Lady Lions Season Preview
With seven freshmen, the Lady Lions are practically starting over this season, something head coach, Coquese Washington remains hopeful for, after winning back-to-back Big Ten Championships.
Following the leadership of seniors, Maggie Lucas, Dara Taylor, Talia East and Ariel Edwards, the Lady Lions return for the 2013-2014 season for their first official game on November 8.
During her junior year, Lucas shot 90 percent from the free throw line, averaged 20 points a game and maintained the fourth best three-point percentage in the nation.
On Friday, the Lady Lions eased their way to a 102-51 victory, in an exhibition game against Lock Haven. Freshman, Kaliyah Mitchell nearly tallied a double-double, scoring nine points in just 15 minutes.
Newcomers, KeKe Sevillian, Kaliyah Mitchell, Peyton Whitted and Jenny DeGraaf will have to step up at the guard position now that Lindsey Spann is out for the season. Spann tore her ACL, which caused the top player in the class and 22nd ranked recruit in the nation to be out of the picture—for now.
Additionally, Duke transfer redshirt sophomore, Sierra Moore will miss this season due to NCAA transfer rules.
Coach Washington and junior, Tori Waldner agreed that the freshmen are playing with a lot of energy… and they want that to continue.
The Lady Lions will start their season against St. Francis at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Bryce Jordan Center, raise their 2013 Big Ten Championship banner and give away commemorative banks to celebrate back-to-back Big Ten titles.
“It's a challenging schedule, but I think they're capable of performing well,” coach Coquese Washington said at the team’s media day. “When we get into conference play, it's going to be just as tough, and then you get into postseason play, so you might as well jump right in to the deep end of the pool and swim.”
Although young, with one of the top teams in the country, the Lady Lions are ready and expecting to continue on the road to greatness, with another championship run this season.
