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Jayna Hartig recently checked in with VirginiaSports.com to talk about returning to the basketball court after red-shirting last season. Hartig, a 6-1 forward from Highlands Ranch, Colo., and the Cavaliers tip off the 2008-09 season Friday against High Point at 7 p.m. in John Paul Jones Arena.
Question: How does it feel coming back at full strength after red-shirting last year, and do you feel 100 percent?
Hartig: I think it’s more exciting because I haven’t played in a whole year, and so there is a lot of suspense built up and I am 10 times more excited to play. And yeah, my foot feels good they said that when my foot healed it probably healed back stronger so I don’t anticipate any problems with it.
Question: In the 2006-07 season you were recognized for preseason conditioning and MVP in practice. Could you continue to contribute at all in these ways last year with your injury?
Hartig: I definitely took on a bigger role in practice because I wasn’t playing so when I came back into practice I was on the scout team and I really tried my best to prepare our team and know the roles of the other players.
Question: What did you say to your sister (sophomore Forward Kelly Hartig) last year? Could you be a mentor to her?
Hartig: I have to watch what I say to her on the court because we tend to bicker a little bit, but then off the court I think we help keep each other grounded. It’s always easier for someone else to see what is really going on when your perspective is a little off because you are the one in the midst of the situation.
Question: What was the atmosphere like at JPJA for the season opening exhibition game?
Hartig: It was just really exciting because there are so many new people. I think everyone was really anxious to see how we were going to do because we lost Sharne [Zoll] last year, which was a big hit. But we have so many good players returning that it is going to be a really exciting season.
Question: What do you like to do in Charlottesville when you are not on the court or in the gym?
Hartig: I just really like to relax with my friends and my teammates. We don’t really get to do too much of that!