ALBANY – The College of Saint Rose women's basketball team looks to build off its first playoff appearance since the 2011-12 season this winter. The Golden Knights (10-17/8-12 NE10), which earned a Northeast-10 Conference Championship Tournament berth, have 10 letterwinners accounting for 98.7 percent of team scoring back in Black and Gold.
"Things have been night and day from last year, when we brought in some transfers and a freshman" said Head Coach
Karen Haag. "It is really easy to see the difference in chemistry from this very veteran squad on the court."
"You always try to win 20-plus games and make the postseason every year," continued Haag. "But that's hard to do in the strong NE10. We've been focusing on the process and things like getting better each day and staying healthy."
With the only losses due to graduation being backcourt players
Morgan Sullivan and
Analese Dublin, Haag brought in freshmen guards
Becca Townes and
Allie Lopes to the fold.
"Becca and and Allie are both really talented players," said Haag. "Allie has great hoops IQ and can shoot and guard. Becca has lots of raw athletic ability that she's begun to tap into. She's good now, but will be even better down the road."
The leading returning scorer is senior guard
Ashley Vanderwall, who averaged 10.6 points per game.
"Ashley has such a scorer's mentality," said Haag. "She's been scoring with confidence in a variety of ways and has improved defensively."
Other returning guards include: seniors
Isa Vara de Rey and
Niki Tsiotos and juniors
Cameron Graupman and
Takora McIntyre.
Vara de Rey, who transferred in from Idaho State last year, contributed across the scorebook in her first season at Saint Rose, averaging 7.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. McIntyre, formerly at Temple, grew into the starting point guard role as the campaign wore on, putting up a career-high 13 points twice in February. She also converted a layup with 2.6 seconds remaining at Pace to secure the NE10 Championship Tournament berth for the Golden Knights.
"Isa came back in amazing shape," said Haag. "She's got one speed, 500 million mph, which makes everyone else play hard on both ends of the court. Takora's much more confident at the point this preseason. She's been taking control out there."
"Cameron, vocal both on and off the court, is physically strong with good court vision, while Niki is a great defensive player that plays hard all the time," continued Haag.
Junior guard
Courtney Clasen, who missed much of last season due to injury, also returns.
"Coming off injury, Courtney has been easing back in, but we expect big things from her this season," said Haag.
Up front, senior
Karissa Birthwright, who contributed 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds a night, is back. The forward enters her final year with 773 career points.
"Karissa runs the floor so well," said Haag. "She's a vocal leader that plays with a lot of energy."
Senior forward
Zoe McDonald and junior forward
Leah Dollard also return. McDonald topped Saint Rose in rebounding (6.5), while Dollard tallied 9.0 points a night on a team-best 48.3 field goal percentage.
"Zoe loves to rebound," said Haag. "She gets after it on the boards and is improving from beyond the arc. We are looking for Leah to continue scoring and being a defensive presence up front."
The team's lone sophomore, forward
Nina Fedullo plans to build off a rookie season where she averaged 4.1 points and 4.0 rebounds and saw action in each contest.
"Nina improved greatly during the offseason," said Haag. "She's more confident and has improved her range."
The Golden Knights, picked to finish sixth in the Southwest Division of the NE10 preseason coaches' poll, will open their season on Friday, November 9 vs. Daemen at the Roberts Wesleyan Tournament.
"We're very excited to get going this weekend," said Haag. "I know our seniors are ready to make their mark on the court."
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