Oct.
28, 2006
Bulldogs aim to turn heads
Women's basketball preview 2006-07
By Ed Patino Sports Information Assistant
ADRIAN, Mich.-- There are plenty
of changes on and off the court surrounding the
Adrian College women's basketball team, and the
Bulldogs are optimistic those changes will bring
a jump in the MIAA standings.
Fielding a team comprised mainly of underclassmen
last year, Adrian was hurt by a slow start on
its way to a 9-16 record and seventh place finish
in the conference. In the MIAA Tournament, the
Bulldogs were eliminated by a powerful Calvin
team in the opening round.
As they enter the 2006-07 season, the Bulldogs
appear ready to make noise as they look for their
first winning season in five years.
For the first time, the Adrian coaching staff
is under full-time status. Head coach Kathy Morris
returns for her 15th season with the program.
She will be joined by second-year assistant coach
Amanda Rainsberger, who played three seasons at
Adrian and was an All-MIAA Second Team selection
her senior year. Also joining the staff is first-year
assistant coach Travis Hyde.
The Bulldogs will also have a Director of Basketball
Operations for the first time. Filling that role
is former Adrian women's golf coach Cyndi Beaubein.
"The administration put all of this in place,
and it's been a pleasure working with everyone,"
Morris said. "There's an eagerness to start
the season. The returning players have worked
hard over the summer and the freshmen have been
going hard. Hopefully it will pay off in the season."
A mix of experienced upperclassmen and several
incoming freshmen have the Bulldogs pointed in
the right direction. According to Morris, this
year's fall practices have been more competitive
than previous seasons.
"One big difference has been the effort and
competitiveness," Morris said. "The
kids are going hard and have been aggressive.
That translates into getting loose balls and rebounding,
which is something we've struggled with in the
past."
The Bulldogs return several key players to their
lineup, including four seniors. Meredith Blazejewski
(Beulah/Benzie Central) is the team's captain,
while Corri Helldobler (Toledo, OH/Central Catholic),
Ashley Hart (Onekama/Onekama) and Priscilla Yeagley
(Clifton Forge, VA/Lincoln Trail CC) also return.
Blazejewski, Helldobler and Hart have seen significant
playing since their freshman year, while Yeagley
made an impact last year in her first season with
the Bulldogs.
Blazejewski led the team in 3-point percentage
last year, hitting 46.3 percent from behind the
arc. She also averaged 5.2 points per game and
3.2 rebounds a night. Helldobler returns at point
guard after finishing second on the team in scoring
(8.3 ppg) and leading the Bulldogs in assists
(2.8 per game) last season. Hart has provided
key minutes off the bench throughout her career
at Adrian and is expected to compete for more
playing time this season. Last year, Hart was
third on the team in free-throw percentage, hitting
76 percent from the line.
Yeagley came on strong during the final month
of last season. She was the Bulldogs' leading
rebounder, grabbing 5.3 boards per night and finished
third on the team in scoring (8.1 ppg).
"Our seniors have a lot of experience, and
it helps that they played a lot when they were
younger," Morris said. "They provide
good leadership and will be a real help to the
freshmen."
Nichole Roose (Utica/Lutheran North) leads a deep
junior class. Roose emerged as a dangerous player
last year, leading the Bulldogs in scoring (11.8
ppg), made 3-pointers (48), free-throw percentage
(76.1 percent) and free-throws made (51). Roose
also led the team in steals (1.2 per game) and
was second in assists, handing out 2.5 per night.
Rita Carter (Detroit/Cody) will alternate with
Helldobler to give the Bulldogs two capable point
guards, while Chikura Dixon (Detroit/Murry-Wright)
gives the Bulldogs another post option off the
bench.
Sophomore Jenny Carlson (Tecumseh/Tecumseh) is
a 6-foot forward returning after a strong freshman
campaign. Also a key player on the Adrian College
volleyball team, Carlson led the Bulldogs in field
goal percentage, hitting 48.3 percent from the
floor. She was also the team's second leading
rebounder (4.8 per game) and was fourth in scoring
(7.9 ppg).
"The upperclassmen have been through this
before, and it's important that they know where
we want to be," Morris said. "We said
a couple years ago that it was time for a change,
and it's coming in a positive way. The upperclassmen
are excited about what they see around them."
A big class of freshmen will add to the Bulldogs'
depth. The freshmen are competing for varsity
spots in fall practices, and Morris is optimistic
many of them will earn playing time.
"A handful of them could come off the bench
or end up starting," Morris said. The Bulldogs
open the regular season with three straight home
games, beginning Nov. 18 against Rochester College.
After that, Adrian hosts cross-town rival Siena
Heights on Nov. 21, then welcomes Ohio Northern
University to the Merillat Center.
Also on the non-conference schedule is a two-day
tournament in the middle of December in Florida.
The Bulldogs will be joined by Roanoke College
and the University of Mary Washington in the Sunshine
State.
"We play three good non-conference games
to start, and the teams we'll see in Florida are
nationally competitive teams," Morris said.
"Rochester will be a good opener for us."
The Bulldogs will open MIAA play Dec. 1 when they
travel to Albion College.
Defending MIAA champion and reigning NCAA Division
III national champion Hope is the odds on favorite
again, along with Calvin. However, Morris believes
the rest of the league is balanced and several
teams could surprise.
"As in years past, you have to protect your
home court in this league," Morris said.
"Those
games are crucial."
KEY DATES
Nov. 21 vs. Siena Heights: Cross-town
rivalry comes to Merillat Center. Bulldogs beat
Saints last year.
Dec. 1-Feb. 27 vs. Albion: Bulldogs
open MIAA play and close regular season against
Britons. Jan. 2-Jan. 27 vs. Calvin:
Adrian looks to avenge MIAA Tournament loss to
Knights.
Jan. 4-Jan. 31 vs. Hope: Along
with winning MIAA title, Flying Dutch are defending
NCAA Division III national champions.
Jan. 6-Feb. 3 vs. Olivet: Bulldogs
have won four of last five meetings with Comets.
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