Nov. 16, 2001

In 25 years of women 's basketball, Army has accomplished many things. It began as the first women 's varsity program at the U.S.Military Academy in 1976. Through the years it has seen rough times but a greener pasture is finally within grasp.

In just three seasons at the helm of the Army program,head coach Sherri Abbey-Nowatzki has taken the program to new heights.Since coming to Army prior to the 1998-99 season,Nowatzki has transformed a program that went 1-25 in 1996-97 into a program that went 19-10 last year, scripting one of the best turnarounds in Division I women 's basketball.

Closing out last year 's regular season with an 87-71 victory over three-time league champion Holy Cross,the Black Knights gave a glimmer of its potential. With the win Army earned the fourth seed in the Patriot League Tournament.Beating Navy 73-61,after dropping the two regular season meetings,Army advanced to the semifinals for only the fifth time in school history,where it fell to eventual champion Holy Cross 70-50.

Missing from this year 's squad will be last year 's five seniors,including three starters who averaged almost 30 minutes of playing time apiece.With the loss of Therese Kelley, last year 's leading scorer who averaged 14.7 ppg.and second leading rebounder with 6.9 rpg.,Dawn Halfaker and Megan Dempsey,Abbey-Nowatzki will be looking to several players on her team to stepup into new roles.

"More than any other time in the past, there is a lot of playing time to be had with graduating five seniors,"says Abbey-Nowatzki."Our program has grown right on target as we have planned. We want to prove that last season was the beginning of many more winning seasons to follow.With the addition of our third recruiting class,we have the talent to compete each and every year for the Patriot League title."

A young team with only two seniors on the roster,Abbey-Nowatzki is going to look for the nine returning players to stepup and fill the voids.Joining the ranks of the varsity squad will be five plebes.

"I am eagerly anticipating seeing some of the younger players step up.We are young but players such as Molly McKinnon, Katie Macfarlane, Vanara Soeung and Dionna McPhatter,will have the opportunity to step-up along with Christine Gassman and Amy Saal."

With the season approaching fast,Abbey-Nowatzki is happy with the ay practices have been going."From a coaching stand point,we have fun teaching an ambitious team that is eagar to learn. While the cohesiveness will be a big key,I think how far we go this year will depend on how eager this team is to learn to play as a team and enjoy playing basketball by challenging each other everyday when they step on the court."

Despite the loss of talent,the 2001-02 team has many of its own attributes."If we can maximize our athleticism with consistency and fundamentals this team should be on target,to pick up where last year 's team finished,"says Abbey-Nowatzki.

Serving as captain for the squad will be senior Halaevalu Helu .Along with providing leadership to a young team,Helu one of two seniors,is the only three-year letterwinner on the squad and one of two starters returning.

Frontcourt
Stepping up immediately in her freshman campaign,sophomore Katie Macfarlane becomes the focal point in the post position. Averaging 11.7 ppg.,second on the team,and a team high 8.1 rpg., Macfarlane looks for a spot of the Patriot League first-team after being selected to both the league 's second team and all-rookie team last year.

With the loss of Kelley and Krista Ruschak,Abbey-Nowatzki will be looking to junior Molly McKinnon to step up and fill a key role.After an inconsistent season,McKinnon has come back playing to her potential.Playing well in the Empire State Games during the summer, McKinnon will be one of the league 's more physical post players in the paint and will provide leadership as an upperclassman.

"We are really starting to see Molly 's capabilities coming through,"says Abbey-Nowatzki."I am really proud of how she has worked hard coming back from an ACL tear and not seeing much time last year."

Four freshmen entering the mix will be looking for quality playing time in the front court. Amanda Buchholz, Shavonne Holden, Lindsay Brent and Amy Pagano possess a lot of talent and will help in the paint.

Buchholz is a very active player who will make her presence known on the court.She is a strong, defensive player who will be contending for quality minutes while bringing depth to the team.

"Amanda has had a great preseason as a freshman,"says Abbey Nowatzki."She is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and work hard."

The most athletic member of the team, Holden is a very talented athlete. Working on learning the system and polishing her fundamentals, she should be a focal point in Patriot League play.A player that can create her own shot, Holden 's scoring offense will be a key to the team 's success.

