Once the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team takes the floor for the 2020-2021 season there will be nine new faces and fans will be wondering "who are they and how can they help the team?" Two of those nine will immediately stick out merely because of their size. Junior college transfers Alicja Falkowska and Channel Noah stand at 6'5 and 6'4 respectfully. With their size, the duo will cause headaches across the Big West Conference. Learn more about the two towering figures as they prepare for their first season together at UH. 

Question: What was it that brought you to UH and made you think, "this is the right fit for me?"
Alicja Falkowska: The atmosphere and the vibes I received once I visited. The coaches really made me feel good and I felt like I could really develop as a player under their coaching. Plus when I met my teammates for the first time, they immediately made me feel comfortable. 
Channel Noah: I studied Coach Beeman's program and fell in love with her coaching style, as well as her incredible staff. Also, the fact that I could live in a paradise.

Q: What's your background and where are you from? Where do you call home?
AF: My home is Poland. I'm from a small town called Kosow Lacki. I completed two years of playing in junior college at Panola College in Texas.
CN: I'm originally from Cameroon but also grew up in Bordeaux, France; they are both my home. I started playing basketball in 2015 when I met Vincent Mbassi. Coach Mbassi is very renowned and started the Kameet Basketball Academy where he has trained the most iconic French basketball players in the world. I was very fortunate to have met Coach Mbassi who is not only my coach and mentor back home but also a father figure to me. In 2016 I joined the Basketball Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration (BLMA) where I started to believe in myself and my abilities. In 2018 I traveled to Texas where I completed two years at the South Plains junior college. Basketball has given me a wonderful life.

Q: How have you adjusted to the culture of the United States? First at your junior college, now Hawai'i?
AF: It was pretty hard at first. I had to learn a new language but I adjusted well here. It's a lot different than the culture I grew up in but when I was in junior college, I met new people and being part of a team made the transition easier for me. 
CN: I adjusted to the culture in the United States with the help of my friends and teammates. Taking government, history, communications, and English courses enabled me to embrace the American culture as well as watching news, social media, listening to music, and watching television programs about American fashion. Now I'm in Hawai'i, it's a totally different type of mindset and feels like its own foreign country. I like the mix of cultures on the island. I love the connection Hawaiians have with nature and their traditions.

Q: Now you've been here in Hawai'i for a few months, what are you doing for fun?
AF: I haven't been able to explore too much because of COVID-19 but I still enjoy going to the beach and going out to eat with friends.
CN: Honestly, I love the UH basketball gym. Since I've been here my passion for basketball has increased due to my teammates, the great leadership, and the very efficient (and especially funny) coaching staff. I haven't felt this good about basketball since I first started playing basketball with my coach back home. Besides that, I've been practicing yoga in Waikiki, enjoying the beaches, hiking the trails, shopping, reading in the park, and swimming.

Q: On the basketball court, what is your playing style?
AF: I would say I'm more of a "pick-and-pop" type of player. I like to shoot mid-range jumpers. 
CN: I'm a post player. I don't really know my favorite style yet, but from what people say, I like to go in the paint, post up and either finish with the hook shot or drop step and two dribble reverse. I also love to get outside the paint and attempt a long jumper or drive in for a lay-up. I like to mix it up and get out of my comfort zone. Like I always say, "Smart-Calm-Focus".

Q: How has the coaching staff helped you so far to prepare for the season?
AF: Coach Beeman has helped build my confidence to step out of my comfort zone, which is inside the paint, and that has helped a lot with my shot.
CN: By teaching me some new tricks that I could not have imagined. They have also helped me become more patient with myself on and off the court. They're always there for me to offer advice and teach me how to be a great, independent woman in my day-to-day life.

Q: There are two other players over 6'2 (including Barbara Rangel) at the center position with you. How do the three of you work together to make each other better?
AF:  By competing against each other every day and continuing to push each other to do better even when we are tired.
CN: We fight! Fight! Fight! We challenge each other every practice and get the best out of each other. I love it. It makes me work even harder. We also cheer each other on, and if one of us is down we offer support. Barbara (Rangel) is very strong. She helps me to work on gaining strength and quickness. While Ala is pretty long. She helps me work on my shot fake to not get blocked. 

Q: After being in practice the last month-plus, what do you think of this team so far?
AF: Our team is in a really good place considering how much adversity we've had to face and how different this season is shaping up to be.
CN: I believe we have incredible pieces on this team, in all positions, and I believe we can win a championship if we stay focused and determined.  We all learn from each other and are becoming great friends. I love this team and how hard we work. I believe in us.

Q: Who are your best friends on the team and why?
AF: Definitely Kylie (Yung) and Kodee (Dakota Viena). They're always there to support me and help if needed. 
CN: I'm pretty close with everyone, especially Olivia (Davies), and Barbara (Rangel).

Q: What are your personal goals for this season and what you want to accomplish? 
AF: Get better at finding the best scoring position, as well as being a better defender so I'm not fouling and putting the other team on the free-throw line.
CN:  My only goal is to win a championship ring and to be the best at my position. It will require me to work harder, smarter, and to remain focused.