Women's Basketball excited to open play on Saturday at home against Daniel Webster
Led by tenth year head coach Holly McGovern, the MCLA Women's basketball program will look to get off to a solid start when they host Daniel Webster on Saturday at 3pm
North Adams, MA- The 2014-15 MCLA Women's basketball season tips off Saturday afternoon in the James T. Amsler Campus Center Gym at 3pm against Daniel Webster. The Trailblazers are coming off a disappointing campaign a year ago in which they finished with a mark of 4-21 and went winless in MASCAC play.
The program is under the direction of 10th year head coach Holly McGovern, who is the all-time winningest coach in program history. She is trying to return the Trailblazers to conference contenders and is aware that there will be some challenges in 2014-15.
"We are in need of consistency, structure, and building team chemistry. This team needs to make strides daily and not be fearful of making mistakes. Their mental approach should be to compete against each other daily in practices, therefore preparing themselves for game play," McGovern stated.
Trying to turn the corner is never an easy task for any program, and the Trailblazers will turn to youth to make it happen. MCLA doesn't carry a single upper classmen on the roster, one that includes six sophomores and six freshmen. All of the sophomores saw significant playing time a year ago, so MCLA does have some experience on the floor.
That experience will start with co-captains Ashley Clawson and Kayla Hotaling. Clawson ran the point for the majority of the season a year ago, starting in 24 games and playing in them all. She will be counted on to direct the offense as she can get to the hoop and was the second leading three point threat for MCLA.
Hotaling will provide a post presence as she burst onto the scene in the short span she played. She is the top returning scorer for MCLA at over 10 ppg, however her biggest asset will be her rebounding. Hotaling pulled in 8.9 rebounds a night a year ago while collecting five double doubles.
Other key returners include Brayleigh Hanlon (7.2 ppg), Courtney McLaughlin (5.7 ppg), Courtney Durivage (4.3 ppg), and Svetlana Morrell. All will see increased playing time from their freshmen seasons and challenge for starting positions.
Some of the top newcomers include 6'0 forward Emily Castle along with 5'9 forward Emily Moulton. Paige Vincent, Anna Despart, Brittany Alexander, and Amanda Mahoney will also vie for playing time immediately.
MCLA will be challenged early with their schedule as they will play just three home games during the opening semester. The semester is highlighted by a trip to Norwich to compete in the Cadet Classic December 5th and 6th. The Trailblazers return to action over winter break by hosting Middlebury (VT) on New Year's Eve before starting conference play on January 8th, hosting the Bridgewater State Bears.
All of the Trailblazers home contests will be available via webcast at www.mascac.tv