UMASS DARTMOUTH WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2005-06

NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA-After two seasons at the helm of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth women’s basketball team, it’s obvious that Head Coach Mick Klitzner has his team on the right track and on the way to continued improvement and the upper half of the Little East Conference.

Now Klitzner and his staff will aim to continue that improvement as they try to make a returning group of veterans and a good group of newcomers equal success.

Last year’s 13-13 record represented the most wins and the best overall record for the UMass Dartmouth women’s basketball team since they went 13-12 during the 1992-93 season. Three different players were named Little east Conference Rookies of the Week, and senior guard Kerri Augenstein (East Greenwich, RI/Bay View Academy), who will serve as team captain this year, earned second team All-Little East Conference honors while leading UMD in scoring by averaging 13.7 points per game.

“We’re expecting to improve on our record from last year,” said Klitzner. “We have tremendous leadership, and this is probably the hardest-working team and the most talented team that we’ve ever had. We compete hard every day in practice, and have a strong desire to improve. Our goal is to be in the upper half of the conference.”

Any discussion of this year’s team begins with Augenstein. “Kerri will play either the shooting guard position or the small forward position, depending on how we line up,” said Klitzner. “We need her to score for us to be successful.”

Returning sophomore forwards Lindsay Marsh (Bristol, CT/Bristol Eastern HS), Lisa Satkevich (Quincy, MA/Fontbonne Academy) and Vasiliki Palantzas (Brockton, MA/Brockton HS) should also contribute. Marsh and Satkevich averaged 8.6 and 8.5 points per game, respectively, and rank second and third among returning UMD scorers. Palantzas saw action in 21 games and averaged 3.1 rebounds per game while coming off the bench.

“Lisa led our conference last year in shooting percentage,” said Klitzner. “I’m really expecting big scoring numbers from Lindsay this season, and Vasiliki should help us in terms of rebounding and her presence under the basket.”

Point guard Casey Ridge, a four-year starter, graduated, and a newcomer and a returning player will vie to replace her. Junior Laura Goggin (Rockland, MA/Rockland HS) averaged 6.5 points per game last year while seeing action in every game in the backcourt. She will switch to the point to compete with freshman Madison Malloy (Cranston, RI), a high school star at Bay View Academy in Rhode Island.

“We’re counting on Laura and Madison at the point,” said Klitzner. “One or both of them will have to step in for Casey.”

Sophomore guard Ashley Chard (Burlington, CT/St. Paul HS), who averaged 8.4 points per game last season, and junior guard Merideth Morgan (Amherst, MA/Williston HS), who contributed 1.8 points per contest, will step up their roles this season. Juniors Joya Davis, who appeared in 20 games last year, and Sarah Lynch, who played for the Corsairs two seasons ago but did not play last year, should also help.

“We expect Ashley Chard and Merideth Morgan to contribute at the shooting guard position,” said Klitzner. “Ashley is a scorer, and Merideth works hard and has good skills. Joya Davis is a tough kid who comes in and lifts up our level of play. She can give us some quality minutes to increase our intensity. Sarah Lynch is a good athlete with good anticipation, She will help us defensively.”

Klitzner said that while his team’s strength is inside, the newcomers should help his team be more diversified. “Our inside scoring and post play has been our strength,” said Klitzner. “Hopefully, our newcomers will step up and help us. We’re hoping to run more, and we’ll try to use some pressure defensively, while still getting scoring from our big kids under the basket.”

The Little East Conference is traditionally strong. “Our conference games are very tough,” said Klitzner. “The Little East is one of the top Division III conference in the country. Southern Maine made it to the Final Four last year, and Eastern Connecticut is perennially knocking on the door as far as the top 20 is concerned. There are no weak sisters in our conference. Every game will be tough.”

The non-league games are also challenging. “We’ve never beaten Worcester State, they’re a very strong team,” said Klitzner. “Bridgewater State will be strong, Wheaton usually has a good team, Simmons will be tough and Widener made it to the ECAC Tournament last season.”

Cash Griffith, who has worked with him since Klitzner coached at Salve Regina University, will assist Klitzner. Jessica Corwin will also assist, and will be beginning her second year as an assistant coach at UMass Dartmouth.

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