ELIZABETH CITY, NC- 2019-2020 CIAA Rookie of the Year, sophomore guard NyAsia Blango took time to reflect on the success of her freshman season, staying active during COVID-19, and setting goals for the upcoming season.
During the 2019-2020 season, Blango was awarded CIAA Rookie of the Week four times, two of those occurring consecutively.
Blango felt extremely honored with each awarding because in her opinion, she was not playing her best. She says those moments evoked "an unexplainable feeling like when you are being blessed when you feel like you are sitting in a valley." I felt as if that was God's way of telling her that He could see all of her hard work, even though she did not feel it.
When looking back on her freshman season, Blango said that she grew as a player both mentally and physically despite the many challenges she faced.
"I went through a period where I doubted myself," shared Blango. "In the beginning, I was making a lot of mistakes while I was trying to adjust and figure out my role on the team."
Blango got out of her place of self-doubt with the guidance and encouragement from former head coach and CIAA Hall of Famer, Antonio Davis.
"Coach really invested his time in me and believed in me. He shared some of his own experiences that made me feel really comfortable and let me know that even mistakes are a part of the process."
Blango cites that though her coach was a big motivator, her family was and will always be an even bigger motivator.
The Havelock, NC native is grateful for her "undeniable support system." She says that she would be really surprised if her family was not in the stands because they are always there cheering her on regardless of where she plays.
She feels that it is her duty to work hard and make something of herself so she can let her family know that the time, effort, and money that they have invested in her has not gone to waste.
STAYING ACTIVE
Like the entire world, Blango's summer and fall plans did not go as expected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the restrictions caused by the pandemic, Blango continued to work out and prepare for this season.
Though they cannot get into any gyms as much as they would like, Blango tries to get as much time on a court as she can and make sure her and her teammates are still focused.
Blango also found time for some fun during the quarantine period by going jet skiing for the first time this summer with her mother for her birthday.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SEASON
This season will be very different as the Vikings have welcomed new head coach Tynesha Lewis and of course the unpredictability of the pandemic, but Blango says she is very excited to see what she and her teammates can accomplish during this unusual season.
"A majority of our team is coming back and we built a good chemistry this past season, so I am confident going to war with this group of girls."
After having such an outstanding first season as a Viking, Blango set some goals for herself for her sophomore season.
"I want to be more effective and efficient. I feel like I could have had a bigger impact on the defensive end last year."
The sophomore guard is adamant about acknowledging the growth she has experienced since last season. Knowing she could have made better decisions laid the foundation for her to develop a personal plan on how she wants to improve.
"Offensively, I want to make better decisions by getting the ball in the right person's hands at the right time and getting better at the line."
NyAsia is the type of player any coach would be happy to have on their roster. Her focus on personal development and emphasis on team camaraderie is commendable and conducive to the culture we are building here at ECSU.
Blango's positive attitude, faith based perspectives, ability to adapt to new situations, and love for her team will do her well during the 2020-2021 season and in life after ECSU.
The last song she listens to before every game is Big by Pastor Mike Jr., she says her sophomore season is "gonna be big" and "God's 'bout to blow [her] mind."
