BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford women's basketball team welcomes two freshmen for the 2014-15 season. We recently sat down with the newcomers to ask them a few questions as they begin their Samford careers. 

DESTINEY ELLIOTT
 
What attracted you to Samford and why did you ultimately decide to come here?
"I loved the campus, and after visiting and meeting the girls and the coaching staff, I wanted to be a part of the team and the Samford family."
 
You came from a very successful high school program. How do you think that winning mentality will help you at the college level?
"I think what we did in high school is similar to what they do here at Samford. So that was another thing that brought me here. Also, I know the girls here always want to work hard, so I hope I can help contribute to that."
 
In high school you played for a former Samford assistant coach in Amber Deline. What advice did Coach Deline give you about Samford?
"She always told me that I could choose to go wherever I wanted. But she thought I would fit into Samford better because she thinks the way I play fits in well with the system they run here."
 
Since you've come to Samford, what has been the biggest surprise about college so far?
"The schoolwork has been the biggest surprise so far."
 
What is something not many people know about you?
"I don't like chocolate."
 
HAILEY  PIERSON
 
Being a student-athlete is always hard. How much did it help you to be a student at Samford for a year without playing as you transition back into being a student-athlete?
"It helped a lot, because I got to get the hang of college and the college classes. I also got to find my way around easier. So, it helped with transitioning from high school to the school work at college."
 
During the year you took off from basketball, what did you miss most about playing?
"Probably the thing I missed most was the team aspect. Being with the team and how close our team is now. Nothing is as close as a team that works hard and has each other's back all of the time."
 
What is your favorite aspect of being on the team here at Samford?
"The people here, my teammates are the best part. Just being around them."
 
You're an elementary education major. What grade do you think you would most like to teach and why?
"I think I'll probably want to teach fifth grade, because I kind of like dealing with the older kids. They're still young, but they know what they're doing so it's not like babysitting."