The Wilkes University women’s basketball team experienced the sixth largest turnaround in the NCAA last season, winning nine more games in the 2008-09 season than in 2007-08. This year, expectations remain the same for a team that was 11-14 a year ago.
“One of the goals this year is to make it to the playoffs,” said head coach Rachel Emmerthal, who is entering her fifth season at Wilkes. “We would also like to be over .500 on the season. We also have an academic goal of at least a 3.0 team GPA.”
Wilkes returns a core group of players from a year ago, and will combine its experience with talented incoming freshmen to make a run at the Freedom Conference Playoffs. The Lady Colonels return juniors Sam Lynam, Erin Schneider and Brittany Ely, as well as sophomores Lindsey Gosse and Whitney Connolly.
Brittany Ely will be looked to as a leader and floor general for the Lady Colonels. The Junior from Montrose, Pa. averaged 4.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game a season ago, and led the team in assists with 63. “Brittany is our captain this season. She is very hard working and a defensive specialist,” said Emmerthal. “She’ll play any position for us, whether it be in the post or as a guard. We can always depend on her for anything we need.”
Erin Schneider will also be looked to for her experience. Schneider played in every game for Wilkes last season, averaging 5.3 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. “Erin has been with us for three years. She has a nice outside shot and comes with a lot of basketball knowledge,” said Emmerthal. “She will do whatever is needed on or off the court to help her teammates.”
Wilkes also returns its leading scorer from a year ago in Sam Lynam. Lynam was an offensive weapon last year, hitting 25 three pointers and averaging 11.3 points per game. She also shot .833 percent from the free throw line and had 19 steals in the 2008-09 campaign. “Sam is definitely a shooter. She has worked hard on her slashing game and taking the ball to the basket,” said Emmerthal. “She has improved on her defense, and can have a break-out game every night.”
Also returning for Wilkes are sophomores Lindsey Gosse and Whitney Connolly. Gosse averaged 4.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game last season, while Connolly appeared in 24 games a year ago. “Gosse is our six-footer, and when she puts it in her mind that she can, she will dominate down low. She is an inside presence, and our team is better when she’s on the floor,” said Emmerthal. “Whitney has improved a lot since last year. She has a very nice outside shot and has gained a lot of confidence.”
There will be plenty of new faces for the Lady Colonels this season, as over half the players will be freshman or first-year competitors.
Sophomore Lyndsay Ellis and freshman Amanda Pawlowski will see plenty of action for Wilkes at the guard position. “Lyndsay and Amanda are our speed demons,” said Emmerthal. “They will help handle the ball and are excellent at getting to the basket.”
Freshmen Megan Kazmerski and Angela Palmerio will also play significant roles at both the guard and forward position. “Megan has a lot of range from the perimeter,” said Emmerthal. “Angela has a great ability to put the ball on the floor, and she can play a little forward for us as well.”
Freshmen post players Jennifer Rommer, Samantha Rohn and Morgan Palermo will assist Gosse with the interior game both offensively and defensively this season. “All three of our young post players will give us valuable minutes, and will be looked to for help rebounding and scoring inside,” said Emmerthal.
Coach Emmerthal is confident that these freshmen will step up for Wilkes this year, as many of them will see action in the 2009-10 season. “We will prepare the freshmen through the repetition of our plays and going over things as much as we possibly can,” said Emmerthal. “We have two overnight tournaments this year, and allowing them to build their camaraderie will help them in the future. Our schedule will also help us as far as getting the experience we need for our younger players.”
With this combination of experience and talented youth, the Lady Colonels will look to once again improve this year as they search for a Freedom Conference Playoff bid.