Chi State Pod: Ana Haklicka

During her basketball offseason, Ana Haklicka played more basketball.
 
Chicago State's sophomore point guard from Dubrovnik, Croatia represented her country at the FIBA under-20 European Challengers, where Haklicka battled with her longtime Croatian teammates.
 
 "We had a really tough schedule, and being there for six days, playing five games, it was pretty exhausting," Haklicka said. "But we got through it. Playing for the national team, you have 150 percent."
 
Haklicka first played for Team Croatia when she was 14. Side-by-side with many of the same teammates from her youth, she experienced another moment of euphoria.
 
"Just putting on the jersey gives you that extra spice," Haklicka said. "It's different. It's unexplainable. You're playing for the people. You're playing for teammates."
 
 
On episode 27 of the Chi State Pod, Haklicka reflects both on the grueling yet rewarding tournament and on her mindset entering sophomore season. Click here to listen.
 
In a few weeks, Haklicka will return to Chicago to start her sophomore year at Chicago State. In year two playing Division I basketball in America, she'll have to continue to adjust to a once-foreign style of play in which fouls are called far more than in Europe.
 
"I like to play hard defense," Haklicka said. "It took me a while. But once I adjusted my game, it was all fine."
 
In head coach Tiffany Sardin's second season at the helm, Haklicka will soon re-join the team and meet a fresh batch of new teammates.
 
"Last year was tough for everyone," Haklicka said. "Not just for us, but for all teams. Now, we have a lot of new players, and I can't wait to meet them and start practicing with them. I can't wait to see everyone in person, finally. We missed the physical contact — to feel people and not just see them over the computer. I can't wait to come back."
 
For more from Haklicka, tune in to the latest edition of the Chi State Pod:

 

Chi State Pod is hosted and produced by Sam Brief. Music is courtesy of David Brief and Channel J. You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.