For one of the smaller WSU players, Rosie Tarnowski plays loud and she plays tall.

The 6-foot-1 freshman forward and guard brings a new vocality to the WSU women’s basketball team. Hailing from faraway Philadelphia, Tarnowski is a building block in Head Coach June Daugherty’s much-heralded recruiting class.

At practice Wednesday, Tarnowski constantly encouraged her teammates, urging them to finish strong in the last of the day’s drills. She said her voice and her speed make up for her height – two assets Daugherty pushes her to share with teammates.

“It’s like, when we take to the floor, I’m letting them know where the offense is,” Tarnowski said. “It’s something they appreciate and our whole team is working on getting on the same page and getting more vocal.” Daugherty said she realized Tarnowski was vocal on day one. Whether the team was conditioning or running drills, the freshman was motivating her teammates. Daugherty said those skills are already spotlighting Tarnowski as a future leader in the program.

“She’s like the Energizer bunny, the motor’s always running,” Daugherty said. “It shows in the way she talks and does everything.” Anthony Tarnowski, a graduate student in business, said this is nothing new for his little sister.

“When she was younger, she always played taller than she was,” he said. “She’s always been a leader, always been vocal. She’s definitely a competitor.” Off the court, Anthony said Rosie is the friendliest person he knows, perfectly at home talking to complete strangers. He said she’s always stood out, even as a long-time defensive player.

Anthony was proud to watch his sister take to Friel Court, something he sees as a brave step into the intimidating Pac-10.

“No matter what she’s doing, she’s always being in charge, letting people know what they’re doing and what they need to be doing,” he said.

Though she’s known for her voice, Tarnowski wants to make sure her four years in Cougar basketball are transformative. After nervously missing a few easy shots in the first exhibition game, she’s working on her release, jump shot and posting up, she said.

“There’s always going to be something to work on. I hope to just work to my fullest potential,” she said.

And Tarnowski has started strong, racking up 14 points in the team’s first game. As the excitement builds for Pac-10 play, she’s working to learn Daugherty’s system and improve in practice.

“We’re still learning a lot,” Tarnowski said. “We’re expected to perform at every practice as if it’s a game. I’m just not sure what to expect.” And though she’s still transitioning to life in Pullman - with some help from Anthony’s homemade Philly cheesesteaks – Tarnowski said she just couldn’t turn down Daugherty’s offer to be a part of something big.

“I knew it was going to be a lot different from home, but it’s a true college town,” Tarnowski said. “I believe in what she’s trying to do here, to build a new championship era.”