Danner is coming back from a shoulder injury which limited her playing time to only 10 games at the beginning of last season. She has recovered from shoulder surgery last January and is fully recovered entering the 1996-97 season. She averaged 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds as a starter during the 1995-96 season. As a freshman, Danner appeared in all 23 games, averaging 2 points and 2 rebounds per game. She plays solid defense and runs the floor well, according to Coach Houtman. Her strong inside moves make her a reliable scorer and her outside shooting skills make her difficult to guard. An aggressive player on both ends of the court, she will be asked to be a leader on the floor for what is still a young squad.

After appearing in 16 games last season as a sophomore, she missed the entire 1995-96 season due to a knee injury sustained during pre-season practice. With some of the new players expected to move into the starting lineup this season, Coach Houtman will have the luxury of bringing in several experienced players off the bench, including Tomkiewicz. She will be called on as one of the first players off the bench to relieve the Corsairs' front court players. Coach Houtman described Tomkiewicz as a very versatile player, who has the talent and skills to be a very strong player on the inside and with a good shooting touch to be effective from the outside.

Another two-sport student athlete at UMass Dartmouth, Melville was a member of the women's soccer team. In 15 soccer games this season, she scored one goal for two points from her midfielder position and was an important part of the Corsairs' strong defensive unit. She earned Little East Conference Second Team All-Conference honors following the season. A first-year member of the basketball team, Coach Houtman said she was very pleased with her work ethic in pre-season camp. She has worked hard on her ball handling and shooting skills.

At six foot, Miller is the tallest player on the UMass Dartmouth roster this season. A natural center accustomed to playing with her back to the basket, Coach Houtman is hoping Miller can develop her pivot play and shooting throughout the season. She is able to use her height to her advantage and can be a strong rebounder. She will be an important player for UMass Dartmouth if her skills continue to show improvement on both ends of the court.

Although she played in only 8 games last season, Adams worked very hard in the off-season on her defensive skills and it has paid off for her. Coach Houtman said Adams may see some playing time this season because the Corsairs want to make the most of her defensive abilities. She will often be used off the bench to guard one of the opposition's top scoring back court players.

In her first year with the Corsairs, Coach Houtman has been very impressed with Arpin's skills since the beginning of the season. The combination of her hard work and ball handling schools could earn her some playing time in the Corsairs' back court this season. Throughout pre-season drills she showed continued improvement from the first day, according to Coach Houtman.

Berger will slide over from the shooting guard position to point guard this season. In 25 games last year, Berger averaged 9 points and 4 rebounds per game, while handing out a team-high 68 assists. Her 26 steals were third on the team and she shot 34% from the floor (78-232) and was the Corsairs' top 3-point shooter, connecting on 34% from three-point range (29-85), sixth in the Little East Conference. Berger shot 66% from the free throw line (41-62). She gained valuable experience handling the ball last season and will be one of the Corsairs' offensive threats this season. Coach Houtman expects Berger's offensive production to be one of keyes to UMass Dartmouth's success this season. Berger enjoyed an outstanding high school career at Bourne High School as a three-year starter. A two-sport student-athlete for the Corsairs, Berger compiled an 11-1 record as a singles player and a 10-2 record in doubles. She teamed up with Kasha Gula to earn All-LEC honors at second doubles.

Haynes transferred to UMass Dartmouth after playing a season at Catawba College in Bermuda. A two-sport athlete for the Corsairs, Haynes played midfield and defense for Coach Marilyn Ritz's field hockey team this season. A very athletic player at 5-8, Haynes may be one of the players Coach Houtman tries to work into the playing rotation in the front court. Her speed and athletic skills give her the potential to be a solid player for UMass Dartmouth.

In her second season with the Corsairs' program, Martin is another of the young players who gained valuable experience last season. One of three players to appear in all 25 games last season, Martin averaged 5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game with 33 assists, 41 steals and a team-leading 10 blocked shots. A 41% free throw shooter (19-46) and a 31% shooter from the floor (52-170), Coach Houtman has high expectations for Martin because of her offensive scoring skills and her defensive and rebounding abilities. She earned much of her playing time as a first-year player when Cathy Danner was injured.

Along with Martin and Berger, Pitner appeared in all 25 UMass Dartmouth games last season as a freshman. She averaged 4.3 points and 1.8 rebounds per game with 31 assists, 12 steals and 3 blocked shots. She was one of the Corsairs' top free throw shooters last season, connecting on 53% (10-19) and shot 34% from the floor (46-135). Used primarily off the bench last season, Coach Houtman expects to use Pitner's shooting skills to provide the Corsairs' offense with a spark off the bench. As her ball-handling skills continue to improve, she will see increased amounts of playing time in the back court.

Coach Houtman is very high on Breton because of her shooting skills. Described as a very good outside shooter, Breton could be one of the players Coach Houtman calls on when the Corsairs' offense needs to make some outside shots. An effective three-point shooter, Breton could be a very solid addition to the Corsairs' offensive lineup in her first season. A strong ball handler as well, Breton may see her share of playing time because of the variety of her skills.

Although only a first-year player at UMass Dartmouth, Coach Houtman is very happy with the skills St. Germaine demonstrated during the pre-season, adjusting to the Corsairs' system. A very aggressive player on both offense and defense, Coach Houtman hoped to be able to get the ball into St. Germaine in the pivot. A very strong rebounder to go along with a steady shooting touch playing with her back to the basket, St. Germaine may be one of the key players for the Corsairs' this season.

A first-year player for UMass Dartmouth this season, Silva will be a starter at shooting guard to start the season. Her ball-handling skills will allow her to also take over at point guard on an occasional basis. A very quick player, Coach Houtman said Silva is very aggressive, especially on the press. A very good defensive player, Silva is an experience player with court sense, having played both guard and forward in high school basketball at Cardinal Spellman HS in Brockton.

Tavares played forward for the Dartmouth High School team last season and impressed Coach Houtman with her hard work during pre-season practice sessions. As her shooting continues to improve, she may earn some playing time in the Corsairs' front court rotation. At 5-8, she is one of the tallest Corsair forwards on the roster and she possesses strong rebounding skills.