2008 Woodie Awards
RSSHawks face St. Joe's to start season
By Logan Strenchock
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: Sports
The women's basketball team will host Saint Joseph's University in its season opener tomorrow at Stabler Arena.
Head Coach Sue Troyan believes the depth of this year's squad will be a strong point. Although the team will start off as a work in progress, Troyan believes it will improve week by week, eventually developing the chemistry needed to compete for the Patriot League championship.
Senior guard Kaela Pearce had a similar vision for the season.
"My personal expectations are extremely high," Pearce said. "We have depth at every position and plan on using that to our advantage."
Last year several young players were forced into action when two of the team's projected starters, junior guard Tricia Smith and senior guard Claire Sullivan, were lost for the year due to knee injuries.
Sophomore guards Alex Ross and Kristen Dalton stepped in and made major contributions, and will return to this year's squad as experienced sophomores.
Smith and Sullivan have completed rigorous offseason rehabilitation programs and return as captains. Coach Troyan expects them to fulfill leadership roles since they have experience dealing with tough situations after spending the latter part of last season watching from the sidelines.
"[Smith] and [Sullivan] have elevated their standards, and do not want to miss a beat," Troyan said. "They bring a sense of urgency to the program, and do not take anything for granted."
Troyan said this year's team will also have to overcome significant injuries, as junior guard Ryan Ingalls recently suffered a season ending knee injury at practice.
Although Ingalls' intense play and scoring ability will be missed, Troyan believes the team's character will persist and the players will adjust to the loss.
Strategy-wise, the Hawks look to build on the balanced attack from last season, Pearce said.
"This year, as different from the past, will not ride on the performance of one or two players," Pearce said. "We have the talent all around to simply win."
Head Coach Sue Troyan believes the depth of this year's squad will be a strong point. Although the team will start off as a work in progress, Troyan believes it will improve week by week, eventually developing the chemistry needed to compete for the Patriot League championship.
Senior guard Kaela Pearce had a similar vision for the season.
"My personal expectations are extremely high," Pearce said. "We have depth at every position and plan on using that to our advantage."
Last year several young players were forced into action when two of the team's projected starters, junior guard Tricia Smith and senior guard Claire Sullivan, were lost for the year due to knee injuries.
Sophomore guards Alex Ross and Kristen Dalton stepped in and made major contributions, and will return to this year's squad as experienced sophomores.
Smith and Sullivan have completed rigorous offseason rehabilitation programs and return as captains. Coach Troyan expects them to fulfill leadership roles since they have experience dealing with tough situations after spending the latter part of last season watching from the sidelines.
"[Smith] and [Sullivan] have elevated their standards, and do not want to miss a beat," Troyan said. "They bring a sense of urgency to the program, and do not take anything for granted."
Troyan said this year's team will also have to overcome significant injuries, as junior guard Ryan Ingalls recently suffered a season ending knee injury at practice.
Although Ingalls' intense play and scoring ability will be missed, Troyan believes the team's character will persist and the players will adjust to the loss.
Strategy-wise, the Hawks look to build on the balanced attack from last season, Pearce said.
"This year, as different from the past, will not ride on the performance of one or two players," Pearce said. "We have the talent all around to simply win."
