She definitely solidified our team last year. We have a young team besides her. The way she goes is the way the rest of the team goes.

I think I saw our young team definitely improve. They made great strides. The turnovers were young turnovers. It is a shame we came so close and couldn't get over the final hurdle. The mistakes -- they were positive mistakes, aggressive mistakes. It is a learning experience.

They're the best 3-10 team you're going to see in any league out there. And besides that, we've got too much at stake.

We definitely have the personnel to play defense. We're athletic. We have a quick team. I think it goes with coach Howland. He came in and built a program and made us play defense.

I'm definitely optimistic about our competitiveness in 2006. I think if this team works hard all year, we'll be in good shape for the championship. There are so many good drivers in this series, it won't be easy, but that is what makes winning all the better.

I have really high expectations for this year. We are a young team, but what we lack in experience, we make up for in ability.