jjohnson@heraldsun.com; 419-6667
CHAPEL HILL -- UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell always seems to have fast teams, but her newest squad may be the fastest she's had.
The Tar Heels, who open the exhibition schedule tonight against Francis Marion, held their annual media day activities on Wednesday and the hot topic was the swiftness they possess.
"The team is definitely quicker than last year," UNC sophomore forward Chay Shegog said.
Thanks to some offseason adjustments to their individual workout plans, most of the Tar Heels came into the preseason practice with faster running times in their mile test. While that primarily tests conditioning, it also can serve as a gauge on UNC's overall quickness.
Shegog made her mile time on her first attempt this season, unlike a year ago when it took more than one try.
UNC's guards did well in the test, but so did 6-6 freshman Waltiea Rolle, who stayed with Italee Lucas Cetera DeGraffenreid. Rolle finished in 6:14, a time that amazed Hatchell.
With that kind of speed throughout the lineup, Hatchell said anybody on the floor will be able to pull down rebounds and get the ball up the court.
"We're not going to hold the ball up just so a guard can get the ball up the court," Hatchell said. "It's going to be fun to watch this team develop and grow, and I'm not just talking about this year because we're not going to lose much."
The Tar Heels only have three seniors on the roster -- Trinity Bursey, Martina Wood and Jessica Breland. But Breland, who has been treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma for the past five months likely will be redshirted and could return next season.
While no decision has been made, according to Hatchell, she did say that Breland is interested in having the best final season of which she is capable.
"She wants to be an All-American; she wants to be at her best," Hatchell said. "She doesn't want to waste a year of eligibility if she's not at her best."
Breland has been on the minds of her teammates while she's undergone chemotheraphy.
"When we first heard about it, it was hard," Lucas said. "We were there for her. She's going to be in the back of our minds every time we go out there."
Breland still has to go through a few rounds of tests before she can go through all the workouts to rejoin the team. She has been working on her shooting, though, and helping the team through drills, according to DeGraffenreid.
"We're working hard for her because she is going through it," DeGraffenreid said. "She's helped with drills when she could."
With so many quick players who have the skills Hatchell likes in her players, she said it is going to be difficult to pick a starting lineup.
"I don't get too caught up in the positions for each player," Hatchell said. "We've just go a lot of players who can play."
The Tar Heels, a top-10 pick in both major polls, will play at least its first seven games at the Smith Center while renovations to Carmichael Auditorium are completed.
