University Athletic Association

Started by Dr.Fager, March 03, 2005, 02:57:08 AM

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bearswatcher

In its quest for success, the Washington University women's basketball team could use a little R (reading) and R (responding) in 2005-06.

Consider that the Bears will have at least three new starters this year. They also welcome nine newcomers to the fold. Expectedly, there will be a learning curve for those new to the program.

"It's a different mix this year," said WU head coach Nancy Fahey. "Last year, we had a lot of returnees at a lot of positions. This year, we have more variety. We'll look to our veterans to give guidance to a promising younger class. That younger group is still absorbing the system and the style of how we play."

With the learning phase in progress, application—or the ability to read and react—will come to the forefront as the season unfolds.

"There has been a lot of energy," Fahey said of the preseason. "We are trying to get to the point where energy relates to playing hard at all times. We hope to respond to that challenge."

Opportunity is knocking for the new faces, though the Bears still have some firepower back from last season. Two of their top three scorers, including the 2005-06 Women's DIII News Preseason Player of the Year, return from an offensive unit that ranked 29th nationally in scoring offense in 2004-05.

"We want to put constant pressure on the defense with our ability to push the ball at teams," Fahey said. "At the same time, we need to be patient and eliminate the things that beat you. We need to stay true to ourselves in trying to strike a balance. That balance will help us be a strong offensive team."

Additionally, 12 letterwinners are back from a defense that helped forge the fifth-best rebounding and 12th-best scoring margins in the country last season.

"Our defensive cornerstone will center around each member of the team knowing her role," Fahey said. "Again, we need to eliminate the things that beat you—giving up uncontested shots and allowing dribble penetration. We will rely on each other to be in the right spots. Developing trust for one another will determine our success on gameday."

BACKCOURT
Senior Kelly Manning, the DIII News Preseason Player of the Year, returns to lead the backcourt. Manning, a 2005 Kodak/WBCA first-team All-America selection, led the Bears last season in scoring, field goals, three-pointers, free throws, and blocked shots. The reigning UAA Player of the Year, Manning also enters 2005-06 ranked first in free-throw percentage, fourth in blocks, fifth in three-point field goals, sixth in three-point field goal percentage and ninth in scoring on the WU career lists.

"Kelly is a unique weapon for us," Fahey said. "Her ability to shoot the three or penetrate makes her very difficult to defend because she can do both so well. Leadership, extending the defense and getting to the free-throw line are keys for her."

Senior Katie Benson demonstrated her ability to slash and knock down the long jumper last season. She averaged 5.7 points per game off the bench, and recorded a UAA-best .413 three-point field goal percentage. She also shot .778 from the free-throw line.

"Katie is a skilled shooter who gets out of the blocks fast in transition," Fahey said. "One of the best things Katie brings to the team is her enthusiasm—she loves to play and you can see it."

A point guard, junior Sarah Schell has amassed 172 assists in her first two seasons on the Hilltop Campus. The Bears' returning leader in assists, Schell also averaged 3.0 rebounds and 4.2 points per game last year.

"Sarah is a naturally gifted point guard with a terrific feel for the game," Fahey said. "She makes timely decisions that you can't teach—she sees and delivers."

Junior Jenny Southworth, who played women's soccer at Washington U. as a freshman, joined the team last season and made an immediate impact. One of the team's toughest defenders, Southworth appeared in 26 of 27 games.

"Jenny adds a great deal of versatility to our system by playing both the point and off guard positions," Fahey said. "Her work ethic, intensity and competitiveness have a great impact on our team. She is a blue-collared worker who does all the difficult things."

Nicky Huels, also a junior, joined the group for her first season last year after transferring from New York University. Huels made 18 appearances in a reserve role.

"Nicky is a fiery competitor whose motor never stops," Fahey said. "She has put in long hours over the summer to improve her game, and is one of our most aggressive defenders."

Junior Tiffany Slater saw her first varsity action last season, appearing in 11 games.

"Tiffany is a smart and relentless defender," Fahey said. "She has become such a vital presence because of her unselfish nature and desire to do everything possible to make this team better."

Slater, junior Andy Strauss and sophomores Kacy Crawford and Abby Mowry all will add depth on the perimeter.

"Kacy spent the majority of the summer rehabilitating from injury; she'll add another dimension to our attack with her ability to knock down the three," Fahey said.

