Brockport Must Replace All-Time Scorer
Michele Carron has a difficult task this winter at Brockport. The seventh-year head coach needs to replace the school's all-time leading scorer, Kristin Roseti. Her loss means a tougher road to the basket for junior Jen Feneli, who picked up some speed and mobility in the offseason and formed a tremendous 1-2 punch with Roseti for the past two years. Picked to finish fourth in the 11-team SUNYAC, the Golden Eagles return four starters this winter. A 15-11 team a year ago, Brockport reached the SUNYAC semifinals before falling to eventual champion Oneonta.

Junior Amy Kinsky worked incredibly hard to improve her game over the summer. As a sophomore, the 5-5 point guard started 24 games. Her emphasis over the summer months was to improve her outside shooting (just .267 last year) and ball-handling skills, specifically with her off hand. Carron is very impressed with her progress. Sophomore Holly Jacobs was the program's top freshman last year, averaging 8.0 points and 5.6 rebounds and an .816 free-throw percentage of .816. Jacobs will be pushed for playing time by another sophomore Mary Moore, who also can shoot from the outside and is an athletic offensive threat.

Feneli, already fifth among Brockport's all-time scorers, is one of the best to ever wear a Brockport uniform. Last year, she scored 19.5 points per game, and eclipsed the career blocked shots record (116). Junior Kim Jackson also started up front last year in 17 of 26 games and averaged 3.8 points and 4.5 rebounds. Junior Marisa Mauro, who played in 19 games off the bench last winter, also could figure in the mix up front.

Cortland Looks to Go from ECAC to NCAA Tourney
Expectations are high as the Cortland women enters the 1998-99 season. A talented group of seven returning varsity players combined with a Division I transfer at center and some touted freshmen give the Red Dragons one of their most balanced attacks in recent history.

The Red Dragons finished 16-11 last season and played in the ECAC Upstate New York playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. Junior guards Shonna Sargent, Kristie Meyer and Lauren Egan and senior forward Tara Ruckh all played vital roles in last year’s success as starters and are expected to once again provide leadership for first-year head coach Jeannette Yeoman, who takes over at Cortland after four years as the head coach at Alfred University.

Sargent, a team tri-captain and a 1997-98 first team All-SUNYAC performer, averaged 12.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game last year. She also recorded 102 steals and led the team with 54 three-point field goals. Meyer, an honorable mention All-SUNYAC selection, led the team with 13.0 points per game while grabbing 4.3 rebounds per contest. She was also a longball threat with 41 treys and connected on 78% of her free throws. Egan completed Cortland’s dangerous perimiter game with 7.1 points and 2.2 assists per game and 35 three-pointers, while tri-captain Ruckh averaged 7.3 points per outing and is the team’s leading returning rebounder at 5.0 per contest.

One problem the Red Dragons experienced last season was the lack of a consistent inside threat. That problem appears to have vanished with the addition of 6-5 sophomore center Kate Smith, a transfer from Division I William & Mary and the 1997 Miss New York State Basketball winner. Smith played in one game at William and Mary last year before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Also helping out inside is 6-2 sophomore center Michele Schaefer, who averaged 4.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in 21 games last year.

Other returning players from last season are junior guard Traci Buckingham (3.7 ppg) and senior tri-captain forward Karyn Mackey (2.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg). Sophomore guards Margot Weille, a goalkeeper on Cortland’s NCAA soccer team this past fall, and Kelly Hendrickson are both on the roster after playing with the junior varsity last year. Freshman 5-8 forward Amy Wood could open the season in the starting frontcourt for the Red Dragons.

Brandeis Has Talent Returning
Coach Carol Simon's Brandeis team returns two starters from last year. The Judges lost a pair of starters to graduation, including Patty Carson, a second-team All-UAA pick who topped the team in scoring (11.7 ppg) and three-point field goals (26). Junior forward Joanna Posner is the team's top returning scorer. She increased her scoring average to 11.1 points per game and was third on the team in rebounding with 5.1 boards per game in her second year as a starter. Sophomore forward Stacey Snow is the other returning starter. She was second on the team in rebounding (6.0 rpg) and averaged 4.7 points per game. Junior Janice Casement was the team's sixth man last season. She topped the team in rebounding (6.4 rpg) and averaged 6.9 points per game. Junior guard Sarah Soubosky also returns. She averaged 8.7 points per game in the first six games, but missed the rest of the season with an injury. Sophomore forward Natalia Zubko played in 13 games second semester and scored 55 points and added 54 rebounds. Other key returnees include junior forward Erika Holmes (4.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg), sophomore forward Sue Shields, sophomore guard Marsha Pierre Jacques, and senior guard Allison Blecker, a tri-captain.

Carnegie Mellon Already Building for '99
The 1998 season actually started on Feb. 28 for the Tartans when they upset No. 15 Emory University, 58-55 in Skibo Gym. Head Coach Gerri Seidl, who begins her 15th year at the helm, points to that moment as motivation for this year's team. The Tartans lost two starters from last year's 9-15 squad that went 3-11 in the UAA. The lone senior on the squad, Amanda Tishkoff, is the team's heart, but a new breed of leadership will have to emerge if the Tartans hope to shake-up the UAA standings. Junior Samantha Majernik returns as the Tartans' leading scorer, after she aver aged nearly 10 points per game and grabbed 5.3 rebounds per game last season. Juniors Lacey Perretta and Kristina Thomas make up two-thirds of a potent backcourt. Returning from injury this year is sophomore Julia Neuman, who earned a starting spot as a freshman after just three games in 1997-98. Junior Sherry Cribbins made more three-pointers last season than any returning player. Also joining the backcourt is junior Hilary Harris. Junior forwards Kara Coval (3.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and Amy Novak will provide some depth up front. Sophomore Lauren Petruzzi gives the Tartans more speed in the backcourt.

