Dye Anchors Eagles Squad as Lone Senior

By COURTNEY RAMPEY

Being a center in basketball requires playing offense and defense, having quick footwork, good ball control and the ability to make fast shots. It is often considered one of the key positions on the court, but according to NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, “one man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team.” Mary Washington’s center, Carol Dye, agrees with this concept as well.

“I don’t think of my position any more or any less than the others,” said Dye.

Dye began playing basketball in a house league with friends at eight years old, like most aspiring young athletes, she admired the older players.

“I went to local area basketball camps and always looked up to my camp counselors,” said Dye. “We would go to their games and I thought it was so cool to see them play.”

At Lake Braddock High School, playing basketball became “challenging because the program had undergone many changes.” Lake Braddock is also in one of the hardest districts in Fairfax County. As a sophomore, Dye furthered her basketball career when she joined a travel team.

“I played on an AAU team called Virginia Magic,” said Dye, “I actually had to be convinced to play. The coach wouldn’t give up and was constantly contacting me to play for him. This was definitely a turning point in my basketball career.”

Her senior year, Dye led her team through the season as a captain and received the MVP award.

Dye continued her basketball career in the collegiate level when she came to UMW to study English.

“It is completely different,” said Dye when comparing college basketball to the high school level. “It is much more fast-paced and more team-oriented. We have to bring our intelligence on the court and pick apart our opponents.”

When playing center for the Eagles, Dye would normally be matched against opposing centers that were bigger than she is. She relies on her agility to get around those obstacles.

“Something I take pride in is that I am able to run,” Dye said, “I am able to use my speed against them.”

As a freshman, Dye was named CAC Rookie of the Year, with a 6.1 points per game. Her team finished that season with a 22-6 record. She also aided her team as center her sophomore year, when the team had a 20-6 record.

“I will never forget the time during my sophomore year we were beating Marymount, our biggest rival, 20-0 at halftime,” Dye said.

Last season, with the help of Dye’s quick shots and rebounds, the Eagles finished the season with a 30-1 record.

“It was completely surreal,” Dye expressed. “How many teams can say that they went 30-1?”

Dye leads the team as the only senior for the 2012 season. She is as an example for her younger teammates.

“We are very young and a team full of learners,” said Dye when asked about this season. “We have a lot of talent in each of the girls that is finding its way to mesh together. The sky is always the limit for us.”

Just this past Sunday, the Eagles won their game against N.C. Wesleyan 58-48, and they look to take on Washington and Lee at home tonight. Their record so far this season is 4-1.