Photo by: Braden Villanueva
Maulupe Looks to Take (Another) Leap for CSUN Women's Hoops
10/21/2015 8:18:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Sophomore Guard Excited to Help Lead CSUN
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- While recently visiting her father's family in New Zealand, CSUN women's basketball redshirt sophomore Serafina Maulupe took the leap. Literally, as in plunging over the side of the Harbor Bridge in Auckland attached to a giant rubber band. Her first bungee jump behind her, Maulupe is looking to take another leap over the next several months with the target being Honda Center in March.
"Her greatest strength is her fearlessness. She's really fearless. It can be reckless, but that also rubs off positively on her teammates," CSUN head coach Jason Flowers said. "Her not backing down and accepting all challenges will help her and our team throughout the season.
A 5-8 sophomore guard, Maulupe is coming off a redshirt year in which she practiced with the Matadors but could not participate in competition due to NCAA Transfer Rules. After graduating from Vista Murrieta High School in 2013, Maulupe played a season in Blacksburg, VA for the Virginia Tech Hokies.
After deciding to leave VT and look for another program to continue her career, Maulupe wanted to find a coach that would help her achieve her goals of playing professional basketball.
"I was looking for a coach invested in helping me get where I want to go. That was the first thing Coach Flowers asked me about during our first conversation," Maulupe said. "All that hard work in practice becomes worth it in the end."
A former point guard at UC Irvine and UCLA, Flowers fully understands the nuances and responsibilities of the position. Having just sent two former Matadors to the pro ranks in Europe, he sees that same drive to improve in Serafina.
"She has shown the same thing she shown when she jumped off that bridge: fearlessness. Regardless of whom it is she is competing against, she is fearless," Flowers said. "She does not back down from anything or anybody and that is something that will help us this year."
Although it was tough not playing in games last season, Maulupe credits that year of challenging herself against a trio of 1,000-point-scoring guards with improving her conditioning and mentality.
"I knew what I was getting myself into, with Cinnamon, Ashlee and Janae being here. Being able to practice with them and watch them prepare really helped me," Maulupe added. "It was tough not being able to play games, but I was happy to support. Ultimately, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Last season showed me how to make my teammates successful and was a positive thing at the end of the day."
Last year also marked her first time sitting out from the game she loves for so long. The rush and adrenaline with the upcoming season just weeks away is something that drives Maulupe in practice.
"It is crazy to go from not playing for a year to finally knowing that call is coming," she said. It is a great feeling, knowing all the work you put into practice will get put to the test. It is a great feeling to get out on the floor and play. It is really a blessing and I can't wait to step on the floor with my teammates."
Another aspect of last year that Maulupe has appreciated has been getting to know the CSUN coaching staff and the way they conduct practices.
"Coach Flowers pushes you past your limits. He shows you that you are capable of doing more than you think and that it's all about mental toughness," Maulupe said. "On the court, he is tough and will let you know what you need to do. The entire staff is great to talk with and easy to approach off the court. All the coaches have made me a better and stronger person."
This year Maulupe, in her second season with the program, will actually be looked upon as a leader. The Matadors feature eight newcomers to the roster, a figure that comprises more than half the roster. Among those eight are five true freshmen and two other transfers new to Division I basketball.
"I love playing with these girls. It is something new. We are all still getting to know each other. Having a new group, it is a challenge, but I love challenges," she added. "Throughout the year, we will learn how to play together and for one another. We have to accept the challenge and keep learning. We have to be willing to put up the work. The coaches are guiding us but we have to put it in action to get where we want to be."
"We are excited about all of our newcomers and returners stepping into new roles on the team," Flowers added. "On the floor, Serafina is going to have to take on some responsibility that has been vacated. I think she is more than capable and excited about the challenge. It may in fact be part of the reason she came here, knowing the situation and knowing that there was going to be responsibility. She has worked hard since joining the program and we expect her to compete like she does every day."
So when he heard Maulupe took the plunge, consider him a little less than enthusiastic.
