Jen Risper knows she's not the typical size for a post player. The 5-foot-8 inch senior and Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year welcomes the challenge, however, of defending larger opponents.
"I just feel like I have a lot to prove at times because I am smaller," Risper said. "I know now I'm playing post. I definitely embrace it."
With sophomore forward Hannah Tuomi, the team's leading rebounder during the regular season, sidelined with a stress fracture, Risper was called upon to fill her role.
She responded with a string of sensational performances in the SEC Tournament, averaging 7.7 rebounds and two steals per game, tops on the team. She was rewarded with a selection to the All-Tournament squad.
Also, Risper's tenacious defense in the SEC Tournament championship on Auburn's DeWanna Bonner was key to Vanderbilt's triumph, as Bonner was held to just nine points, far below her season average of 21. The Tigers were held to season-low 54 points in the game.
"That makes me so excited," Risper said of the shutdown performance. "It's just not just for me. It's for Hannah, because she's not out there right now."
With the NCAA Tournament approaching, Risper is aware any game could be the last for her and her fellow seniors Christina Wirth and Amy Malo. She's doing her best, however, to have a focused mentality and live in the moment.
"One of our coaches told me that you can't have fear, not even a pinch of it, because it will paralyze you," Risper said. "That's kind of been my motto for the rest of the season is just be fearless, don't hold back."
Back to work
The SEC Tournament champion Commodores got a few well-deserved days off before returning to practice Thursday as they prepare for the NCAA Tournament starting next weekend. Depending on when Vanderbilt's first-round game will be, the Commodores could have a break period of up to two weeks between games.
Vanderbilt coach Melanie Balcomb has experienced this layoff before.
"Sometimes it hinders your momentum," Balcomb said. "Now (the players) are in school, and it gives us a good time to get ready mentally for academics to get some stuff done because I know they have a lot of tests and projects this week, as well as physically because you're beat up, you're sore. It gives you some time to recover."
Risper recalls the last two years as being examples of a long break period being a blessing and a curse. Two years ago, Vanderbilt rode an SEC tournament championship to a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament but was shocked in the second round. Last year though, the Commodores got to the Sweet 16.
"When I was a sophomore, it definitely felt like we kind of lost momentum. Then last year we had a break and we did great in the NCAA Tournament," Risper said. "This year I think it's going to be a good thing just because you get to rest your body and kind of step away a little bit and heal up and come back together. I think we'll be fine."
Commodores await their seeding
Unlike Selection Sunday, women's basketball teams go through Selection Monday. Vanderbilt will hold a viewing party at Memorial Gym Monday night when the team will learn of its seeding and first-round match-up.
"We're excited," Balcomb said. "We'll just be watching and having a good meal together and enjoying it together as a team."
Vanderbilt, sporting a 24-8 record, has compiled a resume that includes a 4-0 record against top-10 opponents, but also several tough losses, including road defeats to Michigan, Georgia and Ole Miss, none of whom are likely to make the field of 65.
ESPN's latest edition of "Bracketology" pegs the Commodores as a No. 4 seed.
"We missed some opportunities earlier in the year and had some bad losses, which happens," Risper said. "We might not get a higher seed but it's ok."
