Anyone can take the wheel of a ship in calm water, but when the tide gets tough, someone has to step up. That was the situation for Bradley women’s basketball last season when they finished 4-24.
Despite the difficult times, sophomore Caroline Waite stepped up for the Braves and delivered a performance worthy of the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year award.
The Bradley guard was something of a revelation last year, as she led the Braves while they treaded through a tumultuous season. A tough non-conference schedule, along with a season-ending injury to one of the program’s best in Gabi Haack, made it difficult for the Braves to compete.
Now, one year later, Bradley women’s basketball and the Iowa native Waite prepare for a fresh start with a new coach and a collection of new faces.
“New coach, new team, it’s all new, but I think that it’s a good change and we’re all very happy to be here,” Waite said. “We all get along really well and we all have the same goal, but we also know how to work towards it. Not for ourselves but for everyone on our team.”
After being the top-scoring underclassmen in the MVC with nearly 13 points per game, Waite continues to better her game in order to keep her good momentum going. She’ll have to do so, since the MVC is well aware of her capabilities.
“I have been working on the things that I need to improve on, I know I have some weaknesses,” Waite said. “She [head coach Kate Popovec-Goss] has put me in a spot to be a leader while also focusing on communication and defense.”
Popovec-Goss had the opportunity to completely restructure the team and have them play basketball her way, with Waite being an important piece to the puzzle.
“My favorite thing about her is her basketball IQ. I love the fact that she thinks of the game at such a high level,” Popovec-Goss said. “It’s not an easy skill to have on the court.”
Popovec-Goss has set up her defense in order to take advantage of Waite’s strong basketball knowledge.
The extent of her drive doesn’t stop on the court or in the gym. Waite regularly comes into Popovec-Goss’s office to discuss ways that she can improve her game and what her identity could be on the court.
“Every player has an identity, as a defensive player and as an offensive player, but that doesn’t mean you’re solely that,” Popovec-Goss said. “I have been trying to get her to understand that you can be a scorer and also be a really good defender.”
Going through tough times truly reveals people’s true colors and, as the transfer portal rolled around and multiple Braves headed for the exits, Waite had other plans.
“This is my home and I had no reason to leave, and this is my team so I’m really glad I stayed,” Waite said. “We all want to win and we have a lot to prove, so we’re going to try to be the hardest working team.”
