Northwestern University Athletics
10 Questions with Ali Mocchi
11/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 6, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- In the third edition of "10 Questions", NUsports.com sat down with sophomore Ali Mocchi. After an injury limited her minutes last season, Mocchi started at point in NU's dominating 119-66 exhibition win over Robert Morris last Sunday. The 5-10 guard from Wheeling, Ill., talks about playing with her twin sister, Maggie, her excitement to see the court again and working at the Chicago Board of Trade over the summer.
After sitting out pretty much all of last season, how did it feel to finally put in some significant minutes in the exhibition game against Robert Morris?
"It was really exciting. A lot of old feelings came back since I was out for so long. It was almost refreshing and I appreciated that game, and the game of basketball that much more just because you know what it's like to sit out. Before the game--at shoot around--I just got really pumped. I love game day in general, so I was very happy."
What's it like playing with your twin sister, Maggie?
"It's awesome because we can relate to each other on and of the floor. As a sister, I'm really comfortable with her, so I can tell her something about her game without hurting her feelings. I understand her game, her style and I know her strengths and weaknesses really well. It's almost like having played 19 years with someone."
What has been the toughest part of getting back into playing form both mentally and physically?
"Definitely my strength and physical conditioning. It's a whole different pace from high school and since I didn't play very much last year, it was almost like I was in high school mode. While I was sitting out, I got to see the intensity everyone was playing at and that made me realize how much I had to put in conditioning-wise in order to compete. Just the repetition of sets and running the plays over and over has really helped my understandings. It's obviously a lot better than watching from the sidelines."
What role do you see yourself in this season? How do you think you will contribute?
"I told Coach Prince that my attitude coming into this season was just to get five minutes on the floor. I don't care what my role is just because I know what it's like to sit out and I'm grateful to be out there. I really just wanted to play. Coach has asked me to step up in a couple different positions. He throws in different sets and I trust he knows what he wants this year, so I'm not going to stress about minutes or anything else."
What are you most excited for this year?
"Winning games. I know we've gotten better and I know it's going to show in our stats this year. I'm really excited that I'm able to play (physically), whether coach plays me or not is another story, but at least I will be able to control how I perform on the court. I'm excited to see the freshmen because it was the first class they (the coaching staff) recruited. They (the coaching staff) see something special in them and I'm excited to see how their skills and knowledge of the game comes together with what we already have."
How do you think the freshmen have looked? Who has impressed you the most?
"I think Inesha (Hale) is quick and athletic, so I'm exited to see her. She just goes after it. She's a gym rat and I'm excited to see her out there."
My favorite class that I've taken at Northwestern thus far is...
"A psychological services class last year. It was really interesting learning about psychological disorders. The readings and classes were very interesting. I'm taking psych personality right now."
The highlight of my summer was...
"Working at the Chicago Board of Trade for two weeks. It was a really cool and exciting experience. It's really hectic down there, but I liked it. My best friend's dad, Chuck, works there and we helped him out. I'm thinking about being an econ major, so that was a really fun experience."
After being here a year and a half, I can say that the best part of being a Northwestern student-athlete is...
"Having all the resources available that maybe other students don't have, like academic advising. Having a 'team' or family of girls you can trust and that you're with all the time."
Coach McKeown...
"Really knows the game of basketball. We'll be running a play in practice and he'll stop it and make up another play out of that one. He's crazy, but in a good way. He constantly has plays going through his head. He's always looking for new options. You never know what he's going to do next. He definitely keeps you on your toes."
Mocchi and the Wildcats tipoff the 2009-10 campaign a week from today (Fri., Nov. 13) when they travel to Toledo for a 6 p.m. CT contest. Northwestern's first home game is against SIU-Edwardsville at 8:30 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 20. To purchase tickets, click here.
