WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

2007-08 SEASON OUTLOOK

"TURNING UP THE HEAT" is the slogan for the 2007-2008 Avila Women's Basketball Team. The goal is to not only heat up on the "hardwood" but also in the classroom. Larry Williams, in his second season, wants this years ' players to break out on the court and in the classroom. After finishing with an impressive 18-13 record last year and 5 th place in the HAAC there is only one direction to go and that is up. In the classroom, the team won the Geer Cup for  women's teams with the highest GPA at Avila University and was picked as an NAIA Scholar Team with an overall GPA of 3.37.

"Our expectations need to be higher this year for us to reach our goals.  Last year the girls proved that with a little leadership and direction they could compete with most teams in the HAAC," said Williams. "This year the heat is especially on us because of the success we had in 06-07. Teams will be better prepared, we have a tougher schedule, and we have seven new faces to learn the system. Our returnees know what the expectation is in the classroom and our seven new recruits were all National Honor Society members of their high school."

Williams still wants to bring in the up-tempo style and pressure defense that was his trademark at William Jewell College as an assistant coach for seven years. Williams sees this year's team as a team that can exceed last year's success. Six returning letterman that know his system in addition to his first recruiting class of seven have him excited about the prospect of the season. "Our recruiting class is an excellent example of what we want for our style of play. More athleticism and quickness, three point shooters, and passion for the game are the ingredients it takes for this style. It takes eight to ten players giving their all to play like we would like. That means that new recruits will have to step in and play immediately. The HAAC is one of the best conferences in the nation with many very good players. The goal of the Eagles is to turn up the heat and lead the "HAAC Pack!"

The six letterman returning have plenty of playing experience to get this team off its feet and successful. Juniors Sarah Parker and Emily Hoskins have started since their freshman year. Parker, a 5'7" shooting guard averaged 13.8 points a game this past year and is one of the best three point shooters in the HAAC. Hoskins is  a 5'6" point guard,  who averaged 5.3 points per game, led the team in assists, and has the ability to make things happen on the floor. Ashley Townsend, a 6'0" junior forward , was averaging 12.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game until  she sufferred a season ending illness  with 10 games to go. She is healthy again and  has been working extremely hard on her game. Jaime Kenney , a 5'11" sophomore is a multitalented player who  averaged 9.1 points a game and was nominated as new comer of the year in the HAAC. Completing the returning six are Kayle Walker, a 5'8" junior shooting guard who showed much improvement toward the end of last season and Liz Vollmer a 6'2" sophomore who went through the learning process last year is now ready to step up and accept the challenges of a new year.

Rounding out the Eagles are seven new players that are challenging for playing time. Joni Ramey, a 5'6" junior transfer from Highland Junior College adds energy and experience. Ashleigh Adkins, a 5'6" point guard gives  the Eagles  more quickness at the guard spot . Katie Degn , a 6'0" forward set the single season and career record for three point shots made at Blue Springs South High School . Tara Hales, a 5'8" shooting guard  provides athleticism and  an outside threat. Jordan Palin , a 5'10" forward is a multitalented player with unlimited potential. Melissa Yount, a 5'7" guard gives more quickness and athleticism to the style of play the Eagles want to incorporate. Alyson Young, a 6'0" post averaged a double/double her senior year in high school and holds  the Logan-Rogersville career scoring and rebounding records.

According to Williams "It will be interesting to see how things develop this season.

There's not a night off in the HAAC. Every night is a huge game. You can't lose at home and you try to get as many victories as you can on the road. The team that accomplishes this will win the conference. We hope with our PLAY HARD, PLAY SMART and PLAY TOGETHER attitude we will be that team."