Women's Basketball voted sixth, set to tip off season Saturday at Smith College tournament
MCLA will expect big things from junior Kayla Hotaling as they open play on Saturday afternoon at Smith College. The Trailblazers were voted sixth in the MASCAC preseason poll.
North Adams, MA- The MCLA Women's Basketball program is buzzing in anticipation of the 2015-16 season opener. The Trailblazers will open play on Saturday at the Smith College tip-off classic in Northampton. MCLA is entering play off a 7-18 season a year ago.
While last season's mark wasn't exactly what 11th year head coach Holly McGovern wanted, her program showed considerable growth down the stretch for a very young team. The Trailblazers were voted to finish sixth in the 2015-16 MASCAC preseason poll following just a 1-11 mark a year ago in conference play. Framingham State is the favorite to claim the 2016 crown.
MCLA started five sophomores a year ago on many occasions and had only one upper classman on the roster. The experience over the last two seasons should bode well for the Trailblazers heading into play this year.
"Because we've played so many underclassmen over the last two seasons, our depth and confidence have improved. With the addition of key newcomers, who are pushing the upper classmen, I think that contributes to our growth as a program," McGovern stated when asked about her program.\
Of the returners, the key player would be junior Kayla Hotaling. Last season was a breakout one for Hotaling as she led the team with 11.8 ppg and 9.4 rebounds a night. She missed the first half of her freshman season due to injury, but returned to play in all 25 games last year, starting 24 of them.
The junior class is a veteran one for McGovern as Courtney McLaughlin, Ashley Clawson, Brayleigh Hanlon, Svetlana Morrell, and Courtney Durivage are all entering their third season in North Adams. McLaughlin and Hanlon both averaged 10 points per game last season as Hanlon was the team's top three point threat. McLaughlin did a bit of everything a year ago collecting a team best 39 steals and 63 assists. Durivage and Morrell were typically the first players off the bench last season.
The Trailblazers also return senior Emily Castle along with sophomores Emily Moulton, Paige Vincent, and Anna Despart. All should see minutes off the bench or earn a spot start in the rotation.
McGovern will welcome five freshmen onto the roster this season. Joining the Trailblazers this season will be McKenzie Robinson, Karina Mattera, Samantha Gawron, Courtney Pingelski, and L'Rae Brundige. All newcomers can add to the depth of the program and contribute in a variety of ways in 2015-16.
The schedule tips off with the Smith College tournament on Saturday and Sunday and the Trailblazers will open up at home on November 21 with a game against Cobleskill. MCLA will play a ten game slate in the first semester that culminates with a game at Union (NY) on December 12.
MCLA returns in 2016 with a non-league game against Southern Vermont on January 4th before starting league play on the 6th at Worcester State. The Trailblazers will wrap up the season on senior day, February 20th when they host Bridgewater State.