Lehigh University Athletics
Ellis is preseason player of the year; team picked second
10/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Tuesday’s announcement marks the second straight season in which a Lehigh player was recognized with a major preseason accolade. Last year, Jessica DePalo shared preseason player of the year honors with Colgate’s Emily Braseth.
There is plenty of room for excitement, as Ellis had quite a sophomore campaign in 2004-05. Last season, Ellis led the Mountain Hawks and set a school record for three-point field goals in a season with 70, while holding down a spot in the top 30 nationally with an average of over 2.5 three’s per game. She ranked second on the team in scoring and in assists as well.
Through two seasons in a Lehigh uniform, the industrial engineering major has averaged eleven points per game. With 113 career three-point field goals, Ellis already ranks in Lehigh’s top five for all-time three-pointers.
“Sara returns to our program as a proven scorer, and will play a large role in what we do on the court,” said Lehigh head coach Sue Troyan, the 2004-05 Patriot League coach of the year. “Sara leads by example in everything she does, and is a relentless worker on the floor. She has spent a lot of time in the off-season developing her weaknesses, improving her strengths, and becoming a multi-dimensional player. Her skills, work ethic, and leadership will be critical factors for our team’s success this season.”
Led in part by the play of Ellis, the Mountain Hawks have been chosen to finish second in the league’s preseason poll. The 2004-05 regular season was the most successful for Lehigh since the league’s inception in 1991. The Mountain Hawks won 19 games and ten league games en route to a second place finish.
This year’s Mountain Hawks return a pair of starters, including Ellis and senior co-captain Jenny Callan, and six letter winners in hopes of building upon last year’s success.
Lehigh opens its season on November 18 as the Mountain Hawks visit
Patriot League Preseason Poll Team (# first place votes) Pts. 1. Holy Cross (11) 94 2. LEHIGH (1) 76 3. Army (3) 73 4. Bucknell (1) 64 5. American 44 6. Navy 42 7. Colgate 39 8. 16
Preseason All-League Team Megan Ballard, Sr., G, Colgate Sara Ellis, Jr., G, Lehigh Cara Enright, So., G, Army Lindsey Hollobaugh, Jr., G, Bucknell Brittany Keil, Jr., G, Holy Cross
Preseason Player of the Year: Sara Ellis, Lehigh
