By Joshua Yoder

HUNTINGDON – Hey everyone we have a brand new one on one interview for you all as I got to talk with Juniata College Women’s Basketball coach Marissa Molnar. Molnar was recently named the Head Coach of the Eagles this past summer after a few years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Franklin and Marshall. Molnar is looking to help build the program and I got a chance to do an interview with her. Hope you all enjoy it.

JY: What is the biggest difference from this year’s team from last year?

MM: I think the biggest difference so far from this year’s team to last year’s

team is the experience. Last year we only graduated one senior, so

we have a lot of players who have played quality minutes not only last

year, but throughout their playing careers. The experience will help

give them the confidence to feel more prepared in any situation that

comes up on the court.

JY: Are there any newcomers to the team you think will make an impact on the

roster this year?

MM: I think the 4 newcomers (first years) are holding their own! Something

that sticks out to me with them is that they have elevated the

competitiveness level on a daily basis at practices, lifts and even at

team bonding/building activities. The upperclassmen have done a

great job welcoming them into our family and showing them the ropes

as well.

JY: Who do you believe will have a big year for your team this season

and why?

MM: I think as a whole, we are going to have a great year! Everyone has

come into the year with a refresh mentality with the coaching change.

As I spoke before we are very experienced on the court, so this will in

turn help us close out close games that didn’t go our way last year.

JY: Who do you believe will be your toughest test for your team this year and

why?

MM: I think the toughest test for us this year will be ourselves. With a new

coach coming in there are a lot of unknowns and a lot of new being

thrown at them early. We need to continue to stay together and have

the we over me mentality no matter the highs or lows we face

throughout the season.

JY: What is your main goal for your team this season?”

MM: Something we are really focusing on every day is just being 1 percent

better than we were yesterday. This is helping them stay in the

moment and it forces them to have tunnel vision on who we are as a

team and not compare ourselves to other teams and programs we

play against. Things aren’t going to happen overnight, but we will

continue to trust that with time and commitment we can elevate the

program one day at a time.

That was my interview with Coach Molnar. I would like to say thank you Coach Molnar for taking the time to answer my questions and wish her the best of luck heading into the 2024-2025 Women’s Basketball season. The Eagles will open up the season on Monday November 11 as they will host Penn State-Altoona.

Good Luck to the Eagles!