The seniors taking the floor this year are all shooting at one goal. Alana Beard, Iciss Tillis and Vicki Krapohl are all trying to close out their careers as Blue Devils by bringing an NCAA championship home to Durham.
But each player is employing different tactics to get there. Beard will be using her slashing style of play to attempt to net a National Player of the Year Award. Tillis will be pursuing a spot on the All-America team, as well as trying to become the first female Blue Devil to jam in a game situation.
The third senior's assets are different. Teams trying to contend with Beard's speed and Tillis' powerful on-court presence must also try to stop Krapohl, a dead-on three-point shooter and floor general. Her oft-clutch shooting behind the arc gives the Blue Devils an outside threat that can balance out their frontcourt skill and help spread defenses.
"We have the versatility, we have the inside game, we have people like Vicki Krapohl that can hit the three-point shot," Beard said of the team's multifaceted attack. "I think this is the most complete team I've ever been on."
Krapohl is a lifetime 42.1 percent shooter from beyond the arc; perhaps more astounding is the fact that Krapohl has made 112 treys in her careeer, but only 10 two-point field goals. Her shots, almost exclusively from beyond the arc, netted her a mere 5.2 points per game last season.
But it is not prolific scoring that makes Krapohl an asset to coach Gail Goestenkors' squad; the Blue Devils have more than enough go-to scorers. Rather, it is her hustle and ability to set up an offense that distinguish her, as well as her ability to go on a streak when it counts, as she did last year, hitting 5-of-7 from beyond the arc against Charleston Southern to lead Duke to victory.
For the last three years, Krapohl has won the team's Heart and Hustle Award, and was third on the team last season with 98 assists. She is a true point guard, and her talent for distributing the ball will certainly come in handy for a Duke team with more offensive weapons than ever before.
"I think every year I've said that [it's the most talented team], and I think it's true," Krapohl said. "Every year we've gotten more and more talented."
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.