LYCOMING WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LOOKING TO RETURN TO PLAYOFFS

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – Last season, the Lycoming College women’s basketball team had high expectations for their season, but seven losses by five or fewer points, including three in overtime, led to a 12-12 record. In 2001-2002, the Warriors are eager to rebound from last season’s .500 mark by turning those close games into victories and returning to the MAC Freedom Conference playoffs.

“Obviously, our main goal is to get back into the playoffs,” said Head Coach Christen Ditzler. “The conference is as tough as ever, so it won’t be easy. But I think we have a good nucleus of experience to go with some new young talent. If we can successfully blend those two components, we will be very good.”

Leading the way for the Warriors will be three returning starters. Lyndy LeVan (South Williamsport, PA; South Williamsport) returns for her junior season after leading the team in scoring and rebounding for the second straight season. A first-team Freedom Conference all-star, LeVan averaged 18.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Needing just 138 points, she is poised to reach the 1,000-point milestone in the first half of the season. Laurie Scherer (Sr./Mahanoy City, PA; Mahanoy City) returns at forward, sporting a 7.1 points-per-game average from a year ago. She also pulled down 5.2 rebounds per game. Amy Lesko (Sr./Mountain Top, PA; Crestwood) is back for her senior season at shooting guard. Lesko averaged 5.7 points-per-game in 2000-01.

“Of course we expect Lyndy to have another big year for us, but we need to get her some help in order to be successful as a team,” said Ditzler. “Laurie has been having a great preseason for us and will be strong in the post at both ends of the floor. Lesko brings a lot of experience to our backcourt.”

Other key returners are Emily DiMarco (So./Voorhees, NJ; Eastern) who led the team with 25 three-pointers, Katie Santo who averaged 5.5 ppg., Tara Stepanchick (Sr./Lavella, PA; North Schuylkill) who tallied 23 assists, and Kathryn Kresge (So./Lehighton, PA; Marian) who grabbed 23 rebounds.

“We’re looking for Emily to add an outside scoring threat to our offense this season. Her ability to shoot well from the perimeter could really open things up for our inside game,” continued Ditzler. “Kresge will see a lot of playing time at forward. She will be especially tough on the glass and at the defensive end of the floor. Katie will play at both the point and the shooting guard position, and Tara adds some quality depth at forward.”

Lycoming welcomes 9 newcomers to the team this season, including eight freshmen. The contributions from this young group will go a long way toward determining the level of success the Warriors achieve this season.

Mindy Culp (Fr./New Columbia, PA; Milton) comes to Lycoming out of Milton High School and will likely start at point guard for the Warriors. Misty Cooper (Jr./Picture Rocks, PA; Hughesville) transferred in from nearby Penn College and will see time at the point and as the shooting guard. Kristen Dart (Fr./Saratoga, NY; Saratoga Springs) will also compete for playing time in the backcourt. Kori Sisto (Fr./Altoona, PA; Bishop Guilfoyle) comes from a great high school program and is very knowledgeable about the game.

Michele Stine (Fr./Mill Hall, PA; Central Mountain), Erin George (Fr./Annville, PA; Annville-Cleona), Ashley Good (Fr./Lancaster, PA; Lanpeter-Strasburg), Laura Dillon (Fr./Bayside, NY; Saint Mary’s), and Amy Herschman (Fr./Northampton, PA; Northampton) are also new to the program and will look to make the transition to the collegiate level in order to contribute to the team.

“I’m very excited about this freshmen class,” said Ditzler. “These are the players that will eventually take over. While some will contribute earlier than others, they have all been working very hard and it makes me very confident in the continued success of our program.”

The battle to qualify for the conference tournament will be a dogfight this season. Lycoming was picked to finish fifth in the preseason coaches’ poll behind DeSales, defending champion Scranton, King’s, and Delaware Valley.

“Our conference is always extremely competitive and it may be even more so this season,” said Ditzler. “We scheduled a strong slate of non-conference opponents that we feel will help us mature more quickly and prepare us for conference play. I’m excited about the chemistry of this team and I’m looking forward to the challenge of the season ahead of us.”

The Warriors open their season on Saturday at the Franklin & Marshall Tournament. Lycoming faces Rosemont in the opening round and will meet either host F&M or Waynesburg College.