After graduating the most accomplished player in Saint Mary’s basketball history, the Belles are looking to push forward into the upcoming 2008-09 season. The standards are being raised as the Belles continue their ascent within the MIAA, which has brought them from the bottom ranks of the competitive conference to the top half. Third year head coach Jenn Henley and company expect to improve upon last season’s 8-8 fourth place finish in the league this coming year.
Led by seniors Meghan Conaty, Nicole Beier, Erin Newsom, and Katie Rashid, expectations are high and hopes are even higher for success this season. Newsom, who posted six double-doubles last season, and junior Anna Kammrath, who posted three of her own, will be expected to show leadership on both ends of the court. The two combined for 551 points and 432 rebounds a year ago.
“One of our goals last season was to have a strong presence in the paint,” Henley commented. “Our post players responded well to that challenge. That was only the beginning; we will ask even more from them this season.”
Henley will have plenty of experience and talent in her backcourt in addition to the strength in the paint. Sophomore guard Liz Wade notched forty-six steals in 2008, followed closely by Rashid who grabbed thirty-nine of her own.
“Our guard play will be critical to our success this season,” Henley went on to add. “We will have a void to fill with the graduation of Alison (Kessler). Our focus will be on limiting our turnovers while capitalizing on steals.”
With solid senior leadership and the return of veterans such as Mary Lynn Carlson, who is coming back from an injury, Henley and company are greatly anticipating the many possibilities for the team this season.
“We have a solid core of returners this season. We also have an exciting group of freshmen that will look to contribute right away. Once we develop the right team chemistry with focus on our defense, we will be ready to compete for a top spot in the MIAA.”