Case Western Reserve Enters Final Year in NCAC
The Spartans appear poised to bounce back from a disappointing 5-19 campaign. The team has a combination of solid, experienced players with talented, motivated freshmen. CWRU has nine returning players, five of them seniors, who have extensive game experience. As a result, the Spartans will have improved depth, particularly among the post players. Leading the list of returnees is senior point guard Rachel Rau and sophomore post player Erin Rogalski. Rau and Rogalski are the Spartans' one-two punch on the outside and inside, respectively. They combined to lead CWRU in scoring in 22 of 24 games last year, and in rebounding 21 times. In the backcourt, senior Betsy Zoladz is another long-time starter. Sophomore Carla Kinyon and senior Suzanne French are a pair of experienced guards who will again see plenty of playing time. Senior Julie Roden and sophomore Roberta Janowski are other returnees on the outside. Newcomers to the backcourt are freshmen Tara Rasch, Tracy Roessner and Sarah Warren. Roessner will compete with Kinyon, French and Janowski for the available starting position. Along with Rogalski on the front line, senior forward Cathy Dillard, and junior post Kelsy Gazer are experienced players back in the fold. There are plenty of new faces who will challenge for time on the floor, and help fill a gap in depth that hurt the team last year. Leading the list are freshmen Monique Ross and Gretchen Stroman. Three more freshmen, Colleen Mayo, Cathy Tuglus, and Meredith Walker, provide strength on the boards and allow sixth-year head coach Kristin Hughes to go deep into the bench.

NYU Only a Year Removed from Title
The Violets return three starters and seven letterwinners from last season's 22-5 squad, as well as a talented class of immediate impact recruits. Leading the way will be senior co-captains Jehan Clark and Jenny Schinella, who each played vital roles in the Violets' 1997 NCAA championship season. Clark, a 1997-98 second team All-UAA selection, is a tremendous defender with great quickness. Clark set the NYU single season mark for steals last year with 110 and also averaged 7.3 points per game on the offensive end. Schinella provides the Violets with a versatile, inside-outside threat. Last season, she averaged 5.2 points and 4.3 rebounds and was second on the team in blocked shots (14) and third on the team in assists (65). Head coach Janice Quinn and the Violets look forward to a healthy Jessi Nowak in the middle after playing last year with a broken foot. Nowak, a 6-1 center, averaged 7.2 points and 3.2 rebounds and shot 54% from the field. Also looking to contribute up front is sophomore forward Rashida Allen. At 5-11, Allen possesses great quickness and leaping ability as well as the ability to finish as evidenced by her high shooting percentage (53%). In the backcourt, sophomores Melina Nappi-Kaehler and Angela Vicari provide the Violets with experience.

Nazareth Looking to Exchange Silver for Gold
Through 25 silver seasons, nearly 600 basketball games and more than 6,000 jump shots, the places and faces of Nazareth College women's basketball have been forever evolving. Games were originally played -- back in 1974 -- in the college's Cabaret. The Otto A. Shults Community Center was constructed in 1976 and games now are played in the Robert A. Kidera Gymnasium, expanded in 1990 to seat about 1,200 people. Faces have changed, too. In September, for example, Diane Williams was introduced as Nazareth's fifth head coach in women's basketball, succeeding Mike Decillis, who moved to Division I Canisius College after 14 seasons.

Just as in the early days, when star players such as Hall of Famer Doreen LaDonna were scoring points in bunches, the women's basketball mission of 1998-99 is the same. That is, win games and do it often. Decillis was one who grasped that concept and parlayed it into 240 NCAA victories and six national tournament berths. "We have enough talent in place to continue to be successful," said Williams, an assistant last season at the University of Rochester. "Nazareth has a proud women's basketball tradition and I don't want to do anything to upset that."

Fortunately for Williams, the transition could be smooth with the return of nine players from last year's team, which went to the NCAA's for the third consecutive year, and the arrival of five quality freshmen. Included in that mix are the top three scorers from last year. The trio of 5-9 sophomore Sarah Curley, 5-7 senior Ann Parks and 6-1 sophomore Laura Wheeler collectively provide the Golden Flyers with several different dimensions. Curley, the EAA Rookie of the Year in '97-98, can shoot (35 three-pointers), score (a team-best 11.2 points per game), and play defense (2.1 steals per game). Next there's Parks, a first-team EAA all-star, who can score (10.4 points per game) and pass (4.6 assists per game). Then there's Wheeler, who can score (9.8 points per game), rebound (5.9 per game), and block shots (1.9 per game).

Senior Liz Barbaglia and junior Kim Strait should take some pressure off Wheeler. Barbaglia, a 5-10 forward, contributed 7.6 points and 5.8 rebounds last season and led the team in field goal accuracy at 52.6%. Strait, a 6-0 center, started six games in '97-98 and delivered 5.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Experienced backcourt players include senior Tammy Silvernail and sophomores Nancy Appelhans and Terri Nagle. Silvernail is among the team's top defenders and also contributed 3.9 points per game last year. Appelhans and Nagle provide a long-range shooting dimension. "It should be exciting," said Williams. "Hopefully, the tradition will continue."

