Freshmen provide youth movement
By Nathan Davis
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: Sports Extra
The Slippery Rock University women's basketball team is undergoing a virtual overhaul for the 2009-2010 season, bringing about a youth movement that could present the Rock women with a challenging season ahead.
SRU's women's basketball program added nine freshmen to the roster this year, some of which, will be taking on a significant role SRU women's coach Laurel Heilman said.
"We need to get them into the rotation right away," Heilman said. "I'm hoping by conference time they've learned from their mistakes and our more comfortable out on the court."
The nine freshman include guards Lyndsy Day, Kara Lazauskas, Bethany Caudill, Alex Beatty, Katelyn Griffin, Lyndsay Burneisen and Emilee Vitez. Along with forward Amanda Mikatavage and center Tynesha Lee. Beatty is one of the freshman girls who will see significant minutes on the court this year and is praised by Heilman for her defensive ability and work ethic.
Beatty said she's having fun being able to play at the collegiate level, but there have been some surprises.
She said she didn't know was unsure of her role and would have been satisfied with a decent amount of minutes.
"It's (college hoops) definitely more complicated than I expected." Beatty said. "I got really nervous playing in my first game but I'm just happy to be out there."
Heilman said the biggest adjustments freshmen have to make when they join a collegiate basketball program is the physical aspect of the game and the conditioning you go through to be in "game shape".
"It's not walk the ball up the court anymore, its run like a deer and take people off the dribble," Heilman explained.
Beatty admits her conditioning over the summer helped, but she still had a lot to do to become physically ready for games.
The nine women are going to be the future of SRU womens basketball, so playing well together and bonding could be a significant factor in the programs success over the next four years. Heilman said she was impressed by the chemistry displayed by the freshmen and that it's going to be the an important factor in determining success in. She said they are the "nucleus of what's to come."
As for leadership, Heilman says Caudill is the most active voice among the group but that it comes with the position.
"She has great knowledge of the game and was brought in to be the point guard of the future," Heilman said.
Beatty said one of the aspects of her game she wants to improve upon is being a vocal leader on the court. She said she tends to be more of a silent leader and leads by example.The best improvement SRU can make is following up this impressive freshman class with more impressive recruits. Heilman said time will tell how these freshmen will develop but she appreciates their willingness to learn and be coached.
The young Rock women are picked to finish seventh in the PSAC-West this season, and the lack of experience on the court could lead to some real challenges.
"We're in a division with three nationally ranked opponents, so it's going to be a tough season," Heilman said.
SRU's women's basketball program added nine freshmen to the roster this year, some of which, will be taking on a significant role SRU women's coach Laurel Heilman said.
"We need to get them into the rotation right away," Heilman said. "I'm hoping by conference time they've learned from their mistakes and our more comfortable out on the court."
The nine freshman include guards Lyndsy Day, Kara Lazauskas, Bethany Caudill, Alex Beatty, Katelyn Griffin, Lyndsay Burneisen and Emilee Vitez. Along with forward Amanda Mikatavage and center Tynesha Lee. Beatty is one of the freshman girls who will see significant minutes on the court this year and is praised by Heilman for her defensive ability and work ethic.
Beatty said she's having fun being able to play at the collegiate level, but there have been some surprises.
She said she didn't know was unsure of her role and would have been satisfied with a decent amount of minutes.
"It's (college hoops) definitely more complicated than I expected." Beatty said. "I got really nervous playing in my first game but I'm just happy to be out there."
Heilman said the biggest adjustments freshmen have to make when they join a collegiate basketball program is the physical aspect of the game and the conditioning you go through to be in "game shape".
"It's not walk the ball up the court anymore, its run like a deer and take people off the dribble," Heilman explained.
Beatty admits her conditioning over the summer helped, but she still had a lot to do to become physically ready for games.
The nine women are going to be the future of SRU womens basketball, so playing well together and bonding could be a significant factor in the programs success over the next four years. Heilman said she was impressed by the chemistry displayed by the freshmen and that it's going to be the an important factor in determining success in. She said they are the "nucleus of what's to come."
As for leadership, Heilman says Caudill is the most active voice among the group but that it comes with the position.
"She has great knowledge of the game and was brought in to be the point guard of the future," Heilman said.
Beatty said one of the aspects of her game she wants to improve upon is being a vocal leader on the court. She said she tends to be more of a silent leader and leads by example.The best improvement SRU can make is following up this impressive freshman class with more impressive recruits. Heilman said time will tell how these freshmen will develop but she appreciates their willingness to learn and be coached.
The young Rock women are picked to finish seventh in the PSAC-West this season, and the lack of experience on the court could lead to some real challenges.
"We're in a division with three nationally ranked opponents, so it's going to be a tough season," Heilman said.
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