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Hard Work Over Summer Paying Off For Daniels

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By BART O'CONNELL Tribune correspondent

Published: November 17, 2007

ST. LEO - This summer, Chanita Olds picked up the phone, made the call, and hoped the person that answered would be ready for a challenge.

Sophomore Dominique Daniels was on the other end, and was surprised by what her coach had to say. Saint Leo's leading scorer from last season, forward Marquita Fenn, was declared ineligible for this year, and Olds wanted Daniels to fill that spot.

"She told me how things were going to be a little different this year, how I would be expected to step up," recalls Daniels. "And not necessarily take Marquita's place, but play the position, play the post and get the job done."

The job began as soon as Daniels hung up the phone. She took part in a rigorous offseason conditioning program to fill out her 6-foot frame. She also worked heavily on her shot, her post moves and her physicality to prepare for life in the low post.

The finished product is a confident but soft-spoken player ready to showcase herself.

"A lot of players have ability and talent, but if they're not pressured, they don't view themselves as that missing piece and they fade back in the limelight," Olds said. "Dominique's really been working hard, and you can tell that she's worked hard this summer."

"I'm not one to disappoint," insists Daniels. "I think a lot of people are going to be surprised."

Daniels, from Columbus, Ohio, definitely comes from a winning basketball family. Her uncle, Antonio Daniels, is a 10-year NBA veteran currently playing for the Washington Wizards. He won an NBA title with San Antonio in 1998-99.

The two stay in touch every couple weeks via phone, e-mail or text messaging, even when Antonio is on the road. They also wear similar wristbands, including one that reads, "remember why you play." Others pay homage to another family member, Chris Daniels, who passed away due to a sudden heart attack in 1996 while playing for the University of Dayton.

The ultimate goal for Dominique Daniels and the Lions is to change the atmosphere that has surrounded most Saint Leo women's basketball seasons since the program's inception.

"We want to prove to people that we're not the Leo that we were a year ago, or two years ago, and that Saint Leo isn't a doormat," she said.

The Lions are starting to show signs of contending and playing with more team chemistry and a positive attitude.

"Three starters - forwards Amanda Holloway and Melissa Guerero and guard Roni Carithers - return but there's also five talented freshmen and a pair of transfers expected to contribute as well.

"We have a lot of new players, but our returners from last year, we all understand that the new is kind of good," Daniels said. "We didn't do too well last year, so we all came up with the new attitude of focusing on actually becoming a team before anything else."

"We are scrappier," said Olds. "We don't stop because we believe and trust each other. And once you have belief and trust, you have a great combination."

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