2006-07 PAC Women's Basketball Preview

BETHANY BISON (9-16 Overall, 5-7 PAC)
Last year, the Bethany College women’s basketball team entered the season with seven freshmen on the roster, which led to quite a few inconsistencies during a 9-17 season that saw the Bison finish tied for fourth in the PAC.

Looking ahead to this season, six of those seven freshmen have returned as sophomores with a full year of college basketball under their belts. That still means third-year head coach Rebecca Upton will deal with some youthful errors from a roster that features nine players who have one year or less of basketball experience above the high school level.

“We are still really young but we have a lot of talent,” said Upton, who has an 18-33 record in her two years at the helm. “As can be the case with a lot of young teams, defense is where we’ll have to step it up. The thing is, the young players will be contributors for us this year, which is always positive for the future.”

The main area that could see fresh faces is in the backcourt, where the Bison three-guard offense will have to replace First Team All-PAC selection Jenny Place. She averaged 19.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game last season and led the team in scoring in 19 of their 26 games.

One returning starter who is expected to pick up some of the scoring load is junior Lisa Mitchell. She was third on the team in scoring with 10.0 points per game and also shot 40.8 percent from the floor. Mitchell was strong in conference action, as she connected on 40 percent of her three-pointers and 82 percent of her free throws in PAC play.

“Lisa is who we will look to for the bulk of our scoring this year,” said Upton. “She came back stronger, in better shape and with a lot more confidence this year, so we’re looking for her to be a leader on the floor.”

There are three players battling for the other two starting backcourt jobs, including two freshmen. The lone veteran in the mix is sophomore Caelyn DiSanti, an athletic point guard who played in all 26 games a year ago, including 17 starts. She averaged 5.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game as a freshman but is being pushed by newcomers Nicole Thompson and Brooke Orange.

“We have a good situation at guard because we have three good players fighting it out for two starting spots,” said Upton. “For Caelyn, her quickness and physicality is what makes her successful and she is also one of our better defenders.

“Nicole has a lot of basketball smarts and is a savvy player,” said Upton. “She has good court vision and makes great reads both in transition and in the half court. Brooke is just a competitor and a scorer. She’ll find ways to score, whether it’s from the outside or attacking the basket, and she also rebounds well for her size.”

Others in the mix for minutes include freshman Jennifer Scarborough, sophomores Antoinette Douglas and Tiffany Lane, junior Staci Luehm and seniors Lindsay Ammirante and Abbey Scarsella, who is back after studying overseas last year.

“Abbey could see some spot minutes at guard,” said Upton. “She missed last year because she was studying in Spain but has come back stronger. She takes care of the ball and can knock down shots when she’s open.”

There is also steep competition in the front court, where four experienced players are contending for the most time. Last year’s starters, senior captain Courtney Irwin (right) and sophomore Mandi Swiger are back, as are sophomore Renee Brandenburg and Michele Hunzinger.

The Bison could look to second-year captain Irwin quite a bit this season after she averaged 11 points and nearly six rebounds to earn Honorable Mention All-PAC laurels. She can team with Swiger, who totaled 6.6 points and 5.3 boards per game, to give the Bison a very athletic duo underneath.

Bethany could also lean towards Brandenburg, who in addition to averaging 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, also blocked a team-high 19 shots last season, or Hunzinger (1.3 pts., 1.3 rebs), a banger who may have improved the most from last season. Whatever combination Upton decides to put on the floor, she knows it can present problems to opposing defenses.

“Courtney is one of the fastest posts in the PAC,” said Upton. “She fits in very well with our style of play and does a lot of damage in transition. Mandi can as well, although she is also more of a bruiser inside, which she needs to because she’s undersized.

“With Renee, I think she is our best interior defender against a true post and also has a soft touch around the bucket,” said Upton. “And Michele came back much stronger, which helped better her post moves. She made the decision she wanted to be a steady contributor this season and it shows in her all-around improved play.

