2008 Woodie Awards
Bengal Chat with Verity Peets
Devine, Bob
Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: Sports
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Bengal: Hi Verity, you're from the UK (United Kingdom), and I was wondering what it was like there compared to Pocatello?
Peets: Well it's a lot colder here. We have like an inch of snow, if that, and here it's freezing. Altitudewise there we're at sea level, so I had problems breathing when I first got here. But you know, I've climatized, and it's really good when I go back home because I'm really fit there. Lifestylewise, it's completely different, because I grew up in a place that's kind of similar to busy cities like Washington, Seattle... like really busy places. And coming to a rural place, it's quiet for me.
Bengal: Can it drive you crazy sometimes to be someplace so different and maybe more low key?
Peets: I really miss public transport. In Manchester, it was so easy to just go on a train, go to city center, go shopping and come back again. Here, I can't do anything unless I have a friend with a car. That can be frustrating.
Bengal: Being an international student do you find yourself involved in international clubs?
Peets: I get invited to a lot of international nights and I would go, but it always clashes, and basketball comes first, so I haven't been to one, even though I've been invited to all of them.
Bengal: When the team had the coaching staff leave last year, how much of a shock was that for you, knowing all the distance you've traveled to come here?
Peets: Well, before coming here I had the same coaching staff for four years, so coming over for a new coaching staff was really weird. And then when they left it was like, "Oh, the people who recruited me just left me." I was upset at first. I think the thing that kept me grounded was that the girls who were still around got to interview the new coaches, so I had already met Seton, and I thought he was a really good guy. I like the way he said he was going to play the motion offense. So having met him, I was happy to come back.
Bengal: How has it been to try and shift from one system to another?
Peets: Yeah, I think the team's feeling it. It can be frustrating to learn an entirely new offense... but we're getting there.
Bengal: With so many road games coming up, what do you think of being on the road so much?
Peets: It's nice if you're international because at least you're seeing the places. You see mostly sports halls or hotels, but you do get the odd day or two to actually see areas. Some people probably don't like it as much, but being foreign, I like it.
Bengal: After having limited time to play last year with Natalie Doma here, do you feel there will be more opportunity to play this season?
Peets: I think everybody will, not just me. Because we've lost two really strong players we have to step up as a team, and I don't think it will be one star player scoring so many points a game. I think one day Devin will have a good game, the next Sheila might have a good game and Jenna, so I think everyone will take turns in stepping up and playing well. I think we're more balanced.
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