Rochester Has Height Hopes
Nine letterwinners, most with starting experience, return to the lineup for the Yellowjackets. The veterans include three players standing 5-10 or taller, the top two three-point shooters, and two experienced point guards. The Yellowjackets will key their hopes around a junior-dominated backcourt and a front court that could include one of the Association's premier post players. Senior Taya Branton enjoyed a spectacular half-season as a junior. The 5-10 Branton averaged 18.2 points per game, shooting 60.4% from the floor, and 12.7 rebounds per game through the first 11 games before breaking a bone in her foot. Despite the half season, Branton is still 12th in career rebounding and 15th in scoring. Her absence significantly increased the playing time of Liz Glaser, a 5-10 forward/center. Glaser averaged 9.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game as a freshman, and started the final 13 games of the season in Branton's absence. Six-foot sophomore Jill Strebel was a 43.3% post-up shooter off the bench last season. There is potential from long range as well, led by 5-5 junior Jennie Wafer (7.7 ppg., 2.0 rpg.) who hit 25 three-point goals, including six versus Carnegie Mellon University to tie a Palestra record. Her long-range partner is 5-10 sophomore Erin Toohill (6.2 ppg., 3.6 rpg., 24 three-point goals). Point guard responsibilities will fall to two juniors 5-6 Kelly Cusimano (3.4 ppg., 47 assists) or 5-4 Honora Gioia (2.3 ppg., 5 2 assists). Susan Damaske, a 5-6 junior, averaged 4.6 points per game. If Damaske plays as the off-guard, she'll push Toohill to small forward or line up with Wafer and one of the points in a three-guard combination.

Clarkson Sees Turnaround Ahead
Although the Clarkson University women’s basketball team finished with a 7-17 record last year, fans of the program could see last season might well mark the beginning to the next successful chapter in the program's storied 23-year history. With just one senior on the roster and starting five underclassmen, first-year head coach Laura Habacker’s squad was competitive in the majority of its games. Highlighting the campaign was a three-game win streak in late January, including a 54-47 victory at Alumni Gym over Potsdam College, which snapped a two-game losing streak to the Lady Knights’ crosstown rival. Clarkson won two of its last five games and battled NYS Tournament bound Skidmore College in a one-point loss (62-61) in the season’s final game to close o ut the year on an uplifting note. The experience gained by a youthful Clarkson team last winter should prove to be a major asset as they look to challenge the top teams in the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association.

"Although it may not have been reflected in our record last year, we made some positive strides," states Habacker. "This season we hope to challenge for the UCAA title. We have a nice mix of returning players and newcomers who should help us reach this go al."

The Lady Knights return virtually their entire lineup, losing just Brittany Mitchell to graduation. Senior guards Jen Phillips and Pam Dashnaw will lead an experience team featuring numerous letterwinners. Team MVP as a sophomore, Erin Parrish should impr ove upon her 6.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game averages. Junior guard Eustacia McDonald provides the Green and Gold with plenty of quickness on the hardcourt. Clarkson’s leading scorer and rebounder as a freshman, Patty McTigue averaged 10.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while earning several all-star honors. Senior Amber Stone and junior Coletta Wilferth along with sophomore Susan Templin provide Clarkson with plenty of depth in the backcourt. Junior forward Sue Micknak will lead the frontcourt for the Lady Knights. Junior Jen Roberts and sophomores Laura Peck and Jenn Collins will also contribute under the boards.

Williams Riding Seven-Game Win Streak
The Williams women's team returns four of five starters from last year's record-setting Eph quintet (23-4) that won the ECAC-New England tournament. The Ephs won their last seven games of the 1997-98 season. The 23 wins was a Williams women's record in basketball. To say the Ephs are talented is an understatement as 11 of the returning players also letter in at least one other varsity sport.

Headlining the list of returnees is All-America candidate Kathleen Higgins who was the NESCAC player of the Year in 1998 and a First Team All-New England selection. A senior guard, Higgins, is the first women's player at Williams to qualify for the All-A merica ballot. In 27 games last winter, Higgins netted 455 points (16.9); averaged five rebounds a game and posted a team-high in assists (81) and was second in steals (56). Higgins is now fourth all-time in both scoring (1,258) and in assists (233).

Also returning to the backcourt is defensive stopper Laura Brenneman. Brenneman, who also has the ability to knock down a three, averaged 7.7 ppg last year. Senior C/F Erin Duffy, 6-2, the all-time shot block leader (195) at Williams returns along with 6 -2 junior C/F Rebecca Brooks to give the Ephs a potent inside game. Last year Duffy blocked 74 (2.7/game) shots while averaging 8.3 points and six rebounds a game. Brooks was second on the team in scoring in 1997-98 with 358 points (13.8) and collected a team-high 255 rebounds (9.4) and also led the Ephs in steals (60). Brooks currently ranks 10th all-time in rebounds with 396.

Sophomore Liz Tilley was a backup a year ago and is set to assume the controls of the Eph offense. Tilley played just over 10 minutes a game last season which will give her the confidence and experience to direct the Eph attack from the start of the seaso n.

Despite losing three starters, including All-New England forward Donna Masterson, Springfield College should have one of the top teams in the NEWMAC this season.

