Nov. 7, 2009

Oxford, Ohio – The Miami women’s basketball team begins its 2009-10 campaign with an exhibition game against Tiffin Sunday at 1 p.m. The game is part of an exhibition doubleheader that will see the men’s team take on Saginaw Valley State at 3:30 p.m.

This is the RedHawks’ only exhibition match of the preseason and will prep Miami for its season opener against Bucknell in the Iona Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m.

2009-10 Miami Women’s Basketball Preview

The saying “youth will be served” is an often used cliché, but it is an especially appropriate one to describe the 2009-10 Miami RedHawk women’s basketball team. While eight letterwinners return from last season, nine of the 12 total players are either freshmen or sophomores. Despite the youth and the teaching that will be involved, head coach Maria Fantanarosa is excited for the prospects of her talented squad.

“Even though we are going to be very young, our freshmen and sophomores are very talented, very unselfish and they love playing the game,” said Fantanarosa. “Their passion, competitiveness, shows up every time that they are on the court. They are fun to play with.”

The RedHawks will count on seniors Ashleigh Brown and Courtney Reed to provide leadership both on and off the court. As two of the team’s three returning starters (the other being sophomore Maggie Boyer), they will be counted on to contribute as the new players adjust to the college level.

“Courtney and Ashleigh are so important, because they have been in big games; they’ve been a very integral part of our past success,” said Fantanarosa. “And I think at this point, blending our new players with the seniors is going to be a key element because we have a lot of potential, it is just focusing on everyday improvement and setting realistic goals.”

“Although we’re young I’ve been already excited about all of our returners coming back,” Fantanarosa continued. “Their improvements as better basketball players have shown in the weight room, their strength on the court, their speed and agility and their basketball skill. They have definitely made improvements individually. This is a foundation to take that conditioning base and continue to improve on their skill as basketball players.”

GUARDS

Fantanarosa, who traditionally likes to run a three-guard offense, once again has a talented group to work with. In addition to Reed and Boyer, the guards will include junior Briana Dunlap, sophomores Michelle Oswalt and Rachael Hencke and freshman Courtney Osborn.

Boyer and Reed will play the off-guard positions this year. Boyer is a strong shooter, having hit 44 percent (40-for-91) of her 3-point baskets as a freshman last season. She is the team’s leading returning scorer at 9.6 points per game. Reed is an athletic guard who likes to drive to the basket, and is the team’s second returning scorer right behind Boyer at 9.2 points per game.

“Courtney and Maggie are our two returning leading scorers,” said Fantanarosa. “Maggie did not finish the year last year because of injury. When we can get her at 100 percent, she will lead our guard play with scoring.”

After playing mostly forward as a freshman last season, Hencke will move over to guard to create some unique matchups for the opposition.

“You can call her a guard or a forward, because she can play both. Hencke is a tough matchup,” said Fantanarosa. “She can post players up at 6’1’, she is a great defender and a great shot blocker. Hencke also has developed in the off-season. She can score with her back to the basket and she’s very accurate from 15-feet.”

Oswalt is a strong defender who earned seven starts last season after coming back from an injury. Fantanarosa looks forward to the effort she brings each time she is on the court.

“Michelle is our hardest worker and has definitely been a spark off the bench in the past for us,” said Fantanarosa. “I look forward for her to help us with her energy again this year.”

Miami has to replace four-year starter and two-time Second-Team All-MAC team member Jenna Schone at point guard this year. While replacing a player who averaged 15.5 points and 4.5 assists per game is always hard, Fantanarosa believes Dunlap and Osborn will be up to the task.

“Both (Briana and Courtney) are very talented,” said Fantanarosa. “They both have deep 3-point shooting range, both see the floor well, are able to distribute the ball and are very competitive. So changing from a four-year starter in Jenna Shone to having a new ‘quarterback’ will be a huge difference in our team this year. But with Osborn, she’s a tall guard who has every aspect of her game and is very competitive. Dunlap, who has played the two for us in previous seasons, is a combo guard and is the most eager to get minutes in at the point. She has been doing a solid job.”

FORWARDS

While Fantanarosa feels the guards provide the base for a team, she has always believed that the frontcourt is the position that wins the championships. The forwards will be led by returning players Brown and sophomores Erin Wisner and Lillian Pitts. They will be joined by two freshmen post players, Kristin Judson and Kirsten Olowinski.

“Our forwards are very talented this year; it is going to be a very competitive position, led by Ashleigh Brown,” said Fantanarosa. “Ashleigh has been the biggest surprise in preseason conditioning because as we continue to challenge her, she has continued to step up her game. It’s her senior year and there is definitely a sense of urgency in her everyday practice. She’s very vocal on the court, bringing a lot of energy to our defense, but also very confident with her scoring abilities. She’s improved this off-season with her 3-point shot, as well as being more accurate with finishing inside. Her athleticism is going to be tough for people because she finds ways to get things easy, such as transition points, offensive rebounds, and that is a spark to our team.”

Rotating with Brown in the four position will be the freshmen Olowinski and Judson. Despite their youth, Fantanarosa believes they will make an impact right away.

“Kirsten Olowinski has had a great preseason,” said Fantanarosa. “She is a very deceptive, athletic player who is also very competitive. She is very skilled and has come from a very successful high school program, so she brings that tenacious attitude that she plays to win every time.”

“Kristin Judson, has been a surprise so far this preseason. She is a very accurate three-point shooter and a very smart player who will take on any role. She is a great screener, great rebounder and she also finds a way to score both inside and out,” Fantanarosa said.

Filling the center role will be sophomores Pitts and Wisner. Fantanarosa will be looking at them to fill the production lost from graduating centers Jaclyn Leininger and Stephanie Ford.

“Lillian is the most improved from last year to this. She is definitely improving as a basketball player and improving herself athletically,” said Fantanarosa.

“Erin, our hardest working post, is a very physical, team-oriented player and is someone that leaves it on the floor all the time whether she is diving on the floor for loose balls or being our leading rebounder. She is a player that is definitely going to get a lot of playing time this year because of her work ethic and versatility inside.”

SCHEDULE

Miami will test its young team early with a strong non-conference schedule. The team opens on the road on Nov. 14 when it participates in the Iona Tip-Off Tournament against Bucknell. The RedHawks will also face either the host Iona, a strong mid-major program, or Arizona out of the PAC-10 the next day. The home opener is Nov. 21 against Wake Forest out of the ACC.

“As always, we have scheduled a very competitive preseason with teams such as Kentucky, Pitt, Arizona in the Iona tournament, Miami (Fla.) and Wake Forest,” said Fantanarosa. “We will also play strong mid-major programs such as Dayton and Butler. We will be challenged in this preseason. The best way to get better is to play better. This is what I am hoping will happen as our players will rise to the challenge with this non-conference schedule.”

The RedHawks begin MAC play when they travel to Buffalo on Jan. 6. The regular season format remains the same, as Miami will face its other East Division rivals twice, along with one game against each of the six West Division teams for a total of 16 conference games. The MAC Tournament will feature all 12 teams, with first round games on campus sites Mar. 6 and the quarterfinals through the championship at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Mar. 10-12. “Going in to MAC play this season is going to be very competitive,” said Fantanarosa.

“Bowling Green once again is going to be very strong in the East and Ball State, which is coming off of a big upset in the first round of the NCAA’s, will be very talented in the West. Other teams that have returning players that will be strong are Kent in the East and Toledo in the West. Both had good seasons last year and I think with the returning experience that they have they should also be able to challenge. Our day-to-day progress should be a big factor.”

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