2004-05 Bloomsburg University Women's Basketball Preview

Written by: Lindsey Wyckoff, Student Assistant

In tight game situations, teams often depend on experience to carry them to victory. Last season, the Bloomsburg University women's basketball team had only two seniors. This year, the Huskies will look to improve on last season with experience guiding the way.

“I really believe that we'll go as far as the upperclassmen will take us and how far the freshman are willing to be led,” said coach Monica Starrett. “If we can solve that formula, we'll be very successful.”

Michelle Albanese

The Huskies return seven players from last years squad, including four starters in Michelle Albanese, Jamie Kauzka, Jen Berta and Tiffany Metzler.

Dana Thompson and Meggi Rothermel are both back from injuries suffered last season. Kelly Burkhart will also return to the floor for the Huskies.

Bloomsburg welcomes six new players to the team, including Bucknell transfer, Gabe Miskinis, and three freshman: Kim Dodson, CeCe Hall and Marquia Price. Angel Maldonado-Huff and LaToya McIntosh will also compete for playing time.

With a lot of new players on the team, Starrett will count on her upperclassmen to help the newcomers learn the ropes of the program.

“[For the older players,] it's a role of leadership in that they lead by example by coming to practice everyday, the way they approach practice, the way they approach games, and they'll be looked up to by our new players to show them how to play and be successful at a Division II level and how to compete,” she said.

“Our goal is to always compete for a PSAC East championship and that hasn't changed,” Starrett said. “After coming off a year where a young team made improvements all season to make it to post-season play, I anticipate that we're a little more seasoned and we have a nice blend of young kids, transfers and returning starters that could help us improve upon that success.”

BACKCOURT

Albanese returns at the helm of the Husky offense this season after leading the team in scoring and assists, averaging 14.6 points and 3.4 assists per game. Last season, Albanese set a school record with 67 three-pointers for the season, as well as career three-pointers with 162. Against Caldwell, she broke the school record for three-pointers made in a single game, recording eight three's en route to a career-high 31 points.

Meggi Rothermel

“Michelle has contributed what she's got since the day she walked into this place,” Starrett said. “She has established herself as a premiere point guard in the PSAC with her ability to hit the three or take the shot when the game is on the line.

Rothermel also returns at guard for the Huskies, after sitting out most of last season. Starrett believes Rothermel could prove herself as one of the best shooters in the conference during her senior season.

“I know she's anxious and looking forward to her senior year,” said Starrett. “She's one of the best catch-and-shoot shooters in the league and also one of the best three-point shooters. She'll be somebody that will make an immediate impact on the team.”

Burkhart also returns at guard this season after recording 25 assists and 16 steals last season.

“Kelly is another great catch-and-shooter who I know is looking to add to the time that she got last year,” Starrett said. “[Being a junior,] she's also taken on a leadership role for us this year.”

Hall, Maldonado-Huff and Price will all add to Starrett's options in the backcourt.

“The newcomers are very good athletes, very coachable and very eager to learn about our program,” said Starrett. “I really like their attitudes and know they'll add a lot of depth to the team.”

FRONTCOURT

Dana Thompson

In addition to Kauzka, Berta, Metzler, and Thompson in the paint, the Huskies will look to Dodson and Miskinis to fill the forward spot.

As a sophomore, Kauzka lead the team in rebounds with 7.7 per game, while scoring 11.5 points per game. Berta and Metzler also saw a lot of time last season. Berta started nine games for the Huskies last season, while Metzler averaged 4.6 points and 4.2 boards playing in all 28 games last season.

Returning this year for the Huskies will be Dana Thompson, who sat out last season but has proven to be a key contributor in seasons past.

Miskinis, a transfer from Bucknell will also see time for the Huskies. Starrett is excited about the contributions she will make to the team.

“She's a fierce competitor, extremely hard worker; she's really been a wonderful influence in terms of intensity in preseason,” Starrett said.

OVERALL

Going into the season, Starrett believes that experience will play a key role in the forecast for the team.

“Games we lost in a close situation last year, we had people put in situations they had never been in,” she said. “But this year, they've had that experience, and they'll be able to draw upon that in similar situations this season.”

The experience of the upperclassmen will not only help them, but Starrett believes their leadership in those pressure situations will be instrumental in helping the newcomers on the court.

“My hope is that we will come together as a team and be in the thick of the PSAC race at the end of the season.”