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Women's Basketball
2009-10 Season Preview
last updated
10/29/2009
KUTZTOWN, PA. (October 29, 2009) -
The Kutztown University women’s basketball team enters the
2009-10 season with plenty of experience, confidence and excitement.
The Golden Bears return four starters from a squad that finished
20-8 and participated in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
(PSAC) Eastern Division playoffs.
Kutztown was picked to finish third
in the PSAC preseason Eastern Division coaches poll.
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| Senior Rachel
Wisemiller |
Leading the returnees are a pair of
strong 5 foot, 10 inch players in senior guard
Rachel Wisemiller (Hazleton/Hazleton) and junior forward
Melissa McQuade (Pittsburgh/Shaler). Both players enter the
season with over 700 career points. Together, they are one of the
PSAC’s most formidable scoring duos.
“They have a knack for knowing where
the other is and getting each other the ball at opportune times to
score,” veteran head women’s basketball coach Janet Malouf said.
“They take the pressure off each other because they both can score.
The two of them are our scoring anchors on the team and both of them
are capable of erupting for big games.”
McQuade, who was selected to the PSAC
preseason all-conference team, led the team in scoring (15.9 ppg.)
and rebounding (10.0). She was named to the all-PSAC East first team
last season after finishing third in the conference in rebounding
and eighth in scoring. McQuade recorded 12 double-doubles last
season. She shot 162-of-332 from the floor, to lead the team in
field goal percentage at 48.8 percent.
McQuade set the KU single-season
rebounding record with 281 and was second in assists with 99. Her
714 points after two seasons puts her on pace to join the 1,000
point club, which only 11 KU women have managed in their careers.
Meanwhile, Wisemiller was named to
the all-PSAC East second team after averaging 15.8 points per
contest. Wisemiller set a KU school record with 81 3-pointers made
in 2008-09, which also led the PSAC. The 441 points scored was the
fourth-highest single season total in KU women’s basketball
history.
As a team last season, Kutztown made
176 3-pointers, which was fourth in the PSAC. Wisemiller and McQuade
combined to make 106 3-pointers.
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| Junior Melissa
McQuade |
“For us to be successful this season,
we need to take care of the ball and shoot well,” Malouf said. “One
big thing will be rebounding, as we are not that tall. It will mean
that everyone who steps on the floor will have to do their job as
well as they can day in and out for us to be successful.”
Senior center
Chauntelle Schroeder (Toronto, Ontario, CANADA/Mother Teresa)
averaged 10.5 points and 6.5 rebounds. She had four double-doubles
last year and started every game. Her presence in the middle should
help the Golden Bears maintain the offensive balance they had last
year when three players averaged double digit points.
Junior point guard
Meredith Starr (Richmond, VA/Monacan) handed out 133 assists
last year, which was tied for second in the PSAC. An all-around
performer, Starr also averaged 5.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per
outing. The Golden Bears will be without 5-10 senior guard
Katie Dovey (Willow Hill/Fannett-Metal), who suffered a
season-ending injury during preseason practice. Dovey averaged 5.8
points and 3.8 rebounds.
Senior guard
Vivian Melvin (Chichester/Chichester) returns to provide
depth and experience. Melvin, who saw 18 minutes per outing,
averaged 4.3 points and 3.4 rebounds in 23 games. Melvin made the
game-winning basket in a 61-59 win over Mansfield last January.
Melvin has played 75 career games.
“Vivian is shooting the ball better
and playing with more intensity,” Malouf said. “She is our best
driver and doing better on finishing plays around the basket. She
is playing better defense and making better decisions with the ball.
Meredith has always run the show for us, but has improved her
shooting in the early going. Chauntelle has continued to improve her
game and be a force in the center position. Her consistency will
help take the pressure off of Rachel and Melissa.”
Sophomores
Brittany Greaves (Malvern/Great Valley),
Vanina Bonanno (Ringwood, NJ/Lakeland Regional) and
Brittany Le Van (Centre Hall/Penns Valley) will be see
plenty of action this season. Le van, who made one start last
season, had 54 points and brought down 26 rebounds in 25 games.
“All three are prepared to step up
and play,” Malouf said. “Greaves has worked hard on improving her
post moves and consistently shooting the ball. Bonanno has improved
her defensive game and is a streaky shooter who can score if she
gets in a groove. Le Van is in the best shape of her career at this
point and getting more consistent in her play.”
The Golden Bears boast a strong
recruiting class featuring 5-11 freshman forward
Steph Zewe (Indian Valley/Lewistown), 5-7 guard
Ashley Wood (Limerick/Spring-Ford), 5-10 junior guard
Kristen Murray (Harrisburg/Trinity), 5-5 freshman guard
Jackie Burg (West Chester/Bishop Shanahan) and 5-6 freshman
guard
Melanie Mahan (Mulica Hill, NJ/Clearview Regional).
Zewe averaged 17 points per game and
was a two-time all-Mountain Valley Conference first team performer.
Mahan was named all-South Jersey and Wood was an all-area selection.
Murray, who is a junior transfer from East Stroudsburg, has a good
understanding of the game and experience. Wood has speed and a
little cleverness to her game, which should help the Golden Bears
create more scoring opportunities.
“They bring different skills to the
team,” Malouf said of her incoming freshmen. “We expect
contributions from them all, but the biggest impact should come from
Murray, Wood and Zewe.”
The 2009-10 schedule features 14
regular-season home games, and contests against five schools that
participated in the 2009 NCAA Division II basketball tournament. The
Golden Bears begin the season on the road against Wilmington
University on Nov. 15. Kutztown’s home opener will be against Holy
Family on Nov. 24.
“I am very excited about this season,
Malouf said. “We have a good mix of returners and newcomers who can
help us be successful. They are working on their chemistry and as
we continue to improve together, we will improve as a team. This is
the seniors’ last chance and they are playing with determination and
focus to achieve the PSAC East title that we fell just short of last
year.”
--KU--
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