by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
Senior Abbie Letz's endorsement of the UNM women's basketball program sounds a lot like a movie review.
This is a movie she wants people to see.
"I've loved it (at UNM)," she said. "I would totally do it again, and I would recommend it to anyone."
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Letz has evolved into one of the most important people on the court for UNM.
With the rest of the pieces in place, she has high expectations for what can become of the 2005-2006 season.
"I'm very excited about this being my senior year," she said. "I want to go out and have a good season to remember and want it to be my best."
Along with other experienced and talented players, Letz said UNM can have a successful year.
"I think the team has a bunch of potential," she said. "We have such good team chemistry that if we are all on the same page, we can really get some things done."
Going into Friday's game against Texas, UNM is 2-1, with its lone loss coming against 25th-ranked Oklahoma.
Letz said the loss will teach the team some things about itself and what it needs to improve on. When they get everything right, she said, she is excited by how good the Lobos can be.
Looking back on her past three years, Letz said she has nothing but good memories.
Part of the reason Letz holds UNM so high is because of her relationships with her teammates. She considers them friends, which helps the team on the court, she said.
"The girls are so much fun," she said. "We do so many fun things together."
Letz also said she has a great respect for the coaches, and the laid-back approach head coach Don Flanagan uses works well with the team.
"It's pretty humorous, actually," she said. "He likes to tell jokes. We have a very good relationship, and I think all the players have a lot of respect for him and we all look up to him. We know when to take him serious and when we can laugh at him."
This season has not been free of all obstacles for Letz, though. She has been bothered by a lower back injury and has to fight through pain in each game. She tried to get healthy, but said it might be something she will have to deal with all year.
"I got a shot a couple of weeks ago where I had to sit out for so long to try and help with the pain," she said. "They told me going into it that it wasn't a surefire thing and maybe it just didn't react well with my body."
If in pain, Letz has not shown it on the court. She has been productive for the Lobos in the first three games, scoring at least seven points and grabbing at least eight rebounds in each contest. In a win over California, she put up a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Letz said she takes pride in being one of the leaders on the team, but she is quick to give credit to the rest of her teammates.
How her final season will play out is yet to be seen, but she will do everything she can to make the best of what has been a great ride at UNM, she said.
"For me it was a perfect fit, and I've enjoyed every minute of it," she said. "I just know that I have to play hard and give it 100 percent, because it's going to end pretty soon."