Adjusting to the swing position, Brent also demonstrates a strong work ethic and a good sense for the game,which she will capitalize on to be a threat in the paint.

Also playing post for the Black Knights, Pagano will see time as a reserve. Possessing good court vision,Pagano 's strong physical presense will add to the Army offense.

Backcourt
Used mostly last season in the backup role,sophomore Dionna McPhatter is contending for the starting point guard position with the graduation of Dempsey, even after missing part of preseason in the wake of a hip operation.A natural floor leader,McPhatter has good ballhandling skills,court vision and the ability to be a defensive stopper.

Pushing for quality minutes as the backup point guard,sophomore Haley Edwards has good fundamentals and an 18-foot jump shot that could be deadly for opponents.Using her height as a weapon,Edwards is a steady floor leader who has a good understanding of the game.

From the same high school as Dempsey comes freshman Rejara Arnold in the point position.With a quick first step and the ability to be a feisty defender,Arnold will see time as a backup point guard as she learns the system.

Helu returns to the off-guard position as the other returning starter.Averaging 7.8 ppg.last season,Helu is the second leading returning scorer. She will continue to provide consistency and leadership on the floor.

"We are looking to Valu to step-up and take more of a major scoring role from the swing position this year,"says Abbey-Nowatzki.

The only other senior on the team, Christina Canelli will be an explosive scoring threat from either the three-point arc or off the dribble.Canelli will be a key factor and can put up quick points.

"Christine has come back well from numerous knee surgeries and is playing extremely well right now,"says Abbey-Nowatzki."She is a person who can get really hot and put up some numbers.She can really be an offensive scoring plug."

Looking for more playing time this season will be juniors Christine Gassman and Amy Saal,and sophomore Vanara Soeung. Gassman 's 6-0 frame allows her to de- flect and alter shots at the off-guard position.An offensive weapon, Gassman will be counted on to spark the team with her scoring.Seeing varied minutes on the floor last year,Saal returns for her junior year faster and stronger after developing a quick release to become a more dangerous scoring threat.Another potential scoring threat,Soeung will add depth at the shooting guard position with her ability to breakdown the defense off the dribble.

The Schedule
Like last year,Army will start the season when it hosts the Army Tip-Off Tournament on Nov.16-17. Facing Davidson in the first round,the Black Knights are looking to win back-to-back championships on their home court.Also participating are Hofstra and defending Ivy League Champion Pennsylvania.

A tough non-conference schedule, Army will face Columbia on Nov.20 before heading to Indiana for Thanksgiving break where they will face Indiana-Fort Wayne on Nov.24.Highlighting the Black Knight 's non-conference schedule,Army will face defending National Champion Notre Dame on Nov.26.

To start the month of December,Army travels to Providence,R.I.for the Brown Classic. Opening with Brown on Dec.1, Army will face either Texas A&M or Quinnipiac in the second round.Starting on the fifth,Army hosts Albany and Princeton on Dec.8 followed by St. Francis (N.Y.)three days later before the intercession break.

Traveling to California, the Black Knights face California State-Sacramento on New Year 's Eve day.Stopping on their way home in Colorado Springs,Colo., Army will look to extend its winning streak over service academy rival Air Force to two on Jan.3.Two days later, the Black Knights will take on Yale before beginning league play.

On Jan.9,Army opens Patriot League play with Lehigh.Facing each league foe once during the month of January, the Black Knight schedule will be highlighted when Army looks for its second win in a row at home over league powerhouse Holy Cross on the 23rd.

Beginning in February,the Black Knights will open the second rotation against league teams. Closing out league play on the Feb.23,Army looks to regain bragging rights over archrival Navy, when it plays at Christl Arena in this year 's "Trophy Game ".

"We will get tested early this year with a tough non-conference schedule. Our goal is to use these games to help us gain experience and make us better in Patriot League play,"says Abbey Nowatzki.

Although it has a few obstacles to over come,the Army women 's basketball team has the dedication,perseverance and talent to become the best women 's basketball team in the 25 years of the program.