Women's Basketball

2000-01 Women's Basketball Preview

After a record-setting campaign a year ago, the Ferris State University women's basketball team hopes to make a return trip to the NCAA Division II National Tournament and contend once again for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) crown.

The journey to the tourney, however, won't be an easy one.

The Bulldogs will tip off the 2000-2001 campaign on Nov. 18 against Missouri-St. Louis. The Riverwomen knocked Ferris State out of the NCAA tournament a year ago. The slate doesn't get any easier from there.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, Ferris State will head to Fargo, N.D., to take part in the North Dakota State Valley Imports Classic. The Bulldogs will meet Clarion (Pa.) in the opening round and could face perennial Division II power North Dakota State in the tournament championship.

GLIAC play, as usual, will be equally as difficult.

For third-year coach Tracey Fisk and her squad to duplicate their record-setting season of a year ago, several newcomers must be ready to contribute as the roster is full of new faces. Three starters and five lettermen are gone from a year ago. In their place are a host of highly-touted youngsters. The crop of newcomers and a solid core of returnees should provide an interesting and talented mix.

Backcourt

While several new faces abound, it's very likely one of the guard positions will be filled in crucial situations by an experienced veteran.

Debbie Killips returns for her third season and should be one of the premier guards in the league. A year ago, she was named to the GLIAC All-Defensive squad and averaged 2.9 steals per contest. As one of the team captains this season, Killips will be counted on heavily to lead the squad and be productive on the offensive end.

Jennifer Brogger also returns in the backcourt and should challenge for plenty of minutes this season.

Versatile senior Kerri Cannata will split time between the guard and forward positions. Junior Patti Larson will do the same. Both will have to be leaders for the Bulldogs as the roster includes just six upperclassmen.

Several of the new faces will also see action in the backcourt. Former Petoskey standout Michelle Welch and Belding native Lindsey Kohn will work primarily in the backcourt and handle some of the ball handling duties.

Newcomers Stephanie Benear and Lucy DeMartin could also see action depending upon the situation. Both are 5-9 swing players who had outstanding high school careers and appear poised to make some noise at Ferris State.

With a host of players vying for playing time, Fisk will have some difficult decisions to make. It's very likely those decisions will be made and changed several times throughout the course of the season.

Frontcourt

As with Killips, there is very little controversery over who will fill one of the positions up front. Senior Tianna Kirkland, a Second-Team All-GLIAC selection a year ago, should be a strong candidate for post-season honors once again. A year ago, Kirkland led the Bulldogs in both scoring and rebounding and ranked among the leaders in the conference. If the Bulldogs plan to make a return trip to the NCAA Tournament, she will have to continue to elevate her game.

Another familiar face also returns. Senior Veronica Joseph saw plenty of action a year ago. The 6-0 native of the West Indies ranked among the best shot blockers in the conference and should be a thorn in the side of many opponents this season.

Senior Dana Bull was a regular a year ago and will be counted on for more minutes and more production this season.

As in the backcourt, depth could also be readily available in the frontcourt.

Eastern Michigan transfer Abby Glover, a former Roscommon standout, should receive a strong look at the forward position. The 5-10 sophomore has the talent to be very productive for the Bulldogs.

Several other new faces could also get some action at the small forward and post positions. Highly-regarded freshman Bridget Horwitz of Auburn, Ind., has the size at 6-2 to make an immediate contribution. Another freshman, Lansing Central Catholic product Molly Potvin, could also figure into the mix.

If the Bulldogs have one thing going for them this season, it is the fact that last year's success has installed a new confidence in the program. With such a highly-talented freshman class, Fisk is hoping the rewards come early and often.
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