Coming off of two consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, the women’s basketball team will look to overcome the loss of one of the most prolific classes in the program’s history. Despite graduating three key components of last year’s 18-8 squad, the Cards enter the season with last season’s NESCAC Rookie of the Year, their assist leader, their best defender, and a host of young talent ready to contribute.
The situation resembles the start of the 2004-2005 season when the Cards had just two seniors on the roster—this year’s team features three—and were unsure how they would fare after losing the class of ’04 that went a combined 70-28 in four years at Wesleyan. That ’04-’05 team certainly earned its own respect, finishing 22-5 and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament.
The class of 2006 featured two career 1,000-point scorers in Hannah Stubbs ’06 and Ashley Mastrangelo ’06, while Meghan Robinson ’06 completed a trio that accounted for half the team’s scoring and nearly half the rebounding last season. They led the team to a tie for third in the NESCAC regular season standings and a semifinals appearance in the NESCAC Tournament, before bowing out in the first round of the NCAA Tournament with a heartbreaking loss to Muhlenberg.
The team, which hopes to vaporize the hollow feeling that followed the loss to Muhlenberg, is led by Nikki Maletta ’08 and Sarah Milburn ’07 at the one and two spots, respectively. The two combined for 143 assists and 83 steals last year and will be counted on for their experience at the point positions this season.
Captain Kelly Bowman ’07 contributed consistently off the bench last season and will move into one of the starting forward positions this season. Last year’s NESCAC Rookie of the Year, Ali Fourney ’09, will join Bowman in the starting lineup. Fourney drained 35 three-pointers last season and averaged 11.5 points in about 24 minutes of action per game. Fourney also led the team in blocks (24) and steals (58).
The Cards expect another one of last year’s talented freshman, Meredith Lowe ’09, to fill out the starting lineup in the power forward position. Lucy Sprung ’08 fell to injury early last season, but should provide quality minutes if her health permits. Stephanie Savas ’08, Ginny Hermann ’07 and Shannah Lively ’09 should all provide valuable minutes off the bench while freshmen Kiah McAndrew and Emilie Knight will push to earn playing time.
“I think the team is well prepared to begin this weekend,” Bowman said. “The general feeling on the team is the same and we are looking forward to starting. As always the NESCAC is a very competitive conference meaning we are playing many of the best teams in the country. Hopefully this will all be in preparation for a trip back to the NCAA tournament.”
The Cards open up this weekend at the Emmanuel College Tip-Off Tournament in Boston. In their opener, Wesleyan will take on a strong St. Benedict (Minn.) in their opening round game on Saturday and the tournament will conclude with the consolation game and finals on Sunday.
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