By Nathan Martinson
UWRF Sports Information

Chisato Nakaike is one of only two seniors on the Falcon women's basketball team.

In this, her final year, she has started three games and played in all seven Falcon contests.

"I love everyone here at RF. Basketball has helped me make a lot of great friends and I just love everything about America. This is a great basketball country," Nakaike said.

In 2004, Nakaike averaged 1.5 points and .5 rebounds per game. She also made five three-pointers for the season.

Nakaike will be relied on heavily this season to step up and play good defense and handle the ball in clutch situations.

"Chisato has been steadily improving over the years with her basketball skills. She has become a better defender as well as a consistent ball handler," Falcon Coach Cindy Hover said.

Nakaike has scored 12 points and grabbed four rebounds this year. She has one assist, one blocked shot and one steal to her credit. She has hit on 3-9 shots from three-point range.

She has been getting a little bit more playing time every year and this season she is averaging about 10 minutes of playing time per contest.

Nakaike, 5-8, uses her good defensive abilities and solid ball handling skills to help contribute to the team night in and night out.

"She's always been a good shooter and defender," Hovet said.

Nakaike grew up in Fukui, Japan and she went to school at Shogyo High School where she played basketball.

At Shogyo, she was named one of the 16 best players in the Fukui International championships and was a Best five at the National Athletic Meet.

"My Dad was my high school coach which was hard because he expected a lot out of me and he would have something to say for everything I did after every game and practice," Nakaike said.

Nakaike is majoring in marketing communications and has a minor in international studies.

Nakaike has had a lot to deal with over the years because coming to America and having to learn a new language was hard enough let alone try to play basketball here.

"Basketball here and in Japan is a lot different. It was very hard for me in the beginning because I could not understand anyone and when I would get yelled at I wasn't really sure what I did wrong because I didn't know what they were saying," Nakaike said.

Nakaike expects a lot of herself and her teammates. She hopes to have a successful season because this is her last as a Falcon.

She feels that the team will develop good chemistry and have a good season and have more wins (17) than they did last year.

There are a lot of new faces on the team this year and Nakaike feels that they will contribute and make the team better this season.

She also feels that they have a great shot to contend this season or be one of the top teams in the conference.

"I will miss playing basketball here at RF. Right now I'm just loving every minute of it and I'm working hard everyday in practice. I would also like to thank everyone here for their support and being so nice to me," Nakaike said.

Chisato Nakaike