Kirk brings leadership and wins to Lady Rebels

Bill Bunting
dm senior Staff writer

Von-Gretchen Kirk is a lot of things-- she's a good student, she is a role model off the basketball court and she's the kind of person that any coach would want representing their team.

But of all these things, perhaps one of the most important is that Kirk is a winner.

In her five years of playing basketball before coming to Ole Miss, the Huntsville, Ala., native only lost four games. That included two perfect seasons. Her senior year, Kirk helped lead her team to a 34-0 record and a state title. In her first year at Trinity Valley Community College, Kirk helped lead her team to a 36-0 record and a national title.

"She has done nothing but win," Ole Miss head coach Ron Aldy said of the 5-10 sophomore. "With her being a winner and not knowing anything but winning, she can influence a lot of the other players in the way she feels about losing."

Kirk's play combined with her attitude about winning could almost be called infectious. Despite the fact that the Lady Rebels are 11-4 on the season, matching the most games Kirk lost in her entire high school and community college career, the guard has played a big role in helping spark her team to some of the wins Ole Miss has earned thus far.

Kirk first showed the never say die attitude in the championship game of the Montana State Lady Kat Classic. The Lady Rebels trailed by 17 when Kirk began to rally the team on the bench, inspiring them not to give up. The Lady Rebels caught fire and stormed back to win the game and the title.

Kirk again emerged against Belmont in the Lady Rebel's last game. In her first start, Ole Miss had fallen behind by 13 when Kirk nailed a three point shot and proceeded to score nine points in two minutes to propel the team to a halftime lead and the game. Kirk finished the game with 19 points, a career high at Ole Miss and the leading scorer for the game.

That's the role Kirk now plays for the team and it has earned her a starting spot in the lineup.

"No one wants to lose," Kirk said. "I feel like I have to step up and get my teammates into it. That positive energy has to be flowing and it trickles from one person to the next. If I can do that and we can get all 15 people on the team working together then we can be good."

Kirk doesn't just bring a positive attitude and a desire to win to the team, she brings solid fundamental play with her to the table.

"She brings a lot to the team, especially with her three point shooting and her ability to score," Aldy said. "She is able to put the ball on the floor and rebound. She brings a complete package. She's the type of young lady our program is all about with her leadership. She adds several dimensions to the program.

"Simply competing is not acceptable to her," Aldy said. "She is willing to do whatever it takes to put this team in a position to win as far as personal sacrifice. She'll dive on the floor after the ball, play tough defensively or put up the three. She wants to do what it takes and play the role she needs to get it done for the team."

And with Kirk, that's the bottom line. She likes to win, but it's all about teamwork.

That teamwork and never say die attitude will be vital tonight as the Lady Rebels take on Alabama. Both teams are winless in the SEC and both desperately need a win to get back on track and into the hunt for the SEC title.

"We're both 0-2 so we're both hungry and it should be an intense game," Kirk said. "As long as we are intense and work hard on the court, everything else should take care of itself."

Kirk has a little more on the line than just getting back into the SEC race. Kirk has former teammates and a best friend that play for the Crimson Tide. Friends that have called and told Kirk she has no chance winning the game.

"I keep in touch with my friends that play there," Kirk said. "They've been talking so much about this game that I'm ready to get them. I played with and against some of these girls so I am ready to get out there."

To get the win, Kirk will have to face off with her best friend "Boo" Barnes. Barnes and Kirk played on the same team together last season at Trinity Valley Community College. Both are from Alabama. Both players are averaging better than 10 points a game. Friendship is good, but when the two teams tip-off at 7 p.m. tonight everything is on hold.

If Kirk can play well it increases the Lady Rebel's chance of picking up the win. But, as Kirk is quick to point out, it's all about teamwork.