University of Regina interim women’s basketball coach Michaela Kleisinger focus on team culture has been the driving force behind a 14-0 start to the season.

“Michaela has done a great job of pounding our culture, team culture and making sure that’s a priority of ours,” said Jade Belmore, a former Canada West player of the year and the team’s all time leading scorer.

Kleisinger was named the Cougars interim head coach in July after longtime coach Dave Taylor left the program to become the head coach at the University of British Columbia. Despite the daunting task of having to replace the winningest coach in program history, Kleisinger isn’t fazed by the pressure.

“I don’t know if I feel pressure … I know I care as much about the program as he (Dave Taylor) did, and I just want to continue building on what he started,” said Kleisinger.

A former player under Dave Taylor and a member of the last Cougars team to win a Canwest title, Kleisinger has the Cougars tied for first in the Canwest Prairie division, and ranked 4th in U SPORTS.

“A lot of this year has been building our team off the court, building the culture of the group,” said Kleisinger.

The interim coach emphasized that remaining focused will be key for the team keep their successful season rolling, with playoffs starting next month.

“We need to be focused on what we’re doing and doing it really well and doing it to the highest level and just getting better every week,” said Kleisinger.

Belmore, who is in her final season of eligibility, admitted that she feels added pressure to win a national title, given that this is her final opportunity.

“I think that it is added pressure, but I think it’s such a good thing and I enjoy it. I enjoy the pressure of that because you want to accomplish those things,” said Belmore.

Belmore headlines a group of four fifth years on the Cougars roster, and from the outside looking in this seems like the team’s best shot to win their first national championship since 2001. However, Belmore emphasized the season is not a failure if they don’t win it all.

“I think thus far we have for sure had a successful season and hope to continue to do more,” said the four-time Canwest all-star. “So no, I don’t think it’s a failure if we don’t do that (win a national title) but at the same time, that’s the ultimate goal.”

The large veteran presence on the team has had a positive impact on standout rookie Lilly Vande Graaf.

“They’ve had really good impact,” said Vande Graaf. “I think this year I’ve already gotten so much better, and that’s also one thing that drew me here, is knowing that I had these veteran players to learn from.”

Vande Graaf has been a key contributor for the Cougars, averaging over 20 minutes per game while ranking top three on the team in field goal percentage and three-point percentage.

The Cougars will host the #2 Alberta Pandas this weekend, with a home and home matchup vs the #1 Saskatchewan Huskies looming next weekend.

Featured image: University Regina Cougars Women’s Basketball versus Lethbridge Pronghorns. Featured in the photo: Michaela Kleisinger (Interim Head Coach). Photograph credit: Calvin Hui