SC posted a 16-9 record last year and competed in its third straight ECAC Tournament. Springfield will compete in the inaugural season of the NEWMAC with Babson, Clark, Coast Guard, MIT, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Wellesley, Wheaton, and WPI.

The Pride will challenge for the conference crown with 5-9 senior forward/guard Jennifer Rea and 5-11 junior center/forward Kim Gilbert leading the way. Rea averaged 10.8 points and 4.2 rebounds last year while Gilbert averaged 5.7 points and 6.2 rebounds. Two others to watch are 6-0 sophomore center Brianne Barker who averaged 2.9 points and 3.1 rebounds, and 5-10 junior forward Heather Scott.

Sophomore guard Cara McMahon heads the list of six newcomers. The 5-6 McMahon is a transfer from Div. II New Hampshire College where she averaged 2.5 points in 27 games (six starts).

"We're excited about being in a new conference and one of our goals is to win the NEWMAC Championship," said Graves. "We have solid players, but we're a young team in some key positions, especially in the backcourt. This is a team who will develop cohesiveness and improve throughout the season. We have good speed and quickness on defense, and players who can hit the outside jumper, but we need to develop a better inside scoring threat. If we do that, we will cause a lot of problems for our opponents this season."

Catholic Feels it is On the Right Track
After improving her team’s win total by four games over her first season, third-year coach Kathy Kilty is hopeful that the Cardinals can continue to ascend in 1998-99. "We definitely think we can improve on last year’s record (9-16)," Kilty said. "We really feel the team is on the upswing."

Much of Kilty’s optimism centers on the return of three starters - senior guard Becky Mintzer, sophomore point guard Beth Brennan and junior forward Pam Canfield. Mintzer averaged 12 points per game last season and is the team’s primary three-point threat. She needs just 52 points to reach 1,000 career points, and two three-pointers to become the school’s all-time three-point leader. Canfield also averaged 12 points last season and was second in rebounding (6.0 rpg). She averaged 17 points over the final five games. "She will likely lead the team in rebounding, and she’s probably our top defensive player," Kilty said. Brennan saw plenty of action as a rookie and contributed 8.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. Sophomore forward Kenna Kelly, who averaged 7.0 points and 6.6 rebounds, has the inside track to become the team’s fifth starter. She played well in her 11 games as a freshman and should contribute significantly in 1998-99.

Of the Cardinals’ six freshmen - Kate Abbonizio, Mary Bodine, Meghan Courtney, Megan Hagarty, Stephanie Lorenzen, and Roslyn Sanchez - look for Hagarty, Lorenzen, and Sanchez to get the most playing time. Sanchez, who played one season for Coach Kilty at Pallotti High School in Laurel, Md., is expected to back up Brennan at the point. Hagarty, a shooting guard/small forward, is an accurate shooter from beyond the arc. Lorenzen, a 5-11 post player, is a good rebounder who’s expected to back up Canfield and Kelly.

Catholic's schedule will once again feature top teams from the Mid-Atlantic region. Conference rivals St. Mary’s (Md.) and Mary Washington each advanced to the 1998 NCAA Tournament. The highlight of the early season slate is three games over six days in the Great Bahamas Goombay Shootout in Nassau, Bahamas.

Gallaudet Looking to Get Back to Tournament
If the Gallaudet women’s team is going to match last season’s 19-7 record, the task will not be easy. A tough early season schedule awaits, featuring perennial powerhouse New York, as well as an opening weekend tournament with three regionally ranked teams. This is all in addition to a CAC schedule which is sure to feature a wild race. Last season, the Bison led all Division III teams in scoring, averaging 84.6 points per game, but they narrowly missed an invitation to the NCAA tournament, a party at which the Bison made their first appearance two years ago.

Four of the five starters and eight letterwinners from last season return from a squad that reeled off a school record 14-game winning streak. As the Bison mount their assault on their first conference title, much of the mission revolves around junior Ronda Jo Miller, the team’s center, in every sense of the word. The 6-2 Miller was named to the Division III Basketball Online Team of the Year (first team) last season after finishing second in the nation in scoring average (28.7 points per game), fourth in rebounding (16.1 per game) and first in blocks (4.8 per game). She established new Bison single-game records with 47 points, 27 rebounds, and nine blocks en route to CAC Player of the Year honors. "Ronda Jo makes things happen on the floor," says head coach Kitty Baldridge. "And if teams pay too much attention to her, we have plenty of other options."

The Gallaudet arsenal is stocked. Sophomore guard Ronda Johnson started every game last year, averaging 11.1 points per game, while dishing out a team-high 95 assists. Senior guard Therese Rollven of Stockholm, Sweden, led the team in three-pointers made, averaging 9.4 points per game. Fellow Swede Touria Ouahid, who missed almost the entire season after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery, will try to maintain the floor leadership and ball control that made her an All-CAC first team selection in 1996-97.

Versatile senior Jessica Whitney of Wareham, Mass., who started every game last season is one of the team’s most aggressive defenders. Hard-working junior post player Jenny Cooper was a defensive sparkplug off the bench, finishing second on the team in blocks and third in rebounding. After a one-year absence, senior forward Safeera Khan returns to add strength and assertiveness to the post. Junior Nanette Virnig and sophomore Shanada Johnson (Ronda's sister) are guards with big-game experience who will both log effective minutes. Sophomore transfer Amelia England brings her 6-0 frame to Gallaudet’s frontcourt attack. Sophomore center Stacy Nowak and freshman guard Jenny Stack of Tequesta, Fla., are talented newcomers who add even more depth.

