We are profiling each member of the 2011-12 Creighton women’s basketball team. Join us weekdays from now though November 4th for an introduction to this year’s Bluejays, from freshmen to seniors.
See all of our 2011-12 Creighton women’s basketball profiles
As the lone senior, Moore provides leadership (Adam Streur/WBR)
DaNae Moore can say one thing about her Creighton career — she’s in a class by herself.
Throughout her four years on the Hilltop, she was always the only one in her class. She was the lone recruit in the 2008-09 after Ally Thrall and Sara Cain graduated. Moore sees it as an interesting scenario being this year’s only senior.
“It feels really weird,” said Moore. “I was thinking about my freshman year where I was the only freshman and it didn’t seem very bad, but now it is different with a whole different team than my freshman year and having to be the leader.”
Moore has been a stalwart of the team during her first three seasons. As a freshman she started 18 of her 34 games and was stellar on the boards, grabbing almost as many offensive rebounds (42) as defensive rebounds (46). She came off the bench during her sophomore campaign, and her numbers were lower that season due to the play of senior Megan Neuvirth. As a junior, she saw her stats improve: she started 15 of her 31 games and grabbed 100 rebounds last season while recording career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals.
Moore has had more success on the boards than scoring buckets during her career, but her offense is one thing she worked on this offseason.
“I have worked on confidence on offense. We already have a great offensive team, but I worked on my shot and dribbling to be able to handle the ball. I think that will make me a better player personally.”
Heading into 2011-12, Moore knows that she will be looked to for leadership as the only senior on the team. She tries to pass along different things to the underclassmen.
“I learned how to be a leader from my teammates that have graduated the past couple of years. I just keep passing on what they passed to me — hard work, dedication, and what it feels like to be a Bluejay.”
Moore may be undersized against some teams’ post players, but Jim Flanery and his staff count on the 5-10 Apple Valley, Minnesota, product to hit the glass this season.
“We have a ton of great players. I wouldn’t say my role is not necessarily on the court, but I would be able to step it up on defense and make sure to talk to the team to make sure they are in the right spot.”
Moore and her teammates will start the regular season next Friday at North Dakota.