A new team, a fresh start
Head coach Chrissy Roberts looks to rebound from last season's 7-20 record
Langdon Barnes
Issue date: 11/12/09 Section: Sports
All the recruiting is finished. The freshman and transfers have been meshed with the returning players. The off-season workouts and weight lifting sessions are long gone. Preseason conditioning and practices have made a ready-to-play team. Women's basketball is hitting the court and trying to improve on their 7-20 record from last season.
The Colonels return four starters and two other players from last year's squad. The storyline this year will be if the team is able to step-up and not only contribute, but also have an impact, to a successful season.
"It's hard to believe the season is here, whether we're ready or not, it's here," head coach Chrissy Roberts said. "We signed some very talented new players to go along with our strong group of returning players. This season will be a roller coaster ride with a lot of highs and lows. As long as we stay competitive then we will be just fine."
Most collegiate teams will return eight or more players from the previous year. The Colonels only return six, but all were contributors and started a combined 104 games last season. Leading scorer Kayla Drake will not return for the 2009-10 season, after transferring to IPFW (Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne). Drake averaged 16 points and nearly three assists per game and was also named OVC Freshman of the Year while starting all 27 games last season.
Coach Roberts will rely on junior Nadia Mossong. Mossong is the returning leading scorer at nine points per game while bringing down 6.5 rebounds a contest. Mossong started all 27 games last season and played over 26 minutes per game.
Also returning for the Colonels are seniors Colette Cole and Sarah Fraser-Jones. Cole brings 8.5 points and 5.6 rebounds back from last season; started 21 of the 27 games and played nearly 28 minutes per game. Fraser-Jones started in 22 of those games averaging nearly four rebounds and shooting 77 percent from the free throw line. Both players bring back experience and leadership to a team filled with new players trying to learn the ropes.
The Colonels return four starters and two other players from last year's squad. The storyline this year will be if the team is able to step-up and not only contribute, but also have an impact, to a successful season.
"It's hard to believe the season is here, whether we're ready or not, it's here," head coach Chrissy Roberts said. "We signed some very talented new players to go along with our strong group of returning players. This season will be a roller coaster ride with a lot of highs and lows. As long as we stay competitive then we will be just fine."
Most collegiate teams will return eight or more players from the previous year. The Colonels only return six, but all were contributors and started a combined 104 games last season. Leading scorer Kayla Drake will not return for the 2009-10 season, after transferring to IPFW (Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne). Drake averaged 16 points and nearly three assists per game and was also named OVC Freshman of the Year while starting all 27 games last season.
Coach Roberts will rely on junior Nadia Mossong. Mossong is the returning leading scorer at nine points per game while bringing down 6.5 rebounds a contest. Mossong started all 27 games last season and played over 26 minutes per game.
Also returning for the Colonels are seniors Colette Cole and Sarah Fraser-Jones. Cole brings 8.5 points and 5.6 rebounds back from last season; started 21 of the 27 games and played nearly 28 minutes per game. Fraser-Jones started in 22 of those games averaging nearly four rebounds and shooting 77 percent from the free throw line. Both players bring back experience and leadership to a team filled with new players trying to learn the ropes.
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