Although the team got off to a fast start last year, winning eight of their first 11 games, they quickly faded, dropping the next six games against NESCAC opponents. The team could not recover from those losses and played .500 ball the rest of the season. Major difficulties on the road and against NESCAC opponents last season were reflected by Amherst's 2-10 record on the road and 2-7 NESCAC record.
Despite last year's mid-season struggles, the team enters this season with high expectations. The Jeffs hope to return to the NESCAC Championships but are not worried about breaking the records they set in the 2000-2001 season. "We will try to come together as a team," McBride said. "We need to strive to be a good team and the rest will take care of itself."
The team returns four starters including as senior tri-captains Sara Bozorg and Sarah Walker. Bozorg missed the entire season last year while studying abroad. Walker missed only part of the season for the same reason. Both Bozorg and Walker were Second Team All-NESCAC selections as sophomores.
Despite missing the first half of last season, Walker was named an Academic All-NESCAC. She holds the school record for career blocks and is the third leading rebounder in Amherst history.
Bozorg will also be a powerful force on the court setting up plays for the Jeffs and as a scoring threat. "Bozorg is one of the premiere point guards in the division," said Cinella.
Besides Bozorg and Walker, the team will rely heavily on the third tri-captain, Brooke Diamond '03. Diamond is a standout three-sport athlete and should be a solid player for the Jeffs.
Amherst will also look to get significant contributions from Shannon Russell '04. Russell was the team's leading scorer last year with 12.3 points per game and constitutes the team's most potent three-point threat. Russell was also named tournament MVP of the Goombay Shootout in Nassau, Bahamas last season, after leading the Jeffs with 15 and 14 points in two wins over Colby-Sawyer College.
Other returning players include juniors LaShauna Barboza, Marisa McGuire, Caitlin Farrell and sophomore Kate Herlihy. Barboza was last year's most improved player and McGuire was a key defensive player for Amherst. Farrell, who is fifth in all-time blocked shots, should team up with Walker as a powerful 1-2 combination to control the post. As the lone sophomore, the Jeffs expect Herlihy to be a steady contributor as well as a team leader. "She carries herself like a junior," said Hersey. "She just has so much maturity."
Walker thinks this year's team is extremely balanced and has many weapons. "We're really deep this year," she said. "We'll be strong inside and outside, offensively and defensively."
In spite of all the good news for the Jeffs, they will suffer two key losses in Hallison Putnam '02 and Sarah Bergman '04. Putnam graduated last year, while Bergman is studying abroad for the first half of the season. As a sophomore, Bergman was the team's leading rebounder, grabbing 9.1 boards per game. She was also the second leading scorer behind Russell.
The Jeffs open up their season at home against Mt. Holyoke College on Nov. 26. They will participate in the Pioneer Valley Classic Tournament over the weekend of Dec. 6 before going on the road to play in California in early January. They will return to face archrival Williams College, their first NESCAC opponent, on Jan. 11, where they will look to avenge last season's losses.
A week later, the Jeffs square off against arguably their toughest opponent, Bowdoin College. Bowdoin's preseason ranking is third in the country. "This year we really want to beat Bowdoin. It would be great to beat them since we lost to them last season," said Walker. After playing more division rivals, the Jeffs will vie for a trip to the NESCAC Championships on Feb. 22.
Amherst is well-stocked for the future with six freshmen on the team. "This is a new team this year," said Walker. "Going into the season we're really confident with the players we have.