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Show Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010 Page 5 WednesdaySII0Ft Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.utahstatesman.com A long way from home, Diop thrives By RHETT WILKINSON staff writer DERVVIN SPEIGHT runs for a toucdhown against BYU during the Aggies' Oct. I victory. Since defeating BYU, Utah State has lost three consecutive games, including Saturday's 56-42 loss at Nevada. During his Monday press conference, Aggie head coach Gary Andersen addressed the recent problems of his team, saying that they need to execute. TODD JONES photo Andersen and USUfoothall have solution: just execute By ADAM NETTINA sports editor There was no fiery halftime speech. There was no magic adjustment born from high above in the coach's box. And there was no letdown from an overconfident opposing team. No, the difference between Utah State's first and second half performances in Saturday's 56-42 loss to Nevada came from one thing and one thing only — the ability to execute on offense. "It was a tale of two halves," said Utah State head coach Gary Andersen, whose team trailed 35-0 at the break before corning alive in the third and fourth quarters. "As I sit back and go through this, it is interesting to listen to the kids and see what their mindset is as far as what happened in the first half," he said. "I've been asked a hundred times what the difference was in the second half. It is real simple — execution." While the final score paints a picture of a game that was close, the reality is the Aggies (2-6, 0-4 WAC) were never really competitive against the No. 23ranked Wolf Pack Saturday evening, with Nevada's pistol offense running wild on USU for most of the game. But USU's offense, which punted on its first five possessions, made the game entertaining in the second half, as quarterback Diondre Borel exploded for the majority of his 399 yards passing. With that kind of offensive output after such a rocky first half, skeptical observers may be quick to point out that something radical had to happen in the Utah State locker room at halftime for a completely different team to emerge from the tunnel during the second half. But at his Monday press conference, Andersen said all credit goes to his players, who simply began to make plays that they were unable to make in the first half. "Second half there was no magical speeches, or questioning if we were playing hard. We executed period, and exclamation point. The kids executed," Andersen said. "The only thing you saw different in the second half is that we rolled Diondre Borel out a few times, and it was effective. We only did that on four plays, and we did execute on more than four plays in the second half The bottom line is the kids executed when the opportunity presented itself They made plays." As for his team's first half collapse, Andersen said had a few plays gone differ- ently, Utah State may have been looking at a completely different game come halftime. Among the mistakes Andersen cited were two key penalties that helped extend Nevada's second scoring drive, as well as a fourth-and-six conversion his defense allowed to the Wolf Pack that eventually led to USU digging itself an early 21-0 hole. "The first two drives that Nevada had, we had opportunities to get out of it and we couldn't make a play," Andersen said. "We have a pass interference here, or they do a good job catching a ball there, on both those drives. Against a good team on third down you have to be able to make stops. That is the facts, and we were not able to get that done." The way Utah State came out to play on Saturday was reminiscent of early season losses to San Diego State and Louisiana Tech. Junior tight end Kellen Bartlett, who had a career-high five catches for 121 yards and a touchdown against Nevada, said the Aggies need to do a better job of throwing the first punch early in games. "Instead of hitting the other team, they hit us," Barlett said. "In order to win I See FOOTBALL, page 6 There's a lot to catch the eye of those walking into the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. For starters, there's the funky, bright-colored seats. There's the Aggie Ice Cream' concession stand, where the school's trademark treat tempts the taste buds of all who cheer on the Blue and White. And of course, there are the banners hanging on the south side of the Spectrum, paying tribute to the Aggie greats who have left their mark on the basketball programs in years past. But follow those banners through the white-pillared portals and those funky, bright-colored seats. Walk down to the hardwood, and you might just find the women's team holding yet another practice, captained by eight-year head coach Raegan Pebley. There stands another, equally impressive, sight. It's that of a 23-year-old filling the key down low on defense, blocking two shots in one possession. She leaves her domain on one side of the floor only to purposely trail her teammates on offense, receiving a pass from one of her guards, and, despite being the tallest player on the floor, smoothly knocks down a