Goucher Hopes to Turn Program Around
It would be easy to feel slightly overwhelmed. You have just inherited a team that has won three games in the past two years, a team that has finished last in the CAC during each of those years. Unless, of course, you are first-year coach Charleata Beale.

Beale has already begun to breath new life into her squad. She knows Goucher can play at the national level -- the team is just two years removed from an NCAA tournament appearance. The bid was a peak for the women’s program. However, Beale is now charged with the task of pulling the Gophers out of the valley and beginning to strive towards the peak once again.

"This year we are definitely stressing a positive attitude," the former University of Virginia standout and USA National Team member said. "We want a fresh start. I think we need to go back to the basic fundamentals. In time, we will see progress and our players will come into their own."

Sophomore Kim Rogers returns as Goucher’s leading scorer from last winter. She averaged 12.4 points per game and added 4.2 rebounds per game, 36 steals, and 33 assists. Rogers set the Goucher record for three-point field goals in a season with 46 (180 attempts). Senior co-captain Zeena Huang returns as one of two Gophers to have played on the 1995-96 NCAA tournament team. Huang scored 8.5 points per game and led the team in assists. Junior Dana Bollinger, the other Gopher captain, returns to the squad after missing the 1997-98 season with a knee injury. She started in 23 games during her freshman season (1996-97) and averaged 7.5 points per game, while compiling 72 assists and 28 steals. Sophomore Sarah Zona was named the team’s most valuable player last winter, leading Goucher with 6.3 rebounds per game. She added 5.8 points per game and a team-high 2.6 steals.

Mary Washington Looking for a Return Trip
Coming off its best season ever, and with the majority of the leading contributors returning, Mary Washington looks to be near the top of the CAC once again in 1998-99. Heading the list of returnees from last year's 21-8 team that won the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament game are guards Andrea Sellers (13.2 ppg) and Erin Caulfield (14.2 ppg). Also back are frontcourters Helen Huley, Jill Hollenbeck, and, after a one-year absence, Marcy Michaels. The Eagles will have to cope with the loss of All-America forward Lindsay Stover, one of the top players in school history, and guard Erika Grace, who decided not to rejoin the team this fall. CAC Coach of the Year Connie Gallahan does have a stable of talented veterans to fill those slots, including guards Bernice Kenney and Denise Harrington, and forward Jessica Sullins. Despite the loss of two starters, the Eagles hope to recapture the magic that led them to the NCAA Tournament a year ago, and make a return trip this spring.

York Hopes for Breakout Season
The York Spartans welcome back all but one letterwinner from last year and the freshman class is highly touted. Head Coach Betsy Witman will have the luxury of having the deepest and most talented team in school history, a team that should have no problem shattering the school record for wins, currently 13.

Witman welcomes back the core of seniors Val Speakman and Tera Trimmer, juniors Katie Parise, Brooke Davis, Veronica Byrne and Carol Chudovan and sophomores Amy Anderson and Megan Fitzgerald. Anderson was tabbed as a first-team All-CAC member as well as the conference's Rookie of the Year. The forward led the team in scoring (16.6 ppg), rebounding (8.8 rpg), field goal percentage (47.4%) and blocked shots (25). Anderson's shining moment came in the upset of Gallaudet on January 28. She poured in a career-high 31 points while she grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out two assists in York's 84-81 win.

Parise will reprise her role as one of York's best backcourt players. The slashing guard was second in scoring (13.4 ppg). first in free throw percentage (.769) and assists (3.64 apg). She was honored by Division III Basketball Online as a member of the Team of the Week in February and will serve as one of the Spartan tri-captains this year with Speakman and Chudovan. Witman is looking for Davis to make an impact after transferring in at midseason last year. "Last year, with her being new to the team, she didn't play as freely as she can. I expect her to dominate stretches of games when we need her." Davis also excels on defense. She recorded 42 steals in 17 games and will team with Trimmer to form one of the most feared defensive tandems in the CAC.

Trimmer brings a spark to the team whenever she is in the contest. Her defensive prowess helped her offense last year under Witman. She averaged 5.2 points and more importantly was a force on the boards, averaging 6.3 boards per contest, third on the team. Trimmer also notched 57 steals on the year. Her versatility allows Witman to start her or bring her off the bench in a sixth player role. The point guard position will be led by Speakman. The senior co-captain will look to end her career with an outstanding campaign. She will be expected to lead the Spartan show from the point.

Inside play will also key the Spartans this year, says Witman. "We really need to have a presence inside this year. We have to be able to guard interior players without fouling and the defensive rebounding will need to improve to be able to start the break." Byrne will team with Anderson to form one of the top front courts in the conference. Add to that some talented newcomers and you have a recipe for a successful mix of interior play.

Hopkins Turns Focus to Defense
One of the most successful programs in Division III women's basketball over the past four seasons, the 1998-99 Johns Hopkins Blue Jays believe they can continue the trend. A team with a much different look has high hopes for the upcoming season and looks to build upon consecutive trips to the NCAA Elite Eight.

