Miss Ashley Pope
Ashley was one of the two beloved seniors we had to wish farewell (in a basketball sense) to a little over a month ago... Ash had a been a Lady Ranger for four hard-fought years. Her career at Regis was, to say the least, a BUMPY road. Due to a hip injury Ashley had to sit out over 50% of her freshman year. Unfortunately, injuries don't always heal as we want them to... Ash's hips have been a chronic problem for her throughout her career, but she never let it impede on her dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm toward the team. She fought every practice through the pain, and then iced her hips from all angles afterwards (that is a sight that none of us will forget- Ashley's butt tripled in size when she would emerge out of the training room after practice!).
Back to the point.... From the beginning Ashley grasped the concept of Ranger Pride. Our freshman year, she was always the loudest cheerleader. As a sophomore and junior, Ash started emerging as a vocal leader for the team. She knew when to motivate, when to congratulate, and when to demand more from her teammates.
Having played with Ashley all four years, her senior year was a period of time I will remember as her friend... Ashley's injuries finally decided to cooperate, which allowed her to come into her own as a collegiate basketball player. She added to her role as a vocal leader and became a leader on the floor. She knew her role well, accepted it, and dedicated every moment of game time to it. Defense, Defense, Defense, and Run the Show on Offense. We could always count on Ashley to apply irritating defensive pressure to the opposing guards, hustle for lose balls, and make the perfect assist for our favorite team shot- "laaaay-ups". Ashley played with a sense of confidence this past year that I hadn't seen in the previous years: she stepped into her shot and let it fly, she called plays with authority, and dug her heels in on defense and rarely let her girl go by her. Imagine if her body would have let her play all four years...
Congratulations Ash on finishing off your Regis career on such a high note. The team and I are proud of you. It was more than a pleasure to play with you and it is comforting to know that you will always be a teammate and friend. We'll miss your passion and caring attitude next year. Best of luck in all you do,
Lo
Ashley was one of the two beloved seniors we had to wish farewell (in a basketball sense) to a little over a month ago... Ash had a been a Lady Ranger for four hard-fought years. Her career at Regis was, to say the least, a BUMPY road. Due to a hip injury Ashley had to sit out over 50% of her freshman year. Unfortunately, injuries don't always heal as we want them to... Ash's hips have been a chronic problem for her throughout her career, but she never let it impede on her dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm toward the team. She fought every practice through the pain, and then iced her hips from all angles afterwards (that is a sight that none of us will forget- Ashley's butt tripled in size when she would emerge out of the training room after practice!).
Back to the point.... From the beginning Ashley grasped the concept of Ranger Pride. Our freshman year, she was always the loudest cheerleader. As a sophomore and junior, Ash started emerging as a vocal leader for the team. She knew when to motivate, when to congratulate, and when to demand more from her teammates.
Having played with Ashley all four years, her senior year was a period of time I will remember as her friend... Ashley's injuries finally decided to cooperate, which allowed her to come into her own as a collegiate basketball player. She added to her role as a vocal leader and became a leader on the floor. She knew her role well, accepted it, and dedicated every moment of game time to it. Defense, Defense, Defense, and Run the Show on Offense. We could always count on Ashley to apply irritating defensive pressure to the opposing guards, hustle for lose balls, and make the perfect assist for our favorite team shot- "laaaay-ups". Ashley played with a sense of confidence this past year that I hadn't seen in the previous years: she stepped into her shot and let it fly, she called plays with authority, and dug her heels in on defense and rarely let her girl go by her. Imagine if her body would have let her play all four years...
Congratulations Ash on finishing off your Regis career on such a high note. The team and I are proud of you. It was more than a pleasure to play with you and it is comforting to know that you will always be a teammate and friend. We'll miss your passion and caring attitude next year. Best of luck in all you do,
Lo
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