“Right now, I’m not sure how this will work out in terms of playing time but I know it will allow us to mix things up during the season because all four of our posts can bring different things to the floor,” said Upton.

Among the goals for Upton’s squad this season include playing with more stability both offensively and defensively, which should help lead to a winning season. And if the Bison, who were picked fifth in the conference preseason poll, are able to do that, they could be right in the middle of what Upton feels is a wide open PAC race.

“Since we’re still young, we need to tighten up defensively and actually just play with more consistency on both ends of the floor,” said Upton. “If we can do those things, because there really isn’t a dominant team in the PAC, I think we have a chance to be right in the middle of the race all season long.”

The Bison will tip off their 2006-07 season Friday November 17, at 8 p.m. against Ohio Northern University in the Allegheny (Pa.) College Tip-Off Tournament,

GROVE CITY WOLVERINES (7-18 Overall, 3-9 PAC)
A new era of Grove City College women's basketball commences this season as 2003 Wheaton (Ill.) College grad Sarah Harris takes over as head coach.

While Harris and her coaching staff are new to the Grove City program this season, there are a number of familiar names back in the fold as the Wolverines look to bounce back from a 7-19 campaign in 2005-06.

Four starters are back for Grove City, including two-time All-Presidents' Athletic Conference selection Rachel McCoy (left). A 6-foot-1 junior forward, McCoy led Grove City in scoring (15.1 ppg), rebounding (9.0 rpg), assists (58) and blocks (52) last year and earned Second Team All-PAC. As a freshman in 2004-05, McCoy earned the league's Freshman of the Year award and First Team All-PAC recognition. \

Two other juniors also return to the starting lineup in 5-8 guard Shannon Overdorff and 5-11 junior forward Brittany Anderson. Overdorff started 25 games and led the team with 826 minutes played (31.8 mpg).

Anderson averaged six points and six rebounds per game in her first year as a starter. Both Anderson and Overdorff are two-year letterwinners.

Senior guard Elyse Bogusz led Grove City with 40 three-point goals in her first year as a starter. Bogusz averaged 8.7 points per game and also hauled in three rebounds per game.

The Wolverines will also rely on three sophomores who all played extensively as rookies in 2005-06. Guard Raeann Szelong played in 25 games, including one start, and dished out 51 assists. 

Forward Jennifer Wiley averaged 4.7 points and three rebounds in her freshman season. The 6-1 Wiley played in all 26 games last year. Mallory Skarupa, a 6-foot sophomore forward, is also back after making three starts and 25 total appearances last year. Skarupa shot 47 percent from the floor.

Grove City will also rely on as many as seven newcomers this year, including 5-9 senior forward Sarah Bray (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway), a three-year track and field letterwinner.

The Wolverines will open the 2006-07 season November 17-18 at the Frostburg State Tournament.

THIEL TOMCATS (7-18 Overall, 5-7 PAC)
The Thiel College women’s basketball team returns seven players from last season’s squad that finished the year 7-19 overall and 5-7 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC).

Four of those seven are returning starters.

“I like our chances,” said third-year head coach Artina Trader, whose team entered last year’s PAC Championships as the number three team in the conference. “Yes, we have everybody coming back but so do a lot of other teams in the conference.

“I think that, overall, the PAC is a much better league than it has been in the past, especially in the last three years.”

Thiel lost just one player, guard Heather Abate, off of last year’s team due to graduation.

“I think any time you lose senior leadership, it’s a big loss,” Trader said. “You lose someone with four years’ playing experience.”

Among the returning starters are senior forwards Fontella Jones and Nicole Valentino. Jones, a two-time (2004, 2005) All-PAC honorable mention pick, started 25 of the Tomcats’ 26 games last season, averaging 11.2 points per game with seven rebounds per contest. Valentino, a 2004 All-PAC second team pick who started all 26 games last season, averaged 10.5 points per game with 4.7 rebounds per game.

