By: Jana Henson (’19), Copy Editor
Janelle Bailey is a freshman center for the Women’s Basketball team. In addition to racking up several ACC Rookie of the Week recognitions, she was also awarded ACC Rookie of the Year.
Despite her lofty personal accolades, the season wasn’t an easy one. The team faced a nine-game losing streak (finally ended with a 69-64 victory against Boston College). Janelle attributed the growth and lessons that came from each loss as what that drove the her—as well as the team— through the rough patch.
When asked about her favorite moment of the season, Janelle confidently answers: “the Duke game.” She’s referring the women’s team astounding comeback from a 19-point deficit in the latter half of the game. The team’s amazing overtime victory was also a sweet ending to senior Jamie Cherry’s last home game as a Tar Heel.
Being a women’s basketball player isn’t without its challenges. Attendance and viewership in comparison to men’s basketball continue to be hurdles the sport has to repeatedly overcome. Janelle remarks, “You shouldn’t be mad that men are getting more views than us, but at the same time you want people to watch what you’re doing too.” Despite substantial support in conference play, attendance has yet to match the amount of hard work, passion and dedication the women put into the game.
Janelle’s goals for next season don’t disappoint. In addition to improving her game, she also hopes for a winning season. The team’s potential to have a winning season is as the clear as the obstacles that could stand in their way. In gleaming moments such as the Duke game, we were reminded of the team’s raw talent, but lack of synchrony when it came to “getting the job done”.
Even though the season is over, Janelle Bailey will be one to watch next year as she continues to come into her own as a college basketball player.
