Season Outlook

The Aquinas College women’s basketball team will have a new style of play as they embark on the 2012-13 season.  After running the triangle offense the last six seasons, the Saints are looking to become more aggressive attacking the basket and running the dribble drive offense.  Coach Linda Nash, who enters her 17th year at the helm of the program comments, “Anytime you change things up there will be an adjustment period.  I think this system will suit our players well and they seem to be embracing the concept of attacking the basket.  We have always tried to be an aggressive team and this offensive system will certainly mesh with our “empowerment” philosophy to give the players on the floor the freedom to make decisions.”

The Saints are led by a talented group of five seniors, led by DeWitt’s Taelor Sanders, a 2^nd team WHAC All-Conference performer a year ago.  Sanders has the ability to single handedly take over a game if need be, and her greatest asset is the example she sets by her work ethic.  Sanders led the Saints who finished last season with a 15-15 record in all statistical categories including scoring (15 ppg), rebounding (5.7 rpg), assists (114), and boosted an 81% free throw shooting touch at the line.  Sanders is joined by a strong group of seniors including 5’11” Shelby Carter.  Carter averaged 8 ppg while shooting 51% from the field a year ago.  The sleeper this year could be Clare Conway.  Nash comments, “Clare has looked really good in the pre-season.  She loves to attack the basket and she has a knack for getting to the ball on the boards.”  Liza Flewelling and Hayley O’Meara round out the senior class and both have strengths they bring to the court.  Flewelling is an intelligent player and O’Meara can really defend on the ball.

The junior class returns three players who all saw significant playing time as the year progressed last season.  Marisa Marx is a sparkplug that energizes the team.  She has the ability to light it up from 3 point distance and is mixing things up with her penetration.  Jenna Brower, is an excellent shooter as well and her length and athleticism can cause problems for the opponents.  Carly Bardwell is a physical player who battles hard on the boards.  She has become a more polished player and can hit the 10-15 foot jumper if needed.

The sophomore class of Allison Heberlein and Chelsea Matley has the potential to give opponent’s problems.  Heberlein averaged just under 9ppg as a freshman and was second on the team in rebounding.  Matley is a tremendously gifted athlete.  Nash comments, “Chelsea Matley is thriving in our system of attacking the basket.  She is so quick and she has the ability to stop on a dime and rise for a mid-range jumper.  Allison had a great freshman year and she’s ready to pick up where she left off last year.”

There will be a talented group of five newcomers rounding out this year’s roster, led by 1^st team Class D All-State player Karli Jacob from Gaylord St. Mary’s high school.  “KJ has a multitude of skills in her offensive arsenal.  She can shoot the three, drive it and post if need be.  Her defense is coming along”, says Nash.  Brooklynne Lane, a 6’2” center from Manton High School, will be a force to contend with.  She possesses a soft shooting touch and she has the ability to dominate on the boards.  With more experience she will provide a punch off the bench.  Point guard Elyse Starck topped off her successful high school senior year at Morley-Stanwood, with a Class C state championship in which she chipped in 10 points and was the floor leader playing all 32 minutes of that game.  Two talented players round out the freshman class.  Danielle Lollo, closed out her illustrious high school career at Allen Park Cabrini High School becoming the school’s all-time leading rebounder and second in career scoring.  This is quite a feat considering Lollo is only 5’8”.  Nash comments, “Dani just goes after it.  She doesn’t back down and her strengths are her ability to rebound and attack.  She is from a high school program that has been a perennial powerhouse.”  Last but not least is Traverse City West High School graduate Shaina Streeter.  “Street is long and athletic.  She can flat out defend and she has shown in the preseason that she’s a competitor.”

The Saints were picked to finish fifth in the preseason poll by the WHAC coaches.  Nash is hoping that this ignites a “chip on the shoulders” by her team.  “We have a competitive group of players and how we mesh as a team is the only question mark.  We have the ability to play with the best of them, but it will take a lot of extra hard work and determination to vie for the WHAC conference crown.  I like what I am seeing and my long-time assistant coach Ray Fron is pretty psyched as well.  We are taking it one day at a time and trying to enjoy the journey along the way.  This year’s schedule is topped off with a two game stint in Florida.”

“Our goal is to work harder than anyone and to have more fun than anyone else.  There will be plenty of challenges along the way and I am hopeful that this group will bond and become a real force to be reckoned with.  Our defense and rebounding will need to really step up to achieve these lofty goals.  Coach Fron and I are looking for strong leadership from our seniors.  We will be without the services of senior Lindsey Karpowicz, who will red-shirt this season after suffering a torn ACL this season.  She is working hard and is doing a great job mentoring our younger kids.  She will be back next season for her final campaign.  Volleyball standout Nicci Thomas will also red-shirt this year as she studies abroad second semester in Ireland.” says Nash.