“Coming in behind (Abate) we have Fontella Jones and Nicole Valentino, who I think will do a very good job of filling that senior leadership role,” Trader said. “They have been through this program for four years and hopefully they can take us over that hump.

“We have gotten to a point where it’s time for us to start winning more games in the PAC. We have been close and I think they can help us over the edge.”

Also back this season is sophomore forward Amber Bodrick (right), who was named to the D3hoops.com All-Great Lakes Region Second Team after her freshman campaign. Bodrick, who led the PAC in rebounding (9.4 rpg) and finished second in scoring, was also named to the All-PAC First Team.

Four other major contributors from last year’s team are also back, including sophomores Catie Sieber, Jena Cook, Taylor Radeff and Diana Schell.

“They had a lot of playing time last year,” Trader said of her sophomore class. “That puts them slightly ahead of the curve. They all got playing time and I think they’re ready to step up this season.”

Cook and Schell played in 25 and 24 of the Tomcats’ games last season, respectively.

“It was just too bad Catie tore her ACL early in the season,” Trader said. “Up until then she was starting and very effective. She was our defensive stopper.”

The women’s basketball program is also pleased to add forward Jasmin Jones and Christy Warren as newcomers to the squad.

Thiel will open its 2006-07 season Nov. 18 at the College of Wooster’s Nan Nichols Tournament against Olivet College (1 p.m.).

THOMAS MORE SAINTS (18-7 Overall, 10-2 PAC)
Coming off a season in which they won 20 games and advanced to the championship game of the PAC tournament, the Saints are looking to put the final pieces of the puzzle together under third-year coach Brian Neal. They have increased their win totals in each of the two seasons with Neal at the helm, and this could be his best team yet.

“It’s taken some time, but we feel this is the most talented, deepest and experienced team in our three years here,” said Neal. “Those ingredients give us a lot of confidence that we can compete for a PAC championship and ultimately a spot in the NCAA tournament.”

Thomas More returns four starters and two other players with at least 10-plus collegiate starts coming into the season. The starters are supplemented by six additional letterwinners, three transfers and a host of freshmen.

“We are definitely counting on that experience,” said Neal. “Knowing what it takes (to be successful) when it comes to crunch time and big games. You just don’t come in and win big games, it’s a process. There are successes and failures, and you build on all of that and hopefully that gets you to a championship level.

“When we take the floor on a daily basis, our goal is to be the best team we can be,” Neal continued. “Obviously we want to win the PAC, advance to the NCAA tournament and ultimately win a national championship. But, like I tell the players, that’s our motivation, not our focus. If we play hard, play together and get better everyday, the hardware will take care of itself.”

The heart and soul of the Saints will be senior forwards Brooke Warner (left)  and Megan Wood, both of whom will be three-year starters.

Warner, who enters the season needing just 125 points to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau, brings the soul to the puzzle. She led the Saints in scoring (11.5), rebounds (6.9) and assists (96), and Thomas More was 10-3 when she led the team in scoring.

“Brooke is arguably the team’s most complete player,” Neal said. “She brings energy and a dynamic personality that makes her a tremendous leader. I think its going to be a big season for her.”

While leading the team in those offensive categories, she was also ranked amongst the PAC leaders. The 5-9 first-team PAC forward was 10^th in scoring, sixth in rebounds and third in assists.

Wood, who has the heart of the equation, is the ultimate competitor and team-player. She has appeared in all 80 games of her TMC career, including starting the last 53 games. Although an undersized center at 5-10, she returns as the second-leading scorer a season ago with 9.0 points and was also second on the team with 5.4 boards per contest.

“There aren’t many athletes who play harder day in and day out than Megan Wood,” Neal said.

Senior Amber Sims, a six-foot center, will add valuable experience and size in the post after averaging 3.0 points and 2.7 boards.

