“Last season we were undefeated on our home court — so we want to win all our games in LeFrak again, host the NESCAC tournament and win our second NESCAC Championship! We made it to the Sweet Sixteen last year, and I’m sure everybody who played in that game would give anything to get back the last two minutes and have a different outcome. That said, we want to be at the Final Four this year, and if we get there as we should, it will be on us to bring home the National Championship.”
Amherst lost a talented trio from the class of 2008 and will need rookies and upperclassmen alike to step up if they want to match or improve upon last year’s 27-3 record. In the 2007-08 season, point guard Shaina Pollack ’08 and forward Stefanie Reiff ’08 led the Jeffs on offense, scoring 12.2 and 12.1 points per game, respectively. Pollack also led the team in assists and steals, and recorded the highest three-point percentage. Fellow teammate Anne-Claire Roesch ’09 was a tenacious defender, notching 10 blocks on the season and grabbing an average of 3.3 rebounds per game.
The Jeffs will look to Harik and center Sarah Leyman ’11 — both starters last season — to lead the team on the court. Co-captain Amanda Otieno ’09 will also play an integral role this season. Still, for Amherst to be dominant in conference matches, freshman will need to be integrated into the team dynamic and become familiar with the Jeffs’ style of play.
“During preseason, we had the first chance to play with the freshmen,” said Harik. “We learned their tendencies, they learned about some of the returning players and what we do on the court, so in that sense, it was a good way to start building familiarity. We mainly focused on playing together as much as possible.”
Amherst kicked off its season at home on Saturday in the Amherst Tip-Off, where they took on New York City College of Technology. It was clear from the beginning of the game that there would be no contest, as the Jeffs jumped out to a 17-point lead not even five minutes into the game. Amherst emerged with a 117-20 victory.
The next contest proved to be a little more challenging as the Jeffs matched up against Fitchburg State College in the second day of the Tip-Off. Amherst led by 14 at the half — a solid margin, but by no means definitive. The second stanza displayed a tough Amherst defense that wouldn’t let its opponents narrow the lead and the Jeffs came away with a 72-59 win.
“It’s a great confidence builder,” said guard Stacy Brossy ’09 of the match. “It’s the first time we have all played together and when we can work things out and start to feel comfortable out on the court it just strengthens our team. These two wins also help set up the winning mentality that we have to have as a team to go far this season.”