CEDARVILLE, Ohio - Cedarville University tips off its 2009-10 women's basketball season by hosting Malone at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Cedarville Classic.
A return to the NAIA Division II national tournament after a year's absence highlighted another solid year of Lady Jacket basketball last winter. A 21-9 overall record including a 12-3 mark and runner-up finish in the highly-competitive American Mideast Conference add further proof to the success of last season.
The anticipated return of all five starters gave head coach Kirk Martin, beginning his ninth year at CU, reason to believe more of the same for the upcoming season. Those hopes have been tempered with the loss of 6-foot-2 sophomore post player Jenna Smith - most likely out for the season with a serious knee injury suffered in the pre-season.
But Martin still sees plenty of reason for excitement. "We now have four returning starters and this is the third season they've been together. Not having Jenna is a disappointment and big loss, but we will learn from this and figure out how to compensate," noted Martin. "We will be the best we can be with what we have."
[LISTEN to head coach Kirk Martin preview the season on Yellow Jacket Insider]
The experts have given Cedarville a #11 ranking in the NAIA Division II Preseason Coaches' Poll and a predicted repeat second-place finish in the AMC.
"I am excited about the season and to see how it all comes together," added Martin. "Our worries and concerns have been altered but the challenge to figure it out is what makes coaching interesting."
Leading the returnees is NAIA All-America Third Team selection Alison Lemon. The 5-7 senior guard topped the scoring charts last year at 15.6 points per game while also pacing the Jackets in field goals, three-point field goals, assists and steals.
Fellow seniors Lacie Condon and Julie Utz will serve as captains alongside Lemon.
Three juniors return to the starting line up - each with plenty of experience and ability. Aubrey Siemon, a 6-1 forward, started all 30 games last season, led the rebounding corps with 9.8 caroms per game and was the team's second-leading scorer at 11.5 ppg.
Starting guards Rachel Hurley and Lydia Miller combined for over 17 points per game and drained 87 field goals from behind the arc. Both received AMC honorable mention recognition.
Junior Caitlyn Brooks will be the top choice to step in and replace the injured Smith. Brooks played in 29 games last winter adding 6.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per outing. This will be her second campaign at CU after transferring from Thomas More.
Sophomore guard Kara Cayton earned All-AMC Freshmen Team honors last year after tossing in 6.3 ppg and is a constant threat behind the three-point arc.
Two freshman additions to the team have the ability to make immediate impact especially in light of the sudden lack of depth at center. Amber Hayslip, a 5-10 forward is becoming comfortable and confident with the college game. Danielle Spiliotis, a 6-1 post player, is a talented and exciting newcomer.
All in all, it will be another solid season of CU women's basketball. Martin added, "Our priority will be to run and score off transition. I am extremely confident the team is prepared and looking forward to the upcoming year."
Another challenging non-conference slate awaits the Lady Jackets that includes contests against NAIA foes Grace, Indiana Wesleyan, Madonna, Saint Francis (Ind.) and Taylor, as well as match-ups with NCAA Division II Urbana and NCAA Division III Wittenberg.
The AMC provides 19 games for Cedarville with at least one game against every league opponent. Home-and-home series are slated with Mount Vernon Nazarene, Northwestern Ohio, Shawnee State, Walsh and Wilberforce.