Another returning starter will be Kristen Humphrey at the power forward position. She averaged 8.9 points per game, including a 21-point performance in the Saints’ home win over W & J, and 4.6 boards en route to PAC honorable mention honors. The 5-10 forward led the PAC in field goal percentage converting 54 percent of her shots.

The four-spot also features junior Amanda Link, who made 12 starts last season. Link brings instant offense to the lineup with outside shooting and transition play. She added 7.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and a team-high 21 blocks to the post position.

Both players bring the ability to stretch opposing defenses with their shooting ability. Link, who had to make the transition from the wing to the post last season, should be more comfortable on the block.

The final returning starter is long-range specialist, sophomore Alex Gee. She led the conference and was eighth in the country in three-point field goal percentage, connecting on 47 percent of her attempts, while scoring 8.0 points per game.

The final piece of the starting five will be at point guard where junior Jenna Kelsch and sophomore Gabby Johnson will vie for the nod. Two seasons ago, Kelsch started 20 games at point guard before serving in a reserve role last season, while Johnson brought aggressive on-the-ball defense to the TMC lineup in all 28 games last season.

Several returners resume their roles of providing stability off the Thomas More bench and will be looking to challenge for jobs and minutes. Last season’s most improved player, junior Jennifer Teski and sophomore Erin Hudson both saw action in all 28 games last season for the Saints, averaging 2.4 and 2.8 points respectively.

Other returners looking to press for more minutes will be sophomores Brandi Mahar, Molly Jendzio as well as freshman Sarah Yeiser who missed all of last season with an injury.

The incoming class which consist of three transfers and six freshman hope to piece themselves into the rotation.

“Of the newcomers, I honestly don’t know which will make the biggest impact,” Neal said. “But I feel confident a few are going to help. However, the good news is we don’t have to rely on freshmen like we have in the past. Generally, the first couple weeks of practice serve as a separator. I’m hoping to have nine to 10 players step up and take the reigns of this team.”

Three transfers, former Eastern Illinois forward Tangie Sellers, former Eastern Kentucky forward Katie Middeler and sophomore Alicia Williams will be looking add another piece to the Saints’ championship puzzle.

Added size is definitely one of the strengths of this incoming class as five players, including Sellers, are 5-11 and taller. Thomas More had only two players at the height last season.

Freshmen 5-11 Kayla Haynes, 5-11 Megan Grizzell, 5-11 Caitlyn Mauch and 6-1 Claire Noltemeyer are young talents who will all battle for minutes in the frontcourt rotation as the season progresses.

The freshman class isn’t consisted solely of frontcourt personnel as combo guards Carrie Fay and Felicia Combs will attempt to work themselves into minutes in the backcourt.

One of the biggest challenges facing the collection of players assembled by Neal is conference play. In their first foray through PAC action, Thomas More finished the regular season tied for first place with a 10-2 record, including 6-0 at Connor Convocation Center.

“We can’t be 1-1, 0-2, we need to win tournaments,” said Neal. “There are four tournaments on our schedule. That’s a third of your season in four weekends. We must address it and get better.”

The Saints open the season against the University of the South Friday, November 17, at the Danville Tournament.

WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON PRESIDENTS (20-4 Overall, 10-2 PAC)
Washington & Jefferson won 86 games over the past four years behind a talented group of seven seniors who etched their names into the school’s record books. 

Those seven seniors accounted for 84 percent of last year’s scoring and 75 percent of the rebounds and assists.  The group earned three bids to the NCAA Division III Tournament. 

Leigh Sulkowski, who caused fits for opposing coaches for four years, has graduated; however, Head Coach Jina DeRubbo has a history for replacing key talent and believes this year’s squad will not back down from the challenge.

“We are going to have a young team, but our sophomores and juniors have been waiting for the chance to play,” said DeRubbo, who holds a 174-69 record in nine seasons as a head coach (43-12 at W&J).  “The atmosphere at our practices has been great because each player knows they have a chance to earn a starting spot.” 