"Abby's comfort with our style of play is apparent, and we hope she continues to develop her game," Fahey added. "Andi is a hard-nosed defensive player with a great work ethic. She will be asked to play multiple positions."

A trio of freshmen join the WU backcourt. Shanna-Lei Dacanay, a Honolulu, Hawaii native, comes to the program after a strong prep career at Punahou School. Dacanay garnered Gatorade Player of the Year honors in Hawaii her senior season. The 5-2 point guard also earned first-team all-state honors twice and was a semifinalist nominee for the 2005 McDonald's All-America Team.

"Shanna had an outstanding high school career," Fahey said. "She has the handle and offensive explosiveness to deal with pressure. All she needs is experience."

Cor Jesu Academy and local standout Jill Brandt also joins the team after earning first-team all-conference and honorable-mention all-Metro honors for the Chargers. She averaged a personal-best 14.8 points per game as a senior.

"Confidence and repetition are key for Jill's transition into the college game," Fahey said. "She has great touch from outside."

Rovina Broomfield, a graduate of Whitney Young High School and Chicago, Ill., native, rounds out the freshman guard group. Broomfield helped Whitney Young to the city championship and a third-place finish at state as a senior.

"Rovina gives us an added dimension on the floor with her speed and attacking style, which allows us to pick up the tempo at both ends," Fahey said.

FRONTCOURT
Senior Danielle Beehler will provide versatility in the post. A second-team all-UAA honoree last season, Beehler averaged 9.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. She also led the team with 50 steals and shot .798 from the charity stripe.

"We need to have a player give us that game-in, game-out factor, and Danielle is that player," Fahey said. "She has great hands and is a force on the boards. We really need her to be a solid, constant presence on the block."

Junior Rebecca Parker is coming off a strong season in which she averaged 6.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in just 16.9 minutes per game. Parker notched career-highs of 14 points and 14 boards Dec. 8 at Webster University and appeared in all 27 games.

"Rebecca has the size, strength, mobility, touch and post skills to be very productive in the paint," Fahey said. "She appears to be ready to contribute in a significant way this season."

Junior Alana Fields joins the team after spending her first two seasons competing as a thrower on the Bears track and field team.

"Alana joins us after a break from basketball. She sees the floor well at the post position, which results in a good high-low game," Fahey said.

Freshman Zöe Julian served as team captain twice at Riverdale Country School. The Teaneck, N.J., native earned All-Ivy League accolades three times, including second-team honors her junior and senior seasons.

"Zöe has a strong foundation from her sound AAU experience," Fahey said. "She will provide us with strength and explosiveness in the post position."

A three-time team MVP, freshman Jaimie McFarlin helped lead Burke Catholic High School to three division crowns, two sectional championships and one region title. McFarlin, who hails from Monroe, N.Y., averaged 14.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game for her career.

"Jaimie has the potential to step up and give us minutes in the post," Fahey said. "The key for her will be to play with the intensity both mentally and physically that the college game demands."

Tiina Luning is a freshman from Boca Raton, Fla., where she attended Pope John Paul II High School. The senior class valedictorian, Luning helped the squad to the state semifinals as a junior and played in the played in the Palm Beach All-Star Senior Game.

"Tiina is a strong presence in the paint, and she uses that strength to her advantage near the basket," Fahey said.

Freshman Cambrie Nelson attended Kent Denver High School in Denver, Colo. Nelson lettered four years and served as team captain three times at Kent Denver, leading the 2004-05 squad to a 25-2 record and the district title.

"Although slowed by injury, we hope for big things from Cambrie," Fahey said. "Her size and quickness are to her advantage."

Sarah Tibesar, the Bears' final newcomer in the post, is the tallest player on the team at 6-3. A junior, Tibesar is a native of Plymouth, Minn., where she lettered two years at Wayzata High School.

"After a two-year lay-off, we are glad to see Sarah back on the court," Fahey said. "Her size adds a needed dimension to our game."

SCHEDULE
Washington U. opens 2005-06 on Friday, Nov. 18 when it hosts the WU Tip-Off Tournament. The Red and Green will welcome Coe College, DePauw University and Illinois Wesleyan University to the Hilltop Campus. The Bears will also travel to Hanover, Ind., for the Eleanore Moyer Tournament, hosted by Hanover College on Dec. 2-3.

