What We Learned from Dallas Wings Practice Before Facing Toyota Antelopes
As the Dallas Wings near their first home preseason game against Japan’s Toyota Antelopes, training camp has continued to reveal themes of connectivity, leadership, and adaptation under new head coach Chris Koclanes. Friday’s practice provided insight into how this group is bonding on and off the court with just days remaining until the regular season.
For Koclanes, Friday’s practice emphasized stacking purposeful days and continuing to sharpen the team’s ability to play with structure while allowing for improvisation.
“A lot of intention offensively today,” Koclanes said. “Just trying to make sure everyone feels comfortable with their purpose in terms of running in transition and establishing our initial spacing. If we can do that consistently, we can truly flow.”
Dallas Wings Continue to Build Chemistry
As the roster continues to take shape, Koclanes is also balancing playing time and chemistry-building ahead of Saturday’s game.
“We’re trying to find that balance of continuing to build chemistry with the eight we know are going to be on our roster, while still providing other players opportunities to scratch and claw to make this final roster,” he said.
Defensively, the Wings have zeroed in on screen navigation and team communication — a point of emphasis for rookie guard Paige Bueckers and a teaching point for the staff.
“They got their first taste against Vegas of how much quicker and more physical this league is,” Koclanes said. “It takes effort and desire. Yes, technical skills matter, but a lot of it comes down to fight.”
Koclanes singled out veteran forward Kaila Charles as one of the team’s practice standouts.
“She hasn’t backed down from anyone and raises the level of whatever team she’s on with her physicality,” he said. “We’ve challenged her to guard Paige, to guard on the ball, to guard Tariq. She’s been guarding everyone.”
Koclanes also pointed to the need for internal accountability to emerge from within the roster.
“We won’t reach our goals until that accountability starts to come from within the team,” he said. “I’m waiting to see who on this team is going to be the bad cop, who’s going to lead us.”
As for the opponent, Koclanes expects Saturday’s matchup to be fast-paced.
“They’re fast. They fly around and shoot the ball,” he said of the Antelopes. “It should be a fun brand.”
Maddy Siegrist Finding Her Voice, Stretching Her Game
Now the longest-tenured player on the roster, forward Maddy Siegrist has embraced a leadership role entering her third season. Known for her quiet consistency, Siegrist says she’s starting to speak up more.
“I’m a little on the quieter side, so I try to lead by example,” she said. “But I’m definitely using my voice and trying to be a calming presence.”
Siegrist has focused on securing extra possessions through rebounding and rim running, while also adding more perimeter versatility.
“I’ve been working on my three-point shooting a ton,” she said. “I want to not only be a threat but consistently knock down a couple every night.”
Asked about one under-the-radar strength of the team, she pointed to competitiveness and adaptability.
“We compete — and we’re really versatile,” Siegrist said. “When you put those two things together, you’re going to get some good results.”
She also acknowledged the surreal moment of Villanova alum Pope Leo XIV being selected.
“We got out of practice yesterday and I had like a hundred texts and missed calls,” she said, laughing. “Then I saw who the calls were from — the president, all our people at Villanova — and I’m like, ‘What’s going on here?’ It’s pretty wild.”
Friday’s practice included a heavy emphasis on defense following a day spent focused on offensive structure.
“Yesterday we did a big offense practice, so today was a big defensive practice,” Siegrist said. “When it’s not the first action, but like the third action you’re defending — making sure we’re still communicating through that.”
NaLyssa Smith Settling In, Bonding with Maisha Hines-Allen
NaLyssa Smith, who joined the Wings via trade from Indiana, has quickly adapted to her new surroundings in Dallas. A vocal presence in camp, she’s leaned on Maisha Hines-Allen for guidance and inspiration.
“Usually, you bond more with people that are in your position,” Smith said. “So I’d definitely say Maisha. She sees the floor really well and is very patient when she plays. That’s something I’m trying to take from her — just slowing down a little bit.”
Smith said the team is starting to jell as the second week of camp wraps up.
“We’re finally starting to settle in with the group we have,” she said. “People are learning each other a lot more — where people like to shoot from, what their spots are.”
That progress has shown especially on defense.
“I feel like we’re pulling each other like a string now,” Smith said. “When somebody helps, we’ve got their back. It’s all coming together.”
Off the court, Smith praised the welcome she’s received in North Texas.
“It’s been great,” she said. “A lot of people here have welcomed me, invited me places. There are just a lot of welcoming people here in Dallas–Fort Worth. It’s been good for me.”
Asked about the experience of being surrounded by elite talent in the gym, Smith emphasized how competitive and productive the environment has been.
“I mean, you can’t go wrong — everybody can hit an open shot,” she said. “Everybody brings upside to their game. We’re all pushing each other. We all want to win. So when you’re around five, ten, twelve people who want to win, it just makes you keep pushing.”
Injury Report: Tyasha Harris and Luisa Geiselsöder Ruled Out
As the Wings prepare for their preseason finale, the team will be without two players: Tyasha Harris and Luisa Geiselsöder.
Harris returned to full-contact practice earlier this week for the first time since suffering a left knee injury that sidelined her throughout training camp. However, it appears the team is being cautious.
“She sure did [practice],” Koclanes said. “She’s in there mixing it up — easing her back in, but it was full contact. She went live against our shells and against the guys, and she responded well.”
Harris averaged 10.5 points and 3.0 assists in 39 games last season and is expected to play a critical role backing up starters Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale. Her status remains day-to-day as the regular season approaches, but she projects to have an important role in the backcourt rotation.
“She’s incredible. She brings a calming presence to everybody,” Koclanes said. “She can fill gaps, play comfortably off the ball, dominate the ball, and get us into our sets. And if things get a little wacky, she can bring everyone together — chill. We’re good.”
Geiselsöder remains unavailable due to professional obligations in France. She signed a training camp contract with the Wings in February but continues to compete for Basket Landes in the Ligue Féminine de Basketball. Her absence is unrelated to injury, and her future with the Wings remains uncertain.
What’s Next
The Wings will host the Toyota Antelopes in an exhibition game Saturday at College Park Center. It will be the team’s final preseason tune-up before WNBA rosters must be finalized by May 15.
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