DeRubbo is especially excited about the incoming freshmen, including point guard Kennan Killeen and forward Maggie Gibson.  She feels the formula to replacing such a special group of seniors is to find student-athletes from winning high school programs.

“We recruited players from great high school teams with terrific coaches,” said DeRubbo.  “Recruits from the highly-successful programs know what it takes to win at any level.” 

DeRubbo also feels that the Presidents will present a more-balanced scoring attack than in past years.  Sulkowski averaged 19.7 points a game through her career and only three of her teammates averaged double-digit point totals in any of the past four years.

“Leigh was such a special talent and we needed to get the ball in her hands,” added the third-year head coach.  “We may not have a 25-point scorer this year, but we may have seven players who score 8-12 per game.  We want to be known as a more balanced team.”  

Leading the Presidents’ returners this year will be sophomore Emily Hays, who developed into a solid low-post presence late in the 2005-06 season.  She averaged 3.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per contest.  Sophomore guard Kaleigh Bangor (right) started 11 games in the second half of last season and finished second on the squad with 62 assists. 

“Emily will play a huge part in what we do this year, especially because of how hard she worked in the offseason,” noted DeRubbo.  “Kaleigh has the most game experience and is an intense player.  We need her to step up and fill a hole at the shooting guard position.” 

Sophomore guard Veronica Kust played in 19 contests off the bench a year ago, adding solid defense, but is getting adjusted once again after off-season surgery. 

With eight of the 15 players listed at 5-foot-11 or taller, the coaching staff is making a concerted effort to attack from the paint.  Juniors Maria Hillenbrand, Sarah Hunt and Jen Rogers will be asked to increase their production and to provide key minutes.

“We want to be a post-oriented team,” added DeRubbo.  “Our frontcourt has played well in practice and some of these players will need to step up and become leaders.  I also think Maggie is going to really help us in this area.”

DeRubbo has stressed the importance of defense in the Presidents’ preseason camp.  She feels that aggressiveness on defense will help ease the pressure for a young lineup.

“Our goal is to get after teams and to create turnovers, which we haven’t been great at in years past,” said DeRubbo.  “Offensively, I like to play a motion offense which is tough for young players to grasp.  Until everyone understands their roles, we are going to rely on our defense to help our offense.” 

Although the names have changed and two 1,000-point scorers have moved on, the players and coaching staff are excited to start their own legacy for a program which is now viewed as a perennial national-playoff contender.

“No doubt, we are going to be a different team,” she said.  “I can guarantee you that we are not going to be outworked.  We will be inexperienced at the start of the season, but the intensity at our practices has been impressive and I couldn’t ask for a better effort so far.” 

The Presidents start the defense of their 2005-06 PAC Championship Friday, November 17 at the Ohio Wesleyan Holiday Inn Tournament.

WAYNESBURG YELLOW JACKETS (13-12 Overall, 5-7 PAC)
After losing two of the most prolific seniors in recent team history, conventional wisdom might suggest this would be a rebuilding season for the 2006 Waynesburg College Yellow Jackets.  However, the Yellow Jackets return two all-conference selections from last season’s 14-13 team that advanced to the PAC tournament semi-finals.  With that type of pedigree back for a new run at the championship, call this season for head coach Terry Acker anything but a rebuilding one.

Four-year starters Rachel Dillon and Candice Eyerman were lost to graduation, but a new tandem is set to take Waynesburg to new heights this year, anchored by senior guard Katie Lewandowski (left) and senior forward Denise Kennedy. 

Lewandowski, who was named second-team all-PAC last season, ranked in the top 10 in the PAC in four different categories including points per game (15.9), assists (2.7), three-point percentage (.400) and free-throw percentage (.800).  The North Catholic graduate led the Yellow Jackets in scoring 13 times last season, including a career-high 27 points against Bethany in the first round of the PAC Tournament.

