MOSCOW, Idaho – Leading up to and during the 2016-17 season GoVandals.com will be publishing interviews with every member of the Idaho women's basketball team.
 
Brigitte O'Neill, a Melbourne, Australia, joined the Vandals as a freshman last season. She played in 16 games, including limited time against Baylor in the NCAA Tournament. This season she figures to play a larger role in the post position. 

HOW DID YOU PREPARE FOR THE SEASON WHILE BACK IN AUSTRALIA?
"I worked out most days back home. I would go to the court with my friends or my dad would go and shoot with me. I did a lot of running and shooting. Our coaches gave us some workouts to follow before we left for the summer. I worked through those a lot over the summer so I could come back ready to go."

WHAT DID YOU LEARN AS A FRESHMAN LAST SEASON?
"I definitely learned to work really hard. The intensity of the game for me last year was different than anything I had ever been apart of. At first it was a bit of a shock, but after I adapted to it I learned that I really like the style of play in America. It was different having to learn all the plays and getting used to the structure. The game is much more structured than I have every played."

THIS SEASON THE POST PLAYERS HAVE TO WORK TO REPLACE ALI FORDE, WHAT IS THAT LIKE?
"No one can really compare to Ali. She is an amazing player. She is very physical in the post. We definitely have to step that up. We need to be a lot more physical and play with our back to the basket. We are also different in that we can step out and shoot the 3 as well. That is something we as a group can bring that was not there before." 

WHAT IS A PERSONAL GOAL FOR THIS SEASON?
"I want to be able to bring a lot of energy to the team on and off the court. When I get in I want to work hard and do what I can for the team. I want to make my minutes count, whether its two, 10 or however many it may be."

WHAT ARE THE TEAM GOALS FOR THE SEASON?
"The teams' goal is to win another Big Sky championship. Last year to come in and be apart of a championship was awesome. To have that experience under our belts has made us really hungry to get another one. There is really no other feeling that compares to winning a championship. We really want to ge another one!"

Idaho will take the court on Saturday in its first and only exhibition of the season. The Vandals will host Multnomah at 2 p.m. PT in Memorial Gym. Admission is free.