10 Questions With Women's Basketball Haley Van Dyke

Accountable. Dependable. Reliable.

Haley Van Dyke will go down in Husky hoops history as an all-timer

A CONVERSATION WITH BOB SHERWIN FOR GO HUSKIES MAGAZINE

Throughout two difficult seasons deal ing with the pandemic restrictions, the transition to a new coaching staff and dozens of teammates moving on and off the roster, there has been one constant in the University of Washington women’s basketball program.

Senior Haley Van Dyke. Count on her. The Huskies 6-foot-1 forward has been unfail ingly reliable to the UW program. Van Dyke, from Walnut Creek, Calif., is on pace to play in as many basketball games as anyone in Husky history. She is in her fifth season – an extra year granted by the NCAA to compensate for athletes who may have been deprived of playing opportunities during the impact of COVID-19.

Entering the season, Van Dyke had played in all 105 of a possible 105 games in her career. Over the past two seasons, she started 43 of a possible 44 games.

During her first three seasons, she played under head coach Jody Wynn’s staff. When Coach Tina Langley and her staff took over last season, Van Dyke started all 23 games, led the team in scor ing at 11.0 points per game and was named to the Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 Team.

She has been dependable — someone the coaching staff can count on again this season as the floor and locker room leader. Here’s a 10-ques tion insight into Haley Van Dyke.

How did it all start for you back in your hometown of Walnut Creek?

“Actually, I played pretty much every sport growing up: swim team for a while, softball, volleyball, soccer. I started basketball in eighth grade, pretty late into it. I wasn’t like super into basketball until I realized I could do it. I happened to be pretty good at it and stuck with it. It was the only sport that didn’t really get boring for me.’’

Who influenced you the most in high school?

“My AAU coach was my high school coach, Art Toms. He was the big reason I am where I am right now. He saw my potential and pushed me to be that player. ’’

You went to Campolindo High in Moraga, Calif. Were there other D1 athletes you played with who accepted a D1 scholarship?

“Art Toms’ daughter, Ashley Toms. She plays for the University of Ha waii now. She was in my grade and a big reason why I stayed playing. She was my best friend growing up and we pushed each other to be better.’’

When you arrived at UW in 2018 as a freshman, what was your reaction?

“There were so many rude awakenings. It was hard. It was a very big transition for me … just the level of play, especially the Pac-12. Everyone has a high IQ on the court. It’s more strategy. I wasn’t used to that. I was just used to using my athleticism. Coming to this level, everyone was as good or better than me. I had to use my mind a little more.’’

You’ve been a big part of the program for all four years. How has your leadership transition been through the years??

“It’s been a big transition. Coming up, I was shy, I wasn’t very confron tational, I wasn’t loud. But I think with our new coach (Langley) I’m now using my voice as much as I needed to. I think she’s a big reason why I've gotten out of my shell and am able to lead the younger girls. Coach Tina kind of instilled that in me. I’ve got more confidence in that area. I’ve come full circle.’’

Who do you play for now?

“I play for my team and my staff. I want to play well every day for them. I want to be consistent every day for them. I want to come in and set an example for them so everyone will do the same. I think we all play for each other, honestly. One of our values is servanthood. I think that’s definitely the reason why I play, to serve my team and my coaches.’’

Why UW?

“Kelsey Plum (UW’s all-time scoring leader, 3,527 points). And I love the colors and I also loved the team. I had a good connection with the coaching staff. This is my dream school. I was really excited to come here.’’

Away from the court, what keeps your interest

I’ve been into cooking recently, nutrition, making things from scratch. It feels good to do that.’’

Tell me about the social media ‘cleanse’ all the players went through from Oct. 1-14?

“The whole team agreed to do it. It wasn’t the coach that made us do it. She brought it to our attention and we said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.’ It really helped us all. We had lots of time to figure out what we’d like to do other than basketball and being on our phones. I did a lot of reading and cook ing. We all came back refreshed, more mentally prepared. More time with ourselves than our phone. It worked out for everyone for the better.’’

Are you solidly a member of Gen Z, or a blend of generations?

“I might be, I don’t know. I feel less Gen Z because it’s so social mediabased, although I am still on social media a lot. But I still love old movies from the 90s. And I love Disney movies.’’

Haley Van Dyke