Commonwealth preseason interviews/video
Messiah Favored in Commonwealth Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
Annville, PA – With the tip-off to the 2011-12 basketball season less than three weeks away, the Messiah College Falcons were named the women's basketball favorite for the Commonwealth Conference. The Falcons return four of five starters in 2011, looking to build on a 19-8 campaign in 2010-2011 that saw the Falcons earn runner-up in the Commonwealth before losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Head coach Mike Miller returns for his 26th season with the Falcons, with a balanced roster preparing for the challenges of the grueling Commonwealth schedule. Messiah went 12-2 in the Commonwealth last year, losing only to Widener and Lebanon Valley during the regular season. The Falcons also lost to Lebanon Valley in the Commonwealth Championship, falling short of their sixth title in the past seven years.
The Falcons will be working towards their goals with a good balance of youth and experience. The team returns their two leading scorers from last year, junior forward Dori Gyori (12.6 ppg) and sophomore guard Taylor Miller (10.1 ppg). Junior forward Kira Maier and junior guard Nicky Hess also return as starters for the Falcons. Additionally, the team will look to receive a positive impact from junior transfer Katelyn Vanderhoff. Vanderhoff appeared in 22 games for the University of Maine Blackbears in 2010-11, making 15 starts while averaging 6.9 ppg. and 5.0 rpg.
“From a wins and losses standpoint, we want to do really well on our home court and win our share of games on the road,” said Miller, coach of the Falcons’ national runner-up teams in 2001 and 2008. “We hope to win the Commonwealth again and go deep into the NCAA (Tournament).”
The Falcons open their season hosting Dickinson on November 15. The Commonwealth Conference Tournament begins February 22 with semifinal games on campus at the higher seeds, followed by the championship game on February 25.
2011-12 Commonwealth Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Messiah 49 pts. (8)
2t. Lebanon Valley 39 pts.
2t. Widener 39 pts.
4. Alvernia 31 pts.
5. Elizabethtown 23 pts.
6. Lycoming 20 pts.
7. Albright 16 pts.
8. Arcadia 7 pts.
(#) denotes first place votes
Freedom preseason interviews/video
DeSales Favored in Freedom Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
Annville, PA – Defending Freedom Conference Champion, DeSales University topped the annual women’s basketball preseason poll, earning 46 points and 5 first place votes.
The four-time defending Freedom Conference champion DeSales University women’s basketball team returns four of its five starters after posting a 19-10 overall record last season under head coach Fred Richter who enters his 22nd season with a career record of 408-173 (.702).
Among the top returnees are senior Cherelle Simmons who was named to the All-Freedom Conference Second-Team last season and led the Freedom Conference in rebounding at 10.0 rebounds per game. Simmons also averaged 9.0 points per game and 1.4 blocks per game for the Bulldogs. Sophomore Sondrine Glovas also returns after earning Freedom Conference Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 10.9 points per game.
Senior Hannah Smith and junior Colleen Gavin round out the returning starters. Smith led the Bulldogs with 128 assists (4.6 APG) and ranked third in the Freedom Conference in assist-to-turnover ratio. Gavin averaged 9.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 41.9 percent from the field.
DeSales opens their season hosting Wesley College in the Starter Pub Tournament on November 18. The Freedom Conference Tournament begins February 22 with semifinal games on campus at the higher seeds, followed by the championship game on February 25.
2011-12 Freedom Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
1. DeSales 46 pts. (5)
2. Eastern 36 pts. (2)
3. Misericordia 35 pts. (1)
4. King’s 34 pts.
5. Manhattanville 31 pts.
6. FDU-Florham 18 pts.
7. Delaware Valley 17 pts.
8. Wilkes 7 pts.
(#) denotes first place votes