The players that took a 'back seat' to last year's top two scorers, Julie Anderson and Angie Arnold, must fill the spotlight this season. According to head coach Nancy Blank, "Everyone must step up their game, not only in the scoring column, but in every other aspect of the game; everything from rebounding to leadership." Another key to success this season will be the team's consistency. "We must become more consistent in every aspect of the game, particularly in the areas of mental preparation and team defense," Blank adds.

With a drastic loss of points, the Blue Jays will focus on solid, consistent team defense. Strong defense will create quality chances on the offensive end of the court. This season, the Blue Jay offense will be run by one of the best point guards in both the Centennial and UAA, Leslie Ritter. A junior, Ritter will be the floor leader this season, a role she is familiar with. In a three-guard rotation last year, she saw quality minutes spelling Arnold at the point position. A reliable player, Ritter missed just one game last season, scoring an average of 10.2 points per game. Senior co-captains Joy Vaccaro and Jen Deaderick will play a great deal of minutes as the unconvential third guard. Always one step ahead of her opponent mentally, Vaccaro is a highly intelligent player, and uses that to her advantage. Joining Vaccaro as a vocal leader will be Deaderick. A very spirited, team-oriented player, Deaderick is a very strong off-the-ball defender. The frontcourt is bolstered by one of the better players in the region in junior Marjahna Segers. Last season, the junior was fourth with 8.8 points per game and second in rebounds with 8.2. Segers possesses superb power moves and is extremely strong with her back to the basket.

Tough Road Ahead for Haverford
Haverford women's basketball returns nine experienced players in 1998-99. Senior tri-captain Jessica Hurt, a starter since her freshman season, will lead the team from the point with her ballhandling, rebounding and tenacious defensive skills. Hurt total ed 64 steals in '97-98 and averaged seven rebounds per contest. Her classmate, intense tri-captain Bridget Shea, will add her experience in the backcourt as well. The junior class is solid in all five positions with guards Leigh Leonard, Ali Hicks and Sar ah Hall and forwards Carmen Crow, Sarah Hanck and Katie Shotzbarger. Tri-captain Leonard led the team in assists while scoring 9.2 points per game last season. Hicks and Hall are perimeter threats, Hanck is an accurate inside scorer, and Crow is a rebound ing specialist. Sophomore Karen Carmody, the team's Most Improved Player in 1997-98, earned herself a spot in the starting lineup as a frosh. Her defense, focus and speed in transition make her instrumental to the Fords' fast break offense.

For the second straight year, the Fords will meet the defending national champion, NYU last year, and Washington U. this season.

Washington Brings in Some Height
Last year's Washington College team achieved a 16-8 overall record, the best in the five-year history of the program. This year, the Shorewomen look to build on that success. The squad must overcome the graduation of three starters but two are back along with several key reserves. Washington posted a six-game winning streak and also won seven of their last ten contests.

Co-captains Diane Zeng, a senior guard, and Maggy Kilroy, a junior guard, will be the leaders of a team dominated by younger players. Zeng is a returning three-year starter whose experience and maturity will be a great asset to the Shorewomen. She led Washington in steals (2.1 per game) and was second in assists (also 2.1), adding 6.8 points. Kilroy, who has started in all but six of 48 games in her two-year career, had a breakout season in 1997-98, breaking into the Top 10 of the Centennial Conference in three-point percentage (35%), three-pointers made (27), and assists (3.2). Kilroy led the Shorewomen in assists, and was also second on the team in steals (2.0). She is Washington's top returning scorer after averaging 10.5 points.

Junior forward Kim Pryce has been asked to play both guard and forward for the Shorewomen, and has consistently performed well both inside and outside the paint. Sophomore guard Kerry Lomax was the team's third player to average double-digit points last season, with 10.3 per game. Sophomore forward Katie Bierzonski had a huge impact on the team last year once she made the transition from volleyball to basketball. She has the ability to play both inside and outside, shooting 40% from three-point range last season, and was a force on the boards, posting double digits five times.

Eight talented freshmen will add depth to the Shorewomen lineup and challenge the upperclassmen for playing time. At the forward position, three newcomers 5-10 or taller will help to rebuild Washington's inside game. Allyson Britton (5-10) was a second-team All-Delaware performer, while teammate Janine Morehead (6-0) was also a key performer. Kristen Robbins (6-0) averaged five points and six rebounds while playing on the Group I New Jersey state title team.

Vassar to Continue to Rely on Defense
Coming off of a 14-10 season and a national ranking for field goal percentage defense, Vassar will be looking to go to postseason competition for the fourth consecutive season. Two starters among Vassar's all-time leaders in scoring and rebounding were lo st to graduation, but returners Nina Alexzander (who needs 27 assists to become the program's all-time leader) and Kat Landy (who set a Vassar freshman record with 62 three-pointers) will be counted on to lead the Brewers. Four other seniors will be count ed on -- Tricia Bruen, Megan Rojik, Jessica Houser and Kelley Walsh -- while sophomores Erin Earley and freshmen Lisa Ercolano and Bea Milligan will also get some time.