Kennedy started all 27 games last season after transferring from Pitt-Greensburg.  She finished third on the team in scoring with 11.9 points per game and led the team with 6.0 rebounds per game en route to being named to all-conference honorable mention.  The Berlin, Pa., native also ranked second in the PAC with 1.3 blocks per game.

Also returning from last year’s squad includes senior guard Jenna Pratte, sophomore forward Michaelene Jones, sophomore forward Tonya Lewis, and sophomore guard Jeanette Wonsettler.

Pratte, who has seen action in 66 games over the past three seasons, set new career-highs last season in points per game (4.0) and minutes played (18.4)

Jones started 24 games for the Yellow Jackets in 2005-06 and finished second on the team with 5.0 rebounds per contest.  The former Steubenville High School standout led Waynesburg in rebounding nine times last season, including a career-high nine rebounds against Washington & Jefferson.

Lewis and Wonsettler provided valuable depth off the bench last season. Wonsettler saw action in 12 games, while Lewis played in all 27 contests averaging 4.0 points per game. 

Although the face of the Waynesburg women’s basketball team may have a substantially different look from years past, the talent and experience that was developed last season will be essential in leading the Yellow Jackets to their fifth conference championship, and first since 1995. The Yellow Jackets start their season Saturday and Sunday November 18-19 at the Penn State – Behrend Tournament.

WESTMINSTER TITANS (7-18 Overall, 4-8 PAC)
The Westminster College women's basketball team has five good reasons to think that it will be better than last year and possibly contend for its second PAC title in three years.

The Titans return all five starters from last year's team that went 8-19 and 4-8 in the PAC for a sixth-place finish. While the team's record last year is far below what fifth-year head coach Rosanne Scott expects out of her program, she is confident that this year's squad has what it takes to return to form.

"We have the tools this year to get us back to where we want to be," said Scott, whose four-year record is 54-55 at Westminster. "The team that we should be is a championship contender."

The five returning starters are seniors Desiree Sterling, Rachel Eaton (right) and Talley Felger; and juniors Emilee Ackerman and Terese Marszalek.

Eaton and Ackerman can play both the forward and guard positions. Eaton scored 6.3 points per game and led the team with 2.3 assists per game, while Ackerman was second on the team in scoring with 12.7 points per game.

Sterling was a second-team all-PAC selection at guard last year after averaging 12.9 points and 1.88 steals (ranked sixth and second in the league, respectively) while also pulling down 5.7 rebounds per game.

Felger (5-feet-11) and Marszalek (5-7) return to the Titan frontcourt as forwards. Felger ranked third in the PAC last year, snaring 7.2 rebounds per game to go with a 4.1 scoring average. Marszalek grabbed 5.2 rebounds and scored 9.5 points per game.

The Titans are not just a five-player team that seldom substitutes in their reserves. Senior guard Nicole Fee started 14 of 27 games last year and averaged nearly 27 minutes per game. Fee averaged solid numbers for a reserve with 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 7.1 points per game.

Sophomore Gina Brunetti will provide valuable minutes at guard, as will 5-10 sophomore Katherine Khattab at forward.

The Titans will also utilize four freshmen newcomers to the team, but according to Scott, depth is not the only tool that will prove vital to the team's success.

"The tools are not just personnel, but leadership," Scott said. "The emphasis is for us to become more confident so that every time we step on the floor we expect to win, and that's what leadership does for a team."

The one thing that is distinct about Westminster compared to other PAC teams is how hard the Titans play, particularly on defense. The Titans ranked in the top three in the league in scoring defense (59.1 points per game) and rebound margin (+2.6 average) last season.

"We've identified ourselves with defense and that will continue," Scott said. "Coaches have said to me, 'How do you get your kids to play so hard?'

"It is a matter of them wanting and knowing the little things matter and that we will win games because we play with a lot of heart."

SAINT VINCENT BEARCATS (18-12 Overall)
As the Lady Bearcats enter their first season in the NCAA-Division III Presidents' Athletic Conference, a lot of new faces will be expected to contribute after the loss of four key players due to graduation.

