July 10, 2009

Charlotte, NC - Ashley Spriggs, a senior forward from Mitchellville, Maryland, was one of two 49ers to start every game last season for the 49ers Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship team. Last season, she recorded career-high totals in points (244 points), rebounds (170 rebounds) and assists (88). Spriggs recently sat down with the Charlotte 49ers athletic media relations office to talk about her summer.

Last season, Spriggs was named A-10 Player of the Week (December 1) for the first time in her career after she was named MVP of the Hoops For the Cure Tournament. She tallied consecutive 20 point scoring games against 2009 NCAA Tournament participant Fresno State and 2009 WNIT participant SMU in leading the 49ers to the Hoops For the Cure Tournament title. She connected on the game-winning shot at the buzzer of the 49ers 76-74 win at SMU. She went 6-for-8 from the line including the game-winning two free throws with seven seconds left in the 49ers win over Fresno State. She entered her junior season with three career double-figure scoring games and she finished the season with nine double-figure scoring games. She entered the 2008-09 season with 25 career assists and she finished second on the team in 2009 with 88 assists. She has played 91 career games at Charlotte while scoring 446 career points with 363 career rebounds.

Spriggs earned All-Conference honors three-times at Bishop McNamara High School. In 2003, she played an integral role in helping Bishop McNamara earn the nation's #1 ranking. Coming out Bishop McNamara she was ranked the #24 best power forward in the nation according to the All-Star Girls Report.

What are you doing this summer? Going to school, working out and trying to stay in the gym as much as possible. This will be my last season so I am trying to put up some big numbers.

What class are you taking this summer? The Sociology of Gender. I finishing up a minor in Sociology.

How is working out over the summer been? I went home for the final few weeks of May and the month of June. I played a lot of basketball especially against guys while I was at home. I feel that has made me a better player.

What was the feeling like to win the A-10 Championship last season? It was awesome. We were really excited about winning the Championship and we want to repeat as A-10 Champs.

What does it mean to you to be a Charlotte 49ers? It means to be challenged and to strive to be better. Charlotte has pushed me to be a better player.

What improvements have you made in your game for this upcoming season? I have gained a lot more confidence on offense. I want to be more productive on offense. I want to make things happen offensively.

Do you expect to take on greater leadership role as a senior? I think that my teammates respect me. I need to step up this year and be more vocal. I have not needed to be vocal in the past since we had Sabrina Gregory, Danielle Burgin and Traci Ray. This year it is my turn to step up.

Playing the A-10 Tournament next March near your hometown should be exciting? The A-10 Tournament will be played at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland which is about 30 minutes from my home. So it will be exciting playing in front of my friends and family. I have been to the Show Place Arena once but it was for a High School graduation so I have never played in it.

What are your team goals for the season? Repeat as A-10 Champs. Also, to advance in the NCAA Tournament. It was great making the NCAA Tournament last season but our goal this season is to win some games in the NCAA Tournament.