Now in her third season as a member of the South Alabama women's basketball program, junior forward Taylor Jenkins has started nine of the 17 games that she has played in this season and is averaging 4.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per outing.  She also ranks second on the Jaguar roster in blocks with 14.  She spoke with USAJaguars.com about her time with the program along with some personal aspects of her life.

Q.  Being one of five returners coming into the season, you are viewed as one of the main leaders on the team.  What is your leadership philosophy and how have you and the other seniors tried to lead so far this season?

A. "I think the main thing I try to do is lead by example and make sure I am working hard to set an example for the new players coming in. I also try to be another voice for them (to here on the court) when they don't get something or if they do something wrong I try to help them out. I try and make it comfortable for all of the new girls to be able to come talk to me. I think we all do that in terms of the upperclassmen and the returners."

Q. As you enter your third season with the program, how do you feel you have grown as a player since last season?

A.  "I think I have gotten stronger and healthier. I have been injured a lot, so that has helped, but I think I've added a lot of strength and maturity on the court. I think knowing what coach (Terry) Fowler and what the coaches want, that I have grown in terms of basketball IQ and strength."

Q. How do you feel you and your team have developed and grown during the non-conference portion of the schedule?

A. "I think we have realized what the coaching staff's philosophies are and are buying into their system. Against Nicholls State, even though we lost coach felt that we were all really invested because of the way we played in the second half.  That comes with time and getting to know your teammates."

Q. What are some of the goals that you have set for yourself this season?

A. "For me, I think it's just to be a leader and be a positive example.  If I am working hard all of the time then, everything will turn out the way it is supposed to."

Q.  What areas do you feel you and the team need to improve on in order to be successful this season in the Sun Belt?

A. "I think just communicating with each other defensively and just being tough and aggressive with things like rebounds and certain defensive plays."

Q.  Who on the team do you feel has made the most improvement since last season and what areas have you seen them improve in?

A. "I think Grace (Farnsworth) and Juliann (Miller).  It is different seeing them on the court now and them going from being practice players (last season) to them having a role within in the games (this season).  I think they have stepped up this year coming from last year with not being able to play.  Grace was more of a guard last year and has not become a post; that is definitely something not everybody can just do.  Juliann is just a very hard worker in general and always has been, so her being able to attack more is impressive."

Q.  How you feel the newcomers have made the transition to this new level of play?

A. "I think all of them have made a good transition in general.  We have Chyna (Ellis) who gets a lot of minutes.  She has been a good force for us in the post.  Marquita (Daniels) adjusted pretty well, and they are learning more and more.  I think it is kind of up to us to make sure they know what they can and can't do at this level."

Q.  What newcomer would you say has made the biggest strides so far this season?

A. "I would say Chyna because at first I think she was just out of shape after not playing her senior year of high school.  She has definitely gotten stronger and makes better moves.  She has learned how to use her body, so just in general I think she has really stepped up as a freshman."

Q.  How do you balance all the demands of being a student- athlete?

A. "I think just time management and staying focused.  It's hard of course, but I just have to know my goals and what all I want to accomplish once school is over and done."

Q.  Who has had the biggest impact on your life?

A.  "My family in general has made a big impact. My two brothers played collegiate basketball and football, so seeing them being able to do it had a good positive influence to keep at it.  Also my parents, because without them I wouldn't have even been able to get to this point."

Q.  Do you have a memory that has stuck out to you since you arrived at South Alabama?

A. "Probably last year when we went to Georgia State and got stuck on the bus.  I will never forget that. We were stuck on the bus in the snowstorm for 24 hours.  I think that is something I will always look back on and remember.  Looking back on it, it was funny, but at the moment it wasn't funny at all."

Q.  What's the one thing you will take away from your time at the university?

A. "I think just the importance of networking and putting yourself into something.  I think with my time being here coach Fowler has stressed getting the most out of everything.  I think the connections I have made are really important and gotten me out of my comfort zone."

Q.  What are your plans following graduation?

A.  "I want to go to grad school for business and hopefully try to get a job.  I want to get my grad school paid for whether it is a graduate assistant position or working at the university."

Jenkins and the rest of her South Alabama teammates will host Louisiana-Lafayette on Thursday morning at 11 a.m. at the Mitchell Center as part of the program's annual "Pack the House" game.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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