Nov. 4, 2002

As the women's basketball team gears up for the 2002-03 season, first year head coach Kelley Watts sits down to discuss the team's goals and expectations.

Heading into the new season, what are your impressions of the team?
"My expectations will be high and we have a good nucleus and the kids are excited about the season. They have an opportunity to really showcase their talents."

How is the chemistry on this year's team?
"I think they have a pretty good chemistry. Although we lost three players, the bulk of the players are returning, in addition to the newcomers and right now we have a good nucleus. They have gelled together quicker than I thought."

You lost three key players. How will the team rebound from that?
The loss of Alexis Seeley, Kelly Arthurs and Veronica Mullen has definitely impacted the team. Alexis brought leadership, experience, personality and scoring. Kelly, who I actually recruited while at Temple, was a complete player who brought rebounding, shot blocking and scoring. Veronica added a whole different dimension with size and ability to score. "We are going to have to grow as a team. Those three, plus Jesse Dlabola and Jaime Douglas, played a majority of minutes last year. This year I am asking some of the players who played lesser roles last season to possibly start for me this year. It's going to be very interesting to see how they step up. I think they are excited to actually to demonstrate on the floor what they have been working so hard for in practice."

Senior tri-captain Eliana Armijos

Breaking down the players by position talk about your guards?
"We are very strong in the guards, starting with sophomore Jesse Dlabola at the point guard position. Jesse, the 2002 NYCAC Rookie of the Year, is a returning starter that played a significant amount of minutes last year. I am expecting her to do the same this year and be a leader and a motivator on the court. She did a really good job from the perimeter being able to score by averaging 12 points per game last year.

"Eliana Armijos is a senior tri-captain that brings a great amount of enthusiasm. An outstanding scorer and three point shooter, she averaged 10 points a game and 17 min. playing time. We need someone like that to be a part of our team. She is still recovering from injury and we will have to work her back in slowly.

"Junior Kerri Kirschbaum, in my opinion has been overlooked and underrated and she is going to play a major role at guard. She is an outstanding perimeter shooter and brings a multi-faceted game. She can go to the point guard position, play the 2-guard and be a shooter and a threat. I really think she will be key for us this year.

"Meranne Whitney, a sophomore transfer from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, brings enthusiasm, experience and commitment, as well as size. I expect her to do a very good job for us rebounding and shooting the basketball.

"Melanie Mangone, like several others played a limited role last year, but we are expecting her to step up. She has the ability to shoot the three, get to the basket and to handle some of the pressure that the point guard may receive from the defense. "Myrna Tangar, a freshman from Boston, is someone I think will develop into a very nice player. A raw talent, she brings athleticism, and quickness. An outstanding defensive player we expect some good things from her as she improves.

"Kristin Desio, will make contribution by releaving some people that might be playing significant minutes. She has the ability to make good passes into the post, handle the pressure and do a little rebounding for us as well.

Senior tri-captain Brianne MacArthur

"Senior Amber Butler, is very intense. She works very hard on defense and we just need to balance her offensive skills. I think she's going to give us a lot of rebounds.

"Senior tri-captain Brianne MacArthur, will be counted on a lot for leadership and to run the point guard position and to play a little bit of the two-guard position as well. She's a very good defensive player. The combination of Brianne, Jesse and Kerri is key for us this year as being what I consider one of the best back courts in the conference."

And at the Post?
"Junior Jaime Douglas returns as a starter this season and we need her to have a break out year. A post player with great size, strength and quickness. She's one of our tri-captains, and has great leadership qualities. We will be relying on her a great deal for rebounding, scoring as well as her ability to stop opponents defensively.

"Sophomore Courtney Carpenter, is by far one of the best post players I have coached who is fundamentally sound. I think she's going to be one of the best post players in the conference this year. As well as rebounding, I am expecting her to be a little more physical and to be a shot blocker inside for us as well.

"Freshman Carlisha Hurdle is a strong, athletic post player with a great deal of potential. She's very quick, agile and has a good inside game. She's working very hard and I see her as a good defensive player.

"Kylee Wilson, a graduate student, brings her experience, leadership and hard work. She'll help us inside as far as defending and I think she'll do a pretty good job putting a few points on the board for us."

With so many changes, people don't seem to expect much of you this season. How do you respond to that?
"I love the challenge. I think the polls are good as it brings noterity and media exposure. However, its somebody's opinion and alrhough we are in a situation that we are losing a great deal, a lot of people are going to be surprised at what we bring to the table this year. I am very excited, as is the rest of the coaching staff. I think people will often overlook us but they will be surprised to see what we have. "

Sophomore guard Jesse Dlabola

What are your goals for this season?
"The ultimate goal is to win the Division II National Championship. We have other goals in mind, but you have to have vision first, so we are going for it. I always say we are champions in training. One of our team goals is to win the NYCAC title again and then certainly go to the NCAA's. "Everything is very team orientated. Personal goals are gravy. I think that comes with the focus being more team orientated and everyone wanting to make sacrifices for the betterment of the team. Last season's 28-3 was an great record. We feel that there is pressure, but only what we put on ourselves."

As far as the 2002-03 schedule, what games do you feel will be the biggest test? "Every game is a big game, and that's how we prepare. We can't look past anybody. I think you have to respect for your opponent and prepare for your opponent. I know there are some rivarlies within conference, but every game is one we want to be ready for. Our first game is non-conference against Pace and is very important as that will set the tone for how the season starts. Essentially, every game is big and we want to go out and do our best."