Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks excited about what lies ahead in 2004-05
11/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The success of the Mountain Hawks in 2003-04 was an important step in the growth of the Lehigh program. The team tied a school record for Patriot League victories, and made an appearance in the Patriot League postseason semifinal game. For this year’s team, the plan is to take the next step in their quest for a league title. As the Mountain Hawks prepare for the 2004-05 campaign, the excitement is apparent. Lehigh returns eight letterwinners from last season’s team. Additionally, two more experienced veterans that did not see action last year return to the lineup, and four talented freshmen join the roster to help in the pursuit of the team’s goals. “We have a lot of returning talent,” explains Lehigh head coach Sue Troyan, set to enter her tenth season as the Mountain Hawks’ leader. “We have five seniors that have been through it all, and this team has more talent and more depth than we’ve had in a while.” IN THE PAINT When looking at this year’s Mountain Hawks team, one player stands above the rest – literally. Senior Jessica DePalo, the tallest player on the roster at 6’1”, also brings with her the longest list of accolades. DePalo, the co-Preseason Player of the Year in the Patriot League, enters her senior campaign looking to build upon one of the single most impressive campaigns in Lehigh basketball history. As a junior, DePalo shattered several Lehigh records, including points and field goals in a single season, en route to pacing the Patriot League in points per game (18.9). Last year, she led the Mountain Hawks in scoring in 20 of Lehigh’s 29 games, and her point production will be counted on again in 2004-05. A trio of talented post players will compliment DePalo underneath the basket. Junior Jenny Callan leads this returning group, after appearing in all 29 games a season ago and earning seven starts. Though she fought through injuries at times in 2003-04, Callan showed flashes of dominance in the paint. She pulled down a career best 12 rebounds in just 20 minutes of action in a win at Navy. Senior Kelly Berk and sophomore Adrienne Blount, both healthy, will also see significant minutes at the forward spot. Berk missed her entire junior season with a lower back injury, and looks to return to form from her first two seasons. A solid defender, Berk also possesses a nice shooting touch. Meanwhile, Blount makes the transition to the small forward spot after playing on the wing as a freshman last season. She began to make her presence felt on the floor as last season went on, and has the ability to be an impact player. A two-time all-state selection in high school, Blount’s versatility will help the Mountain Hawks give their opponents a number of different looks. Troyan also points out that each of the post players has the ability to shoot from the perimeter. THE GUARDS With only four true post players and not an abundance of size, the Lehigh guard play will be a key for the Mountain Hawks in 2004-05. “Expect us to play a little more up-tempo offensively with a four-guard look at times,” Troyan says. “Defensively, we will look to apply full-court pressure more consistently, and show more zone in the half court.” Last season, Lehigh led the Patriot League in field goal percentage defense, and the Mountain Hawks’ pressure style will look to create transition opportunities for easy baskets. Senior Mary Frances Hynoski is one of the team’s best athletes, and a strong defensive threat. When healthy, Hynoski has given the opposition fits with her tenacious defense. Leading the Mountain Hawks up the court will be a plethora of talented point guards. Senior Chantal Lehigh’s offense became a lot more potent from the outside with the return of Carli Toliver to the lineup. She was forced to sit out her entire senior season last year because of a torn ACL in preseason workouts. Toliver applied for (and received) a medical hardship exemption, and is healthy and ready to contribute again this year. She needs only 13 three-point field goals to set a new school mark for career three’s. “Having Carli back in the lineup will be important for us in terms of experience, as well as from a leadership standpoint,” Troyan notes. While having Toliver back is a huge plus for the program, she isn’t the only one on the team who can flat-out shoot the basketball. Sophomore Sara Ellis was an All-Patriot League Freshman Team selection as she immediately displayed her ability to light it up from the outside. The two-time Freshman of the Week knocked down 43 three-pointers last season. Classmate Emily Geosits and newcomer Erin Greenberg can also knock down the jumper. Geosits scored 21 points in her collegiate debut against Duquesne. Greenberg averaged over 23 points per game at Freshmen Kaela Pearce and Natalie Green, along with sophomore Erin Mengel will all push for minutes at the guard spot for Lehigh. At Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.), Pearce displayed the ability to drain a long jumper and create off the dribble. Green averaged 17 points per contest at THE SCHEDULE As always, Lehigh will play a demanding non-league schedule, designed to better prepare the Mountain Hawks for the rigors of the Patriot League campaign. Lehigh opens its season in “We are confident that we can compete in these tournaments,” Troyan explains. “But we know we’ll have to play well because all three [tournaments] feature some really strong competition. The other benefit of tournament play is that it prepares us for the short turnaround between games in league play.” The Mountain Hawks will open their Patriot League schedule on January 8, as Lehigh welcomes American to Stabler Arena. The Eagles are one of many solid teams in the league this year, and Lehigh will have revenge on its mind, as American ended Lehigh’s 2003-04 season in the league semifinals. Defending league champion Colgate, perennial power Holy Cross, and the always-tough Bison of Bucknell are just some of the teams that Lehigh will be battling for the top spot in the league standings, and the accompanying right to host the opening rounds of the league’s postseason tournament on its home floor. “American will be a tough test in the league for us right away,” Troyan points out. “I expect any number of teams to be in the hunt for the league title, and it should be a tight race all season. If we can stay healthy I think we have a shot to be competitive.”
