Dec. 30, 2009
LAS VEGAS -
Erica Jensen (UNLV Sports Information)
Senior guard Allison Holiday has seen the UNLV women's basketball team go through its fair share of ups and downs. Now in her fourth and final season with the Lady Rebs, she is looking forward to building on last seasons' success, in which she helped the team post back-to-back upsets to reach the semifinals of the MWC tournament. The recent success for the team has been a turnaround from Holiday's first two seasons, and she attributes the positive change to her teammates and the coaching staff.
'The coaches are positive and uplifting and help us push ourselves every day. The recruits they've brought in have been positive and hardworking and have been great to play with. They've really created a whole new atmosphere for Lady Rebel basketball'.
Holiday understands her experience is vital to the Lady Rebs' success and she says it is a goal of hers this season to be more of a vocal leader.
'Coach KO (Kathy Olivier, in her second season at UNLV) is always on me to keep talking and be more vocal. She is pushing me to be more of a leader.'
Holiday says that her goal every day is to go as hard as she can in practice and leave it all on the court. Her teammates share the same philosophy, as Holiday says that's what they do every day in practice- go as hard as they can and leave it all on the court. That kind of work ethic will put them right where they want to be at the end of the season, making a run in the MWC tournament again.
Basketball isn't the only place Holiday is seeking to be a leader. Off of the court she is an excellent student and has major career plans. Set to graduate this spring with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health, she plans on continuing her education and pursuing a master's degree in Healthcare Administration. All of this is to help her fulfill her main goal of becoming the CEO of the hospital on her Navajo reservation.
'Growing up on the reservation I have seen so many health disparities. At first I wanted to be a nurse but I realized I could do more by actually running the hospital. They need someone they respect and see eye to eye with to provide them with the knowledge they need'.
Holiday has always been part of a bigger picture, a bigger family. From her Navajo reservation to the Lady Rebels basketball team it is clear that family is extremely important to her. In fact it is one of the reasons she chose UNLV in the first place. A native of Kayenta, Ariz., UNLV isn't very far from home and her parents have been able to attend a lot of her games.
Finishing her career out with another successful season would mean a lot to Holiday and her 19 points and 15 rebounds this season are already contributing to the cause. The Lady Rebels are counting on Holiday's leadership and they won't be disappointed.
'When I get the minutes I am going to leave it all on the court, all season long. I will lead as well as I can and play as hard as possible.'
The Lady Rebels, 7-6 overall this season, will be in action this weekend as they begin 2010 with a road contest at Utah State on Saturday, Jan. 2 at 1 pm (PST).
Finish the Sentence with Allison Holiday
When I'm not on the court you can usually find me… studying or watching TV.
My favorite sport to play or watch besides basketball is… football.
After college I want to… coach a girls' high school basketball team.
My dream job would be … being a CEO of our hospital on the reservation.
One thing people don't know about me is… that I have four older brothers.
My most memorable moment as a Lady Rebel so far… is making it to the semifinals of the MWC tournament last season.
