RIM TO RIM WITH LADY CARDINAL BASKETBALL

LamarCardinals.com sat down with freshman guard Tamara Abalde from Vigo, Spain as she prepares for her first season of playing in the United States. Abalde is a highly acclaimed recruit that played for the National Team of Spain this past summer at the World Championship Games in Serbia and was honored as a selection on the All Tournament team. At 6'2, Abalde will be one of the biggest guards in the Southland Conference, but her versatility will allow her to post up, nail the 3pt. shot, and rebound!

LC: A lot of American universities and European professional teams wanted your services to play for them, why Lamar University?

TA: I decided to come to America because I thought it would be a good opportunity for new life experience. Here everything is very different than in Spain. Lamar has a nice program and I really like the team and the coaching staff.

LC: What do you miss the most when you are away from Spain?

TA: I really miss my family and friends. I miss the food (my mom's food) and all the things I normally do with my friends.

LC: Who is the most competitive player that you have ever played against?

TA: Elena Tornikideu-she is from Russia but she has been playing in Spain for longtime. She is a very good player and very competitive

LC: Your game is at a very high level in many areas, who do you give credit for helping to develop your game and why?

TA: I trust Coach Tidwell and all his assistants' coaches. I'm sure they are working hard with me to improve myself.

LC: Is there any special or superstitious way that you prepare for a game?

TA: Not really- I just try to concentrate and think about the game and the other team before I start

LC: Your roommate is Emily Spickler, what have you learned about "THE SHOOTER" from Kansas?

TA: I am so glad to live with her. She is a really good girl and also great player! She has been helping me very much since I arrived here.

LC: When you played in the World Championships this past summer, what did you learn from those contests to use for big games in the Southland Conference this season?

TA: I learned that it is very important to respect every team because in high competition everyone plays so hard and nobody will give up.

LC: What is your favorite movie of all time? Coach Tidwell refers to you as "THE SPANIARD" from the Gladiator movie - have you ever watched that movie?

TA: My favorite movie is Titanic. Yes, I watched Gladiator and I like it very much. It's funny he calls me that.

LC: What is your favorite food in Beaumont?

TA: I haven't tried every thing yet!

LC: If a person got to know you really well, what would surprise them the most?

TA: I can't tell you! They must know me well enough to realize it!