth year at SDSU and during that time all of your teammates become like family. You would do anything you can for them." Â
Â
After four years, how have expectations for the team changed or stayed the same?
"Each year the dynamic of the team changes a little due to the new players we bring in and the old players that we lose. With that being said, however, I think the expectations for the team and, ultimately the program, have stayed the same. We always strive to make each year elite and try to do something we have not yet done before."Â
Â
Senior Ellie Thompson
Â
You will score your 1,000 career point this season. What will it mean to you to reach such a milestone?
"I think it's always a great honor to reach a milestone like this. It deeply reflects on the players I have had the privilege of playing with the past three years. Without the tremendous program the past Jackrabbits have worked so hard to build, I would have never been able to achieve such a milestone."Â
Your calling card is rebounding. What makes you such an effective rebounder? "Mariah Clarin was a great teacher on the boards and gifted me an article by Kevin Love about cleaning the glass that hangs in my locker to this day. Love says in order to be a great rebounder you need to do six things:
1. You've got to be pushy.
2. First come, first serve (get into rebounding position before the person you're guarding).
3. Assume everything is a miss.
4. Stand your ground.
5. Anything goes.
6. You'll feel it in the morning.
Having these constant reminders in my locker has helped me keep rebounding one of my main focuses every day."
Â
Senior Chynna Stevens
Â
You were away from the basketball for a year. What made you come back and how is it going so far?
"So, I actually have sat out the last two years and spent one year in California during that two-year span. My overall decision to come back to South Dakota State had a lot to do with my family and how close we are, but my Jackrabbit family also played a big part. Since being back, things have been great! I am so excited to finally be able to step on the basketball court this year in uniform. It has been a long time and I'm excited to wear SDSU across my chest for my final season!"Â
Â
What part of your game have improved the most?
"Hmm, I think the coaches could better answer this one. I think a lot of my game has improved by just improving my body. The last couple years of redshirting has helped a ton with that process. I think with my ability to rebound more efficiently, run the floor and play defense have all improved."Â
Â
Senior Alexis Alexander
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What role do you see yourself taking this season?
"I see myself as being a leader on this team, not just with how I play or the effort and intensity I provide on the court, but also by how I carry myself off the court."
Â
Stepping in as the Jackrabbits point guard last year, how much has your mental game improved?
"I would say my mental game has improved a lot. This past season, I was put into situations that really challenged my mental toughness, as well as my knowledge of the game. I think those situations have helped me to grow, and I now feel more confident in my abilities and my knowledge of the game."
Â
The South Dakota State women's basketball team hosts Minnesota State-Moorhead in an exhibition Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. in the friendly confines of Frost Arena.
For more information on the South Dakota State women's basketball team, follow the Jackrabbits on Twitter (@GoJacksWBB) or like South Dakota State women's basketball on Facebook.
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Players Mentioned
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