Devils open season Tuesday
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Women's basketball
FREDONIA, N.Y. -- The Fredonia State women's basketball team opens up the 2009-2010 season Tuesday at Nazareth College.
The Devils will rely on the return a solid core of players, including three of the team's top four scorers last season. Nine new faces will give the team greater depth this year.
Leading the charge will be the inside play of Merissa Gaeta (Kirkwood/Windsor) and Katie Landy (Jamestown). The duo had nearly identical seasons statistically a year ago. Gaeta scored 12.9 points per game to Landy's 12.2. Both grabbed a team-best 185 rebounds. Gaeta had 31 assists and 36 steals, while Landy had 29 assists and 40 steals.
Caroline Hourihan (Buffalo/Nardin Academy), who along with Gaeta will serve as a team captain, was the fourth leading scorer at 6.2 ppg. She led the Devils with 56 assists. Hourihan will play the two guard position and is a three-point threat.
The point will be run by sophomore Nicole Calbi (Olean/Olean). Calbi made seven starts last season and appeared in all 24 games, collecting 41 assists and 20 steals.
Senior Tiffany Collinsworth (Romulus) will step up the offense this year. She was sick much of last season and has shown the ability to score and is one of the team's strongest players. Junior Courtney Kingston (Geneseo) is another returnee that has stood out. She will get more opportunities this year after appearing in 23 games off the bench last year. She is playing with more confidence and knows the strategy. Sophomore Liz Wierbinski (Camillus/West Genesee) also adds a veteran presence.
New faces are aplenty this year. Junior guard Sierra Finch (Randolph/Randolph) is the team's one transfer. She played two seasons at Jamestown Community College and will step into the starting lineup. She is a scorer and the team's top three-point threat. Senior Maya Jordan (Bronx/Dewitt Clinton) is another upperclassman joining the team.
Freshmen Jenna Austin (Cherry Creek/Pine Valley), Kristina Kuscht (Webster/Webster-Schroeder), Grace Moore (Fredonia), Lindsay Schwab (Avon) and Anna Riley (Messena) will give the Devils depth at the guard position. Schwab is positioned to be the backup point.
Despite their youth, Wise likes their savvy. "They have no fear and they are not intimidated. The are very competitive and all of them will get opportunities at different times." Wise especially likes their aggressiveness on the defensive end. That depth will be a strength this season.
A pair of 5'11'' freshmen -- Brittany Evans (Odessa/Odessa Montour) and Emily Ludwig (Angola/Lake Shore) -- will provide some youth and depth in the front court. Evans played some guard in high school and has some range. With her size, she will be moved to forward.
Added depth will be the key this season. Wise already sees the improvement in every facet of the game in the early season. Last year, the team scored the vast majority of its points inside. With Gaeta and Landy that will still be a strength -- but the team now has several outside options. They have also upgraded defensively with a group of freshmen that will help right away.
The Devils went 9-15 overall in 2008-09, and finished at 3-13 in conference play. Key losses are leading scorer Angela Pucciarelli (13.7 ppg) and guard Jenny Brewer. Both were senior captains last season.
The Devils home opener is Sat., Nov. 28 vs. Geneva. They begin SUNYAC play on Dec. 4 vs. Buffalo State.