Ojeda breaks out as Eastern starter

Carrie Ojeda

By Brad Wall
contributing writer

As Carrie Ojeda of the Eastern women’s basketball team wandered through campus Jan. 24 receiving congratulations, she believed everyone was referring to their upset win over conference favorite Portland State. Little did she know, they were referring to an individual accomplishment by Ojeda.

For the first time in Ojeda’s career, she was named the Big Sky Player of the Week for games played between Jan. 16 and 23. She led the Eagles in scoring with 18 points and had a game high 10 rebounds.

“I didn’t even know I won it,” Ojeda said. “I was in shock. I had a good game, but I didn’t think I won anything from it.”

Head Coach Wendy Schuller felt that the award was well deserved.

“She’s really worked hard and gone through lots of ups and downs. It’s always nice to see someone like that be rewarded,” Schuller said.

Carrie Ojeda has erupted as an all-around force for the Eagles in the Big Sky Conference this season.

After averaging 3.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in conference last season, Ojeda has assumed the starting role and averaged 12.6 points and 8.6 rebounds a game, both top 15 marks in the Big Sky.

She has also recorded career highs of 20 points at Northern Arizona and 15 rebounds versus Sacramento State.

The Player of the Week honor serves as an example of Ojeda’s vast improvement. Heading into the season, she was expected to fill the shoes of former Big Sky MVP Julie Piper as a post player.

Post players are expected to battle for rebounding position, protect the basket by blocking shots and convert high percentage shot attempts near the rim.

“My goal every game is to be better than the other team’s best post player,” Ojeda said.

One of Ojeda’s first challenges came in the near upset of Gonzaga on Dec. 10 when she held the Bulldogs’ leading scorer Kayla Standish, who was an all-conference performer in the West Coast Conference last season, to two baskets on nine attempts.

“That was a breakout game for her,” Schuller said. “It validated who she was as a player.”

Ojeda credits her increased confidence as a key factor for her success this season. Primarily a defensive specialist early in her career, this year she has been expected to contribute offensively.

“Coach told me we have to get more production in the paint this year,” Ojeda said. “So I just took over and had a lot more confidence shooting the ball.”

Schuller said, “In real simple terms, she has figured it out. We knew there was tremendous potential in her, and we just continue to push her until almost at breaking point to get her at her very best.”

As the starting center, Ojeda oversees positioning on defense and helps her teammates make sure they are in the right spots.

With a young squad, Ojeda has become a leader on the court. She has helped freshman post players Morganne Comstock and Melissa Williams develop their games.

Though she has taken on many new approaches this season, Ojeda maintains a strong defensive presence in games. She leads the Big Sky in blocks, averaging 1.8 blocks per game.

“I love blocking shots,” Ojeda said. “That’s what I live for.”

Ojeda’s approach to the game could be considered more humble than most would expect from a player of her caliber. There’s no specific player she idolizes or models her game after, “I just play [the game],” she said.

Assistant coach Raelynn Chaffee, a former post player for Eastern, helped recruit Ojeda and has watched her grow as a player since she arrived on campus.

“Carrie’s story is one of the reasons why people get into coaching,” Chaffee said. “She’s made the right decisions and shown what she’s capable of.”

Originally predicted to finish seventh in the conference this season, Eastern has played with a chip on its shoulder and currently sits third in the standings. According to Ojeda, the team is often underestimated. Two seasons ago they were given the same prediction, but went on to win the Big Sky League title.

“We took it as, ‘If they’re going to pick us at seventh again, we’re just going to turn around and win the league again,’” Ojeda said.

Ojeda’s goal for the rest of the season is to make an all-conference team, which is something her coaches believe is very reachable.

“Each game she’s getting better and better,” Chaffee said. “I think it’s absolutely an attainable goal.”

Schuller said that Ojeda understands what it will take to earn that award in terms of statistics, team success and matchups with other top post players who have made all-conference teams before.

“If you want to take their all-conference status away from them, you have to be better than them.” Schuller said.

Ojeda was a member of the conference champion team her freshman year, but was only a minor contributor for that team. Making a title run this season would be a bigger accomplishment to her.

For Ojeda, another ring would be the perfect ending to her breakthrough season.

“I’m hoping that this year will be the highlight of my career,” she said.