Wooster Hopes to Join NCAC Elite
Becoming a contender in the North Coast Athletic Conference is the No. 1 priority for College of Wooster head coach Lisa Campanell Komara and the Lady Scot basketball team this season. Wooster, which posted a 12-13 overall record and finished fifth in the NCAC last year, has good reason to believe it can make a run at the conference title this season. To begin with, the Lady Scots were the only NCAC team to beat conference champion Wittenberg, and they did it on the road. Secondly, they have the best play er in the conference and one of the best in the nation in Katie Montague. A senior forward, Montague was named NCAC Player of the Year after averaging 21.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

In addition to Montague, there are three other starters returning to the lineup this season. Erin Gertz, a junior point guard, started all 25 games a year ago and averaged 8.3 points and 3.6 assists per game. Aleashia Washington, a junior post player, ave raged 9.5 points and 6.4 rebounds as a sophomore. Morgan Ramsdell, a sophomore forward, played only 17 games and started only four because of a knee injury, but she did average 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in her first year. Another key returnee is sophom ore Jocelyn Horn, who played in all 25 games and started 13 of them, averaging 5.4 points and 3.3 assists per game.

Perhaps the most promising aspect of Wooster's lineup is its freshman class, which features 10 players, four of whom should have an impact this year. Leading the way is Maureen Mull, a shooting guard who should be a strong three-point threat. She is joine d by Stephanie Woodruff, a point guard who might share time with Erin Gertz, LeAnn Uhinck, a post player who may fill the void created by the loss of Dales, and Keri Horst, a guard who is known for her tough defense and will be critical to the success of Wooster's press.

Marietta Looks to Move Up in OAC
Small steps. Each season, Coach Annamarie Wyant has asked her team to do just that. This season, she believes the Marietta program may be ready for a big step up the OAC ladder. "I am optimistic and realistic," she said. "There are still some extremely ta lented teams in the conference, but I think we have taken some big strides and with the addition of some other players we could be a much stronger team ourselves."

After consecutive 19-loss seasons the Pioneers are still without any seniors and only one of the two juniors has played at Marietta. Melissa Carter, a 5-7 forward, returns after scoring 5.6 points a game and pulling down 5.7 rebounds a game last year. The other junior is transfer Amy Magistro, a 5-4 guard, who played at Division II West Liberty State. Shooting guard Libby McCandlish had a strong second half and finished the team leader with 11.5 points a game, while point guard Tracie Drain averaged 10.4 points a game and led the team with 3.9 assists. At center, Marietta is counting on 6-2 Jodi Taylor. She averaged 7.5 points and 8.4 rebounds a game, and she was the conference's top shot blocker with 58.

While the sophomore class is large, Coach Wyant still attracted 14 freshmen to campus this season. "I am sure some of them will get an opportunity to play on varsity this season," Wyant said. "I hope that the sophomores will be able to help them through s ome of the rough spots that they had to endure last season."

Muskies Need to Replace 64% of Last Year's Points
Guard Heather Rakosik and post players Ali Miller and Elizabeth Schafer-players who accounted for nearly 64% of the Lady Muskies' scoring-have graduated. That means young, but experienced players like juniors Wren Lorek, Bobbi Pomeroy and Erika Reinemeyer , and sophomore Kawanah Gwinn are charged with the task of continuing Muskingum's tradition of success.

Pomeroy and Gwinn started all 26 games. Pomeroy, the point guard, dished out 80 assists last season. The 5-7 junior overlooked some opportunities to shoot from the perimeter last season, opting to pass the ball to one of the seniors. Gwinn, a 5-7 sophomor e, is slated to be the shooting guard. An athletic player, she collected 39 steals and averaged 5.1 points per game in her inaugural season.

Looking at the frontcourt, the only player with varsity experience is Lorek. A 5-11 junior, Lorek logged minutes in all 26 games last season. She shot nearly 57% from the field (62-for-109) and scored in double-figures in nine games, including a career-hi gh 18 against John Carroll. The question is what first-year players will step up to play with Lorek in the post? Newberry has three first-year centers in the program: 5-11 Michelle Emrich, 5-10 Lindsey Grace, and 6-0 Beth Stiers. There are also three forw ards who have limited varsity experience in 5-10 sophomore Leslie Deal, and 5-10 first-year players Brooke Corrie and Jessica Demshar.

"We're really going to have to have a couple first-year players who can step up and immediately help us in the post," Newberry added. " We have some players recruited in who have the potential to help us, but whether they do that in their first year, I'm not sure."

Ohio Wesleyan Returns Six, Yes Six, Starters
It may sound unusual to have more than five returning starters but that only reflects the extraordinary depth that Ohio Wesleyan head coach Nan Carney-DeBord has on this year’s squad. The Battling Bishops return 12 letterwinners from last year’s 15-11 tea m. Eight different returnees started games last season.

Junior guard Megan Coughlin, a first-team All-NCAC selection, again will be the heart and soul of the Bishops. She ranked second in the league in scoring (17.5 points per game) and three-point percentage (40.4%). The wing spots should be OWU’s strength th is season, with a pair of returning All-NCAC players in senior Tami Santa and sophomore Jess Viertlboeck. Santa moved to wing from point guard and not only gave the Bishops more ballhandling presence on the court, but ended up ranking third on the team in scoring (8.2 ppg) and third in the conference in assists (4.0) and steals (3.0). Viertlboeck’s season got a late start because of a bout with mononucleosis, but she made an immediate impact upon her return, averaging 14.2 points per contest. Also return ing is sophomore Mary Ackerman, who started 17 games last season and averaged 3.8 points per game.

The post positions also are well-stocked. Junior Heather Hover won one starting spot last year and led the team with 6.1 rebounds. Sophomore Anissa Haynes started eight games at the other spot and finished fourth on the team in scoring (7.2 points).

