Jacksonville Women’s Basketball Team Flourishes Under Second-Year Coach Special Jennings

Jacksonville Women’s Basketball Team Shows Growth Under Second-Year Coach

Jacksonville, Fla. — The Jacksonville University women’s basketball team is demonstrating significant progress in its second season under head coach Special Jennings. Coach Jennings reflected on the team’s journey, stating, “We’re climbing a mountain. It’s not an easy transition from one year to the next, but we’re just trying to lay the foundation and continue to grow and build.”

Team Improvements Through Offseason Changes

The Dolphins have made considerable changes to their roster during the offseason, including new transfers to fill gaps left by departing players. Forward Makayla Edwards recognized the difficulties associated with forming team chemistry but conveyed a positive outlook on their progress. “We have a new team, Edwards said. “We had a lot of people that left and people that came in from transfers, but we are doing better than I expected.”

Coach Jennings attributes much of this development to the ability to recruit players aligned with the team’s overall vision. “I thought that my staff did a great job of going to get the pieces that fit the puzzle with what we’re trying to do,” she explained. The timely addition of capable scorers has drastically enhanced the team’s performance.

The Strength of Team Chemistry

The Dolphins have emphasized the importance of their close-knit relationships to their overall success. “Our sisterhood, honestly,” said Edwards, highlighting how bonding off the court has translated to better teamwork on it. “We hang out and bond with each other. We’re actually really good sisters, and we’re just clicking.”

Guard Edyn Battle, the team’s leading scorer, shared that trust is a key component of their growth. “Trusting each other more. Loving on each other more. Just giving each other a lot of grace,” Battle explained. “There’s going to be highs and lows, but we’ve stayed together much better this year.”

Coaching Evolution

Players have also noted noticeable growth in Coach Jennings’ approach. Specifically, they have observed her increased patience this season. “I would say she’s gotten more patient,” Battle stated, echoing similar sentiments expressed by Edwards. Jennings, acknowledging the challenges, emphasized the significance of patience and resilience. “It’s hard being on the other side of those butt whoopings,” Jennings admitted. “So just being patient and trusting the process—knowing that I came here for a reason, trusting my abilities, and the vision I see for this program.”

Looking Ahead

The Dolphins are enthusiastic about their current trajectory. They are committed to fostering their budding relationships both on and off the court, coupled with Jennings’ evolving coaching strategies. As they continue their season, the focus remains on building their skills and achieving their shared goals.

With a roster of promising talent and a supportive environment, the Jacksonville women’s basketball team is positioning itself for potential success in the season ahead. As Jennings articulated, the journey is challenging, but the prospective rewards make the effort worthwhile.