With the 2009 season less than a week away, senior middle blocker Ashley Weers reflects on her past three seasons as a Camel, plus the expectations of her final campaign in a Campbell uniform.

Q: What is the best thing about playing inside the John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center?

Weers: I just love how open and how big it is. It's a lot nicer than what we were used to. Plus the fans are right there at the floor level, not up high and elevated like in Carter Gym. It's a really cool building.

Q: How would you compare the Pope Center to Carter Gym?

Weers: There really isn't any comparison. The Pope Center is just better in every way. Carter was always hot because it didn't have air conditioning, plus you had to worry about the ball hitting the rafters. We actually used to have practices just for that reason too; trying to find the ball when it got up there.

Q: What are you looking forward to this season?

Weers: I'm mostly looking forward to playing with my teammates. I think we're going to do well together. Practice is going well, we all get along, and I think that will translate well to games. I'm excited to see how far we can go with it as a team.

Q: If you had to pick a particular tournament or match, which would you say you're most looking forward to?

Weers: Probably playing Florida Gulf Coast here, at home. We open up conference play with FGCU, and last year we didn't play well against them. That will be an important match for us.

Q: What does it mean to you to be a captain on this team?

Weers: It means a lot, honestly. I know my teammates look up to me to be there and to help them and lead them.

Q: What kind of a leader would you describe yourself as?

Weers: Personally, I think I'm more of a quiet leader. Girls can come to me for opinions, but I'm not the one that's always the loudest. I guess I'm more of the strong and silent type.

Q: You have four newcomers this season, two transfers and two freshmen, how is team chemistry developing?

Weers: Very well. We all get along great. Everyone fits right in both on and off the court. Most importantly, we're playing well together.

Q: You have played with fellow senior captain Sarah Hill for three seasons and now you'll complete your fourth year together. Describe the bond that you have with the team's only other senior.

Weers: Sarah and I have a really strong bond because of what we've been through together. We've had coaching changes and gym changes, plus the transition of improving and having success as a team. Last year, we went to the A-Sun Tournament for the first time together, and going through all of these things together has really made us great friends.

Q: How do you think that bond will help you on the court this year as you lead this team?

Weers: I think it will help a lot because we know each other and we know what we expect out of our team. We're always on the same page, and I think that will help us lead this team to where we want to go in our last season.

Q: You could possibly finish your career in the top-five all-time at Campbell in blocks after this season. What makes you such an efficient blocker?

Weers: My coaches have always told me that I have a great awareness for the game. I don't really know, but I just try to focus on where the ball is going and that allows me to read the hitters really well. I think that focus, awareness and an understanding of how the game is played helps me a lot.

Q: Describe the perfect final season for you at Campbell.

Weers: The perfect final season would be us winning conference. We haven't finished in the top three since I've been here, so doing that would be really special. So to sum it up, I would say winning conference and everyone having a great year would be the ideal.