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Nov. 17, 2006
Every incoming freshman faces new experiences. For Virginia freshman Jayna Hartig, new experiences are a way of life.
When she started playing basketball in third grade, Hartig was not fond of the sport.
“It was something new to try, and I didn’t like it actually,” Hartig shared. “My dad and my mom said to give it one more try and stick it out. The first year’s a little rough, because you’re not very good. But I had a lot of fun my second year playing.”
Luckily for ThunderRidge High School and UVa, Hartig embraced basketball. The 6-1 forward from Highlands Ranch, Colo., led ThunderRidge to two consecutive state championships, earning Street & Smith’s Honorable Mention All-America honors along the way.
“High school was a great experience, because I was playing with such great players,” Hartig said. “Anytime you’re playing with people of that calibre, you get better, because you have to step up to their level in order to play with them.”
Among her teammates were three players now playing Division I basketball, too. Abby Waner plays for Duke, Megan McCahill is at Brown, and Emily Fox plays Minnesota. When Duke visits Charlottesville on Feb. 2, there will be a reunion on the hardwood.
“Abby was a big part of that team,” Hartig said. “It was great to have her leadership, and her passion for the game carried over into every other part of our team.”
Next season, Hartig’s younger sister Kelly will join her at UVa as a teammate. The duo never played basketball together until high school. Now they’ll share their collegiate careers.
“There was always that possibility (that she’d followed me to Virginia), but the one thing we tried to stress was that Kelly needs to be happy where she’s at, not because I’m here, but because that’s where she wants to be. Virginia really fits that, and it’s an added bonus that I’m here,” Hartig said.
Like the other newcomers, Hartig came to UVa during the summer to get her feet wet before the fall rush.
“I was here in July,” Hartig said. “You get to learn your way around campus without there being a million people around. You can get the dining hall system figured out; you can find your way to buildings; you get used to dorm life, which I think is really important.”
Now that she’s adjusted to college life, Hartig is enjoying another new experience- playing for the Cavaliers and enjoying their new home- the John Paul Jones Arena. She is a member of the first class that will play all four years in the building.
“That’s really exciting to me, because we get to come in with this renewed sense of excitement,” Hartig said. “It gives the program a fresh feel. We’re coming in the age of a lot of excitement. Right off the bat, we get to jump into this really invigorated program.”
That excitement has helped Virginia to two wins to open the season. And Hartig was a part of each game. At Rhode Island the frosh tallied two treys and a block in her collegiate debut. Against Old Dominion, she added five points and four assists.
“Jayna Hartig is a post player who will really stretch the defense with her ability top shoot the three and enhance the high-low game,” head coach Debbie Ryan said. “Jayna is an intelligent player who’s passing skills make her invaluable. Her skill set will be an asset to us immediately.”
While there is a long way to go for this freshman, Hartig has a few goals she’d like to accomplish during her UVa tenure.
“Before I graduate, I’d like to make it to the Final Four every single year that I’m here,” Hartig revealed. “I definitely think our team has that capability. Beyond that, it’s just up to us how hard we want to work.”
Only time, coupled with a lot of hard work, will determine Hartig’s future, but hopefully she’ll enjoy new experiences during the journey.
Out of Bounds with Jayna Hartig
Favorites
Food Guacamole
Junk Food Cookie dough
Ice cream New York super fudge
Color Red
Movie V for Vendetta
TV Show Grey’s Anatomy
Actor Johnny Depp
Actress Rachel McAdams
Book Time Traveler’s Wife
Most embarrassing song on my iPod …
Hard Knock Life by Dr. Evil
Three words that best describe me …
driven, optimistic, blond
The extreme activity I would like to try …
sky diving
My advice to a young athlete is …
don’t hold yourself back.
Best Christmas present as a kid …
my dog
I chose my jersey number, because …
No. 31 is retired and 32 is my second favorite.
One thing I always pack for road trips is …
my pillow
Best thing I like about John Paul Jones Arena is …
the new “house” smell.