"My initial reaction was to find a way to get into contact with her immediately despite her being thousands of miles away," a subdued, but smiling, Flowers said. "We had a good conversation, though the talk was mostly one-sided and more of a teaching moment."
With that experience behind her, Maulupe is hoping to show that same fearlessness when she takes the floor for the Matadors.
"Her greatest strength is her fearlessness. She's really fearless. It can be reckless, but that also rubs off positively on her teammates," CSUN head coach Jason Flowers said. "Her not backing down and accepting all challenges will help her and our team throughout the season.
A 5-8 sophomore guard, Maulupe is coming off a redshirt year in which she practiced with the Matadors but could not participate in competition due to NCAA Transfer Rules. After graduating from Vista Murrieta High School in 2013, Maulupe played a season in Blacksburg, VA for the Virginia Tech Hokies.
After deciding to leave VT and look for another program to continue her career, Maulupe wanted to find a coach that would help her achieve her goals of playing professional basketball.
"I was looking for a coach invested in helping me get where I want to go. That was the first thing Coach Flowers asked me about during our first conversation," Maulupe said. "All that hard work in practice becomes worth it in the end."
A former point guard at UC Irvine and UCLA, Flowers fully understands the nuances and responsibilities of the position. Having just sent two former Matadors to the pro ranks in Europe, he sees that same drive to improve in Serafina.
"She has shown the same thing she shown when she jumped off that bridge: fearlessness. Regardless of whom it is she is competing against, she is fearless," Flowers said. "She does not back down from anything or anybody and that is something that will help us this year."
Although it was tough not playing in games last season, Maulupe credits that year of challenging herself against a trio of 1,000-point-scoring guards with improving her conditioning and mentality.
"I knew what I was getting myself into, with Cinnamon, Ashlee and Janae being here. Being able to practice with them and watch them prepare really helped me," Maulupe added. "It was tough not being able to play games, but I was happy to support. Ultimately, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Last season showed me how to make my teammates successful and was a positive thing at the end of the day."
Last year also marked her first time sitting out from the game she loves for so long. The rush and adrenaline with the upcoming season just weeks away is something that drives Maulupe in practice.
"It is crazy to go from not playing for a year to finally knowing that call is coming," she said. It is a great feeling, knowing all the work you put into practice will get put to the test. It is a great feeling to get out on the floor and play. It is really a blessing and I can't wait to step on the floor with my teammates."
Another aspect of last year that Maulupe has appreciated has been getting to know the CSUN coaching staff and the way they conduct practices.
"Coach Flowers pushes you past your limits. He shows you that you are capable of doing more than you think and that it's all about mental toughness," Maulupe said. "On the court, he is tough and will let you know what you need to do. The entire staff is great to talk with and easy to approach off the court. All the coaches have made me a better and stronger person."
This year Maulupe, in her second season with the program, will actually be looked upon as a leader. The Matadors feature eight newcomers to the roster, a figure that comprises more than half the roster. Among those eight are five true freshmen and two other transfers new to Division I basketball.
"I love playing with these girls. It is something new. We are all still getting to know each other. Having a new group, it is a challenge, but I love challenges," she added. "Throughout the year, we will learn how to play together and for one another. We have to accept the challenge and keep learning. We have to be willing to put up the work. The coaches are guiding us but we have to put it in action to get where we want to be."
"We are excited about all of our newcomers and returners stepping into new roles on the team," Flowers added. "On the floor, Serafina is going to have to take on some responsibility that has been vacated. I think she is more than capable and excited about the challenge. It may in fact be part of the reason she came here, knowing the situation and knowing that there was going to be responsibility. She has worked hard since joining the program and we expect her to compete like she does every day."
So when he heard Maulupe took the plunge, consider him a little less than enthusiastic.
"My initial reaction was to find a way to get into contact with her immediately despite her being thousands of miles away," a subdued, but smiling, Flowers said. "We had a good conversation, though the talk was mostly one-sided and more of a teaching moment."
With that experience behind her, Maulupe is hoping to show that same fearlessness when she takes the floor for the Matadors.
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