ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst College women's basketball team enters the 2009-10 season aiming to establish itself as one of the premier programs in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW).
After missing out on the CCIW Tournament last year due to a tiebreaker, the Bluejays are poised to not make the same mistake this season.
"There were too many times last season where we just didn't close out a game and let our opponents steal a victory from us," said Elmhurst Head Coach Tethnie Werner. "We lost six games last season by six points or less. We’ll be counting on our returning veterans to step up and lead us to victories in the close contests."
Werner will look to three-time all-CCIW selection
Lyndsie Long to provide part of that leadership. Long, a senior forward, averaged a team-leading 18.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last season while breaking the 1,000 career point threshold.
"Lyndsie is clearly our go-to player," said Werner. "She is truly one of the best all-around players in the conference. She can post up inside, knock down a 3-pointer, or drive past a defender to the basket. She's matured on the court into knowing when to take her shot and understanding her defenders' weaknesses. She's also worked very hard on defense and has progressed into one of the better defenders on our team."
The Bluejays have plenty of depth at the wing with Ceejay Harris and transfer Jessica Najarian.
"Ceejay is a very good slasher who can get to the rim," said Werner. "Jessica played very well last year at IIT and we're hoping she can contribute here as well."
Katelyn Prible adds to the Bluejays depth on the wing.
Werner will be counting on
Meghan Merklein to build off her solid freshman season at the power forward. Merklein averaged 9.8 points per game and played her way into the starting lineup for the final 10 games of the season.
"Meghan has a game that is very similar to Lyndsie's," said Werner. "She can play both inside and outside and is a very strong and physical player. She established herself as a team leader down the stretch for us last season."
Senior Maggie McTeague and freshman Stephanie Mitchell provide the Bluejays plenty of depth.
"Maggie is the type of player who always provides a spark for us when she's in the game," Werner said. "She has a nose for the ball and won’' be outhustled by anyone. Stephanie is a finesse player who can score both inside and outside. Since she's playing volleyball in the fall, I expect she will only get stronger as the season progresses."
Rounding out the post for the Bluejays is sophomore center Megan Ney. Ney fought through some early season injuries to average 6.5 points per game in her debut season with the Bluejays.
"We're expecting big things from Megan this season," said Werner. "She is very good in the post and doesn't mind playing with her back to her basket. She also has a very good range with her jump shot."
Werner expects sophomores Lauren Fane and Kate Pilson to also battle for playing time at center. Freshman Jen Schulmeister could also contribute in the post.
Werner knows that if the Bluejays are to be successful, they need consistent play out of their backcourt. Junior
Kelsey Monroe returns to her starting spot at the two-guard after averaging 7.9 points per game last season and leading the team in assists.
"Kelsey was slowed at times by an injury last year but we're expecting her to have a bounce-back season," said Werner. "We'll need her to find a good balance between passing and scoring. We'll be looking for her to be a little more aggressive this season with her shot selection. We'll also count on her to continue her outstanding defense, as she's the player who really gets our press going."
Sophomore Courtney Lawyer and junior transfer Erika Schwartz are also expected to see playing time for the Bluejays. Sophomore Amy Rigsby and freshmen Emily Pochinskas and Kim Schwerdtmann provide the Bluejays plenty of depth at the two-guard.
Werner believes the Bluejays are set at the point with returning junior Claire Gentry and newcomers Rashida Joiner and Whitney Tower-Woods. Gentry started eight games last season and ranked second on the team in assists. Joiner, a transfer from IIT, averaged 8.6 points and totaled 110 assists last season.
"We need our point guard to really help get our offense started," said Werner. "Our point guards are going to have to really push the ball and get us into our sets. Claire and Rashida are both very good at attacking opponents' defense and getting to the basket. Whitney is a very good distributor who can also knock down the outside shots.
With a schedule that features Washington University (Mo.) Calvin College, and the University of Chicago in non-conference competition, Werner knows that victories will not come easy.
"We've got a very difficult non-conference schedule with Washington, Calvin, and Chicago all being ranked among the nation's top-25. We're hoping our non-conference schedule will help us better prepare for the battles we know we’ll face in the CCIW."
After missing out on the CCIW tournament last season, Werner is convinced that the Bluejays will be playing with a chip on their shoulders.
"Our team feels as though there is unfinished business to attend to," she said. "Not making the conference tournament left a very bitter taste in our mouths and we don't want to experience that again. If we stick together and play as a team, I know we're certainly capable of making the conference tournament and capturing a CCIW Championship."
Elmhurst begins the 2009-10 season by hosting Edgewood College on November 16.