Kirsten Rossotti

2002-03 Season Outlook

There is an attitude of confidence beaming strongly from the the Lady Jacket basketball squad as they look to improve on last year's record-setting season. You do not have to look very hard to see why the positive spirit and excitement exists heading into head coach Kirk Martin's second season. The Lady Jackets welcome back all five starters including Kirsten Rossotti, an NAIA All-America Second Team selection.

Rossotti, a six-foot post player who returns for her final season, came back to the program last winter after taking a year off. She responded by averaging 19.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game which resulted in her being voted the American Mideast Conference Player of the Year. Rossotti was also named to the National Christian College Athletic Association All-America First Team and was tabbed the NCCAA Midwest Region Player of the Year.

Julie Stauffer

Coach Martin expressed guarded optimism about Rossotti's upcoming season, "Rizzo will find the going much tougher this year as teams will be focusing on her but I'm confident she will continue to be a force to be reckoned with under the boards."

Julie Stauffer, a 5-6 guard, is back for her third season. She averaged 14.4 points and was named to the NCCAA All-America Second Team. Joining her in the backcourt is Kari Flunker, who drained a school-record 70 three-point baskets and was named to the All-AMC Freshman Team while leading the Lady Jackets with 89 steals.

The other returning starters are junior post Molly Earley, a NCCAA Midwest Region Honorable Mention last season, and senior point guard Michelle Patrick. Four-year veteran Beth Bunchkowski will add depth and experience off the bench while serving as co-captain along with Rossotti, Stauffer and Earley for the 2002-03 season.

Kari Flunker

Coach Martin will look for several role players from last year to develop and contribute significantly to the Lady Jackets success. He is also excited about his two new players on the roster. "Emily Delimpo is a solid and aggressive post player who will make an immediate contribution," added Martin in reference to the six-foot freshman from Chesapeake, Ohio, who earned All-Ohio Honorable Mention last season. The other newcomer is Leslie Weaver, a 5-7 guard, who has transferred from NCAA Division I Wright State University.

"Our goals are lofty for this upcoming season," stated Coach Martin, "We want to be the first Cedarville women's basketball team to advance to the NAIA National Tournament. We came so close last season and now we realize what it takes to get there. It will not be easy and we understand that." The road through the American Mideast Conference South Division will be a challenge for the Lady Jackets as they will face each opponent twice. The AMC South Division includes seven-time defending champion Shawnee State as well as rivals Malone, Mount Vernon Nazarene, Rio Grande and Walsh.

The 2002-03 schedule features 15 home dates including the Cedarville Invitational. A difficult non-conference schedule also faces the Lady Jackets with games against Bethel, Central State, Huntington, Madonna, Taylor and Wheeling Jesuit.