However, they will have to do it without last year's strong senior core. Losing Katie Latham, Julie Smith, Ali Flato and Krissy Morin will mean that new players will have to step up. These losses leave the Jeffs a little short on height, but full with athleticism and speed. Other players will have to fill the low-post presence and strong rebounding that will be sorely missed. The Jeffs will be led by their strong junior class and their lone senior, but they have an abundance of sophomores and three newcomers who are prepared to make immediate contributions.
The Jeffs' three captains, forward Stefanie Reiff' 08, guard Shaina Pollack '08 and guard Jenny Muller '07, will provide the bulk of the leadership and scoring. Reiff lead the team with 9.4 points per game, and Muller was just behind with 9.1. Like Muller, Pollack will also provide scoring and outside shooting. The two ranked among the best in the NESCAC at three-point field percentage. Junior forward Anne-Claire Roesch, plagued by injuries the past two years, will look to provide a spark on both the offensive and defensive ends.
"We lost four seniors to graduation," said Pollack. "All of whom contributed valuable minutes on the court last year so we expect everyone, including our first-years, to step up this season and be ready to contribute from the outset."
The large sophomore core on Amherst's roster should also have a large impact on the team. Last season, forward Yasmine Harik '09 played strong offense and defense and will add much-needed height and low-post presence. Susannah Ludwig '09 also provides height, and sophomore guards Stacy Brossy, Amanda Otieno and Sarah Johnston will look to crack the rotation and help with the scoring load.
The Jeffs will also look to its newcomers to help bolster the team's performance. Kerry O'Loughlin '09, a six-foot transfer from Stony Brook University, should provide a lot of offensive skill and will look to make an impact. The former Div. I athlete should bring a new dimension to the team. Six-foot guard/forward Samantha Swenson, and guard Mia Gliedman, both first-years, mark a strong class that looks to break into the college game. "We also have three rookies coming in that should be able to contribute immediately, as well as a very athletic and passionate bench," said Reiff.
The team's strength does not lie in its size, but its athleticism and speed. The Jeffs only have two players at six feet, and both are newcomers to the Lord Jeff program. Amherst will have to counter other teams' height advantage with their speed, sharp shooting, and quick and tenacious defense.
"Overall, we're a much faster team than we have been in the past and we plan to capitalize on this speed by running the court well and pressing throughout the game," commented Reiff. "We're counting on our athletic ability to make up for our lack of height. The team chemistry this year is amazing and everyone has fun together on and off the court; that's the best part about this year thus far."
Amherst will kick off the season on Saturday against UMass-Dartmouth at home. The Jeffs' season will consist of a mix of NESCAC and non-conference games, highlighted by two games against Williams College, in Williamstown, Mass., on Jan. 6, and at home on Jan. 20.
"We plan on coming out strong in our season opener and winning our key games in the NESCAC," said Reiff.
NESCAC Notes
Bowdoin College, who has won the NESCAC championship the past six seasons, returns nine players, led by senior Eileen Flaherty, a three-time first-team All-American selection.