BIG 12 CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

March 6, 2025

Sytia Messer

Emely Rodriguez

T-Mobile Center

UCF Knights

Postgame Press Conference

Kansas State - 80, UCF 65

THE MODERATOR: We are joined by UCF Head Coach Sytia Messer and student-athlete Emely Rodriguez. Coach?

SYTIA MESSER: You know, when you are building a program, you're looking to make small progress. We were pleased yesterday to have the opportunity to win and advance. Today we fell short, but we lost to a great Kansas State team when we felt like it was a great environment.

I'm happy with the Big 12 and what we did in marketing to get a good crowd here. Very great. Thank you, guys, and all that you do. It was a great crowd to play in front of at 11 a.m., screaming kids, getting out of school.

I felt like my kids competed. I think we got it within 5 in the third quarter and in front of really a home crowd with Kansas State.

Q. Coach, with Emely being only a freshman, how excited are you for the future of this program and the way it's going to build into next year?

SYTIA MESSER: I am super proud of Emely. I was just walking with her and telling her how proud I am. I think if we have her healthy the entire season, she is the Freshman of the Year in the Big 12. I know our games could be differently for us if we would have had her the entire season. Due to injuries, we didn't.

But I'm super happy to build this program around her. We're going to work our tails off, get in this transfer portal and try and make a difference and get in the top 5 of the Big 12. That's our goal.

Q. Emely, how has UCF helped grow your game, how has Coach helped grow your game, and what are you excited to improve on as you look to next season and look to potentially the rest of the postseason?

EMELY RODRIGUEZ: Like Coach said, it's been ups and downs. My injury kept me out of the game for a very long time.

But I'm excited for next year. I think it's going to be great. We're going to keep working and getting better. Coach, she always wants for me to get better, so I'm really excited to play for her.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you so much.

SYTIA MESSER: Thank you, guys. Again, thank you for all you do.