Sports Information Department – 112 Dods Hall
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CONTACT: Jerry Reilly,
Sports Information Director

DATE:Thurs., Nov. 16, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women's Basketball

Devils return all five starters, 10 players overall

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Fredonia State women's basketball coach Donna Wise did away with a time-honored tradition last season. She cancelled the annual Senior Night celebration on the final regular-season home game.

Then again, the Blue Devils didn't have a senior on the roster, so there was no need for any send-offs. Instead, last year's 17-10 team -- the winningest season in program history -- was made up of primarily juniors and sophomores. All five starters and five reserves have returned for the 2006-07 season, which begins Saturday afternoon against Marietta in the first round of the Penn State Behrend Tournament.

Leading the returnees are two All SUNYAC choices, both juniors: First Team forward Cheryl Kindzia (Williamsville/Williamsville North) and Second Team forward Danielle Bleecker (Pittsford/Pittsford-Mendon). Kindzia had a breakout sophomore season in 2005-06. She averaged a double-double for the entire season by averaging 15.6 points, second in the SUNYAC, and a conference-leading 10.5 rebounds. She was also third in field-goal percentage (.525). Bleecker was fourth in scoring (14.5) and among the conference leaders in several other statistical categories.

Each of the other three starters -- senior guard Karolyn Baker (Olean/Olean), senior forward Lisa Gentile (Utica/Whitesboro), and junior guard Maria Scaffidi (Buffalo/Holy Angels) -- were among the SUNYAC leaders in one category or another. In fact, all five starters were among the top 15 players in the conference in average minutes per game ranging from Bleecker (34.41; third) to Gentile (29.63; 14th).

"There's very good chemistry between the players on the team," Wise said. "They get out there and want to play well for each other. They are a very determined group -- they're confident and focused."

Wise might be less reluctant to go to her bench this season, partly because she feels she's added three solid freshmen. Forward Alexandria Haitz (Batavia/Notre Dame) is an athletic player who can score inside and outside. Guards Leigh Palmer (Union City, Pa./Union City) and Allison Cook (Buffalo/Nichols) have spent the pre-season adjusting to the college game. Both are likely to get playing time as the season progresses.

The holdover reserves include sophomore guard Leisel Renaud (Brooklyn/Humanities Prep), who has impressed her coaches during pre-season drills. "She's going to be a surprise," Wise said. In addition, senior Melissa Howlett (Avon/Honeoye Falls-Lima) has switched from forward to guard, where's she more comfortable, and junior forward Michelle Bull (Machias/Pioneer) is back for a second season after earning increased playing time toward the end of the 2005-06 season. Senior forward Emilie Smith (Orchard Park/Orchard Park) has a chance to spell Kindzia in the low post, and sophomore forward Joelle Rivera (Lackawanna/Holy Angels) has helped keep her teammates motivated during pre-season drills..

As for the SUNYAC race, Wise is looking at early-season road games against Brockport (Nov. 28) and Oneonta (Dec. 2) as a good gauge of where her own team stands in the conference. Oswego is her pre-season favorite with Cortland and Geneseo in the mix, and possible improvement from Buffalo State. "They are all going to be right there, going after each other," she said. "Stealing a couple of road wins against these teams is the key."

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