Two Starters Back for Mount Union Women
Mount Union women's basketball coach Jennifer Reimer takes over a program that returns only two starters and seven letterwinners from last year's Final Four squad. The Purple Raiders (29-3 overall, Ohio Athletic Conference champions) placed third in the N CAA Tournament last March. "We have a solid nucleus coming back," said Reimer. "In addition, we have several talented freshmen who should contribute right away. The combination of experience and youth should be a good mix for us." Mount Union will be led by junior forward Katie Harrington (10.4 ppg/5.8 rpg) and senior forward Meggan Few (7.0 ppg/4.2 rpg). "We'll use a lot of players in our system," noted Reimer. "We have good depth returning which is a key to success if you want to pressure the opposition and use the whole floor."

Delaware Valley Looks to Be on the Rise
Head coach Laura Rotz has six letterwinners (three starters), a Division II transfer and a solid freshman class at her disposal as Delaware Valley looks to improve on last year’s 8-16 mark.

Leading the group of returnees is MAC Freedom League Second Team All-Star Jeanne Waznak who is just 84 points shy of becoming the fourth player in Aggie history to reach the 1,000-point milestone. The junior guard led the team and the MAC in scoring (19.5 avg) and free throw percentage (.880). Her mark from the foul line set a conference record and placed third nationally while her scoring average ranked 29th nationally.

Center Enid Dunmire and guard Jessica Perry are back after solid freshmen campaigns. Dunmire led the conference and ranked 26th nationally in rebounding (10.9 avg). She also added 8.9 points and a school-record 2.5 blocks per game. Perry averaged 5.5 points and, 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

Sophomore guard Alisa DiBonaventura transferred in from Slippery Rock where she started at point guard and averaged 6.4 assists per game. She heads the list of newcomers that includes freshmen recruits Kristen Henry, Becky Oakley and Lauren Snyder.

Lycoming Optomistic Despite Losing Six Seniors
Lycoming is optimistic about the 1998-99 season. The Warriors lost six seniors from last year’s squad but several key returnees and a talented group of newcomers has head coach Christen Ditzler hoping for another strong season.

"My expectations are for us to be competitive and be in every game," said Ditzler. "My long-range goal is to get into the playoffs, but that gets more difficult each year because our conference keeps getting better."

Ditzler has put together quite a run as the Lycoming coach, leading the Warriors to the MAC playoffs in each of her five seasons in charge. Last year, Lycoming posted a 15-10 record. A year earlier, the Warriors went 17-10 and reached the NCAA Division III playoffs.

The Warriors will be led by junior guard/forward Stephanie Smith and senior guards Jennifer Shuler and Nicole Kimble. Smith started 24 of 25 games last season and was the team’s second-leading scorer at 11.7 points per game. She was second on the team in rebounding at 6.8 a contest and was a second-team Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom League all-star. Shuler was the top player off the bench last year, ranking third in scoring at 10.6 points a game. She made a team-high 40 three-pointers. Kimble played in 21 games last season, averaging 2.8 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.

Another key veteran should be sophomore forward Jena Boos. She played in 22 games last year and averaged 3.9 points and 3.9 rebounds a contest. Two other veterans -- sophomore forwards Jodie Forney and Susan Rarick -- return for the ‘98-99 season. Forney played in 20 games, averaging 1.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game; Rarick was sidelined last year with an injury.

One of Lycoming’s top newcomers this season should be sophomore point guard Adrienne Wydra. A transfer from Susquehanna, Wydra averaged 5.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game last season for the Crusaders.

"We are very young with only two seniors and one junior. We have lots to learn, and it’s going to take some time. Our experience last year meant a lot. We don’t have that this year so we’ll have to work extra hard. But all of the newcomers are talented and learning, and I expect them to make an impact this year," Ditzler said.

Four Starters Back from 15-9 Susquehanna Team
As 12th-year Susquehanna head coach Mark Hribar watched his team win last season's last five games to secure the program's 10th consecutive winning season, he couldn't help but think about this year. His squad made that run with no seniors and 10 freshmen. While it eventually fell in the first round of the MAC playoffs to finish at 15-9, the prospects for the 1998-99 season still looked bright. Those prospects still look good, despite the transfer of one starter and the decision by another key reserve not to play. Four starters and nine letterwinners return to join three talented freshmen.

"With the numbers of veterans we have coming back, including the three seniors, I think we have to be very optimistic," said Hribar. "We have a lot of players back who got a lot of playing time last season, and with the addition of three very good recruits, we're definitely focusing on it being a successful season." Topping the list of returnees are Division III Basketball Online Team of the Year (Third Team) senior forward Kristen Venne (18.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and two-year MAC All-Star and junior center Karyn Kern (15.3 p, 9.0 r). Rounding out the "Special K" frontcourt will be 5-8 senior forward Karrah Henry (5.1 p, 3.5 r), who started 11 games and played in all but one last season. Henry displaced classmate Sandy Jenkin (6.2 p, 3.5 r) in the lineup by season's end, although Jenkin played in all 24 games and settled into a "sixth player" role.

After sharing the starting point guard job last season, sophomore Sue Trella (3.2 p, 3.5 apg) now has the job to herself with Adrienne Wydra's transfer to Lycoming. Trella is recovering from an offseason knee injury, but is expected to be healed by the time camp opens. Junior Lisa Stack (2.4 p) has been a spot starter her first two seasons and is expected to be the forerunner at two-guard.

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