North Carolina State University Athletics
Defense Made it Happen for Key
2/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
By Brandon Yopp
Assistant Media Relations Director
Raleigh, N.C. - When Atlanta, Ga., native Ashley Key came to NC State in 2003 as a freshman, defense wasn't exactly her top priority. With a main objective of finding a way to become an instant contributor, she looked for any avenue possible to work her way into the regular rotation.
All of a sudden, defense became pretty important.
"In high school, playing defense is totally different than college ball," Key said. "I recognized a defensive need on the team as a freshman and I considered it an opportunity to get some playing time. I kind of used defense as a way to get into the game."
It turned out to be a good move, not only for Key, but for the Pack as well. She quickly developed a reputation as one of the team's top defenders, eventually turning heads across the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) once league play was in full swing. As she began to soak up more minutes on the hardwood, her offensive potential flourished into a reality. Against Georgia Tech, Key came off of the bench to contribute 17 points in 23 minutes, leading the Wolfpack over the Yellow Jackets in a crucial ACC contest.
By the time that Key was a sophomore, her defense was stopping opponents in their tracks on a regular basis. Named to the ACC All-Defensive team, Key started 28 of 29 contests and tallied double figures in scoring on 16 occasions. At season's end she was tabbed as the team MVP.
Last year, in the absence of a true point guard to command the Pack's floor attack, Key shared the role with former Wolfpacker Monica Pope. The challenge marked the first time that she had directed from the point position since her prep days at Landmark Christian in Atlanta.
Key thrived with the challenge of splitting time at a new position, starting every game except for senior night, and serving as the top scorer in seven contests. When the season came to a close, Key picked up her second-straight ACC All-Defensive team accolade and was again named the team MVP.
Although her offensive statistics have continued to climb throughout her tenure, defense remains her calling card.
"As a freshman you just want to play," Key said. "As the years have gone on, I love playing defense. I like frustrating players and making their lives on the court harder. It turned out to be something that works for me."
Turns out that it works for the Pack too. Since Key began her career at NC State, the Pack has won over 70 games, finished in the top half of the league each season and made the NCAA Tournament field every year. The success doesn't come as a surprise to Key, however, who knew that coming to NC State would only lead to four special years.
"It's something that I could never have dreamed of," Key said. "You come here with a mental picture of what you think it will be like playing for a Hall of Fame coach. Once you get here, it completely exceeds your expectations.
"I couldn't have asked for a better experience."
With her time at NC State quickly drawing to a close, Key admits that she hasn't even thought about the end yet. When she takes the court for the final time, she won't be thinking about it then either.
"When I get on the court, I just want to win the game," Key said. "When my final game is over, I'm sure I'll reflect on my career immediately, but when I'm on the floor I'm playing to win."
In Key's mind, the team has a lot of winning to do between now and the end of the season. With goals of finishing in the top of the league, having a successful showing at the ACC Tournament and making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, Key is confident that her career won't be ending on a sour note.
"We want to make a name for ourselves and turn heads," Key said. "That's what our mindset is right now. We're heading down the stretch of the season and crunch time is coming. I'm not ready to be finished yet."
Wolfpack fans will agree. They're not ready to part ways with Key either.
Assistant Media Relations Director
Raleigh, N.C. - When Atlanta, Ga., native Ashley Key came to NC State in 2003 as a freshman, defense wasn't exactly her top priority. With a main objective of finding a way to become an instant contributor, she looked for any avenue possible to work her way into the regular rotation.
All of a sudden, defense became pretty important.
"In high school, playing defense is totally different than college ball," Key said. "I recognized a defensive need on the team as a freshman and I considered it an opportunity to get some playing time. I kind of used defense as a way to get into the game."
It turned out to be a good move, not only for Key, but for the Pack as well. She quickly developed a reputation as one of the team's top defenders, eventually turning heads across the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) once league play was in full swing. As she began to soak up more minutes on the hardwood, her offensive potential flourished into a reality. Against Georgia Tech, Key came off of the bench to contribute 17 points in 23 minutes, leading the Wolfpack over the Yellow Jackets in a crucial ACC contest.
By the time that Key was a sophomore, her defense was stopping opponents in their tracks on a regular basis. Named to the ACC All-Defensive team, Key started 28 of 29 contests and tallied double figures in scoring on 16 occasions. At season's end she was tabbed as the team MVP.
Last year, in the absence of a true point guard to command the Pack's floor attack, Key shared the role with former Wolfpacker Monica Pope. The challenge marked the first time that she had directed from the point position since her prep days at Landmark Christian in Atlanta.
Key thrived with the challenge of splitting time at a new position, starting every game except for senior night, and serving as the top scorer in seven contests. When the season came to a close, Key picked up her second-straight ACC All-Defensive team accolade and was again named the team MVP.
Although her offensive statistics have continued to climb throughout her tenure, defense remains her calling card.
"As a freshman you just want to play," Key said. "As the years have gone on, I love playing defense. I like frustrating players and making their lives on the court harder. It turned out to be something that works for me."
Turns out that it works for the Pack too. Since Key began her career at NC State, the Pack has won over 70 games, finished in the top half of the league each season and made the NCAA Tournament field every year. The success doesn't come as a surprise to Key, however, who knew that coming to NC State would only lead to four special years.
"It's something that I could never have dreamed of," Key said. "You come here with a mental picture of what you think it will be like playing for a Hall of Fame coach. Once you get here, it completely exceeds your expectations.
"I couldn't have asked for a better experience."
With her time at NC State quickly drawing to a close, Key admits that she hasn't even thought about the end yet. When she takes the court for the final time, she won't be thinking about it then either.
"When I get on the court, I just want to win the game," Key said. "When my final game is over, I'm sure I'll reflect on my career immediately, but when I'm on the floor I'm playing to win."
In Key's mind, the team has a lot of winning to do between now and the end of the season. With goals of finishing in the top of the league, having a successful showing at the ACC Tournament and making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, Key is confident that her career won't be ending on a sour note.
"We want to make a name for ourselves and turn heads," Key said. "That's what our mindset is right now. We're heading down the stretch of the season and crunch time is coming. I'm not ready to be finished yet."
Wolfpack fans will agree. They're not ready to part ways with Key either.
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