three-pointer from the top of the key. After another defensive stop by her squad on the other end of the floor, she promptly takes another dish from outside the arc — this time, behind the white line indicating the men's three-point distance. She hits nothing but the bottom of the twine. This all happens in a four-possession sequence, while Banna Diop (pronounced Bawna Jop) suddenly yells "nice pass" in a French accent thicker than double chocolate mousse to her teammate, senior guard Alice Coddington. At 6-foot-6, Diop is the tallest of the Aggie players. If there is anything eye-catching on this and many other afternoons in the Spectrum, it's Diop — the multilingual, globe-trotting sophomore center whose stellar play will be sorely needed by her team this season. That she'd one day rise to prominence as a star player in the Utah State program wasn't exactly the path one might have expected of her while she was growing up, especially considering this Dakar, Senegal native didn't even pick up a basketball until the age of 12. Not that she wasn't already standing out in her previous sport. "People used to make fun of me for playing handball," Diop said. "Most people, when they (would) see me, are like, 'You should play basketball." It was advice not heeded until her good friend, Sali Diallo — now a professional player in Italy — invited Diop to attend her competitive team's basketball practice. From that point, it didn't take long for another professional hopeful to be born. From that point, recruitment began early for Diop. Recognizing her talent, Diop left home to play high school basketball in Japan. It was there Pebley found and recruited her to USU. Despite her unusual height, Diop didn't have many dating troubles. While she clung to early dreams of becoming a professional basketball player — something she thought would keep her I See DIOP, page 6 Swenson a hit on and off tennis court back until 8 or 9 at night," Swenson said. "I go to class, study, go tant to her. to practice, study, work on the wedding, and sleep. I really have "We have a lot of fun together," to focus, and tennis provides that physical release when I get Swenson said. "There are occastressed." sional mishaps, because we're Hailey Swenson generally doesn't run up to people on campus Her love for tennis began when she was about 11. She grew up girls, but we are all good and strike up a conversations. It's not that the tennis player is in North Salt Lake, and started playing tennis at family gatherfriends and are a really lacking personality. Quite the opposite, in fact. Swenson, who s ings in Bear Lake. good support system plays in the number one singles position, has a LIRDY 0 1EF "We would have tournaments and I really ENIER fire for life that is unmistakable, and a drive that "I got to class, liked it," Swenson recalled. "I played a lot of other I See has pushed her to become a successful player and study, go to sports, including softball, soccer, basketball, and SWENSON, key member of the USU women's tennis team. practice, work track. But I weeded out the other sports, one at a BUY ONE GET "Believe in yourself," Swenson said of her life page 7 time. Some of those other sports, like soccer and with studentONE I on the wedding, FREE philosophy. "You know, like the Arthur song. I ALL DAY! ID basketball, I had played forever. But tennis just came really do think you can do whatever you put your and sleep. I realnaturally to me." mind to." ly have to focus, When Swenson began approaching the end Swenson is living proof of that motto, both and tennis proof her senior year at Woods Cross High School she on and off the tennis courts. Set to graduate this knew it was tennis that she wanted to continue Spring with her MBA, Swenson got an early start vides that physiplaying. cal release." even before she came to Logan. "I sent out a video of my strokes to 10 "I got my associates in high school and went different schools including (Utah), BYU, straight into the marketing program here," she Halley Swenson, Boise State, Weber, and San Diego said. USU ten nis player State," she said. Her persistence Swenson has received honors within the propaid off, and Swenson soon gram as well, but is modest when walking about received an offer from Utah her career goals. She said her ideal job would be State, which she jumped on and has for a "service-oriented, non-profit organization." since "never looked back". Be our friend on for special offers! As for the time being, Swenson has plenty on her plate. Swenson said she is grateful "Life is pretty crazy," she said. "I'm planning a wedding. I'm that she ended up at Utah in the master's program, and I am working on staying on top of USU vs. New Mexico State, Saturday 1 p.m. State, and pointed to the my game in tennis." relationships she's With her busy schedule, Swenson's friends and fiancé are developed with her lucky to see her at all. THE PLACE TO BE. 2271 N MAIN • NORTH LOGAN • 787-AGGY teammates as some "A lot of times I leave at 7:20 in the morning and don't get of the most imporBy KAYLA CLARK and ADAM NETTINA BurARIGvuielGs lisaFsTWA SAND WICHES! ip 0 Aggys facebook |