The women's basketball team has been one of the most successful of all Brandeis athletic teams so far this year. The Judges, ranked fifth in the latest d3hoops.com Division III Top 25 poll, started the season by winning their first 10 games and now sit at 11-1 with 12 games remaining on the schedule. Head coach Carol Simon spoke with JustSports last week to give a midseason report on her team.

JustSports: How did this team respond to its first loss of the season last Friday, after starting 10-0?

Carol Simon: We started off the season well. One of our goals was to win all of our non-conference games, which we did, and then once you get past that, you really just take it one day at a time. We don't look ahead and didn't think we'd finish the season undefeated before the Rochester game, which is a pretty lofty goal to begin with, especially in the [University Athletic Association]. So really it is one day at a time, one practice at a time, so we try to stay pretty grounded in that sense.

JS: What has been this team's best aspect so far this season?

CS: I think honestly the team chemistry. The team chemistry has been excellent and the depth of the team has been the biggest strength of this team.

JS: What has been this team's biggest flaw so far this season?

CS: You know, we could use some work defensively right now. I wouldn't say it's a huge flaw, but that and dribble penetration and rebounding. Definitely rebounding.

JS: What will this team need to do moving forward to win and progress this season?

CS: I think we need to continue to play as we are as a team and get a little better defensively like I said and also work on rebounding. We're pretty solid in running our offense, and when we're sharp we're good. I think we learned this weekend that we need to take care of the ball better moving forward.

JS: Which players have surprised you so far?

CS: You know, I don't think anyone has really surprised me, because I think everybody has done really what they were supposed to do going back over the summer and preseason. We're all really at where we thought we'd be. No one has been a disappointment.

JS: What is the key to winning the UAA this season? How can this team do it?

CS: You have to be on every game and can't have any flaws. Defense is key in the UAA. You can't allow teams to score in the high to mid 60s. The team who wins the UAA will be the team that travels the best and can compete best on the road. We'll see with us; we haven't been on the road yet.

JS: Is there any game on your schedule that you're looking ahead to as a crucial contest?

CS: I think every team in the UAA is good. We have six teams in the top 30 right now. Every team is legitimate. You can't let your guard down against anybody.