ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann College women's basketball team is set to open its 2008-09 season at the Marymount Marine Corps Tip-Off hosted at Marymount University on Friday, November 21 – Sunday November 23.
The women's basketball program has improved each year under the leadership of fifth year Head Coach Frank Farnese. In 2007-08 the team finished 15-11 overall. Since 2001-02, the Knights have made seven consecutive conference playoff appearances. Overall, Coach Farnese has a record of 45-36 at his alma mater. The Knights are picked to finished third this season in the Colonial States Athletic Conference.
With the past two Rookies of the Years Krista DiRomualdo (Eddystone,Pa.) (2008) and Brittany Whetts (Philadelphia, Pa.) (2007) returning, the Knights are ready to take on the challenge of the 2008-09 season. Whetts and DiRomualdo combined for one-third of the team's total points in 07-08. DiRomualdo led the team, averaging 12.6 points per game while Whetts was the only other player to average double figures with 11.5 ppg. The junior led the team with 9.0 rebounds per game.
Other returning juniors are Caitlin Agnew (Philadelphia, Pa.), Stephanie Fanto (Lansdale, Pa.), Dominique Thompson (Wayne, Pa.), Coleen Healy (Drexel Hill, Pa.) and Nicole Feby (Prospect Peak, Pa.). Sophomore twins Katie and Kieran Young (Wilmington, Del.) return with classmate DiRomualdo to fill out the sophomore class.
The Knights welcome four freshmen and two transfers to the team. Adding those six to the returning six juniors and three sophomores will be key as there are no seniors on the squad. The freshmen this year will be local product Sami Borcky (Aston, Pa.), Kirstyn Coale (Chichester, Pa.), Kaitlin Szupa (Landenberg, Pa.) and Jessica Foulks (Florence, N.J.). Jordan Elgart (Bear, Del.) and Jalisa Mitchell (Warrensville Hts., Ohio) will bring leadership to the junior class.
The Knights open with the Marymount Marine Corps Tip-off before they start their home play with Widener University on Thanksgiving eve. Highlights of the 2008-09 schedule include an ECAC Holiday Festival held in Disney World.
For live stats during the Marine Corps Tip-Off, please click here.
