Women’s Basketball Hopes to Sustain Top Three Spot in PAC
The Waynesburg University women’s basketball team’s season is almost underway, as the team takes on Frostburg State Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Last season, the Jackets finished up with a 15-14 record, while finishing 11-7 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference and losing in the second quarterfinals to Washington & Jefferson.
“I think we need to clean up a couple areas of our game,” said head coach Sam Jones. “We need to be a better rebounding team and better in the defensive end.”
The team as a whole is primarily returning the same players, only losing three seniors. On top of those players returning, the team is gaining three freshmen and one upperclassman.
Last season, junior forward Addy Knetzer had a breakout season, finishing with a team-highs 14.4 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game.
After having the season she had last year, Knetzer said she still has things she wants to work on about her game.
“I want to develop in other areas of my game besides the post that will benefit the team like defense,” said Knetzer. “I don’t want to be solely a post player. I want to be an intimidating defender and more of a threat outside the post.”
Senior guards Kassidy O’Keefe and Katie Gehlmann and forward Haley Delaney are all returning, and Jones expects them to continue to play big roles with to team with it being their senior seasons. Sophomore guards Julie Deklaven and Monica Starre are also looking to contribute again.
“For me, I want to be more of a leader on the court, since that’s a point guards job,” said Starre. “I want to cut down on my turnovers, and I want to be shooting more so that I am a threat, not leaving me open. I don’t want to be shooting too much, though, but enough so that people guard me.”
Both Jones and assistant coach Kevin Pusateri are happy with what they have seen so far in practices. Jones and Pusateri talked about the work ethic and enthusiasm being a major aspect of the practices that the team has had so far.
“I am really excited for this year,” said Jones. “I have high expectations for what we can accomplish, and we have had the intensity that we can accomplish that.”
Knetzer also commented on the fact that she also expects great things from the team.
“I expect that we play our best every game,” said Knetzer. “If we do that, I think we can finish top 3 in the PAC this year.”
The team begins its season Tuesday, Nov. 15, when it plays Frostburg State University. The game will be played at home in the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse.