Woodland Hills native Beth Mounier transferred to UC San Diego last year after spending her freshman season at Division I Weber State in Utah, and quickly became one of head coach Heidi VanDerveer's most valuable players off the bench. A 5-foot-9 guard, Mounier saw action in 26 games, averaging 6.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per contest while dishing out 22 assists. A solid outside threat, she canned 29 three-pointers as a sophomore, second best on the squad. "We recruited Beth out of high school, and we're really happy she ended up at UC San Diego," said VanDerveer. "She's a true student-athlete, who's a very smart player and totally invested in our team. Beth did an outstanding job for us last year, and I think she'll be even better this season. She's playing with a lot more confidence, and what we're doing now offensively really plays to her strengths." Just one game into her second season in La Jolla, Mounier took time recently to share her thoughts on the transfer to UCSD, Coach VanDerveer, and how the Tritons might fare in this year's CCAA race.
Q: What did you expect when you transferred to UC San Diego? How has it turned out so far?
MOUNIER: The biggest thing I expected when I transferred here was great coaching and a winning culture. Coach VanDerveer and her staff are some of the best coaches I've ever played for. I think that they expect a lot from each of us, and it builds a competitive environment and a winning culture. So far, I couldn't ask for more.
Q: How would you evaluate your first year, and what would you have liked to have done better?
MOUNIER: I think my first year as a Triton went pretty well. I was able to help and contribute every night on a very good team. By the second half of the season, my role expanded a little bit and I was playing with a lot more confidence.
Q: What will Triton fans see that is different about Beth Mounier this season?
MOUNIER: As a team, we really take pride in getting better and stronger in the off-season, so I think fans will notice a difference in all of us this season. All of us prepare to be able to compete at a high level every night. We are in great shape, and fans will see more of an up-tempo pace from us this year.
As for me, over the summer I focused a lot on defense and new offensive tricks to get space and finish at the rim, so hopefully, that will come out this year.
Q: What about Heidi VanDerveer's coaching style resonates with you?
MOUNIER: First of all, she is hilarious! She is also very consistent. Day in and day out, we as players know what she expects of us and what we can expect of her. I think one thing that really sets her apart is her knowledge of the game and of other teams. She is definitely one of the best scouting report coaches around.
Q: What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
MOUNIER: My two favorites are, "Only greatness equals greatness" (A.J. Moye), and, "Take time to smell the roses" (Rita VanDerveer).
Q: You played at Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, the same high school as former UCSD star and current assistant coach, Chelsea Carlisle. Is there a special connection because of that?
MOUNIER: When I was in high school, Chelsea would come home for the summer and shoot in our gym. My teammate Meghan McIntyre and I would watch her and Daisy (Feder) play all the time. I don't know if there is a special connection, but it is definitely an honor to learn from someone as talented as she is.
Q: What other sports did you play growing up? What ultimately made basketball your game?
MOUNIER: Well, I've been playing basketball since I was three. Growing up I played Little League baseball until I was about eight. In middle school, I played volleyball for one season. I think basketball was a way to bond with my brother, and I always wanted to beat him and be like him, so that always pushed me to get better. Basketball was my favorite sport, and definitely the one I was best at, so there wasn't really a lot of competition.
Q: Who would be the toughest one-on-one match for you on this year's UCSD team?
MOUNIER: Jamie Katuna. We play one-on-one all the time with each other, and we know each other's strengths and weaknesses, so we really have to be creative in order to win. Also, she doesn't miss a lot.
Q: If it was you and the three UCSD women's basketball coaches, who would win a game of "horse?"
MOUNIER: Heidi Hoop (VanDerveer) for the win. She'd win because we would have to just keep playing until she did.
Q: Do you like to watch basketball? What are your favorite teams and who are your favorite players?
MOUNIER: I actually really like to watch basketball. Some of my favorite teams to watch are the Virginia men, the UConn women, and the (Golden State) Warriors. I like these teams because even though they have big stars, they have a great system and great coaches that put them in positions to be successful. Right now, I think my favorite player to watch is Steph Curry, but my all-time favorite is Kobe (Bryant). His footwork is incredible.
Q: You've said you enjoy cooking. What's your "go-to" dish? What's your favorite restaurant in San Diego?
MOUNIER: I really like to try new things, so I'm not sure if I really have a "go-to" dish. My mom sends me different things to make all the time, so I'm always making something new. There are so many good restaurants in San Diego, but my favorite would have to be The Cottage for breakfast in downtown La Jolla.
Q: If you have visitors coming to town, what is the one place you'd take them in San Diego? What is the one place you'd show them on campus?
MOUNIER: If I had visitors, I would probably take them to the beach. On campus, I think our first stop would have to be the gym.
Q: You're a communication major at UCSD. Why did you choose that field and what would you eventually like to do with your degree?
MOUNIER: I picked communication because I really want to be in public relations or marketing. Eventually, I think I want to go into marketing or work with companies on developing campaigns that promote healthy living.
Q: Your team won its 2015-16 season opener against Cal State San Marcos. What was the best thing you took from that game?
MOUNIER: San Marcos is a really good team with a great coach, so getting that first win under our belt was pretty special. We have a lot of people who contribute on the floor, which will always make us tougher to guard as a team. I think we learned a lot as far as coming out aggressive and setting a defensive tone from the start, instead of waiting and having to dig ourselves out of a hole. Learning that lesson early should help us a lot as the season goes on.
Q: The Tritons were picked to finish second in the CCAA's preseason poll. How would you rate UCSD's chances to win the conference this season?
MOUNIER: It's very early, so I think our chances to win conference are as good as anyone's right now. As a team, we focus on winning each day and not getting too far ahead of ourselves. But as long as we keep getting better, I think we'll be in a good position to win conference come February.
Previous Triton Q&A Features
Nick Alexander (Men's Water Polo) October 21, 2015
Myles Cooper (Strength & Conditioning) October 6, 2015
Jordyn McNutt (Women's Soccer) September 8, 2015
Cameron McElfresh (Men's Soccer) September 1, 2015
Daniel Franz (Men's Cross Country) August 17, 2015
Meagan Wright (Women's Volleyball) August 10, 2015
Chase Cockerill (Men's Water Polo) August 3, 2015
Kelcie Brodsky (Women's Soccer) July 27, 2015
Kuba Waligorski (Men's Soccer) July 20, 2015
Nate Garcia (Cross Country) July 13, 2015
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