Heather Bates is a 5'11" senior from Madera, California. She starts at forward for the UC Davis
Women's Basketball team and has helped guide her team to a 5-1 start, including wins against Washington and Portland State. On the season, Bates is averaging 9.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 48.9% from field goal range and 42.9% from beyond the arc. In a correspondance with The Deli's own Aaron Fischman, Bates discusses the recent home victory over Portland State, the Donaghe sister rivalry and upcoming games against Gonzaga and Arizona State.

Aaron Fischman: How did it feel to move to 5-0 with the defeat of Portland State in the first home game after the team's return from Hawaii?

Heather Bates : It felt absolutely amazing to move to 5-0! The Portland game was definitely a big game, especially with them coming off of a comeback win over Gonzaga just a few nights earlier. So, to come out and beat them on our home floor felt great!

AF: Haylee Donaghe (from UC Davis) got to play against her younger sister, Hannah (on Sunday against Stanford). Tell us about the sister-sister rivalry on the court.

HB: The rivalry between Haylee and her sister [is] really cute. It was entertaining to watch them take it at each other towards the end of the game. Oh, and Haylee did keep Hannah scoreless. So I know she [is] happy about that. :)

AF: You only attempted 4 shots against Stanford. Was it difficult for you to get good looks?

HB: Getting only 4 shot attempts in the Stanford game was prett tough. I just didn't get the looks I usually get and I never really got the opportunity for a good shot until later in the game.

AF: What, if anything, can your team take away from the Stanford game?

HB: I feel like we just need to put the Stanford game behind us now because it's done and over. But just know that we have it in us to play with the big kids.

AF: What can you say about the Gonzaga team you will be facing at home on Thursday?

HB: Gonzaga is a great team, so Thursday's game is definitely going to be a battle.

AF: The schedule doesn't get any easier as you face 19th ranked Arizona State on Sunday. Talk about the significance of Sandy Simpson scheduling two road games against nationally ranked Pac-10 schools.

HB: Arizona is another really good team and facing them on their home court will definitely be tough. But it's a great challenge for us. In order for us to do what we want to do later in the season we need to prove that we can play these big time teams, especially on their home courts.

AF: After the game against Arizona State, you don't play for over a week. Will you be back in the gym immediately, or do you get some time off?

HB: Well, the Arizona game is the Sunday before finals begin, so when we get back finals begin immediately on Monday. So, we get Monday off and then we'll be back in the gym on Tuesday. Boo to finals but yay to the quarter being over and the holiday season officially beginning!!

Thank you, Heather, for your continued support of the Deli. The next women's basketball game is tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the ARC Pavilion in Davis. The Aggies will be taking on the Bulldogs of Gonzaga.

Go Ags!