BELLES
06’-07’
After posting the best conference season in school history last season, expectations are reaching new levels for the Belles basketball program.
The Belles finished 9-7 in the MIAA last season which was good for third place which allowed the team to host their first ever conference tournament game. In the previous eight seasons in MIAA competition, Saint Mary’s never posted a winning record or finished higher than sixth in the final standings.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Jennifer Henley the Belles will look for further improvement this season, “We are going to be an up tempo style of play with a strong emphasis on fundamentals. For us to be successful this season we need to be willing to push ourselves from day one.”
Junior guard Alison Kessler, a first-team all-conference selection last season, leads a group of returning players who will form the foundation of the 2006-07 team. Last season she led the team in scoring in becoming the first Saint Mary’s player to receive a first-team selection in five years.
Senior guard and second-team all-MIAA pick Bridget Lipke once again is expected to play a major role after leading the league in assists last season. Sophomore Erin Newsom also returns after a rookie season that earned her honorable mention from the conference coaches.
“I expect are top three returning scorers to play a vital role through out the season. While the team’s success doesn’t totally rely on them, they will help set the tone each game,” Henley said.
Among other returning players will be forward Nicole Beier who scored 4.9 points a contest year along with Stefanie Broderick who saw time in 17 games last year. A young Belles squad will also look to a group of first of players to give them a boost as they continue to build a winning tradition.
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