WU hosts the fifth annual McWilliams Classic at the WU Field House from Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 26-27. The Bears will be joined by Denison University, Middlebury College and Wisconsin Lutheran College for the Classic.

"We look forward to a very competitive McWilliams Classic," Fahey said. "It is great to have schools with such academic and athletic prowess together in one weekend."

Conference play begins January 7 versus the University of Chicago. The Bears and Maroons tangle again Feb. 25 in the Windy City to mark the end of the UAA schedule. NCAA Tournament play is slated to begin March 1 at sites to be determined.

"We expect another tough test during the conference season," said Fahey of the UAA. "The league gets tougher each year. It was balanced from top to bottom last season and we will expect the same this season."

sandman

Re: the UAA pre-season coaches' poll:  How predictable.  Once again, they go with last year's standings as the guide.   I think Case can do better than 6th place this year (and Chicago higher than 4th by the way), but once again, the league is wide open.

The WBCA poll is also out now.  UAA teams in the rankings are Wash U at #6, Brandeis at #12, and NYU at #20.  Also on Case's schedule are Baldwin-Wallace at #17 and Kenyon receiving votes.

Only 9 days remain until the season starts!  Case (11-13, 6-8 UAA last year) opens the season in Erie, PA against Mt. Union (5-20, 2-16 OAC last year but with a new head coach) a week from Friday in the Penn State- Behrend Tip-off Tournament.
You miss 100% of the shots you don't make.

deiscanton

To Newtonnancy--

I tried to send you an e-mail, but your last e-mail address is no longer functioning.  Can you tell me how I can contact you?  Otherwise, I can't tell you anything other than the Brandeis women's basketball team did fine last Saturday in the scrimmage against DII Assumption and is getting ready for the upcoming season.  I am looking forward to this Sunday's scrimmage against Southern Maine, and to the tip-off tournament the following weekend.  That, and I am also going through Orbitz, Expedia, Kayak.com and others to see about affordable flights for UAA road trips for me.  :)

About the UAA preseason coaches poll: I agree with Sandman.  How predictable-- no thought went into this.  I guess that is what the coaches said about Wash U volleyball at the beginning of the fall, too.  Guess what happened last weekend to Wash U volleyball--  I wasn't too upset to see history in the making at Brandeis last weekend.  :)

deiscanton

Well, Brandeis is ready for the tip-off tournament!

Brandeis comes in ranked at #8 by D3Hoops.com, and #12 in the WBCA/ESPN/USA Today poll.

I think that the Judges are once again the favorite to win this tournament.  However, this tip-off field is probably the strongest that Brandeis has faced in years. 

The tournament will be webcasted on WBRS 100.1 FM in Waltham, MA-- http://www.wbrs.org.

Here is a short capsule of the tip-off field:

1st round opponent for Brandeis is the Salve Regina Seahawks.  (Friday, Nov. 18-- tip at 6 PM Eastern.)

Salve Regina went 16-9 last season and finished in first place in the Comm. Coast Conference's South Division.  However, a 23 point loss to Colby-Sawyer in the conference semifinals ended the Seahawks's bid for a fourth consecutive Comm. Coast Conf. Championship.

Salve Regina went 0-3 on the road against non-conference foes last season, but did not lose by more than 20 points in any of these games.

The test for Brandeis, if any, should start coming from these 3 returning starters:  6-1 F So. Alison Moen, 5-11 F Sr. Lindsay Frederick, and 5-8 G Jr. Margaret O' Brien.  Salve also has 5 other returning players who will also have their hands full with the Judges.  Salve Regina has 4 newcomers-- one of whom is a transfer from D2 Southern New Hampshire Univ.  The transfer is 6-2 F Jr. Bronya Shillo.  The other 3 are first year students.

The other first round match pits Bates who is ranked at #17 in the preseason D3Hoops.com poll against the Mt. Holyoke Lyons.  Bates finished 25-3 last season and lost in the NCAA Sweet 16 to S. Maine; Mt. Holyoke finished 21-6 last season and lost in the ECAC New England Tournament semifinals to Fitchburg State.  Tip is scheduled for Friday at approx. 8 PM Eastern.

