2008 Woodie Awards
Women look to youth for success
With only one senior on their roster, the women's team will rely on young players to be competitive in the NCC
Pat Neumuth
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: Sports
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SCSU woman's basketball team has changed from focusing on an inside game into a pressing perimeter team.
The difference is the Huskies lost last year's Div. II Player of the Year in Erika Quigley.
Quigley left SCSU holding the career scoring (2,570), rebounds (1,341) and block shots (300) records. She was also a three-time All-American who led the Huskies to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2005 and 2006.
Additionally, the team will also have another key post player absent from last year's squad in junior Jackie Carlson.
Carlson, a starter who averaged 9.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season, is out for the season with a knee injury and is currently serving as a student coach for the team.
With Quigley and Carlson absent in the post this year, the team will look to the perimeter for identity on offense and defense.
"There will be more defense from three-point line to three-point line," head coach Lori Ulferts said. "And we won't rely on scoring from one or two players."
The Huskies will be a young team heading into this season. Jordi Gerking, Talisha Barlow, Rebecca Kitzman, Rachel Booth and Abby Rittenhouse are all new freshmen added to this season's team. Kayla Rengel is the only senior on the roster.
"It makes me feel a little old being the only senior, but I have more experience and have a lot to offer to the freshmen. I have been helping them adjust to the college game," Rengel said.
Barlow said she has had to adjust to the quick pace of college basketball.
"There is more running up and down the court," she said. "Offense and defense is more intense than high school."
The team has played in one scrimmage and two exhibitions so far this season. In their latest exhibition, the Huskies beat St. Ben's 67-61.
"The exhibition games are a way to give everyone game experience," Ulferts said. "It gives us a game atmosphere with a clock and fans."
Junior Katie Tacheny led all scores with 26 points against St. Ben's. Booth led the freshmen with 11 points.
The difference is the Huskies lost last year's Div. II Player of the Year in Erika Quigley.
Quigley left SCSU holding the career scoring (2,570), rebounds (1,341) and block shots (300) records. She was also a three-time All-American who led the Huskies to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2005 and 2006.
Additionally, the team will also have another key post player absent from last year's squad in junior Jackie Carlson.
Carlson, a starter who averaged 9.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season, is out for the season with a knee injury and is currently serving as a student coach for the team.
With Quigley and Carlson absent in the post this year, the team will look to the perimeter for identity on offense and defense.
"There will be more defense from three-point line to three-point line," head coach Lori Ulferts said. "And we won't rely on scoring from one or two players."
The Huskies will be a young team heading into this season. Jordi Gerking, Talisha Barlow, Rebecca Kitzman, Rachel Booth and Abby Rittenhouse are all new freshmen added to this season's team. Kayla Rengel is the only senior on the roster.
"It makes me feel a little old being the only senior, but I have more experience and have a lot to offer to the freshmen. I have been helping them adjust to the college game," Rengel said.
Barlow said she has had to adjust to the quick pace of college basketball.
"There is more running up and down the court," she said. "Offense and defense is more intense than high school."
The team has played in one scrimmage and two exhibitions so far this season. In their latest exhibition, the Huskies beat St. Ben's 67-61.
"The exhibition games are a way to give everyone game experience," Ulferts said. "It gives us a game atmosphere with a clock and fans."
Junior Katie Tacheny led all scores with 26 points against St. Ben's. Booth led the freshmen with 11 points.