While her lineup could be considered somewhat untested, veteran Lady Bearcat coach Kristen Zawacki is excited for the season and holds some high expectations of her squad.

"I'm really looking forward to the season," she said.  "I believe we have a nice mix of veteran talent and newcomers."

Junior guard Laura Klimchock (left) is expected to step in to Myers' shoes as the team's go-to player on offense.  Although she has battled through injuries over the past two seasons, including missing eight games with a broken foot last year, Klimchock has been one of the best players on the court when healthy.

Last season, she appeared in 20 contests, starting 18, and averaged 15.1 points while shooting 42 percent from both the field and the three-point line.  A model of consistency, she scored in double-figures on 15 different occasions, including six 20-plus point outings.  She also shot 73 percent from the charity stripe, and set the all-time school record by canning 18 foul shots in SVC's victory over Aquinas College in late December.

During her time at SVC, Klimchock has seen time at both the point and at two guard, and her knowledge of the offense and slasher-type style of play could make her one of the top guards in the PAC.

The Lady Bearcats look to have the most depth at the guard position, with a pair of newcomers joining Klimchock and five other returnees at the spot, and a number will compete to fill Connelly's shoes at the point.

Sophomore Ashley Campbell served as Connelly's main backup a season ago, appearing in all 28 games.  A sparkplug off the bench, the speedy 5-3 native of Donora, PA averaged two points and an assist in 10.5 minutes of play, while also playing pestering defense, picking up 23 steals.

Maura Wahl, who will be playing her first season at SVC after missing last year, will also look to contribute at the point, has impressed the coaching staff with her play during the preseason.

Rachel Karpency, one of only three seniors on the roster, has also seen time at the point over the past three years.  Along with her supreme knowledge of the offense, the co-captain will also provide valuable leadership to her younger teammates.

Pair of sophomores, Janelle Reed and Christina Paolino, are coming off of solid freshmen campaigns, and both possess strong two-way games.

The 5-9 Reed appeared in 24 games ago, averaging 3.2 points, including an explosion of 20 points in just 20 minutes, making five threes, in a mid-January conference win over Point Park.

Paolino appeared in 26 games, and earned a spot in the starting lineup in the second half of the season.  She showed it was well deserved, averaging 7.5 points and 3.5 rebounds while leading the team with a .444 mark from behind the arc and a 78 percent clip at the charity stripe.  Her size may also be utilized this season at the forward position.

Senior Theresa Adams and junior Melissa McKamish, both deadly outside shots, will also see time around the perimter, as will first-year player Lindsey Kuruc.

The big returnee underneath the hoop is sophomore Lauren Reilly.  She burst onto the scene a season ago, starting 27 games and averaging 7.4 points and 7.4 rebounds while playing an average of 30 minutes per contest.  The 5-10 Reilly saw her name entered into the record books on January 17th, as she grabbed a team-record 19 rebounds in a victory over Point Park.  After a strong summer, she could emerge as one of the premier low post players in the conference.

Six-foot junior Caryn Glassbrenner has seen time at both center and power forward over the past two seasons, serving as one of the top reserves off the bench a year ago.  After starting 10 games her freshman campaign as well as appearing in every contest last year, she brings a plethora of experience down low.

Senior Kristin Darrow appeared in 22 games a season ago, and joins Karpency as the most experience members of the team.

Sophomore Janelle Kaufold is the only other forward with varsity experience coming back, and is joined underneath by a pair of freshmen in Ashley Benzio and Maggie Arnone.

"I am anxious to learn more about the PAC and to compete against these fine schools," she said.  "I am just so eager to finally get started preparing the team for what should be an exciting season."

The Lady Bearcats kick off the season on November 17th, playing two games at the Warner Southern (FL) Tip-Off Tournament.  They will make their debut in the PAC on December 9th against Thomas More at 1pm in the Robert S. Carey Center.

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