This game will also be competitive, but look for Bates to be the favorite to prevail in this match.  The key for Bates will be if 6-1 C Jr. Meg Coffin, who averaged 12.3 ppg last year, will be able to play this weekend.  If so, Bates will have an easier time in this first round match.  Other players of note for Bates are the Bobcats's point guard Sarah Barton (a 5-9 sophomore), and Matia Kostakis (a 6-0 sophomore forward), a transfer from Amherst College who was Amherst's leading scorer last season.  Bates will also have a strong supporting cast.

Mt. Holyoke is led by 5-4 G Sr. Christine Godin, 5-7 G Jr. Joeanna Silvey, and 6-2 C Sr. Jonee Billy.  A strong supporting cast also helps the Lyons.   

The consolation game is set for Saturday at 1 PM Eastern, with the title game following at approx. 3 PM Eastern.


deiscanton

One of the Brandeis student newspapers, the Justice, has come out today (Nov. 15), with a preview article on the Brandeis women's basketball season, as well as an athlete profile on Brandeis point guard Amanda DeMartino ('06) entitled "A Passion for Passing."

Both are available in the Sports section of this week's Justice.

You can read the Justice at http://www.thejusticeonline.com.

bearswatcher

Let the Games begin!!!
The Claw is gonna get you as the prey begins liningup tomorrow. UAA Championship, National Championship, Manning D3 Player of the Year. 2006 looks to be a very good year!!!

WBRSsports

After an offseason of waiting, the 2005-2006 season starts tonight.

If you can't get to the Brandeis games, you can catch all of the action live at www.wbrs.org the whole weekend and the rest of the year. We will also be broadcasting away games so check out our website for information on that. Send any feedback to sports@wbrs.org

I think the women's team is reloaded and ready to go for Brandeis...and with another year under Capra's belt and a healthy knee for Malcolm, this team is dangerous.

Also, check out the Brandeis' sports magazine, the Louis Lunatic for another preview of the men's and women's teams: http://louislunatic.blogspot.com/ (it's located in the top entry on the site)

Looking forward to an exciting season and go Judges!

sandman

Welcome to the 2005-06 season!

Case 67, Mt. Union 50
http://www.case.edu/athletics/varsity/winter/wbasketball/stats/2005-06/06WBG_01.HTM

The Lady Spartans won their ninth consecutive opening game, as they spoiled Suzy Venet's first game as head coach of her alma mater.  Case never trailed in the game and outshot Mt. Union 45% to 31%.  Case built up a 12-point lead by halftime; Mt. Union cut it to five with 10 minutes to go, but Case then slowly pulled away to win by 17.

Senior guard Amber Hammell led the way for Case with 21 points, and sophomore center Ashley Horton scored 11.  The rest of the scoring (and the rebounds) were fairly evenly distributed among the 10-player rotation.  For the second year in a row, a freshman led the team in rebounding in her first game (this year it was Colleen Martin; last year it was Ashley Horton).

The only disheartening statistic for Case was the 20 turnovers, but Mt. Union did lead the OAC in turnover margin last year, despite finishing last in the standings.  Figure that one out. ???

The Lady Spartans now play the tournament's host team, Penn State-Behrend, at 3:00 tomorrow in the championship game.  Behrend defeated Westminster, 68-57, and Case has won the last two meetings.
You miss 100% of the shots you don't make.

deiscanton

Review of the Brandeis tip-off tournament from last night:

#8 Brandeis 69, Salve Regina 53

Box score:  http://my.brandeis.edu/athletics/one-game?groupid=1418&itemid=473650

#17 Bates 79, Mt. Holyoke 65

Box score:  http://my.brandeis.edu/athletics/one-game?groupid=1418&itemid=473651

Short capsule of Brandeis v. Salve Regina:

1.)  High scorers for Brandeis

Christine Clancy-- 14 pts., 4 rebs.
Jaime Capra-- 13 pts., 4 rebs.
Caitlin Malcolm-- 12 pts., 6 rebs.
Cassidy Dadaos-- 8 pts.
Amanda DeMartino--- 7 pts., 4 rebs., 7 assists
Lauren Goyette-- 7 pts.
Courtney Tremblay-- 5 rebs.

2.)  Brandeis had 19 assists on their 23 baskets and committed 13 turnovers, while forcing Salve Regina to commit 15 turnovers.

3.)  Salve Regina hit 0-2 from 3 pt. range in first half, and 2-6 from 3 pt. range in 2nd half, while Brandeis hit 5-21 from 3 pt. range for their game-- all 5 of Brandeis's treys came in first half.

