The Millersville University women’s basketball team comes into the new season with very high expectations after last year’s appearance in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) final four.  Head coach Mary Fleig and the players have their eye on winning the eastern division.  “This year’s team has plenty of postseason experience returning along with a deep bench, which will be key to winning the East,” says Fleig.

The Marauders biggest threat comes in returning Second Team All-PSAC selection Ashley Romanoski.  One of the three captains on this year’s squad, Romanoski is a double-double threat every night and a handful for opposing defenses.  She is a force on the offensive end: a great player in the post who can also take the ball to the basket.  The senior forward is usually matched up against the opposition’s top scorer because of her talent on the defensive side of the ball.  “Ashley’s athleticism and versatility are very important to our game plan,” says Fleig.

Another versatile player the Marauders will look to for leadership this season is senior guard/forward Kari Cover.  Cover is known for her excellent shooting touch and quick release.  “Kari is relentless on the court,” says Fleig.  “She hustles for loose balls, grabs offensive rebounds and will always give her best effort on defense.”

The third captain on this year’s team is junior forward Kristin Kunzman.  Kunzman is a very physical post player who can shoot the three as well.  Her ability to grab offensive rebounds and play smart defense makes her a huge asset to the team.

This year’s team boasts a very deep bench with plenty of talent beyond the three captains.  “We have very good team chemistry and a very balanced attack,” says Fleig. “Our players are very athletic and we will be able to create turnovers with tough ball pressure and multiple traps.”

Two forwards that fit the description of this year’s Marauder team are juniors Gladine St. Julien and Jamika Rehm.
Rehm can play with her back to the basket or shoot from behind the arc.  She is also a threat to block shots on the defensive side of the ball.  As a freshman, Rehm broke the school record for blocks in a season.

St. Julien is a similar type of player. She can score from the post and is relied upon heavily to pull down rebounds in crucial situations.

Another veteran returning to the squad this season is junior Jenna Philo.  Philo uses her strong leadership skills at the point guard position to general this Marauder team out on the floor.  She has a very accurate three-point shot and has the poise to see the floor and make plays.

Other returning guards this season that will surely have an impact for this Marauder team include sophomores Aiesha Bellamy and Ashley Moyer. 

Bellamy has improved greatly from last season and is more confident and relaxed in the system this season.  Her excellent reaction time makes her their best on the ball defender.  The guard is strong when taking the ball to the basket and is confident in her pull-up jumper.

Moyer is a very fundamentally sound player with quickness and speed.  In most situations she is matched up with the opposing team’s top scoring guard due to her quickness on the defensive end.  She possesses a strong shooter’s touch with the ability to pull-up off the dribble.

The Marauders depth with sophomore Jenna Craig, a forward/guard, and first-year transfer Raquel Green, a guard. 
Craig gives coach Fleig options with her ability to play on the perimeter or down in the post.  Her height makes her a scoring threat from outside and her intelligence in the post gives her versatility.  She has improved greatly since last season in her confidence level.

Green is a transfer from Coppin State, and gives the Marauders another scoring threat with strong offensive abilities.  She is a very deceptive shot blocker with the ability to post up and score off the dribble.

Several freshman on this year’s team will attempt to earn some playing time while learning coach Fleig’s system.  Brie Dohm, Amy Heffner and Domonique Strohman are three guards that can all provide quality ball pressure and possess the ability to score.

Last year’s run to the final four will hopefully provide a solid stepping stone for this year’s team and their goal to win the east.  The team has a much better understanding of consistent play, learning to win both at home and on the road, a trait that was difficult to come by a year ago. 

With the core players returning from last year’s team, the 2007 Lady Marauders should be right in the hunt for PSAC Eastern Division Title.