Lady Cougar Season Outlook

The University of Saint Francis’ Women’s Basketball team is very excited for the upcoming season. The team will have eleven players who did not play for USF last season along with 5 returners. The 11 newcomers includes players who redshirted last night season.

“This is as excited as I have been about a team here at USF. We have a very talented team, maybe about as talented as we have been since I have been here. We are very athletic and we have good size. This could be one of the quickest teams we have had. We are going to be able to get the ball down the floor very quickly. We are really going to try and push the tempo and be a good fast breaking team.”

“Our guard play could be as good as we have ever had. We have girls that are very quick, can take the ball to the basket, shoot the three, pressure the ball on defense, and get in the passing lanes defensively. We are going to press full court and really try and get after teams defensively. We are also going to try and put pressure on the other team by taking the ball hard to the basket. We have a lot of players that are very good at taking the ball hard to the basket.

Backcourt

“This will be one of our best and deepest backcourts we have ever had. I really like the potential that this group has.”

Bessie Jenkins returns for her senior season after redshirting last year. “Bessie has worked hard to get back into shape. Bessie can take the ball hard to the basket and she has the long arms and good quickness that lets her be a good defender. Bessie has also become a very good 3 point shooter.”

Julie Seiss also returns to the Lady Cougars. “Julie is a very good all around player. She gets a ton of steals. She can drive to the basket, she can shoot the 3 and she is a very good passer.”

Kayla Mullins is a transfer from Indiana State. Kayla was first team all state her senior year in high school in Ohio. “Kayla is one of the best offensive guards we have ever had here. She can drive,shoot the 3, and post up. She is very versatile and she is a hard-nosed player. “

Stacia Shepherd returns for her second season at USF. “Stacia will be able to play her natural position of shooting guard this season. Stacia is a very good spot up shooter and we are going to need her to knock down perimeter shots for us.”

Angie Roy also returns at the guard postion. “Angie is a very good athlete. She is a good set shooter and she is a very hard-nosed player.”

Kym Bowsher returns for her second season. Kym missed a lot of time last year for various injuries. “Kym is very athletic. She has good size for a guard, she plays good defense, and she is a good offensive rebounder.”

Bianca Woods is a transfer from Ancilla College. “Bianca is a great athlete. She is very quick, can drive, is a good passer and she is a great on the ball defender. She is really going to help our press and fast break.”

Brittany Ivey is a transfer from Virginia State. Brittany will play point guard. “Brittany is very quick, she can handle the ball, is a good passer, and she is a good on the ball defender.”

Molly Getts returns for her second season playing at USF. “Molly has gotten quicker this summer. Molly is a good passer and she can take the ball to the basket. She is very hard-nosed and plays hard.”

Markee Martin looks forward to her first season on the court after redshirting last season. Markee is from Bishop Luers High School where she led Luers the a State Title. She is coming off knee surgery this summer but should be ready to go for the season.”Markee is a very good point guard. She is a great ballhandler, can drive and stop and pop and she is a very good passer.”

Meghan Prible is a from Southern Wells High School. “Meghan is a very versatile player. She does a lot of things well. She can shoot, drive, and pass. She is a also a very good defender who has a good understanding of the game.”

Vini Dawson is redshirting this season.

Frontcourt

“We should have a very good inside game this season. We have good size and athleticism. “ It starts with Chanell Ridley. Chanell is a transfer from Miami of Ohio. She was an Indiana All Star at Concordia. “Chanell is big and strong and very athletic. “She has a chance to be a very good post for us.”

Chelsea Joseph returns inside for the Lady Cougars. “Chelsea is very good at driving to the basket and is a good ballhandler and passer. She is also a very good shot blocker. “

Lacey McNulty is a very versatile big girl that is transferring from Toledo. Lacey will be eligible to play Dec.12. “Lacey can score inside and out. She can take the ball hard to the basket. She has a chance to be a very good player for us.”

Carly Lichtensteiger is a freshman from Crestview High School in Ohio. “Carly is a very hard-nosed player. She plays hard all the time. She is a good offensive rebounder and she plays physical”

Nora Gibbons is a 6’4” post from Providence Catholic High School in Homer Glen, Illinois. “Nora has a lot of potential. I think she is going to get better and better. She is a very good shot blocker and she will change a lot of shots.”

Schedule

“This is probably the toughest schedule we have had since I have been at USF, and we have always played a very difficult schedule. We play four NCAA II teams. Northern Kentucky won the 2008 NCAA II National Championship and they are always a great team. Other NCAA II teams include St. Joe, Bellarmine and Southern Indiana. 

We are also playing in the St. Xavier tourney and will probably play St. Xavier, a great NAIA I program. We are playing ranked NAIA II teams Cedarville, Cornerstone, Cedarville, Aquinas.

That is just the non conference schedule. The MCC is always one of the best conferences in the country and it promises to be just as good this season.

The Lady Cougars also have an exhibition game versus NCAA I Chicago State.

“ I really feel that we can challenge for the conference championship this year. This team has the potential to do some damage at the National Level. If we stay healthy this should be an exciting season.”