4.)  Leading scorer for Salve Regina-- Katie Horan, 18 pts.

5.)  Brandeis outrebounded Salve Regina 41-28.

Next up today  at 3 PM Eastern.

#8 Brandeis v. #17 Bates.

A preview of Bates, in their own words, can be found at:

http://www.bates.edu/x80012.xml

Bates looked like they did not miss a beat last night.

Game will be on WBRS at http://www.wbrs.org

GO JUDGES!!!

sandman

Case defeated Behrend, 74-59.  Details to follow.

The Lady Spartans win the PSU Behrend Tip-Off Tournament.  This is the first time that they've won a tournament (and started the season 2-0) since 2001-02.  And we all know how that season ended up.  :)
You miss 100% of the shots you don't make.

sandman

And here are said details:

http://www.pserie.psu.edu/athletics/wbball/TAS/behw1120.htm

After holding a single-digit lead for most of the first half, Case pulled away in the second half, leading by as many as 20.  Case had another good shooting day (48% from the field, 8/13 from downtown) and would have won by more if they hadn't committed 22 turnovers.  It's still early in the season and there's time to work on that.

But the stat of the game was rebounds:  Case pulled down 44 as compared to only 20 for PSU Behrend.  Leading scorers for Case were Dana Dempsey and Amber Hammell with 18 and 17, respectively.  Ashley Horton had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, and Carmen Rowan had a game-high 12 boards.

Amber Hammell and Dana Dempsey were named to the All-Tournament Team, with Dempsey winning the MVP.

Next up: Ohio Wesleyan at home on Tuesday night.
You miss 100% of the shots you don't make.

deiscanton

Brandeis won their tip-off tournament today.

Quick recap:

Final score:  #8 Brandeis 73, #17 Bates 62

Details at http://my.brandeis.edu/athletics/one-game?group_id=1418&item_id=473653

High scorers for Brandeis:

Caitlin Malcolm-- 21 pts., 8 rebs.
Christine Clancy-- 16 pts., 7 rebs.
Jaime Capra-- 11 pts., 5 rebs.
Amanda DeMartino-- 10 pts.
Kiersten Holgash-- 7 pts.

Jaime Capra, Amanda DeMartino, and Kiersten Holgash each had 4 assists a piece.

Brandeis shot 22-28 from the free-throw line and outrebounded Bates, 50-36.

Brandeis had 18 assists on their 23 baskets, while Bates had 17 assists on their 25 baskets.

Bates's Sarah Barton had 8 assists in the game.

Named to the all-tournament team:

1.)  Christine Clancy-- Brandeis
2.)  Jaime Capra-- Brandeis
3.)  Sarah Barton-- Bates
4.)  Jonee Billy-- Mt. Holyoke
5.)  Lindsay Frederick-- Salve Regina

Tournament MVP:  Caitlin Malcolm-- Brandeis

Next up:  Brandeis travels to Wellesley, MA to play the Wellesley College Blue-- start of a 4 game non-conference slate involving NEWMAC opponents.  Game is Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7 PM Eastern.

sandman

Congrats to Brandeis on their win over Bates.  Can I pencil them in for undefeated when the UAA season starts?  ;)

Other scores of interest:
Mt. Union defeated Westminster, 60-40, in the consolation game at Behrend.  Suzy Venet gets her first win with the Purple Raiders, and one of her assistants, Erica Tallo, helped coach a victory against her former teammates.  Perhaps Westminster isn't nearly as strong as they were last year when they won the PAC and reached the NCAA tourney; Case plays them on 3 December at Grove City.

Baldwin-Wallace beat Rochester, 53-39, on the road, a day after blowing away Bethany, 90-38.  All three teams are on Case's schedule, with B-W coming to Cleveland a week from Tuesday.

Ohio Wesleyan lost their opener to Whitman of the Northwest Conference, 73-51.  Had OWU won, they would be playing Chicago tomorrow.
You miss 100% of the shots you don't make.

deiscanton

Sandman--

All I will say right now is that the Brandeis starters look ready for UAA play and it is now a matter of getting the newcomers ready as well.   :)

bearswatcher

The KILLER B's, Benson and Beehler teamed up with the Player of the Year K E L L Y  M A N N I N G to manhandle DePauw and Coe this weekend. 2 down 8 to go til Association Time!